Time is always of the essence, especially where it comes to fitness. Most often the problem is there just isn’t enough of it to get in a workout. Instead, “exercise snacking” might be the solution. This article explores times when you might have five minutes to kill, so a glute isometric or bodyweight squats might be just the answer. Words to live and get fit by: “Something is better than nothing” (Greg Whyte, author of “Fit in 5″).

The facts and fiction about the effects of soy on men, their testosterone levels and hair loss are explored in this article written for HairLoss.com, where I am the fitness and nutrition section editor. Because there is a lot of unsubstantiated chatter on the Internet – in particularly, on bodybuilding blogs and e-commerce sites – about the pros and cons of soy for men, I sought expert (read: scientifically supported) findings and positions from WebMD, MayoClinic.com, and Dr.Andrew Weil. Conclusions: soy can be a good source of protein and unsaturated fat and it might have a slight benefit (not yet proven) in blocking DHT, a contributing factor in hair loss.

From a personal health and physical function standpoint, it will always make sense to adopt an exercise program that tries to utilize all 600-plus muscles in the body. But the push for aesthetics – the social pressure to achieve an appealing musculature – often leads to the phenomenon known as “mirror muscles.” This is when the exerciser works only the body parts he sees in the mirror, ignoring his backside and legs. This is folly on many levels, not the least of which is how large muscles in the back and legs generate natural testosterone production, which contributes to results everywhere. My blog entry, “Getting Buff: If You Want Bigger Arms, Work Your Legs” on UrbanStag.com discusses ways to do it right (I am the site’s fitness blog writer).

“Dude, how much do you bench?”

This is the most amateurish question asked most frequently, guy to guy, in a gym. It’s not the pounds you lift, however, it’s how you lift them. For more on the whys and hows, see “Getting Buff: It’s Not The Weight, It’s Your Form” on UrbanStag.com where I am the fitness blog writer. This is an e-commerce site where I write about smart weight lifting philosophies in support of a business.