Month: September 2026

If you’ve ever loaded a heavy barbell onto your back, there’s a good chance a family member has warned you that you’re going to ruin your spine by the time you’re 40. The visual of a back giving out under weight is a classic fitness fear, but the odds of that actually happening are pretty low.

Here’s what’s actually happening under the bar when you lift. Your spine doesn’t just sit there taking a beating. Your intervertebral discs act like fluid-filled hydraulic shock absorbers that compress under load, rebound right after, and adapt to stress over time just like your muscles. At the exact same time, your abs, lats, and lower back contract together to build a rigid, protective cylinder around your core.

“Spinal injuries don’t always happen under a heavy barbell, they happen when you twist to grab something from the back seat, catch one of your kids off-balance, or reach across your body with a suitcase in one hand,” says Jesse Padilla, a certified personal trainer and Head of Sales & Partnerships at Fitbod. “Those are all lateral and rotational loads, and if your core has only been trained to brace straight up and down, it’s not prepared.”

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Related: The 6 Move Core Routine That Fixes Weak Abs (Without Endless Crunches)

Why Rotational Stability Is the Secret to a Bulletproof Spine

Heavy loading isn’t the enemy, but if you want a back that can handle real life without hurting when you pick up a bag of groceries, basic situps aren’t going to cut it. That’s where rotational stability comes in. Instead of just bending back and forth, your core’s real job is its ability to resist unwanted twisting. Mastering anti-rotational exercises is how you build a spine that stays strong, stable, and completely pain-free.

“Training rotational stability, your ability to resist forces trying to twist or bend you, builds a spine that’s more resilient in the gym and more durable in real life,” Padilla says. “It’s the difference between a core that looks strong and one that actually holds up.”

Think about when tweaking or throwing your back out is most likely to happen in everyday life. Sure, you can herniate a disc or tweak your lower back if you squat too heavy without bracing properly, but more often than not, it happens during random daily tasks like sleeping in an awkward position or swinging a golf club a little too hard. These injuries happen because your muscles aren’t strong enough to control external loads across different planes of motion.

“When the core is not strong, the body compensates for this deficit by relying on the muscles of the lower back for help,” says DJ Ayotte, MS, CSCS, CPT, Studio Manager at Limitless Fitness Epping. “Through this compensation, improper movement mechanics are built, and over time these improper mechanics lead to improper function of the spinal muscles and ultimately injury will occur through either repetitive motion or attempting to lift too much weight before the body is properly ready for it.”

How Rotational Stability Protects You in Daily Life and Sports

Rotational stability is important for everyone, whether you’re carrying your kids in from their car seats, swinging a golf club, or loading a heavy barbell on Saturday mornings. But Mark Kovacs, PhD, CSCS, and CEO of the Kovacs Institute, says it’s especially critical for anyone who regularly plays rotational sports, like hitting a ball at your Thursday night softball game or playing a round of golf on the weekend.

“Anti-rotation training is important for everyone, but it can be especially valuable for rotational athletes,” he says. Golfers, tennis players, baseball players and other rotational athletes produce tremendous rotational forces when they swing, throw or strike a ball. They certainly need the ability to generate rotation, but equally important is the ability to control and decelerate that rotation. The best rotational athletes aren’t simply good at producing rotation…they’re very good at controlling it.”

Related: The 20-Minute Deep Core Workout a Sports Performance Coach Swears by for Longevity and Functional Strength

The Best Rotational Stability Exercises for a Bulletproof Back

How to Do Palloff Presses

1. Attach a D-handle to a cable machine or loop a resistance band around a post at chest height.
2. Hold the handle or band at your sternum with both hands and turn so your left shoulder points toward the anchor point, stepping far enough away to create clear tension.
3. Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart, lock your hips and shoulders square, and press your hands straight out in front of your chest while fighting the urge to let the weight twist your torso.
4. Hold that fully extended position for two to three seconds, feeling your whole midsection brace, then slowly control your hands back to your sternum.
5. Finish your reps, turn around so your right shoulder faces the anchor point, and repeat on the other side.

How to Do Horizontal Wood Chop

1. Set the cable machine to chest height. 
2. Grab the D-handle with both hands, arms extended, and stand in a split stance perpendicular to the machine. 
3. Turn your shoulders and hips at the same time, while keeping your arms straight throughout. 
4. Pivot your feet and twist your hips as you move the cable to the side.
5. That’s 1 rep.

How to Do Renegade Rows

1. Start in a high plank with a dumbbell in each hand and your feet set slightly wider than shoulder-width.
2. Brace your core and row one dumbbell toward your rib cage while keeping your hips as steady as possible.
3. Lower the weight, place it down, and repeat the row on the opposite side.

Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) is having a tough time. After getting totally bamboozled by Lila Hoth (Agnez Mo), Reacher Season 4 has plowed ahead with the consequences of Reacher’s mistake. In the forthcoming new episode, Episode 6, “Plum Out of Luck,” a major cliffhanger from last week will need to be resolved, while the larger mystery of this season will continue to be revealed.

But here’s the thing: like previous episodes, Reacher Season 4, Episode 6 is almost non-stop action, but we’re headed toward a cliffhanger that even huge fans of the books won’t see coming. Here’s what to know about the release date, streaming time, and non-spoiler plot details of Reacher Season 4, Episode 6.

Reacher Season 4, Episode 6 Release Date 

“Plum Out of Luck” is the sixth episode of Reacher Season 4, and it hits Prime Video on Wednesday, September 2. After this episode, there are only two more episodes left of Reacher Season 4, and the finale airs on September 16. All new episodes of Reacher are released on Wednesdays.

Reacher Season 4, Episode 6, Streaming Time 

As is the case with most Prime Video shows, the new episode of Reacher should be available to stream starting at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time and 3:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday morning. This means that, depending on where you live, starting very late Tuesday night, you might want to watch out for spoilers.

Reacher Season 4, Episode 6, Plot, Explained

Reacher Episode 5 left us on a cliffhanger with Reacher and Tamara in a standoff against Amisha and Lilo Hoth. Reacher’s got the thumb drive the Hoths want, but the Hoths are holding Jacob hostage at knife-point. Generally speaking, we know that Reacher himself will almost certainly not die, but because the plot of Season 4 has deviated from the novel Gone Tomorrow, almost none of the characters are safe.

So, with Episode 6, Reacher is certainly going to push the mortal stakes of the show in a big way, but this episode also needs to further unpack exactly why the Hoths want the thumb drive, since Reacher seems to think the photo of Sampson and General Putra isn’t that big of a deal.

More than anything, this Reacher installment is yet another action-packed episode, with cinematic-level fights at both the top of the episode and in the middle, too. The ride is almost over, but this episode is perhaps the tightest and tensest one yet.

Reacher streams on Prime Video.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has ordered the immediate shutdown of license plate readers (LPRs), ending a law-enforcement technology program he says has played a significant role in solving violent crimes, locating missing people and recovering stolen property.

The decision follows new actions and statements from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Transportation that Chitwood says have made continued use of the technology unworkable.

The timing is unmistakable.

Chitwood’s decision comes amid a much broader Florida backlash over Flock Safety and automated license-plate readers. In August, Florida officials ordered Flock and other ALPR cameras removed from state-maintained roads, with Gov. Ron DeSantis criticizing the technology’s rapid expansion.

That controversy largely stems from concerns about mass surveillance, data sharing, and potential misuse of police access. Recent cases of officers allegedly using Flock data to track people for personal reasons have intensified those concerns, including an investigation involving a Florida deputy accused of illegally tracking an ex-partner.

A Technology With a Long Record of Solving Crimes

At the same time, the debate is unusually polarized because law-enforcement agencies continue to point to cases where LPRs have helped locate suspects, stolen vehicles, and missing people.

Volusia had expanded its use of LPR technology as part of a broader intelligence network, with the county’s crime center connected to license-plate readers, traffic cameras, security cameras, and other real-time information sources.

According to Chitwood, whatever concerns exist around LPRs, deputies have used the technology to produce tangible investigative leads.

Volusia authorities have documented cases in which LPR data helped officers identify fleeing suspects and track vehicles connected to crimes. As recently as August 2026, an LPR provided real-time updates on a stolen vehicle after a carjacking, helping deputies locate the suspect on State Road 44. Days earlier, another LPR alerted deputies to a vehicle belonging to a homicide suspect, contributing to an arrest after a lengthy standoff.

Those examples help explain why Chitwood describes the system as an “incredible tool for public safety.”

The Fight Now Turns to Privacy and Regulation

But the technology has also attracted serious scrutiny. Critics have raised questions about privacy, surveillance, data retention, and who can access information collected from vehicles traveling through public spaces. Those concerns have intensified around Flock Safety cameras, a prominent LPR provider.

Chitwood acknowledges that some criticism is legitimate, even as he argues that other attacks on the technology have been misleading.

His position now places the future of LPRs in the hands of Florida lawmakers. He says Volusia will not resume the system until the Legislature establishes clearer guardrails, accountability requirements, and a legal framework that addresses individual privacy while allowing law enforcement to retain a potentially powerful investigative resource.

