Exercise News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

Getting daily exercise improves sleep quality, study finds

Exercising every day could improve sleep quality, according to a new study from the University of Texas at Austin.

$18,000 military grade boot camp promising transformation draws criticism

Dozens of men across the country are physically pushing themselves to the brink to become what they say are better husbands, fathers and leaders by enrolling in a $18,000 boot camp.

Walking just 5 minutes a day makes a difference

Research shows that 11 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per day may lower your risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease or premature death.

By Julianna Bragg, CNN

Defying gravity: How microgravity Treadmills are speeding up recovery for Triangle patients

A specialized piece of equipment is speeding up healing for patients in the Triangle.

Grace Hayba, WRAL health reporter

2024 City of Oaks Marathon guide: Everything you need to know before Sunday's races

The full marathon is set to start at 7 a.m. Sunday. There will be street closures in downtown Raleigh and along Hillsborough Street.

Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

City of Oaks Marathon set for Sunday morning in downtown Raleigh

The full marathon is set to start at 7 a.m. Sunday. There will be street closures in downtown Raleigh and along Hillsborough Street.

'It drives us': Cary boxing studio helping residents with Parkinson's disease stay active

Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder with no cure. The owners of a Cary boxing studio, however, are helping their clients punch back against

Rick Armstrong, WRAL photojournalist

Dancing your way to good health

Dancing can help improve your strength, mobility, flexibility and balance.

Exercise changes the brain in a way that helps heart health, especially for people with depression

(CNN) -- It's common knowledge that exercise is good for your mental health and your heart health -- and now a new study suggests that all three are working together.

By Madeline Holcombe, CNN

Regular exercise is associated with less insomnia, study shows

(CNN) -- Tired from a restless night spent awake? One of the most helpful things to do might be to get some exercise, according to a new study.

By Madeline Holcombe, CNN

5 ways for parents to raise healthier children

As a parent, you have your children's health and safety as top priorities while raising them to be responsible adults.

UNC Health Talk

The extraordinary health benefits of exercise

When we don't prioritize exercise, we miss out on a wealth of benefits for our physical, mental and emotional health.

UNC Health Talk

New to the gym? Here's what to know before you go

If you're looking to exercise more often and improve your fitness, joining a gym is a great option. You'll get access to a variety of workout equipment, classes and amenities to keep things interesting, and you won't have to worry about the weather outside.

UNC Health Talk

Skiing down Beech Mountain's Upper Shawneehaw trail

WRAL senior multiplatform producer Mark Bergin skied down Beech Mountain's Upper Shawneehaw trail. It is a blue slope, meaning it is considered medium difficulty.

The father of aerobics still works out five days a week at age 92. Here are his expert tips

The concept of aerobics -- a system of physical conditioning that increases heart health, boosts endurance and reduces body fat -- was actually pioneered in the 1960s by Dr. Kenneth Cooper, a physician and preventive medicine expert.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus, CNN

4 things to know before your child starts strength training

Health experts and fitness buffs have long espoused the health benefits of building muscles - or strength training - for adults. It improves balance, builds stronger bones and muscles, and increases metabolism to help the body burn more calories. Strength training also can protect joints from injury.

UNC Health Talk

What celebrity trainers want you to know about getting fit

(CNN) -- Editor's note: Dana Santas, known as the "Mobility Maker," is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and mind-body coach in professional sports, and is the author of the book "Practical Solutions for Back Pain Relief."

By Dana Santas, CNN

What are the best yoga ball pregnancy exercises?

There are several yoga ball pregnancy exercises that you need to try. Learn more about staying healthy by checking out this guide.

Discover the 25 best parks for serious cyclists in the Triangle

Unveil the best road biking and gravel riding routes in the Triangle with our comprehensive guide. From challenging ascents to scenic countryside loops, discover the cycling gems that await in North Carolina's Triangle region.

Kaila Curry, Audience Engagement Producer

Best hiking trails in Fayetteville

Here are the best hiking trails in Fayetteville.

Delaney Eyermann, WRAL multiplatform producer

'Cozy cardio' is a kinder, gentler way to start getting fit

(CNN) -- For many people, the thought of sweating in a noisy gym full of strangers or out under a hot sun is unappealing. If that sounds like you and you're looking for a way to improve your health, consider giving "cozy cardio" a try.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus, CNN

What you should know about muscle memory to help you stay fit

(CNN) -- When you hear the term "muscle memory," it conjures up images of your muscles being able to memorize certain movements, such as dribbling a soccer ball or playing "Happy Birthday" on the piano. But while muscle memory is real, that's not what is actually going on in your body.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus, CNN

Just 2 minutes of walking after eating can help blood sugar, study says

For centuries, people in the sunny Mediterranean would get up after long, leisurely meals and take a walk, often to the town square to see neighbors and socialize. Walking is so much a part of that lifestyle it is listed as a foundation of the über-healthy Mediterranean diet.

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN

Weekend warriors are lowering their risk of early death, study says

People who are physically active -- whether that is on weekends only or more often -- have lower mortality rates than inactive people, according to a study published Tuesday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

By Madeline Holcombe, CNN

8 fitness classes you need to try

Sometimes, the best way to combat this 'fitness fatigue' is to switch up your routine and try something new.