For some reason everyone thinks that it is OK for anyone to go running in an effort to improve their health. This is simply not an appropriate recommendation. Running is not the BEST form of exercise. It is simply a form of exercise and one that requires preliminary strength and mobility prior to starting.

You can definitely combat the aging process by way of exercise. Proper exercise. If you're not paying attention to your body's balance, biology, and safety, you may be moving towards an injured, decrepit, and immobile body faster than you can say "nip tuck."

I have been practicing yoga since 2002 and love it. But there are times when life gets hectic and I am not able to be on the mat as often as I would like. The longest stretch I have been away from yoga is over a year. My mother had cancer and I was feeling overwhelmed.

We Pilates teachers love to talk about kegels. Like, all the time. Not just in class but at dinner parties, too (well, maybe that's just me). It's for good reason: engaging your kegels works your pelvic floor. A strong pelvic floor keeps you from leaking urine, holds your internal organs in place, supports your spine and pelvis and is needed for sexual function.

It's important to understand what the term "effective" means though when it comes to exercise. It's not necessarily "feeling the burn" or "vomit inducing." In fact "effective" means doing as many as you can do until your exercise form stops you doing the exercise well.

Hands up if you want a toned tummy? Well, with a little hard work and sweat you can get the stomach of your dreams by doing some of these flat stomach exercises. Below you'll find a list of great abs exercises...

What else would you rather be doing while stuck in traffic or while standing at Starbucks behind a 10 person line up? How about an exercise that will tone and target your most inner ab muscle called the TVA? Convinced yet? Here is how you do this exercise.

If you're a woman looking to tone your arms, then a weights or upper body exercise workout could be for you. Targeting your biceps, triceps and shoulders will not only give you the sexy toned arms you desire, but develop upper body strength that will make daily tasks easier.

As cancer patients become more informed about their illness and treatment options, I continue to be surprised by how many are unaware of the benefits of exercising during and after treatment. My patients have shown me first-hand what our studies have proven; that daily activity provides tremendous physical and psychological benefits.

I remember that evening well: We burst into my bedroom trying to take each others clothes off and my nose scratched from my shirt button as he miscalculated the strip down. Almost a trip over his left pant leg and a bump to my shin over the trunk and we finally conquered the journey to my bed. It was hot and there I was feeling like a 20-year old sex kitten being taken by strong hands that wrestled me into the sheets. And there, in a game of twister, I looked down.

If you haven't heard about Kangoo don't worry, you're in a huge group. Not one person I've told of my escapade knew what I was talking about. They're boots that resemble ski shoes with oval springs attached to the bottom. The trick to Kangoo boots is to keep moving! Once you get to hopping, you'll never want to stop. This class is tough!

Someone once told me that the hardest steps to take in life are from the sofa to the front door. So, if you would typically rather veg in front of the TV instead of exercising, know that you are not alone. Know that once you start exercising, it is easier to continue. Try these tricks to get you motivated.

Zumba. Everyone is always talking about Zumba. Whenever I mention my workout quest to friends and family they practically unite in saying "Zumba! Have you tried Zumba yet? Why haven't you Zumba'd?!" Well, listen up you guys, I finally went out and tested Zumba. Sold.

A few weeks into my quest for the best workout, a workout buddy mentioned a machine called The Reformer. While describing its uses, I could not get the picture of an 18th-century torture device out of my mind. After expressing interest (and fear) towards it, our instructor decided to move our pilates workout onto The Reformer. Joy.

When I worked near Queen Street West and Bathurst Street, I would pass a sign on my walk that advertised classes at Barreworks Toronto. The woman on the sign is SO toned, glistening with sweat and in possession of a set of abs I want, so I took the stairs up to the studio two at a time. A feat I almost used as another entry for my workout diary. Seriously. So so many stairs.

While everyone who attends music festivals is worth watching, the hula hooping girls were my favourites. Luckily for me, Toronto has classes to turn me into my pretend alter-ego of a hippie hula girl. My third and final class with Brass Vixens was a hula hooping class and I was determined to give those girls a run for their money. In class I start off spinning it around my torso and am beyond happy to find that it's just like riding a bike.