If there’s one film that paved the way for contemporary psychological horror, it’s 1968’s Rosemary’s Baby. The anxiety-inducing, spine-tingling affair is frequently regarded as one of the greatest horror movies of all time, and for good reason.

Bolstered by compelling performances from Oscar winner Ruth Gordon and Mia Farrow in her breakout role, Rosemary’s Baby is a well-crafted story delving into poignant, evergreen themes of bodily autonomy and the enduring horror of a woman’s pain being dismissed.

For the uninitiated, the movie follows a young woman who descends into paranoia as she suspects her neighbors are planning something sinister for her pregnancy. In addition to Farrow as the eponymous Rosemary Woodhouse, the horror flick also stars John Cassavetes as Guy Woodhouse, Gordon as Minnie Castevet, Sidney Blackmer as Roman Castevet, Maurice Evans as Hutch, and Ralph Bellamy as Dr. Sapirstein. Roman Polanski directed from his own script, which he adapted from Ira Levin‘s 1967 novel of the same name.

Robert Redford Was First Choice for Guy in ‘Rosemary’s Baby’

Interestingly enough, Cassavetes wasn’t the first choice to play Guy. Screen legend Robert Redford was offered the role, but he turned it down. Polanski thought Redford was perfect for the part with his “all-American” look. However, Redford and Paramount Pictures were embroiled in a contractual dispute at the time, and negotiations fell through. So, Redford didn’t necessarily reject it by choice.

Redford wasn’t the only “first choice” to fall through the casting cracks. Tuesday Weld, Sharon Tate, Jane Fonda, Patty Duke, and Goldie Hawn were all in consideration for the titular Rosemary before Farrow boarded the project. Additionally, horror maestro Alfred Hitchcock was first offered to direct but declined. I, for one, would’ve loved to see a Hitchcock-helmed Rosemary’s Baby.

A Commercial and Critical Hit

The movie premiered on June 12, 1968, and it became a commercial success for the studio. It skyrocketed to No. 1 at the box office. Rosemary’s Baby was mostly well received by film critics. Variety hailed Farrow’s performance as “outstanding,” while the San Francisco Examiner called it “a delightful witches brew.” However, not every review was glowing. Renata Adler of The New York Times observed that it was “pleasant” but that it “doesn’t seem to work on any of its dark or powerful terms.”

Rosemary’s Baby bears a near-perfect score on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer, sitting at 97%. It also boasts an 87% on the Popcornmeter.

If you fancy yourself an immersive, psychologically horrific experience, you can stream Rosemary’s Baby on Paramount+ and Hulu.

The Air Jordan 5 Retro SE ‘Burgundy’ (DZ4131-600) looks rich before you even touch it. Deep Burgundy suede takes Tinker Hatfield’s aggressive Jordan 5 silhouette and smooths the edges without stripping away its attitude. This is the kind of sneaker you wear when you want somebody to ask what’s on your feet. The 2023 retro revived a 2006 lifestyle favorite, and three years later it still carries itself like an expensive bottle of red wine.

Key Facts At A Glance

Where Can You Buy the Air Jordan 5 ‘Burgundy’?

Retail is long gone, so the ‘Burgundy’ is now a resale-market buy. As of August 31, 2026, StockX shows a $215 average sale price over the last three months, with sales ranging from $95 to $375.

Current asks vary dramatically by size. Men’s 14 is $350 on StockX but $289 on GOAT. That’s your cue not to rush. Compare platforms and make an offer when possible. With an original $225 retail price, plenty of sizes remain close enough to retail to make this a reasonable retro pickup instead of an expensive collector chase.

What Makes the Air Jordan 5 ‘Burgundy’ Stand Out?

Deep Burgundy suede is the entire mood. It takes the Jordan 5’s muscular shape and gives it a more sophisticated personality, especially against the Light Graphite stitching, grey laces and translucent quarter-panel netting.

Then the metallic silver reflective tongue catches the light and reminds you this is still an AJ5. Embroidered Jumpman branding, a Burgundy midsole, speckled shark teeth and an icy translucent outsole finish the look. The colors are restrained, but the silhouette isn’t. That’s why this sneaker speaks in confident tones. It knows exactly what it is.

Why Does the Air Jordan 5 ‘Burgundy’ Matter?

The ‘Burgundy’ debuted in 2006 during Jordan Brand’s Lifestyle era, when familiar Michael Jordan silhouettes were being pushed beyond Bulls colors and traditional basketball materials. GOAT also identifies the 2023 pair as the return of that 2006 Lifestyle Series colorway. This wasn’t an OG colorway MJ wore. That was the point.

