Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Health & Fitness

Health & Fitness

A fitness routine is an essential part of every modern man’s life. It doesn’t matter if you get your exercise in at the gym, with a light at-home workout, by playing sports, or exploring the great outdoors, it will keep your body tuned up like a well-running machine. For some fitness inspiration, take a look at our guides and gear recommendations.

Explore More

Man wearing white T-shirt and black shorts doing pistol squat single-leg squat outside on grass

How to do the pistol squat

How to do the pistol squat: Everything you need to know, including the benefits, modifications, and common mistakes
fish oil supplement in bottle on table

Can you take zinc and magnesium together? The ultimate guide to these essential minerals

man foam roller smiling warm up stretch

Is foam rolling better than other pre-workout warm-ups? Researchers find out

Man doing CrossFit outside

Can CrossFit help with pain and reduce the need for pain medication? New Study

A man doing leg swings

Does exercise sharpen your memory? How long do the benefits last? New research

Delicious Margherita pizza on table, closeup view

9 healthy cheat meals that won’t derail your fitness goals

Laird Maca Instant Latte

Laird Superfood launches new latte for enhanced energy and vitality

man working with remote personal trainer doing virtual exercise class at home working out yoga plank push up.

How many pushups should I do in a day for optimal results?

Mediterranean diet food.

What your anti-inflammatory diet is missing, according to registered dietitians

Minnesota Timberwolves facility

Inside NBA athlete training: Strength coach shares insights on success and recovery

Man sitting in gym doing seated cable row on cable machine

If Hyrox isn’t your thing, try the shorter intense ‘acid bath’ sprint workout

A man balancing on one leg doing a quad stretch, on a road with a view of the mountain

Make this full-body stretching routine part of your morning or evening regimen

hollywood-Arnold star hollywood

Champion bodybuilder Arnie is back again with a killer push pull workout

Check out bodybuilding champion Arnie's latest push-pull workout. A push-pull workout is worth doing when you want to hit multiple muscle groups in one session.
Chicory coffee and beignets

Market trends show chicory coffee is gaining traction amongst health-conscious coffee drinkers

New reports suggest more health-conscious coffee drinkers are switching to chicory coffee, a drink made from the roasted and ground roots of the chicory plant.
Mediterranean breakfast

How to use the 30/30/30 method to get fit

Are you looking to switch up your mornings to be healthier and support your fitness goals? Discover how the 30/30/30 method works to see if it's right for you.
People at cycle bar taking a fun fitness class

One month free trial to ClassPass: Everything fitness, wellness, and beauty

Grab this one month free trial to ClassPass to try out a variety of fitness, spa, and salon options in your local area. Stay versatile with your routine!
Creatine remains one of the most talked about supplements in the fitness world when it comes to boosting muscle mass and aiding muscle recovery. Some take it before workouts, and others take it after workouts or first thing in the morning. It's been on the top supplement list of athletes and fitness professionals for decades. Creatine has remained popular for so long, probably because of its multitude of evidence-based benefits, including lowering blood sugar and increasing muscle mass and strength. Most researchers and fitness professionals believe creatine is a safe and effective supplement when taken properly. Let’s look at the science on the benefits of creatine and the best time to take this supplement to optimize muscle growth. What is creatine? Creatine is a compound formed during protein metabolism and a natural supplement found in your body, especially in your muscle cells. Around half of the creatine your body stores comes from your diet, particularly seafood and red meat. Your liver and kidneys make the rest from the amino acids arginine and glycine. Your muscles use creatine to help produce energy when you’re heavy lifting or doing vigorous-intensity workouts. In 1832, French scientist and philosopher Michel Eugene Chevreul was the first man to extract creatine from meat, so he labeled his new discovery creatine like the Greek word kreas, which means meat. When is the best time to take creatine for muscle growth? The right time and amount you need depends on factors like your workouts and goals. While there is a lot of research on creatine, there isn’t a clear conclusion on whether it’s better to take creatine before or after resistance training so you can do what feels best for you. Studies do indicate that supplementing closer to your workout is optimal. Try to make sure you choose a quality supplement that’s been tested and certified by an independent third-party testing laboratory like NSF. Before exercise? The research suggests that consuming creatine before exercise can increase your strength and muscle mass, whether you take it right before exercise or several hours before. Blood flow to your muscles could remain increased for half an hour after taking creatine. After exercise? Consuming creatine immediately after exercise or several hours later has also been shown to produce similar muscle benefits in younger and older adults. Researchers conclude that exercise helps prime your muscles so they're ready to absorb more creatine. Evidence indicates that taking creatine after a workout has a more significant impact on body composition and strength than taking it before exercise, but more research is needed. Be consistent Studies suggest that supplementing creatine consistently generates the best results for muscle growth, and researchers conclude that consistency is more important than timing with regard to boosting muscle mass. What are the benefits of creatine? Here are some of the potential evidence-based benefits of supplementing creatine: Increase your muscular energy and performance. Enhance your muscle strength and mass. Lower blood sugar. Boost brain function. Boosts the formation of proteins that enhance the size of muscle fibers. Creatine can reduce myostatin levels, a molecule that hinders muscle growth. Reduce tiredness and feel more energized.

