These 15 Podcasts Are Making Running More Fun in 2025

Running while listening to music is nothing new, but podcast running can elevate your runs to a whole new level. Whether you’re new to running podcasts or just looking for a new favorite show, here’s a rundown, pun intended, of 15 of the best podcasts for running — wherever and however you like to hit the road. Read on to discover: The Best Podcasts for Running Training The Best Podcasts for Running Motivation The Best Podcasts for Trail Running Should You Listen to a Podcast While Running? More Podcast Running Questions The Best Podcasts for Running Training Ready to level up your training? These podcasts are your audio coaches, offering expert advice on everything from pacing to injury prevention. Here you can learn about training methodologies, biomechanics and performance enhancement. 1. Strength Running Hosted by Jason Fitzgerald, this running podcast focuses on injury prevention and performance improvement through strength training and mental toughness. It’s unique for its emphasis on strength and conditioning as key components of successful running. 2. RunBuzz This podcast by Steve Carmichael aims to provide practical training, nutrition and mindset tips for everyday runners with busy lifestyles. It distinguishes itself through case studies and interviews with both experts and ordinary runners.  3. Run to the Top From Runners Connect, this show delivers actionable advice from leading runners, researchers and coaches. It stands out by offering practical lessons you can apply to your training, wherever and however your running takes place.  4. Marathon Training Academy Do you have what it takes to run a marathon? Yes — and co-hosts Angie and Trevor will soon have you believing that. This show aims to unleash the marathon runner inside everyone, offering tips, advice and training wisdom, with a good dose of podcast running humor too.  5. Running With Coach Jeff There’s a lot of information in this podcast, including technique, nutrition and training strategies, plus a wide perspective on the art and science of running. It’s valuable for runners at all levels but is especially loved by endurance runners.  The Best Podcasts for Running Motivation Need a boost to get you out the door? Fuel your passion for running with these podcasts — your running cheerleaders, reminding you why you love to run. 6. Another Mother Runner This podcast focuses on moms who run — the why and the how. It has a unique perspective, tackling the challenges and the joys of combining running with motherhood. It’s relatable, engaging and always encouraging. 7. Ali on the Run Hosted by Ali Feller, this popular podcast features conversations with inspiring people, both on and off the run. It explores the why behind running, diving deep into the decisions and motivations that shape each individual runner’s journey.  8. Inspire to Run This show offers everyday runners plenty of running tips, personal stories and fitness information. Host Richard Conner interviews experts, trainers and ordinary people, providing podcast running motivation and guidance for runners at all levels. 9. The Morning Shakeout Mario Fraioli's podcast stands out for thoughtful conversation about the world of running. Listeners love the depth and quality of the thought-provoking discussions, which offer deep insights and inspiration from athletes, coaches and personalities in the sport.  10. The Happy Runner Hosted by David Roche, this podcast is geared toward average recreational runners over 50. It offers tips, motivation and interviews with the target audience, focusing on enjoying the sport and encouraging those who want to get into running.  The Best Podcasts for Trail Running If you prefer dirt over asphalt, embrace the wild side of running with these shows. Podcast trail running is a great way to celebrate the unique rewards and challenges of off-road running. Here you can get insights into techniques, gear and the sheer thrill of the backcountry. 11. Cultra Trail Running Sharing the unique perspective of East Coast/New England runners, this trail running podcast is known for being raw and irreverent. It distinguishes itself by discussing the fun and quirky aspects of trail running that most people don’t talk about. 