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Fitness

Vox’s coverage of fitness, helping you understand the latest news and debunking myths.

Why everyone you know is running a marathonWhy everyone you know is running a marathon
Even Better

For 20-somethings like me, it can bring order, and friendship, into our lives when we need it most.

By Amanda Lewellyn
Why is everyone wearing the Oura Ring?Why is everyone wearing the Oura Ring?
TechnologyMember Exclusive

The wearable device looks great but, unfortunately, it won’t solve all of your health problems.

By Adam Clark Estes
Public pools are good, actually
Even Better

They offer so much more than a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

By Allie Volpe
The known unknowns about Ozempic, explainedThe known unknowns about Ozempic, explained
The Gray Area

Ozempic has become hugely popular. Researchers are racing to learn more about what it does to us.

By Sean Illing
Peloton recalls 2 million bikes over a dangerous seatPeloton recalls 2 million bikes over a dangerous seat
Culture

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that the broken bike seat could cause injuries like lacerations and bruises.

By Alex Abad-Santos
The mind-boggling end of Susan Choi’s Trust Exercise, explainedThe mind-boggling end of Susan Choi’s Trust Exercise, explained
Culture

To make sense of the ending of Trust Exercise, stop thinking of the characters as individuals.

By Constance Grady
Ahmaud Arbery and the dangers of running while blackAhmaud Arbery and the dangers of running while black
Politics

The threat of being killed merely for existing can shape black men’s lives.

By Zack Beauchamp
The gym used to be my therapy. Here’s how that’s changed during social distancing.The gym used to be my therapy. Here’s how that’s changed during social distancing.
Culture

Social distancing put a stop to group fitness. Now it’s found a new start online.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Do you burn more calories exercising in the cold? Here’s what the science says.Do you burn more calories exercising in the cold? Here’s what the science says.
Science

Bodies do burn fuel to stay warm — but it’s complicated.

By Julia Belluz
I’m obese. I want a healthy lifestyle. But it’s often inaccessible to disabled people like me.I’m obese. I want a healthy lifestyle. But it’s often inaccessible to disabled people like me.
Politics

Diet and exercise are especially challenging for disabled people.

By Pasquale Toscano
The exercise “recovery” industry is largely bogusThe exercise “recovery” industry is largely bogus
Culture

Christie Aschwanden investigated the sports recovery market and found you don’t need sports drinks, cupping, or ice baths.

By Julia Belluz
The case against luxury gyms like SoulCycleThe case against luxury gyms like SoulCycle
Science

The rich are getting fitter while the poor are falling behind.

By Julia Belluz and Javier Zarracina
The science is in: exercise won’t help you lose much weightThe science is in: exercise won’t help you lose much weight
Video
By Julia Belluz and Christophe Haubursin
Americans sit too much. Standing desks aren’t going to fix the problem.Americans sit too much. Standing desks aren’t going to fix the problem.
Science

Four in 10 Americans get no exercise each week.

By Julia Belluz
Indoor cycling can be great for your heart — and toxic for your earsIndoor cycling can be great for your heart — and toxic for your ears
Hearing loss affects 1 in 4 adults in the US. Is our noisy world to blame?

Some classes have nine times the recommended noise exposure dose for an entire day.

By Julia Belluz
Dr. Oz is a quack. Now Trump’s appointing him to be a health adviser.Dr. Oz is a quack. Now Trump’s appointing him to be a health adviser.
Politics

The celebrity doctor is winning.

By Julia Belluz
Scott Pruitt’s terrible plan to “objectively” assess climate scienceScott Pruitt’s terrible plan to “objectively” assess climate science
Climate

We should use “red team exercises” to respond to climate change, not deny it.

By David Roberts
Olympic figure skaters are super flexible. Here’s why you don’t need to be.Olympic figure skaters are super flexible. Here’s why you don’t need to be.
Science

More flexibility isn’t necessarily a good thing.

By Julia Belluz
Why you shouldn’t exercise to lose weight, explained with 60+ studies
Explainers

Physical activity may have less to do with weight loss than we think.

By Julia Belluz and Javier Zarracina
Don’t overthink your exercise: just 2.5 hours per week of any kind could help you live longerDon’t overthink your exercise: just 2.5 hours per week of any kind could help you live longer
Science

Walking to work and cleaning your house both qualify.

By Julia Belluz
Why you shouldn’t believe the calorie count on your fitness trackerWhy you shouldn’t believe the calorie count on your fitness tracker
Science

You may be underestimating or overestimating the calories burned by as much as 20 percent.

By Julia Belluz
Donald Trump thinks exercise will kill youDonald Trump thinks exercise will kill you
Science

Which doctors believed … in the Victorian era.

By Julia Belluz
Did Pokémon Go get Americans to exercise? The research says yes — but not for long.Did Pokémon Go get Americans to exercise? The research says yes — but not for long.
Science

Two new studies explore the game’s impact on health.

By Julia Belluz
Flat abs fast! Why you should (almost) never believe health advice in women’s magazines
Features

The advice in their pages is too often insane, aimed at fearmongering, and totally science-free.

By Julia Belluz
Is yoga good for you? Here’s what the science actually says.
Explainers

The science of yoga’s health benefits and harms, explained.

By Julia Belluz
A brief history of the bizarre and sadistic Presidential Fitness TestA brief history of the bizarre and sadistic Presidential Fitness Test
Life

This is how rock climbers, Eisenhower, and Swiss kids forced you to do pullups.

By Phil Edwards
Exercise can make you more thoughtful, creative, and ethicalExercise can make you more thoughtful, creative, and ethical
Culture

Working out allows you to revel in your full humanity.

By Brandon Ambrosino
This 1960s exercise book illustrates everything wrong with our pursuit of fitnessThis 1960s exercise book illustrates everything wrong with our pursuit of fitness
Science

A lot has changed since the 1960s, but a lot has stayed the same.

By Julia Belluz
The cubicle gym: How I used science to make my work day freakishly healthy
TV

Desk jobs don’t have to make us fatter, sicker, and duller. It’s possible to transform nearly any office into a place that leaves us fit and energized.

By Gregory Ferenstein
There’s no evidence stretching prevents injuriesThere’s no evidence stretching prevents injuries
Science of Everyday Life

If anything, it seems to slightly sap your muscle strength

By Joseph Stromberg
The history of presidential fitness campaignsThe history of presidential fitness campaigns
Fitness

The history of presidential fitness campaigns begins 60 years ago, with the release of a hugely influential report on American health.

By Kelsey McKinney