Torch Calories and Tone With This Circuit Workout


Updated 05/25/12 2:01 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Full-Body Circuit Workout From Equinox Trainer

What's not to love about circuit training? Combining heart-pumping elements of cardio with strength-training moves means you torch calories while toning muscles. It's just so efficient. Here's a fun yet challenging circuit workout I did recently with my Equinox trainer Lauren. The workout has you performing each exercise for a minute, which means you need to keep a stopwatch handy, but you have Read more

Amp Up Your Workout With These Balance Exercises


Updated 05/03/12 2:40 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Balance Exercises Using a Foam Pad

If you're looking to amp up your fitness routine, you need to get unstable. Performing classic single-leg exercises while standing on a foam pad, like the one pictured above by Aeromat, is simple way to do this. The squishy surface forces your core and legs to work harder, increasing your strength gains and caloric burn. Standing on the soft surface also strengthens your feet and ankles, which Read more

Learn to Love the VersaClimber With This Short Workout


Updated 04/30/12 9:20 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

What to Do on VersaClimber Cardio Machine

No doubt you've seen the VersaClimber at your gym — that tall piece of equipment, lurking in the corner behind the more popular cardio machines. But the VersaClimber's unpopularity is also its saving grace: there is never anyone using it, so you hop on it without a wait. Since the machine is often empty, you can also use it to add short bursts of cardio to your circuit training sets, just like Read more

Posture Perfect: Standing Reverse Fly With Exercise Band


Updated 05/25/12 2:07 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Improve Your Posture and Look Thinner With the Reverse Fly

Rounded shoulders and bad posture have the unfortunate effect of making us all look heavier than we really are, especially in the midsection. If you spend hours hunched over a computer, you need to combat the inevitable slouch so you can rock your bikini at the beach or wow your wedding guests as you walk down the aisle. Having good posture can really make you look 10 pounds thinner! So try this Read more

One-Legged Moves Help You Bust Through a Fitness Plateau


Updated 03/02/12 12:35 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Work Your Core With One-Legged Exercises

Reaching a fitness plateau means you're getting stronger (congrats on all the hard work), but it also means it is time to kick it up a notch. You need to add some new challenges to your workouts. My Equinox trainer Lauren has taught me one simple tweak will make every exercise harder: go one legged. Taking one leg off the floor forces your entire body to work harder to keep you on balance. Here Read more

Tone Your Middle With the Kettlebell Windmill


Updated 02/11/12 3:05 PM · Posted by · 3 comments

How to Do Windmills With Kettlebells

Swinging kettlebells around at the gym makes me feel like a super toughie. But I do love the sassy feeling I get doing slow and controlled windmills, a move I just learned from my Equinox trainer Lauren. Like most kettlebell moves, this is a full-body exercise, but the work is at your waist, toning the obliques and stretching the sides of the torso. The shoulders and arms are worked nicely, too. Read more

Gym 101: Strength-Training Warmup


Updated 01/27/12 1:01 PM · Posted by · 1 comment

How to Warm Up For Strength Training

A solid warmup sets you up for a solid workout. When it comes to prepping for strength training, an active warmup primes the joints and muscles, prepping them for the heavy lifting. