Skip to main content

Subscribe to Smithsonian magazine and get a FREE tote.

Exercise

Seven of the Most Innovative Gyms in the World

Go way beyond free weights and stationary bikes at these clever workout facilities

An ultra-marathoner runs the Ultra tour de Mont Blanc

New Research

An Unexpected Effect of Ultra-Marathons: Brain Shrinkage

Don’t worry, it isn’t permanent

When You Sweat, Vents in These Clothes Automatically Open

Harnessing the power of bacteria, MIT researchers and New Balance have created breathable workout gear

Burn Calories Just By Wearing This New Sports Gear

Here’s an idea: A New York University medical student is integrating resistance bands into clothing

Scientists Are Working on a Pill That Just Might Replace Exercise

The idea is to create a drug that mimics the molecular changes exercise causes in the body. But it’s no small challenge

Steven Devor, front, developed the automated treadmill using off-the-shelf parts, including an inexpensive sonar range finder and an existing treadmill. (Photo by Jo McCulty, Courtesy of Ohio State University)

This New Treadmill Automatically Adjusts to Your Speed

A prototype developed at Ohio State makes indoor workouts more like outdoor runs by using sonar to detect where you are on the belt and keep pace

The party doesn't start until Disco Dog walks in.

This Week in Crowdfunding

A LED Vest for Puppies and Other Wild Ideas That Just Got Funded

A new tool for runners moves beyond calories to measure the intensity of workouts

The Hemingwrite is a newfangled take on the old school typewriter, featuring cloud back-up.

This Week in Crowdfunding

Five Wild Ideas That Just Got Funded: From a Digital Typewriter to Treadmill-Powered Gaming

A Los Angeles group is also creating greeting cards with personalized audio messages from top celebrities

WÜF’s dog collar keeps owners connected to their canine companions at all times by offering two-way communication, GPS tracking and exercise monitoring

Five Wild Ideas That Just Got Funded

Five Wild Ideas That Just Got Funded: From A Fitbit for Dogs to Soap Jewelry

Not to mention, a bizarre bike-treadmill hybrid meant to reduce the strain on runners’ joints

New Research

Not Exercising Is Worse for You Than Being Obese

A large-scale study estimates that twice as many deaths can be chalked up to lack of exercise than can be blamed on being obese

New devices like FreeWavz are taking headphones to another level.

Tech Watch

These Ear Buds Will Play Music and Track Your Heart Rate

Wristbands get all the attention, but souped-up earpieces can do a better job of tracking your body metrics when you work out

Joe McConaughy is trying to finish the Pacific Crest Trail faster than anyone ever has.

This Hiker Is Trying to Make It from Mexico to Canada in Just 59 Days

Hikers and runners are trying to cover the country’s longest, most iconic trails, faster than anyone ever has before

No day is a day without running for streakers

Trending Today

The Longest Running Streak on Record Is 16,447 Days

Jogging junkies give exercise records a run for their money

Five Health Benefits of Standing Desks

Spending more of your day standing could reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer

Cool Finds

Iditarod Sled Dogs May Be the Best Animal Athletes

These dogs run for about 100 miles a day for eight or nine days straight

Cool Finds

Activity Bands Can See You Run, But Not Deadlift

Bands are good at walking and running, but lose their accuracy for other types of exercise

Page 3 of 3