Gretchen Reynolds

Between Crossfit, P90X and the Tough Mudder races, extreme work outs (that sometimes cause participants to vomit or otherwise injure themselves) are growing in popularity. Julie Beck, senior associate health editor at The Atlantic, and Gretchen Reynolds, author of the "Phys Ed" column for the New York Times Well blog, explore the motivations behind this form of exercise and wonder if it's even healthy.

A new study shows that the more exercise you do at 25, the healthier your brain tends to be when you reach middle age.

Can making music while exercising boost your workout? New York Times "Phys Ed" columnist Gretchen Reynolds talks about the fascinating findings of a new study.

Gretchen Reynolds writes the "Phys Ed" column for the New York Times and is the author of The First 20 Minutes: Surprising Science Reveals How We Can: Exercise Better, Train Smarter, Live Longer. She joins us to discuss what science is proving and disproving when it comes to exercise. 

Gretchen Reynolds writes the "Phys Ed" column for the New York Times and is the author of The First 20 Minutes: Surprising Science Reveals How We Can: Exercise Better, Train Smarter, Live Longer. She joins us to discuss what science is proving and disproving when it comes to exercise.