Are Back Squats Safe?

The barbell back

  squat has been called the king of all exercises. When done correctly, it is tremendous for building strength and muscle. Which is why it’s been a mainstay in athletic training for decades.

But back in 2009, world-renowned strength coach and Men’s Health training advisor Mike Boyle said that he no longer prescribed the classic barbell squat.

Bodybuilders, powerlifters, and personal trainers on Internet forums everywhere went into a frenzy, posting comments such as “Sounds like Mike Boyle is incapable of teaching the squat” and “He doesn’t look very strong.”

Why She's Not Reaching Orgasm

Can’t get her

  off? Perhaps it’s more than lack of foreplay. 

Women with introverted personalities are more likely to experience problems in the bedroom than outgoing ladies, according to research published in the journal Sexual Medicine. In fact, more reticent respondents were also less open to new experiences. 

If your girlfriend leans more towards the quiet side, don’t worry: Providing her with emotional support can make her more satisfied with her sex life—and make it easier for her to climax, says study author Christina Crisp, M.D. 

What You Can Learn from Your Sweat

Your sweat signals

  more than the intensity of your workout. Everything from your mood to your diet—and even the way women react to your presence—is literally leaking from your body, according to a slew of recent research. Surprised perspiration can say so much? Here are four secrets your sweat may reveal:

Is Adding Butter to Your Coffee Actually Good For You?

Forget the cream and sugar. Adding a pat of butter to your morning coffee can help you kick your day into overdrive—at least, according to advocates of the Bulletproof Coffee trend. 

Bulletproof Coffee, which is basically just a cup of black coffee with grass-fed butter and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil mixed in, was designed by Dave Asprey, owner of Bulletproof Executive, to "supercharge your brain function and create effortless fat loss with no cravings." Now, Paleo dieters and grass-fed butter fanatics alike are adding the butter-and-oil combo to their javas. Matt Lauer has even taste-tested a steaming-hot mug of butter coffee on The TODAY Show. 

The Breakfast That Keeps You Fuller Longer

At this point, you probably know that it’s a really good idea to eat breakfast—it not only stokes your metabolism, but it also sets the tone for healthy eating throughout the day. And now, a new study from the journal Appetitefound that there’s a specific breakfast ingredient that may help curb hunger all day long: oat bran.

Does Cycling Actually Make Your Thighs Bulky?

The fastest way to a slimmer body isn’t via indoor cycling, according to celeb trainer Tracy Anderson, who recently told Redbook magazine that exercisers who only cycle wind up with bulkier thighs.

“Spin may burn calories in the short term, but if that's all you're doing, it'll bulk up your thighs,” said Anderson, who is Gwyneth Paltrow’s trainer and business partner. “I have women who come into my office after spinning exclusively for six months, wondering why they can’t fit into their jeans.”

12 Weird Ways to Halt Hunger

Nothing derails your diet quicker than a sudden hankering for a junky snack. You know you'll eat dinner in an hour, but your taste buds don't care--they want those office cookies and they want them now! But you don't have to feel powerless over your junk-food cravings. These inventive--and OK, a little weird--tactics from The 8-Hour Diet can help keep your inner Cookie Monster in check and stop you from binge eating.

Fight Insomnia and Cancer at Once!

Turn in early

  to turn cancer away. Men with higher melatonin levels—a hormone involved in regulating your sleep-wake cycle—had a 75 percent lower risk of advanced prostate cancer compared to guys with lower levels, according to a new study from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Could a Smile Make Your Meds Work Better?

You know you

  should heed the glass-half-full mentality—it’s been linked to a longer, happier, and healthier life. But now, Harvard Medical School researchers say that following the old adage could even make you think a drug works better than it actually does.

In the study, researchers found that people reported 30 percent more pain relief when they were told positive information about a migraine medicine they were on than when they were told nothing or negative information—even if the drug was a placebo!

How Your Job Gets You Drunk

Clear your head

  before happy hour. Stress kills men’s self-control—and could make you drink more, suggests a new study from the Netherlands.

Scientists asked two groups of men and women to perform a task before drinking alcohol. One was a brain-buster meant to tax the subjects’ minds, mimicking a tough day at work. Guys who took that test not only guzzled more booze than men who performed the easier exercise, they drank four times more than women who completed the hard task.

4 Sex Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor

Turns out, doctors

  are just as skittish as teens about having “the talk.” Physicians spend an average of just 36 seconds discussing sexuality with young patients, according to a new Duke University study.

