FitSugar

Back to Basics: Dumbbell Squats

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:30:00 PST

Not everyone shares my love of squats, but strong quads, hamstrings, glutes, and a lower back are essential if you're looking to run or cycle faster, as well as help prevent sports-related injuries. So going back to the basics, I want to review dumbbell squats. They are easy and effective.

To learn how to do this exercise

Stand with your feet hip distance apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Start with a 5-pound weight and work your way up from there.
Now slowly bend your knees as if you were going to sit in a chair, keeping all the weight in your heels. Don't let your knees move beyond your toes, and don't let the knees roll out or in. The knee should track toward your second toe. Squat down as low as you can, keeping your head and chest lifted, your spine long, and your shoulders relaxed.
Press through your heels and slowly straighten your legs to stand up.
Make sure to keep your spine neutral. Do not round your back.
Do two sets of 15 squats.

4 Reasons to Add an Exercise Ball to Your Home Gym

Leta Shy — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:58:44 PDT

The exercise ball may occupy a lot of room in your home gym, but it's one versatile piece of equipment. Find out how to get the most out of your exercise ball below.

A healthier seat: Ditch your normal seat on the couch and sit on an exercise ball instead. Using a ball to sit helps correct your posture, tones your abs, and encourages you to stretch, all of which sounds a lot better than the lower back pain that too much sitting on the couch can cause.

Routine shakeup: Adding an exercise ball to your normal mat routines can shake things up and challenge you. For example, you can plank using an exercise ball at your feet to make holding your pose that much harder, or sit or lay on your exercise ball while you execute arm exercises. Even just practicing your balance by kneeling on the exercise ball can help you tone and whittle. Need some ideas? Try these amazingly effective ab and butt workouts using the exercise ball:

Find out how to do the plank pike and the hamstring curl using an exercise ball with this advanced exercise ball workout video.
Skip boring crunches and do this ball pass ab exercise instead.
Challenge your core and balance with this single-leg squat, done against a wall using an exercise ball.
Lie on the ball and work your arms with this chest press move.

Read on for more reasons to use an exercise ball.

The Final Say in the Light Weights vs. Heavy Weights Debate

Shape — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:47:20 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

You've always heard that when it comes to building muscle mass, heavy weights are preferred over lighter weights. But a new study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology has found that isn't always the case. In fact, you can build just as much muscle by lifting lighter weights. If you do it right...

10 Health and Fitness Myths You Still Believe

The key is working the muscle to total failure or exhaustion, says Michele S. Olson, professor of exercise science at the Human Performance Laboratory of Auburn University Montgomery and the star of the workout DVD Perfect Legs, Glutes and Abs.

8 Reasons Why You Should Lift Heavier Weights

"Failure, in this sense, is a success," Olson says. "If you work your muscles, on each set, until you cannot execute another repetition with appropriate form, the heaviness of the weight becomes less important."

Find out exactly what a "light" weight is after the break!

Hollywood Secrets For Long, Lean Legs!

Self — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:30:18 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Angelina Jolie, Jessica Biel, Cameron Diaz . . . Who hasn't watched their favorite movie stars walk the red carpet and grown a little envious of their mile-long legs? Granted, most leading ladies are blessed with superior DNA, but that doesn't mean you can't score long, lean gams too! "What is possible for others is possible for you," says Barry's Bootcamp cofounder Barry Jay, the celebrity trainer behind Eliza Dushku's, Stacy Keibler's, and Juliette Lewis's fit physiques. "But be patient! If you want legs that look like Jessica Biel's, do the work!"

That means ditching the late-night pizza runs and sticking to a healthy diet. Also remember to maintain proper form during those calorie-torching sweat sessions or all of your hard work will be for naught. "Form is everything," says Jay. "Don't just do it. Do it right!"

To get started, incorporate these three moves using a set of five- to eight-pound hand weights (or set a timer for one minute per exercise if hand weights are unavailable) into your regular routine twice a week. "Good legs are important because they help your whole body change," says Jay. "You burn the most calories when you work out your legs. They are the foundation of your body, a gift, and they deserve to look their best!"

Read on for the workout.

How to Maximize Those Butt-Toning Squats

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:06:03 PDT

If strong, sculpted legs are what you're after, you've got to become one with the squat. The basic exercise targets glutes, hamstrings, quads, and core, so incorporating it into your strength-training workouts is definitely worth your while. Here are some ways to get more bang for your butt - er, I mean buck - when doing squats.

Focus on your heels: When doing a squat, make sure to shift your weight back onto your heels and lower the body as if you're about to sit in a chair. This proper form helps to put even more focus on the glutes and hamstrings and takes pressure off the knees. It also offers a stable surface that enables you to get low to the ground, which is what makes the move so effective.
Try variations: Target lower body muscles differently by changing the position of your feet. Squat with your big toes together, feet out wide, and try one heel or both heels lifted, or even one leg lifted (to get legs like Cameron Diaz). Step on a Bosu ball and squat on a wobbly surface to work your core, and try twisting variations for even more of a challenge. Check out this list of different squat variations.

Keep reading for more ways to make squats more effective.

11 Bootcamp Workouts to Have You Looking Your Best For Bikini Season

Michele Foley — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:33:20 PDT

With bikini season just a few months away, get a jump on your fitness regimen now, instead of scrambling one week before your beach vacation to realize it's too late. Do a few of these circuit bootcamp workouts every week, alongside a solid cardio routine and healthy diet, and you'll be beach-ready as soon as the sun comes bearing down this Summer.

