Health and fitness tips, interviews with Jewish athletes past, present and future and perspectives on the Chicago sports scene.
![How to Make Your Workout Fit Your Goals photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-1063417332-oy.jpg)
Losing weight, gaining muscle and gaining strength all require different workout regimens.
![7 Jewish Baseball Stories to Watch in 2019 photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/SPORTS_BaseballPreview.jpg)
A preview of baseball’s Jewish players in the majors, or hoping to get their shot.
![Interview with former Cubs and Red Sox outfielder Ryan Kalish photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/Ryan-Kalish.jpg)
The recent retiree talks the past, present and future of his baseball life.
![Ode to the Stache photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-477355258-oy.jpg)
Even though he’s come and gone, Quenneville will always serve as a special part of why I love the Blackhawks.
![Interview with Michael Schwimer photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/X162075_TK1_00095.jpg)
From altering the minor league system and baseball economics to leading the way in sports analytics, Schwimer will soon be a household name.
![Just Keep Moving photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-1005331874-oy.jpg)
You’re never too young to think about combating joint pain.
![Calisthenics are cool again photo main](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-531179757-oy.jpg)
You don’t need a gym for cardio or strength training.
![Jewish Athletes that Cheated, and Why this Rabbi Forgives Them photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-923087650-oy.jpg)
Maybe this will surprise you, but I have quickly forgiven both Julian Edelman and Ryan Braun for taking performance-enhancing drugs.
![Interview with Jewish NY Giants Tackle Adam Bisnowaty photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/bisnowaty-21.jpg)
Adam Bisnowaty got a lot of fans of Jews in sports excited last year when he was drafted by the New York Giants.
![quitting the gym](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/Oy-Quitting-the-Gym.jpg)
It’s been 30 days since I quit the gym, and I’ve already learned a lot.
![Interview with Cornell Basketball Freshman Bryan Knapp photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/Oy-Bryan-Knapp.jpg)
The Jewish day school product talks about his journey and offers advice for day school athletes.
![A Schtickle of Fitness photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-849177432-oy.jpg)
Five tips for making incremental health improvements to your routine
![Interview with Chicago Sky President Adam Fox photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-455342044-oy.jpg)
The Chicago Sky sparked my interest when I found out that their president was Adam Fox, a nice Jewish guy from the Chicago suburbs.
![pants splitting](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/pants-splitting-820.jpg)
Imagine you’re in a room full of at least 50
Jewish professionals listening to a presentation. You bend down in your suit
and a terrifying ripping noise surprises your ears.
![Alley-oop to Aliyah photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/alley-oop.jpg)
An interview with David A. Goldstein, author of Alley-oop to Aliyah: African American Hoopsters in the Holy Land.
![Raising Healthy Kids Part 2: Healthy Eating photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-493208733-oy.jpg)
I hate that most children’s menus list chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, or buttered noodles. No wonder most kids are vegetable-opposed.
![Interview with 60-year-old Chicago arm wrestler Ed Grossman photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-702603675-oy.jpg)
I have covered Jewish pro wrestlers, swimmers and others, but never have I interviewed an arm wrestler.
![Raising Healthy Kids: Part 1 photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-499135231-oy.jpg)
Obesity in children is reaching epidemic levels. The combination of video games, tablets, reduced funding for gym programs, and abundance of sugary treats is partially to blame.
![No Nudity in the Gym Sauna photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-175447208-oy.jpg)
Who shaves in the steam room at a gym? Come on now! Yes, this article is a rant about gym behavior.
![7 Jewish NFL Stories to Watch in 2017 photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/Oy-Jeremy-Daniel-Braverman[1].jpg)
Although I cannot promise you stellar Fantasy Football tips, I can give you hints of where to look for progress among the NFL’s many MOTs.
![9 Behaviors that Make Weight Loss a Struggle photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-178672796-oy.jpg)
And how to fix them
![Your new BFF photo 1x](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/bff(1).jpg)
Created by a local Jewish entrepreneur, this tool aims to soothe tight muscles, exfoliate your skin and even help with hair removal.
![Take a Hike photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-534535745-oy.jpg)
I’ve finally started to move it, move it, walk more and -- get this -- occasionally go for a hike.
![How to Get Fit After 40 photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-595347471-oy.jpg)
A guide to smart exercise for new members of the 40-plus club
![Team Israel: Where are They Now? photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/Team-Israel-again.jpg)
Here is a progress report on some of the key contributors to Team Israel’s World Baseball Classic run.