12. Ten Junk Miles This podcast provides lighthearted conversations about trail running and ultra running. It is noted for its humor and its focus on ordinary runners, providing an engaging and relatable listening experience and a wide range of content. Podcast trail running with mirth. 13. Trail Runner Nation This trail running podcast is an easy listen with a humorous approach. It is helpful for both beginner and experienced trail runners, featuring actionable advice, a range of interviews with coaches and athletes, and inspirational stories.  14. Singletrack In this podcast, trail running gets the in-depth treatment through interviews with athletes and figures shaping the trail and ultra running scene. Host Finn Melanson provides insight and engaging coverage of topics often not covered elsewhere.  15. The Midpacker Focusing on the experiences of average trail runners, this show offers relatable stories and advice. It’s especially loved by those who identify as “midpacker” or back of the pack, and many find the discussions motivating and inspiring.  Should You Listen to a Podcast While Running? Podcast running is a matter of personal choice — and hot debate — in the running community. Some runners swear by it, while others prefer to listen to music or nothing at all. If you’re interested in the science behind the question, however, there is evidence that listening to a podcast while running could help: Enhance motivation Reduce perceived exertion Shift focus away from discomfort Get into a flow state Make time pass more smoothly Studies have consistently shown that listening to music during exercise significantly reduces perceived exertion due to a dissociative effect. This draws attention away from bodily sensations like fatigue and towards the external stimulus of the music. Research has also demonstrated that music can enhance athletic performance and recovery times.   Although most research so far has focused on music rather than podcasts, it is clear that similar effects are likely to occur when listening to your favorite shows.  If you run mostly on a treadmill, podcasts can be especially important. The lack of sensory stimulation on a gym-based run can lead to psychological endurance issues and reduced motivation, so the mood-boosting effects of a podcast can really help. The best podcasts for running will most likely decrease perceived exertion, make time pass faster and provide additional motivation and enjoyment. So the evidence suggests that podcast running can significantly enhance your running experience. If you have never tried it before, give it a go and see if it gels with your own preferences and running style. More Podcast Running Questions Still thinking about it? Here are some answers to other questions people ask.  What is podcast running? Podcast running is simply the term for running while listening to a podcast. It’s a popular way to make runs more enjoyable, informative or motivating. Podcasts can be a great way to learn about running techniques, hear inspiring stories or simply pass the time on a run. Is podcast running safe? Yes — with the caveat that all runners should always remain aware of their surroundings. For safer running, try using only one earbud. Alternatively, lower the volume sufficiently that you can still hear noise from your surroundings. What are the best running podcasts? The 15 podcasts listed above are leaders in the field, but there are hundreds of running podcasts out there. If you’re new to podcast running, start with this list, but don’t be afraid to try something new, too. Listing the best podcasts for running is highly subjective — through trial and error, you will find your own go-to shows. What podcast is RMC Running? It’s a French-language running podcast hosted by Benoit Boutron. It’s noted for interviews with famous athletes and tips on how to improve your running. If you speak French, give it a go! What is podcast training? It’s similar to podcast running, but typically focuses on listening to podcasts about fitness training or overall health and wellness. These are good shows to listen to while you’re working out at the gym, for example.  Is Podcast Running For You? There’s only one way to find out! Next time you hit the road or the trails, dial into one of these popular running podcasts and see what you think. The best podcasts for running are the ones that keep you motivated, engaged, and moving ahead. You never know, podcast running could turn out to be just the boost you need.

