We all know we need to move for our mental and physical health, so this year, we had to get creative with our workouts. Instead of going to the gym, we took to biking, walking and watersports (according to our Year in Review). After all, the best workout is the one you enjoy doing — even if it only takes 7 minutes.
Here, our 10 most-read fitness stories of the year, plus a bonus editor’s pick — taking it to 11. Cheers to a fit and happy 2021!
1. 20-DAY FULL-BODY WORKOUT GUIDE
Sometimes motivating to work out feels impossible, but usually, all we need is a plan. Here, we take 10 basic exercises and put them to good use for 20 days. Judging by how popular this workout is, this just might be the plan for you going into 2021.
2. WHAT’S THE EASIEST EXERCISE YOU CAN DO AND STILL LOSE WEIGHT?
Consistency is key for working out, and this exercise is something pretty much all of us do every day. Next goal: Take it up a notch.
3. 10 ESSENTIAL BODYWEIGHT EXERCISES
If you know these bodyweight exercises, you’re golden. Just mix and match them, add weights or resistance bands, turn them into a HIIT workout — the options are endless. As they say: Teach a person 10 essential bodyweight moves, and they can work out for a lifetime.
4. HOW MANY HIIT WORKOUTS SHOULD YOU DO IN A WEEK?
Let’s put it this way: More HIIT isn’t always better.
5. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO LOSE MUSCLE?
The bad news: It generally takes a few days to a few weeks. But the good news is, if you have a good base, rebuilding strength can happen quickly.
6. 12 OF THE BEST WORKOUTS FOR WEIGHT LOSS
The best workout for weight loss is the workout you enjoy doing and will do consistently. If it’s one of these 12, even better.
7. 7-MINUTE FAT-BURNING HIIT WORKOUT
Long workouts aren’t for everyone, and that’s one reason HIIT workouts are trending. We can do hard things for seven minutes (even if it includes burpees). Find more 7-minute workouts here.
8. NO-EQUIPMENT WORKOUT: 10-MINUTE WORKOUT PROGRAM
If you have three more minutes (and refuse to do burpees), this 5-move, 10-minute workout might be the program for you.
9. TYPES OF CARBS TO AVOID BEFORE WORKING OUT
Luckily a banana with peanut butter isn’t on this list, but what you eat before a workout matters.
10. THE BEST WORKOUTS FOR YOUR 30S, 40S, 50S AND BEYOND
Age is nothing but a number, but if you’re looking for guidance on what to focus on for your workouts, these decades-based suggestions might help.
WALKING, RUNNING OR BIKING: WHICH IS BEST FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
Walking is something we can do consistently, but it’s time-consuming. Running is efficient but also high impact. Cycling is low impact but requires an initial gear investment. In other words, they’re all good for weight loss. Which is best for you?
Check out “Workout Routines” in the MyFitnessPal app to discover and log workouts or build your own with exercises that fit your goals.
