The Checkup: “Avoid Gyms Next to Cinnabons”—and 24 Other Rules for Conquering the Gym

• It’s Friday, guys. I think we all need this: the Wall Street Journal’s “25 More Rules for Conquering the Gym,” its second installment in the series. This list is funny, sure, but it’s also so, so true. Take #6, for example: “Here’s a helpful rule on gym clothing. If you’re not sure your shirt smells? Your shirt smells.” And #11, “Squat! You hear people say this and it’s true. If you’re not doing squats, just stop going to the gym and take $100 and set it on fire in a garbage barrel once a month.” Go ahead over to the WSJ and read them all. Totally. Worth. It. I’ll wait …

• … All set? Cool. In other news, office jobs are taking yet another beating in a new study, which found that sitting for long periods is linked to a higher risk for chronic health problems, like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. This means that after you’re done sharing this post on Facebook and Twitter (you were going to do that, right?), you should get up and take a lap around the office. In fact, make a date to do so at least once an hour today, okay?

• Yikes. A new report from the CDC found that the flu shot wasn’t nearly as effective as everyone had hoped—even though it was a good match to the dominant flu strain. Among people 65 and older, the vaccine has only proven 9 percent effective; across all age groups, it was only 56 percent effective. Still, the government stresses that the flu shot remains the best defense mechanism at our disposal, so we should go ahead and keep getting them. What do you think?

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