When should you take creatine to optimize muscle growth? Here’s the science

Let’s look at the science on the benefits of creatine and the best time to take this supplement to optimize muscle growth.
shirtless man getting out of pool abs

The truth about 10% body fat: What you need to know

Are you looking to improve your physique and get down to 10% body fat? Discover some useful tips that will help you look and feel better.
Man wearing green and hat rucking backpack rucksack walking in nature by waterfall with drink water

5 high-quality rucking backpacks for your next trek

Are you a fan of rucking and need the optimal rucking backpack? Discover our top five recommendations to find the right one for you.
Person pouring coffee drink into a white ceramic mug

Matcha vs. coffee: Which hot beverage is healthier for you?

If health is your motivating factor for selecting a hot beverage, here's what to know about choosing matcha or coffee and how to compare health benefits.
guy sitting on bench at gym holding water flask wearing black with white sneakers

The 7 best cross-training shoes for men: Our top picks

Looking for new shoes that can handle all your workouts? Learn about seven different cross-training shoes for comfort and durability.
A man using the Yagud bench press.

Open up more exercise options with this bench press for $63

The Yagud bench press is a great inexpensive bench press for helping you get those gains more easily. It's on sale now at Amazon.
shirtless man on beach red shorts working out doing oblique crunches shutterstock MDV Edwards

How to perfect oblique crunches for a stronger, more defined core

To get chiseled abs, you have to target your abdominal muscles at the front and your obliques on the sides of your core with moves like oblique crunches.
A man hiking in Yosemite

Data shows hiking is increasingly popular — Follow these helpful hiking tips

Hiking is natural and beneficial, and it’s positive news that more people are interested in putting on the right hiking shoes and heading out into the great outdoors.
man running marathon headphones black t shirt outside

Are marathons more or less popular these days? Let’s look at the data

Are marathons and ultra-marathons more or less popular these days? Let’s look at recent data and the history of the marathon.
man lifting weights muscle bench press barbell black and white

Does bench pressing sculpt your pecs more or your triceps? New study finds out

Recently, researchers wanted to know whether bench pressing increases chest hypertrophy more than the triceps.
Portrait of a handsome sports man showing muscles, eating healthy vegetarian salad on the kitchen at home

Can you build muscle in a calorie deficit? Tips for a successful body recomp

Do you want to maintain a calorie deficit for fat loss but also build muscle? Discover whether this is possible, as well as tips for the best recomp.
Pork chops on cutting board

Are pork chops healthy? The good, the bad, and simple tips for better meals

Pork chops are a classic dish, but are they actually good for you? Discover the benefits and downsides of them to see if they belong in a healthy diet.
Vimergy wellness nettle liquid benefits with man outdoors

These Vimergy wellness deals are just in time for the holidays

Thanks to Vimergy's wellness options, you can Mix and Save a bunch of different bundles and pick up energy boosters and more. Come check them out.
Man doing mountain climbers on a mat

Quadrobics is a full-body workout surging in popularity — Here’s what to know

Quadrobics is one of the fastest-growing fitness trends, with a 174% surge in interest in Google searches compared to last year.
Portrait of a handsome sports man showing muscles, eating healthy vegetarian salad on the kitchen at home

How to eat healthy: 9 effective diet tips to fuel your fitness goals

Are you wanting to eat healthier and feel better? Learn about nine easy ways to start making positive changes with your habits.
Fasting image

Is intermittent fasting healthy? The pros and cons of this eating method

Intermittent fasting is popular, but is it healthy? Learn about the various methods you can try, as well as the pros and cons.
A man doing a yoga pose with a tablet in front of him in the living room.

