Tips to Make Running Easier

Not to mention, you’ll be able to run faster and farther than ever before.

No one heads out on a run thinking, “I want this to feel as hard as possible.” Nuh-uh. We want it to feel good. We want it to feel less difficult than before. And it will if you try out these 11 simple-to-follow running tips:

1. Shorten Your Stride
It’s counter intuitive, sure, but shortening your stride and aiming to take more steps per minute (180 is ideal) can help you run more efficiently. It saves you energy you would have spent trying to cover more ground with each step.

2. Look Ahead
Keeping your eyes focused on a target in front of you can actually make your runs seem shorter and easier, according to research from New York University. You'll likely perceive your target as closer in distance than you would have if you were taking in everything else around you.

Best Shoulder Exercises According to Science

You've got running, yoga, and spinning down to a science, but finding the perfect shoulder-scultping routine can feel a little more daunting. Solution: Focus on these shoulder exercises that have been proven to show serious results, then start counting the days until tank-top season.

Sculpting strong, sexy shoulders is as easy as one, two, three. New research from the American Council on Exercise revealed the most effective exercises for defining your delts. Grab some weights and add this triple-threat sequence to your workout. Do three sets of 10 to 12 reps each.

Dumbbell Shoulder Press: Standing with feet hip-width apart and a dumbbell in each hand, lift weights to shoulders, palms facing forward and elbows bent at 90 degrees. Press weights upward until arms are extended overhead, then lower to starting position.

45-Degree Incline Row: Lie chest-down on a 45-degree incline bench, holding a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip so palms face you. Let arms hang straight down toward the floor. Pull elbows toward ceiling by bending arms and squeezing shoulder blades together, then lower to starting position.

Seated Rear Lateral Raise: Sitting on the edge of a bench with a dumbbell in each hand and arms hanging straight down, palms facing each other, hinge upper body forward. Keep back straight and raise arms out to sides until elbows are at shoulder height, perpendicular to torso, then lower to starting position.