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Illustrated headshot of Beth Skwarecki

Beth Skwarecki

Senior Health Editor

Beth Skwarecki is Lifehacker’s Senior Health Editor and has been writing about health, fitness, and science here since 2015. Beth was the recipient of the 2017 Carnegie Science Award in science communication, and has written two books: Outbreak! 50 Tales of Epidemics That Terrorized the World (2016) and Genetics 101: From Chromosomes and the Double Helix to Cloning and DNA Tests, Everything You Need to Know About Genes (2018). She has a bachelor’s degree in biology, has worked as a bioinformatics analyst, and has taught college-level courses in biology, environmental science, and nutrition.

Beth is also certified as a personal trainer and coach, with qualifications as an ACE-CPT, IKO kettlebell instructor, and USA Weightlifting Level 2 coach. She has competed in powerlifting, weightlifting, strongwoman, kettlebell sport, grip sport, and odd lift competitions (USAWA). Olympic weightlifting is her current focus. Her best front squat is 101 kilograms, and the lift she’s most proud of is a 510 pound Dinnie deadlift. Beth has also run races ranging from a 2K to a marathon. Beth has a 100% win rate in Wordle and lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

MORE BY Beth

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How to Accurately Count Calories (and Why You Might Want To)
 
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Here’s When It’s Better to Work Out in the Morning (or the Evening)
 
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13 of the Best Exercises You Can Do With a Cable Machine
 
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Does Electrical Muscle Stimulation Really Supercharge Your Workouts?
 
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How to Use Sleep Mode on Your iPhone
 
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These Are the Best Chest Exercises for Stronger Pecs
 
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TikTok Myth of the Week: The Fingernail Test Shows Whether Hotel Mirrors Are Spying on You
 
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How Much Opill, the Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill, Actually Costs
 
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Peloton's New 'History Summary' Is Like a VIN for Bikes
 
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How to Make Running Fun, According to Reddit
 
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Waiting to Drink Your Coffee Until Mid-morning Is a Useless 'Hack'
 
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Why Your Legs Itch When You Run, and What to Do About It
 
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The Best Exercises for a Stronger Upper Back
 
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How Long Can You Actually Go Without Sleep?
 
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Everything You Should Bring With You on a Run (and How to Carry It)
 
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What Is Zone 2 Cardio, and How Do I Actually Do It?