This boot camp video workout from Jeanette Jenkins may only be 10 minutes long, but not a second gets wasted. Jeanette takes viewers through five intense exercises with extra emphasis on the backside. A good-looking booty goes a long way when it comes to bikini season!
We can't think of a better pair to inspire you to get fit for bikini season than beach babes Karena and Katrina from Tone It Up. Their booty-camp video workout focuses on basic moves like squats and lunges, but bumps it up with the addition of weights. Get ready to work your entire body!
LA-based trainer Jason Walsh has worked with major stars like Jessica Biel to keep them svelte and strong. Jason created this three-part circuit workout, which works multiple muscle groups and focuses on high-intensity intervals to really burn calories.
All you need are a pair of dumbbells and a resistance band for this at-home full-body circuit-training workout. Walk away with stronger legs and arms and a solid core - bikini season can't come soon enough!
Given how good Heidi Klum looks in a bikini, you don't have to twist our arm to do this workout from her trainer. The David Kirsch boot camp circuit workout will tone your entire body while also keeping things fun with challenging plyometric moves.

Read on for five more boot camp workouts to get you bikini-ready.

Become a Crow Master: 5 Steps to Get You There

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:21:52 PDT

No doubt about it, Crow pose is a challenge, but definitely one you can master. If conquering Crow is on your yoga agenda, here are some tips to get you balancing on your hands.

Another Round of Push-Ups
Arm balances like Crow are all about upper body strength. You can strengthen your arms and shoulders with all the vinyasas you do in class, but if you're itching to do Crow, do upper body work outside of yoga class. Push-ups are essential, so try all these variations. You can also use dumbbells or your own body weight and do these arm-strengthening moves. Not only will your upper body become stronger to hold yourself up in Crow, but you'll also feel confident baring your arms, just in time for tank top and bathing suit season.

Crunch Your Core
Aside from a toned upper body, a strong core is also a must. Practice these poses to target your tummy and back muscles. Skip the crunches, and work your core while strengthening your arms with the Up-Down Plank, one of my faves.

Continue reading for more tips on mastering Crow pose.

Simple Ways to Amp Up DVD Workouts

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:52:14 PST

Following along to a fitness DVD is a great way to get your sweat on for so many reasons: it's inexpensive, you don't have to leave your house, and you can exercise whenever it fits your schedule. That said, not all fitness DVDs offer the best workout. Here are some ways to get more out of your fitness videos.

Don't just work one body part: If the instructor is leading you through basic squats, grab a set of dumbbells and add shoulder presses. If you're doing bicep curls with a resistance band, throw in some lunges. Get creative by doing compound moves to burn more calories and work multiple muscles at once.
Move a little faster: During cardio workouts, pick up the pace and do double-time. Moving faster not only gets your heart pumping to build endurance, but it also burns more calories.
Do challenging variations: Instructors often demonstrate one move, and then they show how to make it more advanced. If you can think of a way to make it even harder - like balancing on one leg, standing on a Bosu ball, or using a resistance band along with your set of dumbbells - go for it.
Skip the break: If you're not too winded, do some extra push-ups or run in place instead of resting between exercises. Or if you're familiar with the DVD and you know which move is coming next, skip the rest and start in on the burpees a little early.

Jennifer Lopez's Bodacious Booty Workout

Shape — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:43:59 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Actress, singer, designer, dancer, and mom Jennifer Lopez may have a sizzling career, but she seems to be better known for that infamous, beautifully bodacious booty!

Celeb Pics: The Best Butts in Hollywood

With glutes that defy gravity, J Lo has made curves a good thing in Hollywood. How exactly does the dynamic diva hone her hot bod, other than just being lucky with genetics? We got the secrets to her sexy figure directly from the source - the powerhouse personal trainer who worked with Lopez for more than a decade, Gunnar Peterson.

Video: Get Fit With Kim Kardashian’s Trainer, Gunnar Peterson

"If you want to enhance the shape of your butt, as well as tone and tighten, the most important exercises are squats and lunges," Peterson says. "Be sure to use weights, weights, weights, and weights . . . and then some weights!"

Learn more about achieving J Lo's booty after the break!

10 Fitness Routines to Work Your Entire Body Fast

Leta Shy — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:59:45 PST

Even if you have all the time in the world to spend at the gym, who wants to? Get in and out and on with your day by doing workouts that will strengthen all your muscle groups in a short time and get the heart rate up as well. Here are 10 do-anywhere total-body workout ideas that will save you time.

Celebrity trainer Jeanette Jenkins developed a belly-fat-blasting workout sequence that is fast and effective. From oblique crunches to exercise-ball moves, this workout combines strength training and cardio for one effective circuit. See all the moves (and download the printable PDF) here.
If you've got 15 minutes, you must print out this 5-4-3-2-1 workout from a FitSugar reader. Combining five minutes of cardio, four minutes of lunges and mountain climbers, three minutes of arm work, two minutes of squats, and one minute in plank will work your entire body without any equipment.
You may not have the pressure of walking down a runway in your underwear, but there's that whole Summer beach thing to think about. Channel your inner lingerie model with this video: a 10-minute total-body workout from Victoria's Secret trainer Andrea Orbeck.
If you're in the mood for something that will exercise your body as well as your mind, try this (printable) total-body yoga sequence. The nine poses will keep you calm while strengthening and lengthening your muscles.
Adding a ball to your normal workout routine raises the difficulty and offers variation. Do these three exercise ball exercises for a total of three sets for a challenging, all-body workout.

Read on for five more fast ways to work your entire body.