The Gym Of Your Dreams Has Arrived [Fast Company] Suddenly, being a gym rat doesn’t seem so bad. One design company has come up with an entirely new approach to creating workout spaces, complete with an open-air layout and customized exercise equipment that’s remarkably versatile. The gyms, called National Fitness Courts (NFCs), are meant to be set up and customized by communities, with the cost of the NFC (and memberships) subsidized by advertisers. (While you’re waiting for your city’s NFC, motivate yourself to pick up the dumbbells with these 9 Reasons Women Should Lift Weights.) Did Eating Meat Make Us Human? [Greatist] New research suggest that our ancestor’s meat consumption is the reason we humans have larger brains than our predecessors. Experts say that the calories in meat offered the necessary energy to fuel brain development, whereas a vegetarian diet would have made such remarkable gray matter growth nearly impossible. Of course, the (apparent) fact that our ancient ancestors were dining on meaty meals doesn’t necessarily mean that a carnivorous diet is the best choice for modern-day men and women. (After all, as these 5 Women Who Went Meatless illustrate, a vegetarian diet can boast plenty of benefits.) The Occasional Habit That Can Kill [US News & World Report] Need another reason to kick butts to the curb—even if they’re only a once in a while habit? New research shows that smoking can double a woman’s risk of sudden cardiac death, which is responsible for more than 400,000 annual fatalities across the country. According to the research team, women who lit up between 1 and 14 times a day experienced a nearly twofold increased risk compared to non-smoking peers. The good news? Within five years of quitting, that elevated hazard disappeared. (Ready to quit? Your Smartphone Can Help You Butt Out.) Questions? Comments? Contact Prevention’s News Team! Follow her on Twitter: @katiedrumm Send news tips and positive vibes to: Katie.Drummond@rodale.com