Living with vertigo is not fun. Who would choose to experience dizziness, loss of balance, blurred vision and nausea regularly? Fortunately, there are some exercises you can do at home to combat this typical result of migraines or head injuries. Investigate the following step-by-step routines for several home exercise options that could alleviate your vertigo type. Remember to consult your physical therapy specialist before trying any of them, though. 1. The Marching Exercise The Marching exercise is a simple procedure many people with vertigo use to prepare for more complex exercises. All you need is an open space near a wall in your bedroom, living room or kitchen and a single chair, similar to the Romberg exercise that follows soon. Stand with your feet slightly apart, facing away from a nearby wall, with the chair in front of you. If you start losing your balance during the exercise, use the wall behind you or the chair you’re facing for support. Position your arms at your side. With your arms at your side, alternate lifting your knees as high as possible, like you’re marching in place. Keep marching in place for 20 steps, then stop and stand still for 30 seconds. Repeat the exercise, increasing your steps to 30. You can do the Marching exercise twice or thrice daily as a stand-alone routine or in preparation for another vertigo exercise. Remember, if you start feeling dizzy, use the wall or chair to maintain your balance. 2. The Romberg Exercise Specialists developed the Romberg exercise as a level-one beginner routine to assist vertigo patients in managing their symptoms. By training your body to manage the vertigo effects, symptoms often improve. Like the Marching exercise, you’ll want a nearby wall and a chair. Like the Marching exercise, and for the same reason, stand facing the chair with the wall behind you. This time, put your feet together so your ankles touch. Depending on how you feel most comfortable, position your arms at your sides or cross them over your chest.  Close your eyes. If the dizziness is too much, open them, but maintain your position. Try closing your eyes for 30 seconds at some time during the exercise. You can do the Romberg exercise up to three times daily. If you’re mastering the routine, try raising your chin and lowering it with closed eyes during a session.  3. The Epley Maneuver The Epley maneuver moves any misaligned inner ear crystals (canalith debris), which commonly cause vertigo problems, back into your inner ear. This realignment helps with many vertigo forms, most notably in people with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Sit on your bed with your legs hanging over the side. While sitting, angle your head 45 degrees to the side with the vertigo. In that position, lie backward and settle on your back. Recline your head at the same angle, along with your shoulders, on a pillow. Stay in that position for 30 seconds. Without raising your chin, turn your head 45 degrees in the other direction. Keep that position on the pillow for a further 30 seconds. Turn your body 90 degrees toward the side where your head is angled, allowing your head to turn the extra 45 degrees so you’re facing into the pillow. Hold that position for at least 30 seconds, but longer if the vertigo is still easing. Sit up again, hopefully, with the vertigo symptoms eased. If your vertigo persists, follow the Epley maneuver for 10 to 15 minutes, when the symptoms should ease. To be safe, resist driving for a further 15 minutes thereafter. 4. The Brandt-Daroff Exercise The Brandt-Daroff exercise works similarly to the Epley Maneuver to dislodge the inner ear crystals causing you dizziness. It is particularly beneficial for BPPV and labyrinthitis vertigo forms. You can do this exercise on a bed or couch and repeat it as often during the day as necessary. Sit upright with your feet on the floor. Angle your head so your nose points upward at a 45-degree angle. Lie down on your side without changing your head’s angle. Maintain that lying position for 30 seconds. Sit up straight again without moving your head. After sitting for 30 seconds, repeat the process on your other side. If you stick to the 30-second rule between changing positions, you should suffer no side effects. As your head is angled upward, be careful not to bump it on any nearby furniture. 5. The Sémont Maneuver The Sémont maneuver is especially effective if you have BPPV by also targeting inner ear canalith debris. As a precaution, many people prefer to do this exercise routine with someone else present. Sit on a flat surface so your legs hang over the side. A table is often the best place to perform this routine. Turn your head 45 degrees away from the vertigo-affected side. Quickly lie down on the side with the vertigo. You may feel dizzy, so remain on your side until the sensation subsides. When it does, sit up again and immediately lie down on the side to which your head is facing. Again, stay lying down if you’re feeling dizzy. Repeat the process for up to 15 minutes. Be prepared to feel some dizziness throughout the routine. With the Sémont maneuver, you’re addressing the root cause of your vertigo. If you battle vertigo when looking down from a height, you likely have an inner ear imbalance due to canalith debris. This exercise could help. It is often a taxing and stressful exercise, so it's a good idea to have somebody close to support you and help if the dizzy spells get too much. Avoid driving for at least 15 minutes after finishing the routine. 6. The Gaze Stabilization Routine The gaze stabilization routine is a vital set of vertigo management exercises formulated to retrain your brain to reduce dizziness during head movements. The routine includes a series of specific eye movements that improve your balance and stability. Sit in a comfortable position with your head completely still.  Focus on a point within your vision and move your eyes from left to right. Repeat the process for a minute. Focus on the same point, but move your eyes up and down, again keeping your head still. The last exercise is to move your eyes diagonally from the top left of your vision to the bottom right and then from the top right to the bottom left. By habitually using the gaze stabilization routine, your brain will retrain itself to better cope with dizzy spells caused by moving your head quickly. The trick is to practice the exercises often to improve your general balance. Home Vertigo Exercises Can Help While these regular exercises at home can help combat your vertigo, even religiously practicing them doesn’t guarantee you’ll be vertigo-free. Many more serious forms of vertigo require professional vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) to reduce or eliminate balance issues and dizziness. Doing vertigo exercises at home could work for you, so, with your physical therapist’s agreement, try them out before contemplating further steps.

Exercise is known to be a great way to stay fit and healthy. Although sometimes, people can take it to a certain level where it does more harm than good. Exercise addiction can display similar traits to those with other addictions. Here is an overview of exercise addiction and what to look for in yourself or your loved ones.  Exercise Addiction  An unhealthy obsession with exercise andl fitness leads to exercise addiction. Some traits that may show up include:  Obsessing over the behavior Continuing behavior even when causing harm Engaging even when not wanting to Performing the behavior as a secret  The release of chemicals in the nervous system makes the action feel like a reward. Apart if the addiction may be dependent on the pleasure you feel. Weight loss or other health conditions can occur when exercising too much.  Causes  The neurotransmitters released while using drugs are the same as when you exercise: endorphins and dopamine cause feelings of joy. When exercise is over, they will fade away. You will want to keep triggering these feelings by exercising more.  It usually starts with a wanting to get involved with fitness but can steam from other disorders. Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia can lead to an unhealthy obsession with working out on top of the disorder. Other conditions like body dysmorphia and body image issues can spark the addiction.  Symptoms Symptoms to watch out for include: The buzzed feeling after working out Feeling withdrawal-like symptoms after long periods of inactivity The uncontrollable desire to exercise  Making time for exercise and reducing other activities because of it Long periods of preparation and recovery from exercise Can’t stick to a reduced exercise routine Who is at Risk? Many people feel pressure to stay fit for a variety of reasons. If you are overweight and are striving towards weight loss and unhealthy regime can cause exercise addiction. People with eating disorders and body image issues tend to use exercise in addition to their conditions or to help ease them. People with a previous addiction to other things like alcohol and drugs may use exercise to fill the void and create a new obsession. Since the same chemicals are released, they seek their fix in another form.  There is a timeline of phases that show how someone develops this addiction. Here are the four phases.  Phase 1: Recreational exercise. When exercise is meant to increase health and fitness, you find pleasure in activity while improving your quality of life.  Phase 2: At-risk exercise. When you increase the frequency and intensity of workouts, the main reason is to reduce stress and increase self-esteem.  Phase 3: Problematic exercise. You begin to organize your life around exercise. Irritability and mood swings can come if the routine is disrupted and they tend to do more training alone.  Phase 4: Exercise addiction. Life now revolves around working out. The workouts keep increasing in intensity and frequency. It disrupts other areas of life and only exercise to reduce withdrawal symptoms.  Treatment Similar to other behavioral addictions, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or motivational interviewing is usually recommended. It helps since the technique recognizes the effects created by the addiction. When the behavior is identified, the problem motivates the person to get treatment and control the thoughts related to the obsessive nature.  Professionals can create strategies to manage the addiction and reward from or lower levels of exercise.  The Bottom Line Like any other addiction, it takes time to overcome them. It will take a lot of mental and physical dedication to treat, but it will be worth it in the end. 