Instead of leaning on game-day nostalgia, Jordan Brand dressed Tinker Hatfield’s 1990 design in premium suede and an unexpected wine-inspired palette. Bringing it back in 2023 showed how well that idea aged. Nearly two decades after its debut, the ‘Burgundy’ still feels intentional rather than experimental.

Should You Buy the Air Jordan 5 ‘Burgundy’?

Absolutely, especially if you want an Air Jordan 5 that doesn’t look like everybody else’s pair. After adding the ‘Black Carolina,’ ‘Wolf Grey’ and ‘White Metallic’ AJ5s to my rotation this year, I’ve become even more convinced that suede works beautifully on this silhouette.

I wear Jordan 5s true to size. The toe box looks roomy, but the padded interior and firm, supportive fit keep my foot from sliding around. For casual wear, Burgundy also plays well with black cargos, dark denim, grey sweats and neutral tones. Near retail in the right size, this is an easy recommendation.

Related: Air Jordan September 2026: The Complete Guide to Every Release

Related: Air Jordan 5 ‘Anthracite’: Wolf Grey Suede, Black Textile & 3M Reflective Details You’ll Notice Twice — Buy Guide

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In This Story

Why We Love This Deal

REI’s Labor Day Sale is here, running now through Sept. 7, and if you’re not taking advantage of the deals on name-brand fleeces and outerwear right now, you’re missing out on dozens of 50% off price drops from Fjallraven, Kuhl, The North Face, and others. Start gearing up for fall with this best-on-the-internet deal on a top-rated Nano-Air pullover from Patagonia, now half off. 

Patagonia’s Nano-Air Ultralight Insulated Pullover is on sale for $99, a 50% discount from its $199 MSRP. It’s available in two colorways at that price, and REI has a full size range in stock. Even better, this deal beats the prices at Backcountry and Patagonia.

Patagonia Nano-Air Ultralight Insulated Pullover, $99 (was $199) at REI

What Shoppers Should Know

• Fabric: 100% recycled polyester, DWR finish
• Insulation: 20g FullRange 100% recycled polyester
• Pockets: 1 zippered chest pocket

The Nano-Air is a lightweight, stretchy, breathable layer that’s designed for high-output activity. The recycled polyester face and liner fabrics both wear DWR finishes to repel light precipitation and moisture, and the pullover is stuffed with a lightweight layer of recycled polyester insulation. Notice I said “lightweight” twice? This pullover will disappear on your body, making it a great choice for hikes and trail runs in chilly conditions. But it’s super comfortable, too, so you can definitely wear it casually. And its slim, close-fitting cut allows it to slide right under a waterproof shell for more intense weather conditions.

You may be familiar with Patagonia’s other Nano line, the Nano-Puff. The Nano-Puff Jacket, the hallmark piece from this more insulated collection, is heavier and less breathable than the Nano-Air Pullover, which makes it a better choice for low-output activities and casual wear. If you expect to get your heart rate up outdoors, however, the Nano-Air is the jacket to wear.

Related: Patagonia’s ‘Incredibly Comfortable’ R1 Air Pullover Fleece Is 50% Off at REI for Labor Day

What Shoppers Are Saying

REI doesn’t have many reviews for this jacket, but it’s a clear favorite over at Patagonia. Reviewers called it “incredibly comfortable” and “just the right weight for cool days.” It hits a sweet spot for fall and winter layering: It’s “lightweight, stretchy, surprisingly warm, and an easy everyday go-to.”

Half off on a Nano-Air jacket is a big deal, and sizes are already selling out—jump on this bargain ASAP before it disappears. 

Shop More Deals

• Patagonia Diamond Quilted Insulated Bomber Hoody, $99 (was $199) at REI
• The North Face Terra Peak Hybrid Insulated Hoodie, $110 (was $220) at REI
• Patagonia Nano Puff Insulated Jacket, $114 (was $229) at REI 

Fans of the country music icon George Strait will be excited to learn that it has just been announced that the legendary singer will be making a rare festival appearance. In 2027, the Country Music Hall of Famer will hit the stage during a three-day event that will feature performances from several other beloved performers.

When George Strait Is Returning to New Mexico

On September 1, 2026, Activated Events shared a press release with Men’s Journal that featured details about George Strait’s only planned 2027 festival performance. It revealed that the “Check Yes or No,” “Carrying Your Love with Me,” and “Amarillo by Morning” singer will headline the 2027 Boots in the Park festival in New Mexico. The event will mark the singer’s first festival performance since 2021.

Presale tickets for the 2027 Boots in the Park festival will be available on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM MT. The general sale will then commence the following day, on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 10:00 AM MT.