![Interview with the Mastermind behind Team Israel photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/Alex-Jacobs.jpg)
In my mind, Alex Jacobs is the coolest guy in sports. First, he has now been giving the title "Mastermind," which is usually reserved for fictional characters.
![The Real Impact of Israel’s Baseball Team photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/israel-wbc.png)
The obvious and hidden reasons Team Israel’s success in the World Baseball Classic is good for Israel and American Jews
![From Triple Stripe to Workout Tights photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-547157690-oy.jpg)
My old workout attire was cut-off t-shirts and old cargo pants or shorts I’d owned since high school.
![Interview with Jewish former relief pitcher Jose Bautista photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/GettyImages-183379325.jpg)
One of baseball's most charismatic characters is the Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista. But in the 1990s, there was another Jose Bautista, and he’s Jewish.
![Pull Your Own Weight photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/iStock-610144252-oy.jpg)
Body weight exercises having been making a huge comeback. There are many benefits to training this way.
![Interview with Jewish former Chicago Bears punter Adam Podlesh photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/Oy-Podlesh.jpg)
Podlesh, who played seven full seasons in the NFL with Jacksonville and Chicago, is a Super Nintendo-loving, big-legged, former fourth round pick.
![Cutting Edge Fitness in the Northern Suburbs photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/Lustbader-1.jpg)
When JCC Chicago announced the Marvin Lustbader Center for Health, Wellness and Fitness was opening in Northbrook (practically my neighborhood), I had to check it out.
![When Life Calls for Fantasy Baseball photo 1](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/AJM-Prom.jpg)
The death of our friend reunited our fantasy baseball league
![Interview with Jewish pitcher Jon Moscot photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/Moscot.jpg)
I am not sure there is a better role model for young Jewish kids in any sport right now than Jon Moscot.
![What Cubs Fans Taught Me about Hope photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/iStock_19939845_SMALL-oy.jpg)
I have observed over the past 10 plus years of living here that Cubs fans are hardcore and possess an intrinsic Jewish value, the value of hope.
![7 Reasons Jews Make for Good Cubs Fans photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/iStock_16446035_SMALL-oy.jpg)
As my Cub fandom has deepened throughout my life, so too has my Judaism, and it has become clear that my identity as a Jew and my identity as a Cubs fan have a lot in common.
![The Cubs photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/AtGame6NLCS.jpg)
Some things you grow to love over time. Some things you are born into. For me, being a Chicago Cubs fan is the strongest combination of both -- and then some.
![The Fitter Plan photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/ron.jpg)
Three Simple Steps for Getting in Shape
![Interview with Jewish White Sox prospect Brad Goldberg photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/goldberg.jpg)
It has been a horrible season for White Sox fans, but it is Brad Goldberg who gives me hope.
![Jason Lezak](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/Oy-Jason-Lezak.jpg)
Just as we are captivated by the swimmers of
Team USA at these 2016 Rio Games, we were glued to our televisions over the
past few Olympics watching Jason Lezak become one of the most decorated
swimmers, Olympians, and Jewish athletes of all time.
![dwyane wade](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/Oy-Dwyane-Wade.jpg)
How Dwyane Wade’s return to Chicago might have an even bigger impact off the court.
![10 Up-and-Coming Jewish Sports Stars photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/sports.jpg)
These young Jewish athletes are on the cusp of making it big.
![How to Avoid (and Embrace) Fitness Failure photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/iStock_89489517_SMALL-oy.jpg)
If you are not getting the fitness results you want, think about what you can do differently.
![An Unfair Comp-‘ERA’-son photo 1](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/oy.jpg)
I grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Nobody will ever be better than Michael Jordan.
![My 4 Go-To Hacks for Healthy Living photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/iStock_000055981922_Small-oy.jpg)
These four health tips, hacks and tricks are easier than starving yourself or “detoxing.”
![What Are We Losing For? photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/Sports_and_Fitness/andy(1).jpg)
I turned around and headed for the registers, passing by the chips, cookies, and -- wait a minute -- out of the corner of my eye was the candy aisle.
![Unwatcha-Bull photo](/uploadedImages/Articles-Oy/_Uncategorized/John-Paxson-Gar-Forman.jpg)
Some of it had to do with my recent cable-cutting, but I also don’t remember a Bulls team that I was less excited about.