Weight loss is a two-part process. Eating the right foods is the most important step, but you also have to keep an active lifestyle. If you find that traditional exercises aren’t helping your progress, a new routine can get you back on track.  Here are seven of the best exercises and workouts that will help you lose weight fast and reach your health goals in no time. Best Exercises for Weight Loss It’s vital to differentiate between “exercise” and “workout.” An exercise is just one part of a workout routine. People sometimes use the terms interchangeably, but you should use them in the right context when creating your fitness plan. With that technicality cleared up, let’s jump into the first exercise. 1. Jump-Rope The jump-rope is a great exercise to lose weight fast because it gets your whole body moving and causes your heart rate to skyrocket in a matter of seconds. Just 10 minutes of jumping rope can burn up to 150 calories, depending on your body weight and the intensity of the exercise. For reference, the equivalent of 150 calories is a light snack. If you like to have a snack between meals, a quick jump-rope session can burn it all away. 2. Kickboxing Have you ever noticed how lean most boxers and MMA fighters are? Their exercise routines revolve around punching and kicking, so why can’t yours? Kickboxing is perhaps the fastest weight-loss exercise on this list. A 45-minute workout can burn over 400 calories, which is the equivalent of a moderate-sized meal. Aside from the quick weight loss, you also get to work on your self-defense skills. This exercise is a win-win all around. 3. Swimming Swimming has many benefits. It can help you recover from injuries, become more flexible and lose weight fast. It’s particularly beneficial for older folks whose joints and limbs can’t handle the stress of regular exercise. Like the jump rope, swimming requires your whole body to work and thus burns more calories. About 30 minutes of swimming burns a minimum of 200 calories and even more if you choose a more challenging style, such as the butterfly stroke. Other low-stress techniques like the breaststroke don’t burn as many calories, but they’re all effective exercises for weight loss. 4. Cycling Cycling offers a fresh change of pace and a more effective weight-loss exercise if you’re tired of walking and running. The average person burns between 450 and 750 calories per hour of cycling and even more if they go uphill, making it one of the best exercises for weight loss in terms of calories burned. Plus, you get to spend more time outdoors exploring your surroundings. You might develop a new hobby out of it. Workouts for Losing Weight and Toning The four above exercises are great additions to your overall fitness routine, but you can do better than one exercise alone. If you want to accelerate your weight loss even further, these three workout styles have everything you’re looking for. 5. High-Intensity Cardio As the name suggests, high-intensity cardio is an intense workout that elevates your heart rate for an extended period. It might leave you wondering why you ever wanted to lose weight in the first place, but that’s the beauty of the workout. It has the same difficulty level no matter how much you get in shape. Cardio consists of any activity that gets your heart rate up quickly and keeps it there. It can be a rowing machine, elliptical, Stairmaster or an incline treadmill. Find a handful of cardio exercises that fit your preferences and create a personalized high-intensity cardio workout. 6. Strength Training Strength training brings us back to the basics. Bench press, squat, deadlift and other strength-based exercises will help you lose weight and tone your muscles. A 30-minute training session burns between 180 and 250 calories, but only if you work out with the right intensity. Take your weight loss journey seriously and push yourself. Put together a routine that fits your preferences. If you don’t like squatting, gyms have several other leg-training exercise machines. If you have a bad back and want to avoid deadlifting, you can easily find different exercises that won’t put you in a vulnerable position. Strength training has many possibilities. 7. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) High-intensity interval training (HIIT) takes the elevated heart rate component of cardio and the equipment of strength training and rolls them into one of the best workouts for losing weight that you can find. Studies have shown that short interval training is more effective for adult weight loss than steady-state training, such as walking or running. It requires you to do multiple strength exercises in quick succession, followed by a short rest period. For example, a HIIT workout could have you do five minutes of intense exercise with two minutes of rest. HIIT helps you burn more calories and retain your toned muscles as you lose weight. Revitalize Your Weight Loss Journey Weight loss won’t happen overnight, but you can speed up the process by eating a healthy diet and doing the right physical activities. These exercises and workout styles will get your heart rate up, burn a ton of calories and move you one step closer to reaching your goals. Revitalize your weight loss journey with one of these fantastic options. Cover photo courtesy of Total Shape

