FitSugar

Don't Just Dump Your Gym Bag When You Get Home

Leta Shy — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:30:08 PST

After a long day of working and working out, you may want to dump your gym stuff as soon as you walk in the door. But taking time to keep your equipment organized and clean can help extend a product's life and also keep you more enthusiastic about the next day's workout. Here are some tips to storing your workout items.

Take your gym shoes out of your bag for a bit to air them out. Loosen the tongues and the laces to help them breathe.
If you use small hand weights at home, clean them regularly to prevent cracks and dirt buildup, and keep your weights on an uncluttered floor or in a box to prevent trips.
Like any other bag, gym bags will keep their shape and last longer if you don't hang them. Place yours on an uncrowded and dust-free shelf.
In addition to the wipe down, storing your yoga mat spread out instead of rolled can keep it mildew free.
Don't forget that storing all of these items where you can see them can help motivate you to work out the next day!

You Asked: Kettlebells vs. Dumbbells

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:30:00 PST

Dear Fit,
I've always used dumbbells and weight machines for strength training exercises, but at the gym recently, I saw some people using kettlebells. Are they better than dumbbells and why should I use them? Should I switch completely?
- Confused about Kettlebells

This is such a great question. Both kettlebells and dumbbells are great tools for strength training, but they're used in different ways. To find out if one is better than the other,

read more. Dumbbells are inexpensive and can be used to tone just about every muscle in your body. They're used for basic lifting movements such as bicep curls, Lying Pec Flies, or Tricep Kickbacks, and are perfect for isolating one muscle group at a time. They are also great for adding weight to basic moves like lunges and squats. Kettlebells are used primarily for swinging movements, so they end up combining strength training and cardio in one workout. Since they tone your muscles and burn calories, some think kettlebells give you more bang for your buck. Kettlebell exercises utilize a greater range of motion, so they also increase flexibility and tone your core, which is one reason I really like using them. If you're just looking to tone up, dumbbells will do the job, but I think it is good to try new ways of working to avoid boredom. If you're an athlete and want to develop overall strength and flexibility, then you may want to incorporate some kettlebell exercises into your routine. Have someone at your gym show you how to use kettlebells correctly to avoid injuring yourself. The video below contains great shots of the kettlebells in action. If you love kettlebells, tell me all about it in the comment section below.

The Buff Baby Dumbell Rattle: Kid-Friendly or Are You Kidding?

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:16:12 PST

You're never too young to start a fitness routine! Mama strove to keep up with her prebaby workout throughout her pregnancy, and now that the lil one's arrived, she's getting him gym-ready from the start!

Fred and Friends Buff Baby Dumbell Rattle ($7) is phthalate- and BPA-free dumbbell for tots - wait, a dumbbell for tots? Not really, it is actually a rattle for lil ones in the shape of dumbbell, making it the perfect gift for your expecting gym buddy or pregnant trainer, because body-building babies are just too cute in pictures.