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Nov 7, 2024 | 
shape.com | Real Nurses |Jennifer Heimlich |wellness. Previously
There are many reasons so many people are walking around in Hoka shoes these days — at the top of this list is the brand's legendary pillowy soft support. The brand was a pioneer of cushioned running shoes when it debuted more than a decade ago, and although other shoe companies have since followed in its chunky footsteps, the best Hoka walking shoes still reliably deliver both prime comfort and top-notch support.
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Jul 1, 2024 | 
shape.com | Jennifer Heimlich |wellness. Previously
When we learn a workout “rule” early in our fitness journey, it can stick with us for years. For me, it was the advice to always eat protein within 30 minutes of finishing a workout. I heard it so many times from so many people that I never questioned rushing to drink a glass of chocolate milk or scarf down some nuts, even when I had no appetite. But recently, more than one sports dietitian told me that a 30-minute window was a bit of a myth. Yet, I still kept seeing and hearing it repeated.
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Jul 1, 2024 | 
shape.com | Jennifer Heimlich |wellness. Previously |Columbus Marathon
Racking up that step count is undoubtedly good for you. But your feet can take a beating if you’re not wearing the right running shoes. I know this all too well, since I used to walk two miles to work every day in the flimsiest flats, and ended up with achy ankles, sore bunions, and toes covered in blisters.
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Apr 30, 2024 | 
shape.com | Jennifer Heimlich |wellness. Previously
Runners with wide feet can have a heck of a time finding the right running shoes. Whether you inherited your dad’s voluminous metatarsals or you’ve got major bunions, going up a shoe size isn’t enough — that will increase the overall volume of the shoe, but not where you need it, and you’ll just be left with a bad fit. The best shoes for wide feet come with a broader base, particularly in the forefoot. They will make your runs more comfortable because they’ll allow your toes to splay out naturally.
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Apr 22, 2024 | 
shape.com | Jennifer Heimlich |wellness. Previously
I have one toenail that likes to fall off almost anytime I go for a long run. It sits right next to my big toe, jutting out just far enough that, especially when I do a good deal of downhill running, it rubs against the front of my shoe and gets busted up. But after training seriously in ballet while growing up and spending most of my teen years in pointe shoes, I’m very used to missing toenails, so it never felt like a problem I needed to fix. Until a solution fell into my lap.
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Apr 22, 2024 | 
shape.com | Jennifer Heimlich |wellness. Previously
Walk into any specialty running store, and you’ll see a wall covered in all kinds of shoes: bright shoes, bold shoes, lightweight minimalist shoes, and ultra-cushioned foot trampolines. But knowing which running shoe one is right for you can be challenging. After all, different types of running shoes serve different purposes and are designed for different kinds of runners. For instance, a pair meant for rocky trails will have distinct features from the pair you would use on the sidewalk.
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Apr 22, 2024 | 
shape.com | Jennifer Heimlich |wellness. Previously
Confession: I used to throw my sneakers in my gym bag as soon as I finished working out, and then I’d forget about them until the next time I laced up. Anyone who got close enough to sniff those shoes could tell you that was a mistake. But learning how to clean sneakers isn’t only about keeping them smelling—and looking—fresh, says Mark Mendeszoon, DPM, a podiatrist.
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Mar 1, 2024 | 
shape.com | Jennifer Heimlich |wellness. Previously |Kristen Geil
If you want to follow your heart, you need to know what it’s doing — and we mean that literally. The best heart rate monitors allow you to accurately track your training zones during workouts without restricting your movement. “It can help people in terms of tailoring their regimens and also monitoring their progress with their fitness,” says Neel Chokshi, MD, MBA, director of the Penn Center for Digital Cardiology and medical director of the Penn Sports Cardiology and Fitness program.
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Jan 18, 2024 | 
shape.com | Jennifer Heimlich |wellness. Previously |Kristen Geil
When you’re searching for the best running shoes for beginners, you might look for inspiration inside the closet of a dedicated runner. But that would be a mistake, says Antonio Sierra, D.P.M., a running coach and podiatric medicine resident at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Central Pennsylvania. “Advanced runners will have several different pairs of shoes because each has a different purpose,” he explains. When you’re just getting started, you only need one do-it-all daily trainer.
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Jan 17, 2024 | 
shape.com | Jennifer Heimlich |wellness. Previously
Fitness trends come and go, but one of the latest workout obsessions on TikTok (and IRL) is an activity that’s been around forever: rucking. What is rucking, exactly? Put simply, it’s a fancy name for walking while carrying some extra weight on your back. As basic as that sounds, rucking is blowing up your feed because of how accessible — and effective — it can be as a form of exercise.
