Exercise Archives - Better.Cheaper.Slower.

Killer couches. Murderous desk chairs.

February 21, 2026

Can't blame them. Sure, they might be really comfortable. Inviting. But it's not their fault. It's you. The sitter. Sitting for hours at a time reduces your metabolic rate and makes you a more likely candidate for obesity and diabetes. Here's an easy solution to the problem.

Happy New Year on The Great Wall

February 20, 2026

This Year of the Fire Horse is your lucky year. Your second chance to make a healthy New Year Resolution to Be Better Outdoors. I can't think of a Better Way to celebrate the Chinese New Year than a Great Hike on the Great Wall. Even if it's just a great daydream while you take the sidewalk.

Presidential Fitness: Fuggeddaboutit

February 16, 2026

Let's observe Presidents Day by considering Presidential fitness: the health benefits of a good night's sleep. Like achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. And thinking clearly: being able to distinguish between facts and “noise". Let's look at the research.

Love Handles

February 13, 2026

Want to lose them for Valentine's Day? Great! That'll be next Valentine's Day. Because Better Cheaper Slower is The Slow Fix. Because there are no quick fixes that actually work. If you plan to be around next year at this time, click and think about this. Because if you started last Valentine's Day, you might have lost the handles by now.

Living Room Olympics: Skating. In place.

February 9, 2026

Let the games begin. The good news: you're too late to qualify for the team. So let's skate in place. Your place. No skates. No ice. No mittens. But almost all the exercise benefits of real skating. In front of the TV. While you watch the Olympians skate around ovals.

Warm Winter Hiking. Cactus included.

February 6, 2026

I knew the Coronado National Forest was full of them. I just didn't know they looked like cartoons. Here they are. Thousands of them. For miles. Walk this whole 16-mile trail outside Tucson, Arizona. 5 or 6 great hours. More than 2,000 calories burned. The temperature: in the high 60s F. About the same as Phoenix, 100 miles away. A little too warm for football. Ya think?

Great Balls of Exercise: Front Raises

February 2, 2026

Strengthen your shoulder, arm and chest muscles by squeezing this really big exercise ball between your hands. And raising it above your head. Use your core, back and leg muscles, to balance while you're top-heavy. Strengthen many muscles at once. Very time-efficient.

4 Muddy Boots on a 4-Wheel Drive Trail

January 30, 2026

8 miles in 5 or 6 hours in the rainforest. 3,000' of elevation gain. 3,000 calories burned. Want more? Take the waterfall detour. Right up the middle of the shallow but rocky stream. Check my big 3D Google Map for the turnoff. If you're already here,the extra cost for all this nature and exercise = zero.

Great Balls of Exercise: Figure 8s

January 26, 2026

Stretch and strengthen your core, back and leg muscles while you stand and twist. Strengthen your shoulder and chest muscles by squeezing this really big exercise ball between your hands. You use many, many muscles. Very time-efficient. Burns calories faster. Fun, too.

Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi’ai Falls. Wow.

January 23, 2026

Before you wade into the Falls, you'll have to stroll across Ke'e Beach. And then you have to walk along two miles of the legendary Kalalau Trail, hanging a couple hundred feet above the brilliant blue Pacific. Yes, it's tough hiking here on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i.