Lou Mudge

1 week ago | fitandwell.com | Lou Mudge

I’ve always been a sucker for a comfy shoe (who isn’t?), but since I developed bunions it’s become even more important. Now, if I spend even one evening in heels, I pay for it for days, and the shoes I wear for long walks have to have enough room for both my bunions and the toe spacer I wear to correct them. I test shoes every day for my guide to the best walking shoes, and since my toes began to drift, I've been even fussier about what does and doesn’t make the cut.

1 week ago | fitandwell.com | Lou Mudge

There are countless workouts available online, from TikTok trainers promising bulging biceps to YouTube videos explaining how to get gorgeous glutes. But many of them can include exercises that are tricky to get right, especially if you’re new to strength training or returning to weights after some time off. This is when it can be helpful to go back to basics.

1 week ago | fitandwell.com | Lou Mudge

Hip mobility issues can sneak up on you. One day you’re a kid climbing trees and can move your hips in all directions, the next you’re an adult who can’t take the stairs two at a time. I asked Club Pilates master trainer Pamela Paley why this is, and she explained that aging reduces muscle elasticity around joints, while sitting weakens hip muscles and tightens hip flexors. Then joint conditions, poor posture and a lack of flexibility can cause tightness and imbalances in the hips.

1 week ago | fitandwell.com | Lou Mudge

Feeling stiff and achy after a long day? You aren’t alone. Modern, sedentary lifestyles mean many of us suffer from these issues. Thankfully, there’s something you can do to ease the soreness—this simple 20-minute yoga routine. The flow comes from Mary Clare Sweet, yoga teacher and founder of Lotus House of Yoga. Sweet is an advocate for regular stretching and believes the health benefits go beyond the physical.

2 weeks ago | fitandwell.com | Lou Mudge

If you’ve never picked up a kettlebell before, they can look pretty intimidating. However, these free-weights are a great way to add load to functional movements. To see what I mean, try these three moves, recommended by Gary Tran, a NASM-qualified personal trainer for Gold’s Gym SoCal. Start with a light kettlebell and make sure you’re comfortable with the movement pattern of each exercise, then look to gradually increase the weight as you repeat the workout.