FitSugar

DVD Review: Billy Banks Tae Bo Amped Series - On Sale!

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:30:00 PST

Last Winter, I worked out with the Billy Blanks Amped Full Throttle DVD and thoroughly enjoyed myself while burning up some serious calories. The DVD is part of the Amped Tae Bo series. In case you missed it, all four of Blanks's Amped DVDs are available (and on sale for $36) in one set, complete with the expandable accelerator weighted sculpting bar.

If you're not familiar with Tae Bo, it stands for Total Awareness Excellence Body Obedience. It's basically like boxing aerobics. Expect a lot of punching, kicking, heavy breathing, and very little resting.

To find out more about this DVD series

These four cardio DVDs are intense, fast-paced, and high energy. They're the kinds of DVDs you pop in when you need to move, but can't get out for a run or to the gym. The Amped series will make you feel like you're in a real cardio class since Billy and 10 people behind him work it and glisten with sweat. You may find it comforting that everyone counts out loud for the entire video, but I found it a little annoying, so I just turned down the volume and pumped up my own music. You can use the three-pound accelerator bar to make the movements more intense, or just move your arms without it. Billy is one encouraging dude, and his little pep talks throughout the videos make you want to work hard. Get ready to burn some major calories with these four 30- to 55-minute workout DVDs. Order them straight from the Billy Blanks website.

Move It At Home: Billy Blanks Full Throttle Amped

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:00:00 PST

Did you know that Billy Blanks is still kicking ol’ school? He just released a new series of DVDs and the other night I checked out Billy Blanks Amped ($17.99). I was impressed that the DVD wasn’t over produced and you could tell that the workout was shot in one take with many cameras, so the folks exercising on the DVD were working with you. Billy Blanks does not slow down. He has, however, lost the ability to count and has hired a young, cute but fierce, fitness professional to count on set for him. Together they make quite a team.

The workout is tough and when using the amplifier sculpting bar, an extendable hand weight, it gets even tougher. The amplifier weighs just a little over three pounds (according to my kitchen scale).The workout is shot with only half the class participants using the amplifiers, so if you don’t have one there is still plenty for you to do. The class goes through many kick boxing motions at different speeds, so you're working both your endurance and your speed, your slow muscle fibers as well as the quick twitch. Bouts of straight up kick boxing moves are thrown into the mix ensuring that your heart rate stays in the upper zone of moderate and the lower zone of intense. I wore my trusty heart rate monitor and burned well over 300 calories for my time investment of just under 60 minutes low impact.

I love that you can see everyone sweating. It inspires you to work hard. Blanks likes to get up close to the camera and tell you to push harder and not to give up. It is part Mr. T, part inspiring coach and oddly effective.

To see what the amplifier looks like, just

You can order this DVD from Amazon. Or you could go for the entire Amped package for $39.95, which includes 5 DVDs, the amplifier body sculpting bar, and other health perks!

Love Your Lower Half: Your Go-To Wardrobe and Workout

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:15:16 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

We've been thinking a lot about our backsides the past few months here at Fitness, as our team put together part one of our "Body Lab" to help you get a butt that defies gravity (see the February issue for more!).

While we work hard in the gym to sculpt a better behind, we don't complain when we get a little help from a particularly flattering pair of pants. The minute we slipped on the GapFit gFast Color Binding Leggings ($60, gap.com), we fell in love with their comfy fit and cute colors. And after testing them out in a strength class at David Barton Gym to celebrate GapFit's new line, we knew they would be mainstays in our workout wardrobes. The fabric is just thick enough for cool morning runs, but doesn't feel too heavy for the gym.

If you're feeling a bit timid about rocking these leggings, add these three moves from David Barton Gym trainer Meka to your workout three times each week, and soon you'll be loving your rear view! Get the details on these booty-toning exercises after the break.

Healthy Dose Link Time: Lose Weight Faster With This Trick

Susi May — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:48:14 PST

Drop pounds with a simple trick to lose weight faster - Shape
Make your own seitan "white meat" for Thanksgiving - Vegetarian Times
Gold medal fitness advice from Olympians - DailySpark
Why skipping the Thanksgiving feast for a day of working out is empowering - Blisstree
Get twisted! Learn the ins and outs of twisting yoga poses - Yoga Journal
Portia de Rossi talks vegan nutrition and pasta overload - Lunch Box Bunch
Billy Blanks gives us the scoop on keeping workouts fun! - Fit Bottomed Girls

Healthy Dose Link Time: Stylish Yoga Mats For a Pretty Practice

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:55:22 PDT

Get on the mat with one of these stylish yoga mats - Fit Bottomed Girls
The six medical exams you should never miss - Real Simple
Slow down! Signs your workout is too tough - Fitbie
Get inside the mind of Tae Bo creator Billy Blanks - Daily Spark
Bill Clinton tells Dave Letterman what it's like to be vegan - Mind Body Green
Sneak in a workout regardless of how busy you are - Fitness
Want healthy skin? Eat these foods for breakfast - Prevention

LilSugar Exclusive! Actress Jenna Elfman Tweets Motherhood

LilSugar — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:15:16 PDT

Jenna Elfman may play the expectant Billie on CBS's Accidentally on Purpose, but in real life she's a mom of two. The actress and her husband, Bodhi, are parents to Story Elias, 2, and Easton Quinn Monroe born in March. The belly Jenna sports in tonight's season finale is not a pillow, it was her son. We recently had the opportunity to ask her our Four Lil Questions via Twitter. Check out what she (@jennaonpurpose) tweeted us about motherhood!

LilSugar: Fill in the blank. You know you’re a mother when ____?
Jenna Elfman: You first experience that spectacular, overwhelming love for your new baby.

LilSugar: Fill in the blank. Why didn’t anybody tell me _____ about motherhood?
Jenna Elfman: That breastfeeding is a learned ability!

LilSugar: What’s the best trick your mama (or parent) taught you?
Jenna Elfman: No tricks, just love and communication.

LilSugar: Are you a helicopter mom or do you believe in free-range kids?
Jenna Elfman: Helicoptering from a distance. Free range until helicoptering is necessary.

Tune in tonight for the show's season finale!