The Boots in the Park festival is scheduled for May 14-16, 2027, and will take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Balloon Fiesta Park. It will mark the fourth straight year the event will happen in the state and follow the 2026 edition, which was attended by more than 60,000 country music fans.

When Strait takes the stage, it will be the first time he performs in New Mexico since 2013. The press release quoted the iconic singer, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006, discussing his return to the state. “New Mexico, it’s been way too long. While I’m not sure where else this next year will take us, I do know we can’t wait to see everyone at Boots in the Park next May.”

More Country Music Stars Will Be Joining George Strait During the Festival

Since the 2027 Boots in the Park festival is planned to be a three-day event with multiple stages, it will have plenty of time to feature a long list of country music artists. While many of those performers have not yet been announced, a handful of the names that will appear at the event alongside George Strait have been revealed. According to the press release, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Zach Top, and Jon Pardi are all set to perform during the upcoming event.

Next: Dolly Parton Added 82 New Global Sales Certifications to Her Legendary Music Career

Conway Twitty built one of the most successful careers in country music history, but even longtime fans may not realize just how dominant he once was on the charts.

Born on Sept. 1, 1933, in Friars Point, Mississippi, Twitty became one of country music’s biggest stars, scoring 40 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart between 1968 and 1986.

For years, that total stood as the most in the chart’s history.

Twitty’s run began with “Next in Line,” his first country No. 1, in 1968.

He followed it with a string of hits including “Hello Darlin’,” “You’ve Never Been This Far Before,” “Linda on My Mind” and “Don’t Take It Away.” Eleven of his 40 Billboard country No. 1s were songs he wrote himself.

His record eventually fell to another country legend: George Strait.

Billboard now credits Strait, 74, with 44 Hot Country Songs No. 1s, putting him ahead of Twitty’s 40.

Twitty’s career stretched far beyond country music, too.

He first found fame as a rock and roll singer, scoring a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “It’s Only Make Believe” in 1958 before reinventing himself as a country star.

Twitty died in 1993 at age 59, but his chart legacy remains one of the most remarkable in country music.

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.

RELATED: 48 Years Ago Today, Styx Released an Album Featuring Two of Their Biggest Hits

When Clay Buchholz made his major league debut for the Boston Red Sox on August 17, 2007, there were little expectations for him other than to be a fresh arm for the first game of a day-night doubleheader.

Then-manager Terry Francona downplayed his arrival, telling reporters before the start that it “doesn’t matter if he throws a no-hitter, he’s going back down” to the minor leagues.

Buchholz was solid in that debut, giving the Red Sox 6.0 innings while allowing three earned runs and picking up the win against the Angels. Still, as Francona had forecasted, the 23-year-old was quickly demoted back to Triple-A Pawtucket after the game.

But when he returned to the big leagues just over two weeks later, Francona didn’t even get the chance to take the ball away from his young pitcher, who went out and tossed one of the most improbable no-hitters in MLB history.

Riding a four-game losing streak as the calendar turned over to September, Boston turned to Buchholz to provide a spark against the visiting Baltimore Orioles. What he ended up giving them was something that had never been done in franchise history, as he became the first Red Sox rookie to pitch a no-hitter.

The Sox jumped out to an early lead that night behind big hits from Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz. A three-run homer from Youkilis in the sixth inning put Boston up 8-0, but the focus had shifted to what was happening on the mound. A sensational diving stop and throw from fellow 23-year-old Dustin Pedroia to cut down a head-first sliding Miguel Tejeda in the bottom of the seventh kept the no-hitter rolling into the late innings, igniting a tense but raucous sold-out Fenway crowd.

Buchholz came into the game with just six innings of MLB experience, throwing 91 pitches in his first outing. By the end of the eighth inning, his pitch count had climbed to 102, but Francona didn’t hesitate to send his guy back out for a chance at history.

13 pitches later, Buchholz had done it. Dropping in a curveball on Nick Markakis for a called third strike, the young righty from Texas had thrown a nine-strikeout no-hitter just two weeks after the Red Sox manager had joked about such a feat to underscore the certainty of his demotion.

The performance lives on as the only of its kind in Red Sox history. He became just the third player to throw a no-hitter in one of his first two career starts, and the only Red Sox rookie to ever throw one.

To this day, only 24 rookies have ever tossed a no-no, with Reid Detmers the most recent example on May 10, 2022. The Red Sox saw another no-hitter less than a year later when Jon Lester did it on May 19, 2008, which marks the last the franchise has seen.

Buchholz went on to pitch just two more games that year and did not crack the postseason roster as Boston claimed another World Series Championship, but his unbelievable September 1st performance was the start of an iconic 13-year career, 10 of which were spent with the Red Sox.