Richard Simmons made it his life's work to make exercise fun — for everybody. He's pictured above in 1984. American Broadcasting Companies/Getty Images hide caption
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Clarence DeMar in 1932. Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection hide caption
A study of this champion's heart helped prove the benefits of exercise
There's a way to get healthier without even going to a gym. It's called NEAT
Air Force service members run a timed 1.5 miles during their annual physical fitness test at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois in June. The U.S. Space Force intends to do away with once-a-year assessments in favor of wearable technology. Eric Schmid/St. Louis Public Radio hide caption
Maillard Howell, head of fitness at Reebok and co-owner of Dean CrossFit, doesn't promise clients they'll be the most ripped person on the beach. Instead, he tells them, "you're going to be able to play with your kids without getting out of breath." Catie Dull/NPR hide caption
Four-year-old Lois Copley-Jones, the photographer's daughter, takes part in a livestreamed broadcast of "PE With Joe" on March 23, 2020, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, England. The popular fitness series ended Friday. Gareth Copley/Getty Images hide caption
With the pandemic, many people are turning to at-home workouts and walks in their neighborhoods. That's good, says Exercised author Daniel Lieberman. "You don't have to do incredible strength training ... to get some benefits of physical activity." Grace Cary/Getty Images hide caption
Just Move: Scientist Author Debunks Myths About Exercise And Sleep
People are working out in the shadows. Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Trainer Katie Gould (right) leads workout sessions remotely after having to close her studio, KG Strong in Philadelphia. Courtesy of Katie Gould hide caption
A Heavy Lift For The Fitness World As Home Workouts Replace The Gym
A woman jogs along a mostly empty National Mall on March 31, 2020 in Washington, D.C. To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia all announced stay-at-home orders this week, which strongly discourage residents from leaving home unless absolutely necessary or essential. Drew Angerer/Getty Images hide caption
In a new book The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage, author Kelly McGonigal argues that we should look beyond weight loss to the many social and emotional benefits of exercise. Boris Austin/Getty Images hide caption
Triathletes who trained too much chose immediate gratification over long-term rewards, researchers found. Markus Büsges/EyeEm/Getty Images hide caption
Camille Harris performs choreographed dance moves with a fan at a soul line dancing social event in Washington, D.C. Meredith Rizzo/NPR hide caption
Soul Line Dancing: Come For The Fitness. Stay For The Friendships
A sensor developed by scientists at U.C. Berkeley can provide real-time measurements of sweat rate and electrolytes in sweat. Courtesy of Bijendra Maskey/Sunchon National University hide caption
Want To Know What's In Your Sweat? There's A Patch For That
New research shows that daily light walking is important for maintaining health as you age. But if you can't hit 10,000 steps, don't worry. Peter Muller/Getty Images/Cultura RF hide caption
10,000 Steps A Day? How Many You Really Need To Boost Longevity
Jessica Holloway-Haytcher uses an app that helps her track meals, exercise and keep in touch with an online coach. Mark Rogers Photography hide caption
Left to right: The trainer demonstrates squats with a chair, pull-ups with a towel wrapped around a banister and jumping jack intervals. Jenna Sterner/NPR hide caption
Get Fit — Faster: This 22-Minute Workout Has You Covered
The NPR staff likes to exercise in several different ways. Cameron Pollack/NPR hide caption
A business decision by UnitedHealthcare, the nation's largest health insurance carrier, to drop a popular fitness benefit has upset many people covered by the company's Medicare plans. Mladen Zivkovic/Getty Images hide caption
Getting physical activity every day can help maintain health throughout your life. Ronnie Kaufman/Larry Hirshowitz/Getty Images/Blend Images hide caption
New Physical Activity Guidelines Urge Americans: Move More, Sit Less
Shaun T attends the Sweat USA America's All-Star Fitness Festival at the Miami Beach Convention Center in 2013. At some live events, thousands of people turn out to work out with the fitness superstar. Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for Vital Sports & Entertainment hide caption
Fitness Superstar Shaun T: Keys To Workout Motivation Include Fun — And Selfishness
Man Kaur of India celebrates after competing in the 100-meter sprint in the 100+ age category at the World Masters Games in Auckland, New Zealand, in April. Michael Bradley/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Older adults who own dogs walk more than those who don't own dogs, and that they're moving at a good clip, a study finds. fotografixx/Getty Images hide caption