New data shows an increase in men trying yoga and pilates. What are the benefits?

Recent Strava data reveals that the share of men uploading and practicing Pilates or yoga has significantly increased.
Muscular man bicep curling weight in one hand

Can doing bicep curls on one arm boost strength in the other? Study finds out

In a fascinating new study, researchers set out to explore whether only training one arm would affect muscle strength and size in the other.
Man laying on workout bench chest pressing dumbbells hat

Burnout is out, balance is in — Strava data shows people prioritizing rest days

Strava data recently revealed that more people are prioritizing rest days and balance rather than burnout. Let’s look at the data.
Flank steak tacos.

High-calorie foods that aren’t junk: The healthy options to help you bulk up

Are you looking to put on muscle and weight but don't know what to add to your grocery list? Discover the best high-calorie foods for your goals.
man taking break from running working out walking wearing weighted vest outdoors in city near train track

Can you burn body fat just by walking and wearing a weighted vest? New research

Recently, researchers wanted to understand whether walking in a weighted vest could burn body fat and reduce body weight. Let's take a look at the study results.
Group of people running

Run clubs are the new nightclubs — Strava data shows huge rise in popularity

Run clubs are replacing nightclubs as social hotspots. Let's look at the data.
grilled and sliced tri tip steak

Is steak healthy? Everything you need to know about the red meat

Are you a fan of steak but unsure if it is a healthy choice? Learn just how nutritional the food is and if it should frequent your diet.
Man jogging on pavement

Plogging is a new fitness trend that’s good for your health and the environment

When a fitness trend benefits your health, fitness, environment, and local communities, we at The Manual want to know about it. Here’s the down low on plogging.
Runners man running marathon hat sunglasses

The most popular workout gear used in 2024, according to Strava

Strava surveyed runners to find the most popular running gear in 2024. Learn about the best equipment to support your workouts going into 2025.
man deadlift barbell outside using lifting straps wrist strap

How much does a barbell weigh? Learn about standard and specialized

Are you curious about how much does a barbell weigh? Learn about Olympic barbells, standard barbells, and more.
-man shirtless muscles flexing abs arms

What exercise burns the most calories? Here’s your guide to calorie-torching workouts

Let’s look at how calorie-burning contributes to weight loss and what exercise burns the most calories.
TRX handles

Here’s why fitness buffs are swapping gyms for TRX suspension trainers

With TRX training, you’re suspended from an anchor point, which challenges you to engage your core.
fish oil supplement in shape of fish on white background

Should you take fish oil when training? What are the benefits? New study is in

Recently, researchers set out to explore if supplementing omega-3 fatty acids affects muscle strength, mass, and function.
Man doing situps using a fence for help outside on a concrete floor

Sit ups are falling out of favor — what does the research show?

Experts at Harvard Health state that the sit-up’s downfall is largely due to fitness professionals realizing the limitations and potential risks.
Delicious Margherita pizza on table, closeup view

Is pizza bad for you? The answer depends on these factors

Do you want to regularly enjoy pizza but have health and fitness goals to hit? Discover some adjustments you can make so pizza is better for you.
magnesium supplement pill vitamin mineral on table by bottle

Does taking magnesium supplements boost muscle mass and power? New study is in

Could magnesium supplementation also boost your muscle mass and power? Recently, researchers decided to find out.
Gluten-free diet concept: Selection of grains and carbohydrates for people with gluten intolerance

15 healthy carbs that can help you maintain energy without the sugar crash

Are you looking to increase your energy levels? Learn about 15 healthy carbs to add to your grocery list to see results.
purple carrot box.

Eat healthy at 60% off with the Purple Carrot Cyber Monday deal

Get 60% off the first two orders of the Purple Carrot vegan meal kit with this Cyber Monday deal. Get healthy vegan meals delivered to your door for two weeks at a great price.

Workouts

Nutrition

Equipment

Therapy and recovery