And while you may not be 16 anymore, there’s a good chance your sex talks with Doc still only last about as long as you did your first time in the sack. It's time you have the cojones to ask your most burning questions about sex—for you health’s sake. Start with these four.

5 Ways to Stop Feeling so Hungry

Hunger pangs suck, especially when you're trying to lose weight or just inhaled a huge lunch and are inexplicably starving again. But reaching for seconds isn't always the solution. Here are five scientifically proven ways to keep your stomach full, without resorting to that old "eating 12 almonds" trick.

4 ways to get back on the fitness track

Now that you want to get back on the fitness track in order to get rid of the holiday pounds, where do you start?

The answer for weight loss will always and forever be cardio. While not all cardio is created equal, there IS a cardio routine for everyone.

Here are a few fun ways to shed the pounds:

4 Foods For Better Skin This Winter

So you're spending an extra 10 minutes moisturizing every morning and still dealing with dry, flaky skin—what gives? It's not just your beauty routine that needs adjusting this time of year, it's also your diet. Check out the best foods for keeping your complexion glowy and gorgeous this winter: 

Contraception 101: pills, injectables, condoms…which one is right for you?

Pills, injectables, IUDs, condoms…these are just a few of the various contraceptive methods available for women today.

How do you know which one is right for you?

Different women have different habits, activities and physical characteristics. Pretty much like choosing a shampoo, you have to find one that is just right for you.

Why Would Men Turn Down Casual Sex?

Say you were to approach a strange man in public and ask him, “Will you have sex with me?” What do you think he’d say? A social-experiment group called Whatever did just that: They sent a hot woman up to random men to ask if they could spare a few minutes for romance-free, totally impersonal intercourse. And guess what? Half of the men said yes. 

4 of the most common breastfeeding concerns of new moms... answered!

The first days with your first baby can be exciting and daunting at the same time. No thanks to postpartum hormones and lack of parenting skills, it's easy to go into panic mode. 

Know the answers to these most common breastfeeding concerns so, while you may not be armed with experience, you are at least armed with information.


1. ‘I don't see milk coming out of my breasts. My baby cannot drink anything!’ 

You don't have to see the milk to know that your baby is getting it. 

Early onset of milk is not always visible. It's hard to tell especially if all you see seems like your baby's saliva. But there's milk in there somewhere. 

CONTRACEPTION 101: What you need to know about fertility awareness

By Dr. Diana Sarmiento

By the number of weddings I had to attend in December, I would say that June is no longer THE wedding month.

But now that the wedding and honeymoon are over, time for husband and wife to sit down and discuss family planning.

Of course, a visit to your friendly gynecologist would be ideal. But if time and budget will not permit, here is a brief overview of the different choices in planning your family.

Sex after a baby: When to bring romance back after giving birth

By Dr. Diana Sarmiento,
Nine months of carrying what seems like a watermelon in your tummy, pushing and straining to deliver your baby, getting stitches, having on-and-off bleeding, breastfeeding, sleepless nights...

The list goes on and on, making you wonder if you will ever get cozy with your husband again.

Well, the answer is YES. You will have to start having sex sometime. Even if you fear that your sutures might burst.

Bad News About Your Concussion

BY JESSICA GIRDWAIN, 

Hits to the head could hurt later: Concussions may put you at risk for Alzheimer’s later in life, according to a new Mayo Clinic study.

The research found that people with cognitive impairment who also experienced past head trauma had 18 percent higher levels of amyloid plaques in their brain —plaques that are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s—compared to people without a history of brain injury.

Is Coffee the New Sports Drink?

BY ESTHER CRAIN

Certain beverages have star reps as pre- and post-workout drinks, like flavored fitness water, regular H₂O, and even chocolate milk. Now add a cup of coffee to the list. A new study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that contrary to what nutritionists have long thought, coffee does not dehydrate you.

The Scary Side Effect of One Sleepless Night

BY JESSICA GIRDWAIN

Forget hits to the head—just one night of sleep deprivation creates changes in the brain similar to a mild concussion, according to new research from Sweden. 

The small study was done on 15 healthy guys. One night they got 8 hours of sleep in the lab, and another night, total sleep deprivation. The men played games, read, or watched movies to stay awake.

After the all-nighter, blood samples revealed that certain levels of neurochemical markers associated with brain cell damage rose by 20 percent compared to when the guys snagged a full night’s rest.

