Practically Fit
www.practically.fit
Episodes
34 episodes
PF Episode 34: A Personal Trainer Shares Her Secrets to Staying Strong and Powerful at Any Age
In this episode, Alex and Jen interview Joan Maiden, who started a new career as a personal trainer at 50, helping clients overcome tremendous obstacles to lead an active, healthy life. Author of
PF Episode 33: Dear Science: How to Interpret Health and Fitness Research
Studies say … drink more coffee, wait, no, less coffee. If you’ve ever been confused about all the conflicting health research out there, this episode is for you. While Alex and Jen like to talk about the science behind fitness, they are...
PF Episode 32: Don’t Snooze on Your Need for Sleep
In this episode, Alex and Jen talk about sleep. What impact does sleep (or lack thereof) have on your health? How much sleep do you actually need? And can exercise help you sleep better? Jen and Alex answer these questions, plus Jen reco...
PF Episode 31: Extreme Heat. Wildfire Smoke. Poor Air Quality. Should We Exercise Outdoors?
With smoke from wildfires blanketing parts of the eastern U.S. and Canada, and a “heat dome” scorching central parts of the continent, it’s been a rough summer for outdoor exercise enthusiasts. In this episode, Jen and Alex talk about ou...
PF Episode 30: This is Your Brain on Exercise
Next time you want to get high, try going for a run! In this episode, Jen and Alex explore the science behind the “runner’s high,” and its surprising source. We’ve always heard it’s endorphins that cause that blissful feeling after exerc...
PF Episode 29: Do Romantic Partners Make the Best Fitness Friends?
Is working out with your spouse or romantic partner a good idea? In this episode, Alex is joined by his wife Abbie to discuss how working out with your partner can both improve the relationship and help you reach your fitness goals…as long as y...
PF Episode 28: We’re Healthy…But What About Our Kids?
Enjoy this episode? Subscribe for our (almost) weekly podcast, plus our newsletter with fitness ideas for people over 40!With screen time skyrocketing, our kids are more sedentary than ever. In this episode of the podcast, ...
PF Episode 27: Let's Talk About Stress
Feeling forgetful? Lacking energy or focus? Experiencing headaches? It could be stress. In this episode, Jen and Alex explore the impact of stress on your body, and talk about some practical ways to hit the reset button on stress and eli...
PF Episode 26: From Ultra Runner to Yogini, One Woman's Real Fitness Journey
For Jenn Bencheck, running 100 miles was nothing compared with the grit and determination it took to overcome two life-changing neurological disorders. Now a registered yoga t...
PF Episode 25: Fitness Motivation Hacks (And Why You Shouldn't Try Fitness Wagering)
Trying to break out of a fitness funk? Or looking to get in shape for the first time? In this episode, Jen and Alex share four fitness motivation hacks that can help you light up your fitness routine! They also talk about a new trend that doesn...
PF Episode 24: Massage: The Original Medicine
Before we had modern medicine, we had…massage? That’s right. Bodywork therapies like massage, cupping and acupuncture date back to ancient times. But are they based in science? Can they really help your body recover and benefit your overall hea...
PF Episode 23: What's Your Heart Rate Telling You About Your Health?
The proportion of Americans under 40 having heart attacks went up 2% each year between 2000 and 2016. That’s a pretty sobering statistic, and it shows we should definitely be paying more attention to our heart health. So where to start? How abo...
PF Episode 22: What's the Deal With Supplements?
I mean seriously, what’s the deal with supplements? Our drugstores and supermarkets are chock full of them! Are they powerful? Are they placebos? WHAT’S THE DEAL? OK, enough of the bad Seinfeld impression. In this episode, Jen and Alex delve in...
PF Episode 21: Is Hiking the Perfect Fitness Activity?
Can you hike your way to health? In this episode, Jen and Alex explore the physical, mental and social benefits of hiking. They also share stories about their favorite hikes (many with fitness friends), including a few funny hiking fails. First...
PF Episode 20: How Fitness Benefits Your Mental Health
Coping with stress, anxiety or depression? Fitness can help. On this episode of the podcast, Alex and Jen are joined by licensed professional counselor Brannon La Force. Brannon discu...
PF Episode 19: The Home Gym or a Gym Membership...Which Is Better for Fitness?
Home gyms versus gym memberships…which approach is best for fitness? In this episode, Jen and Alex have their inaugural debate “smackdown” (just kidding, we’re actually pretty civil, unlike most politicians), with Jen repping gym memberships an...
PF Episode 18: How to Get Started Lifting Weights
It's never too late to start lifting weights, especially over 40! In this episode, Jen and Alex share their experiences with lifting weights, and talk about why it’s important to incorporate strength training into your routine as you g...
PF Episode 17: Jen and Alex Get Honest About Gut Health
Gut health is having a moment, and more people are talking openly about their gut problems. If you suffer from gut issues, it can have a less than pleasant impact on your fitness routine. In this episode, Jen and Alex open up about their strugg...
PF Episode 16: Can Being Competitive Help You Get Fit?
A little friendly competition never hurt anyone…but can it help you get fit? In this episode, Jen and Alex share their personal stories on how being competitive helped their fitness, and hurt it. Plus, what the science says on competition and e...
PF Episode 15: Losing Weight: Does Counting Calories Really Work?
Still counting calories? Or trying different fad diets to lose weight? In this episode, Jen and Alex examine the research around diets, weight loss and calorie counting, and learn why some people often experience the “yo-yo effect” where they l...
PF Episode 14: What You Need to Know About Mobility Training
Enjoy a bit of self torture? Mobility training may be for you! In this episode, Jen and Alex face their biggest test yet…explaining mobility training. Mobility training is pretty new, and information on the subject is, shall we say…inconsistent...
PF Episode 13: Is Dry January Worth the Hype? (Alcohol and Fitness)
Should we all just stop drinking? Well, maybe at least for January? In this episode, Jen and Alex discuss everything you need to know about alcohol and fitness as we head into “Dry January.” Are people who exercise a lot prone to drink more? Ho...
PF Episode 12: How to Make New Year's Resolutions That Might Actually Work
New year, new you? Probably not. New year’s resolutions are notoriously prone to failure. But if you’re planning on fitness-focused resolutions for the new year, Jen and Alex share some strategies that might help. Best part? These strategies ca...
PF Episode 11: Do You Really Need 10,000 Steps a Day?
Many of you may be receiving the gift of a fitness tracker or smartwatch over the holidays. With that in mind, should you be aiming for 10,000 steps a day? In this episode, Jen and Alex uncover the origins of the 10,000 step a day a goal, and y...
PF Episode 10: Navigating the Fitness Gift Minefield (Best and Worst Fitness Gifts)
It’s the holiday season, and you know what that means: it’s time to bestow fitness-related gifts on your fitness friends. Finding the right fitness gift can be…challenging. In this episode, Jen and Alex talk about best and worst fitness gifts. ...