Do you need a new fitness regimen? The new year is here, and that means it’s time to set your resolutions. Have you considered the life aquatic?  Getting in the water offers a host of advantages over land-based workouts. Here are eight benefits of swimming for exercise that will have you donning your bathing suit in no time.  1. Burns Calories You can torch as many calories swimming as you do on land. A single 30-minute workout burns 300 calories if you hit it hard.  You don’t have to move as quickly as you do on land to work your muscles. The water adds extra resistance, making it akin to strapping on weights around your arms and legs. It takes considerably more effort to walk 25 yards across an Olympic-sized pool than it does to perform the same trek on the shore.  2. Won’t Leave You Sweaty Why do water-based workouts seem so much easier, then? The perception stems from the fact that you don’t sweat.  In reality, you perspire in water-based workouts, too. However, the water immediately whisks it away, leaving you feeling cooler. Plus, water has a higher heat capacity, meaning that the pool or lake temperatures remain more stable than those on the surrounding shore. While you might need to shed layers halfway through a run, you won’t face the same problem when submerged.  3. Great for Those With Chronic Pain  One substantial benefit of swimming for exercise is making movement more comfortable for those with chronic pain. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, the mere thought of going for a run might make your knees scream.  However, chest-level water supports 80% of your body weight, making it more comfortable for you to stand. Even if you wouldn’t dream of doing jumping jacks on a hard surface due to the pain, you could find them a piece of cake once submerged.  4. Safe for Pregnant Women  Maybe you heard about the recent viral Tik Tok video of a 9-months- pregnant woman who ran a mile in an impressive time. Please don’t beat yourself up with guilt if you can’t imitate her feat — it might not be safe.  Exercise does help reduce the risk of complications such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes among pregnant women. However, their shifting center of gravity can leave them feeling unbalanced on land, and they don’t want to fall on their belly. Water workouts eliminate risk and impact while letting mamas-to-be get the movement they need.  5. No Age Limit If you visit nearly any aqua aerobics class, you’ll see participants of various ages taking part. Water workouts benefit the young and old alike.  Swimming for exercise has considerable benefits for seniors who face mobility challenges. Like pregnant women, they may fear falling — but the water cushions them if they trip in the pool.  6. Speeds Recovery  Many physical therapy centers have pools for a good reason. The water's buoyancy of the water makes it an ideal tool in speeding recovery.  Letting sprained and broken limbs rest is necessary for healing. However, it can cause the muscles surrounding the injury to atrophy, making it more likely you can get hurt again if you jump back into your previous routine.  Instead, try taking your workouts in the water. Let the buoyancy support your body weight as you walk or jog your laps. You’ll build back the muscle tone you lost, making your return to land-based workouts less hazardous.  7. Improves Chronic Diseases  Having a chronic illness presents a Catch-22 for many. Conditions such as ME/CFS and newer syndromes like those experienced by COVID-19 long-haulers can cause debilitating fatigue. However, physicians often recommend mild physical activity to improve energy levels.  How can these folks reap the benefits of movement when they can barely get out of bed? Swimming for exercise offers one solution. Aquatic workouts don’t kill your motivation before you start by making you dread the pain that follows.  8. Eases Anxiety and Depression  Finally, any workout helps to ease anxiety and depression. Exercise increases your body’s flow of feel-good endorphins, natural opioid-like substances that kill pain and give you pep.  Additionally, exercise also stimulates the release of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. All three neurotransmitters play vital roles in regulating your mood.  Reap These 8 Impressive Benefits of Swimming for Exercise  As you can see, swimming offers tons of physical and mental health advantages. Reap the benefits of swimming for exercise today to look and feel your best.