6 Easy Ways to Feel More Energized

Sure, it's the New Year, so you want to have that get up and go sensation. But between frigid temperatures, early sunsets and most likely, a sugar and carb-filled holiday, that's not as easy as it sounds. Frank Lipman, MD, an integrative and functional medicine physician and founder of Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City, shares a few basic tips to incorporate into your daily routine to feel like a whole new you.

By Nicole Catanese

1. Eat a power breakfast. "In the morning, protein and fat are essential for energy, and a large, healthy breakfast of the right foods is exactly what your body needs," explains Dr. Lipman. Instead of heavy grains, bread or pastries, try a morning smoothie with whey or pea protein. "It's the perfect breakfast because it's quick to prepare, easily digested and can be packed with the healthy fats, proteins, nutrients and phytonutrients you need to fuel your day," he says. At home, create his DIY protein-based smoothies-Green Mojito and Blueberry Avocado are whey based, while Coconut Bliss and Chocolate Love have pea protein instead. 

How Your Personality Affects Your Sex Drive

BY CASEY GUEREN

Too much stress and too many martinis aren’t the only things that can screw with your sex drive. Certain personality traits are linked with poorer sexual function, according to a new study published in the journal Sexual Medicine.

How Much Post-Workout Protein Do You Really Need?

BY RACHAEL SCHULTZ

Protein is essential for maintaining and building muscle, but you don’t need to gulp down a carton of raw eggs like Rocky to get the maximum benefit. Consuming 20 grams of protein after your workout should do the trick, report British researchers.

In the study, 48 men ingested zero, 10, 20, or 40 grams of protein immediately after a strength workout. The 20-gram and 40-gram doses more effectively stimulated muscle protein synthesis—the process that helps promote the muscle repair and growth after exercise—in participants than the lower amounts. However, the 40-gram dose didn’t produce any added benefit. 

Pump Up Her Sex Drive

BY MADELINE HALLER, 

Work out with your woman: Ladies who hit the gym before getting busy have a better time in bed, says new research from the Kinsey Institute. 

Women who were experiencing an antidepressant-induced drop in their sex drives were split up into two groups: some worked out immediately before sex, and others broke a sweat whenever they pleased. After three weeks, researchers discovered women who exercised before slipping between the sheets reported better sexual functioning and increased desire.

Study Confirms that Women Need More Sleep Than Men

By Meredith Carroll
When I was a teen my dad was convinced I was on drugs because all I wanted to do was sleep.

Of course these days we know from sleep scientists that "early high school start times conflict with teens' shifting circadian rhythms," sleep expert Judith Owens recently said to NPR. Thus, teens are more likely to stay up late at night and want to sleep later in the day

I'm no longer a teen (far from it, in fact), and yet I am still neither on drugs nor do I sleep any less. Turns out I continue to have an excuse for my desire to sleep. Often.

The 20 Best Foods for Weight Loss

By Lisa Dorfman, M.S., R.D., Runner's World 

This time of year, many people have resolved to lose a pound or 2. Maybe 5. Maybe more. Why? That's easy: to feel better, look better, improve their health, and run farther and faster.

However, losing weight can be surprisingly difficult. In fact, national health surveys show Americans in general are getting fatter. Sure, active people should be ahead of the pack, but many are still losing the weight-gain war. (Could these 6 Surprising Weight Loss Myths be guilty of sabotaging your efforts?)

What you need is a simple plan. Here it is, in just two parts: (1) Make a little more time to run; (2) Concentrate on a handful of dietary changes that, over the course of a year, can produce significant weight-loss results.

5 shocking secrets the fitness industry doesn’t want you to know

Personal trainers might not be qualified

When you pay a personal trainer to guide you through your workouts, you naturally assume that they know what they’re talking about. Sadly that might not be the case. The number of personal trainers is expected to have risen by 24% between 2010 and 2020, and a large amount of that growth is down to the loose regulations it takes to become one. According to fitness firm CEO Gregory Florez, many personal trainers win potential clients over with their smiles and sales-talk, rather than knowledge of fitness. In fact, some personal trainer qualifications are so easy to achieve that they simply require paying a one off fee and completing an online test. Before you take a single session with a personal trainer, have a long chat with them to get a feel for their level of knowledge and experience.

6 Tricks to Fight Post-Holiday Fatigue

After weeks of sipping eggnog and relaxing with family, the holidays are finally over and it's back to your normal routine. Yet, rather than stepping into high gear, you may find yourself feeling less than energized. Could it be all that holiday turkey still weighing you down, unwinding from family time or is it post-holiday fatigue?

"After any big event -- a vacation, a wedding or the holidays -- there can be a lull after," says New York-based clinical psychologist, Linda Smith. Here, she shares her tips on fighting post-holiday fatigue: 

The Best Masturbation Tips Ever

BY DIANA SPECHLER

The maxim "He knows me better than I know myself"? Well, it probably doesn't hold true when it comes to pleasure centers. If you're like many women, you have had a long-term relationship with a vibrator and, with concentration, can get the deed done during a commercial break—without even muting the TV—if you so choose.

Exercise makes low-calorie food more appetizing

By Shereen Dindar | Shine On

As many of us pledge yet again to make this the year we finally get to the gym and banish those unwanted pounds, some new research might give us a little incentive to keep at it.

New research shows that physical activity makes low-calorie foods seem more appetizing.

In a small study published last month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers from the University of Birmingham found that after exercising the brain regions associated with reward were more active when viewing images of healthy food verses unhealthy food.

"Exercise increases neural responses to images of low-calorie foods and suppresses activation during the viewing of high-calorie foods," write the researchers.

Is face yoga the key to a youthful appearance?

By Shereen Dindar | Shine On 

Face yoga is the latest beauty trend with endorsements from celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston, who claim it is their weapon against wrinkles and signs of aging.

Founder Annelise Hagen, a New York yoga instructor who has written The Yoga Face and beenfeatured on American daytime television, says that making specific facial expressions until the muscles feel stretched and relaxed is the key to a youthful appearance.

"The exercises themselves help to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, so you're definitely going to get more tone, firmness and resilience," Hagen tells a CBS-affiliate news station.

10 Weird Beauty Tricks that Really Work

By Augusta Falletta, Beauty High
At our office, we're always hearing of ridiculous beauty tricks that sound too good (or crazy) to be true, but there's no better feeling than making a weird beauty discovery that really works. After spending some time with the most common beauty problems everyone encounters, we've put together all of our favorite weird beauty tricks that do what they say they'll do. Our hope is that some of your most frustrating beauty problems will be solved with these tricks!

1. To avoid stray mascara marks, hold a plastic spoon (curve out) over your eyelid when applying your mascara so the excess can go on the spoon, not your lids.

2. To reduce puffy eyes, cut raw, peeled potatoes in half and place over your eyes for 10 minutes. The potato will cool your eyes and any swelling will decrease.

8 Secrets Never to Keep in a Relationship

By Cari Wira Dineen, REDBOOK.

You've maxed out the credit cards and you're the only one who sees the bills every month.
"Secretly spending and trying to hide the purchases is a big indicator that there's not a lot of trust in your relationship," says Ian Kerner, a relationship expert and author of Passionista. Try to figure out why you're not disclosing what you buy: Do you feel that your decisions are being ridiculed? Does your husband tend to control the majority of the money or your relationship overall? Or do you have a problem with compulsive spending? Then, come clean. Explain that you know you spent too much, but that there's a reason you didn't share--for example, you haven't felt comfortable expressing your needs in general recently. Use this mistake as an opportunity to get on the same page about not just money, but also about how to effectively communicate and stand by your wants and needs. Kerner then suggests devising a budget in which you both allocate funds for personal discretionary spending, which will help set you up as financial equals. And make an agreement that any time you're considering making a purchase over a set amount, say $100, you'll discuss it with each other before you plunk down your credit card. 

13 2-Minute Stress Solutions

by Jessica Baumgardner, Prevention

When we were 5, we might have sucked our thumbs for stress relief. As adults, many of us self-soothe with junk food, a glass (or two) of wine, maybe some mindless TV. But those are fixes that don't actually fix anything. Luckily, recent studies reveal some easy ways to lift your spirits and lower your stress that actually create positive shifts in your brain and body.

"Stress triggers the release of the hormone cortisol, which can damage our brains and weaken our cardiovascular and immune systems over time," says neuropsychologist Rick Hanson, PhD, the author of Buddha's Brain. We asked experts for their best instant mood boosters, backed by the latest research in nutrition, psychology, and neuroscience. Follow these tips and you'll be saying "aah" in no time.

7 Surprising Ways You're Ruining Your Teeth

By Karen Springen

You only get one set of choppers, and repair costs more than prevention. So be kind to your teeth. Here are some mistakes you may not know you're making.

1. Brushing Too Hard
"If you brush too vigorously, you can wear away at your enamel and cause sensitivity and even gum recession," says dentist Nuntiya Kakanantadilok, director of the division of pediatric dentistry at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. Buy a brush with soft bristles and move it in small circles, not side to side, she says.