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When you think about ballet, the first thing that might come to mind is beauty, grace, and maybe a tutu. While ballet is all of that, it’s also a sport that requires incredible amounts of endurance and both physical and mental strength. “In being a ballet dancer, there are mental things involved, like connecting to your muscles. It’s having to pay attention to every bit of your muscle, and still have to perform at the same time,” says ballet dancer Diedre Sears, founder and artistic director at Elevé Dance Theater. “The most important thing is your core. If your core isn’t strong, it’s very difficult to do anything else.” If you’re not quite ready to enter into your ballet era, you can attend barre fitness classes, which are low-impact workouts that have used the ballet barre as inspiration. “Barre is an accessible workout…

Strength training and cardio exercise are two popular fitness modalities. Each workout can benefit your physical and mental health, but when it comes to deciding between strength training versus high-intensity cardio, does one reign supreme? Before diving into the details, it’s important to remember that strength training and high-intensity cardio are not mutually exclusive. Combining both forms of exercise can help you reap myriad benefits and maximize your fitness. However, understanding what each modality brings to the table—and how they impact your body—is key to creating a well-rounded workout routine. Here, we explore the advantages and drawbacks of each to help you strike the right balance for your needs. Strength Training Strength training involves working against resistance from free weights, bands, cables, machines, or body weight to improve muscle strength, endurance, and size. Common types of strength training include weight lifting, resistance training,…

Colder weather may not be everyone’s favorite, but I love it for the cozy, comforting layers—and knee-high boots are no exception. Slipping into the right pair can feel like wrapping your legs in a stylish hug. Whether I’m pulling them over leggings for a casual coffee run or pairing them with a sweater dress for a snug but chic vibe, the best knee-high boots combine warmth, comfort, and effortless style. And let’s be honest, anything that keeps your legs toasty without relying on bulky tights is a win in my book.From slouchy suede to plush-lined leather, there are endless comfy options to suit your cold-weather wardrobe. They can add an easygoing edge to flowy dresses, cozy up your favorite skinny jeans, or provide just the right amount of polish for a workday look. Ready to find your perfect pair? Scroll to shop the…

Looking for an exercise that keeps you moving, balanced, and feeling strong as you age? Meet the hip airplane, a low-impact bodyweight gem with serious longevity perks. Whether you’re navigating stairs, chasing after grandkids, or just trying to avoid those pesky aches and pains, this simple yet powerful mobility move has you covered. Best of all, you don’t need fancy equipment or a gym membership. You can do it anywhere, anytime, making it the ultimate tool for staying agile, steady, and ready for whatever life throws your way. How to do a hip airplane with proper form Your browser does not support the video tag. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and core engaged. Transfer your weight to one leg, keeping the knee slightly bent. Lift the opposite leg, keeping it straight and your core tight. Push your hips back…

Some people drink coffee to wake up, while others wake up to drink coffee. I, for one, sit firmly in the latter camp. According to a new study in the European Heart Journal, my habit of starting the morning with a cup or two of java may keep both cardiovascular and overall mortality risk at bay. There’s just one catch: You have to cut yourself off by noon. The authors behind this observational study examined dietary data from over 40 thousand American adults collected between 1999 and 2018 through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, along with detailed week-long dietary logs from 1,463 adults in the Women’s and Men’s Lifestyle Validation Study, which is supported by the National Institutes of Health. They investigated coffee (and decaf!) consumption across different times of the day, ultimately grouping patterns into morning-only and all-day consumption. After…

Thanks to their oh-so-discreet design and petal-provided pleasure, rose sex toys have enjoyed increasing virality since their clock-app debut in 2022. While I can personally attest that these rose-shaped suction toys’ popularity is deserved, a just-launched lily-shaped vibrator gives it a run for its money—or at least makes the argument for a full-on bouquet of stimulators.Introducing: The Zalo Calla ($69). Ahead, learn all about this three-in-one, discrete cordless vibrator, including how it compares to the rose and my personal review on how I added it to my masturbation practice.About the Zalo CallaNamed for the calla lily, a trumpet-shaped flower with a finger-length extension in its middle, the Calla ($69) is a three-in-one vibrator from luxury sex-tech brand Zalo.Zalo Calla Wand — $69.00This versatile stimulator has three different surfaces that can be used to deliver buzzy vibration.Settings: 8 vibration modesPros:Elegant, discreet shape Two-in-one vibratorIntuitive button…

Ankle weights have gone in and out of fitness fashion, but at the moment, they’re solidly on-trend. More than a cute workout accessory, though, they’re a tool you can use strategically to engage and challenge your muscles in a way that other free weights just can't do. “Ankle weights can be used to enhance walking and is also as a great way to provide resistance for traditional leg and performance exercises,” states Lindy Royer, PT, NCPT, a physical therapist and Pilates instructor. “Whether you're looking to deepen the engagement of specific muscle groups or challenge your overall strength and stability, ankle weights can take your routine to the next level,” adds Bianca Melas, an Alo Moves Pilates instructor. That said, ankle weights aren’t as harmless as they look. Using them incorrectly can even pose some risks, Royer cautions. We explored when and where…

Looking for more variety and play in your sex life? Whether you’re with a partner or going solo, sex toys can add that extra oomph. But a lot of sex toys are expensive, and you might feel like DIY-ing it, especially if you’re experimenting. The good news is that you can always grab something around the house that’s free and readily available—you just need to keep safety in mind while getting creative. So, if you’ve ever eyed a nice-looking cucumber and wondered, hey, maybe— know that it’s not such an “out there” idea. But, there are some ground rules. So, what should you consider before using everyday items in the bedroom? We spoke with certified sex therapist Holly Wood, MS, LMFT of BedBible about homemade sex toys. She has some genius ideas you likely never considered and stresses safety and hygiene as top…

I was on the acupuncture table, face up, while my doctor pushed with both hands on the side of my stomach. “Oh wow,” he said. “You’re holding a lot of grief.” That’s strange, I thought. I wasn’t sad, and I hadn’t cried in recent memory. In fact, I was in a new relationship with someone I was very excited about, had just started a job I loved, and was finally looking for an apartment. Sure, I had packed up my Los Angeles one-bedroom and moved home to New York during a global pandemic, mainly to be with my 98-year-old grandfather who was sick. And yes, moving back after eight years did trigger some culture shock (being 3,000 miles away from family and then being with family nearly every hour of every day can be jarring). And okay, dating again after ending a near-decade…

Walking is one of the most popular activities in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why. It’s an accessible, low-impact cardio workout that offers mental and physical health benefits. Still, walking can get boring and repetitive after a while. So, if you’re ready to switch up your walking routine, consider going backward. “Backward walking is relatively low risk and it’s something novel to add to your workout program to make it more challenging,” says Chris Gagliardi, CPT, CSCS, an ACE-certified personal trainer and NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. And, while backward walking (also known as retro-walking) gained attention through TikTok—and is slated to be one of 2025's top fitness trends, per recent Protein Works report—Gagliardi notes that the practice has been around for a long time. Ahead, experts explain what benefits walking backward offers, and how to do it safely. 8 Benefits…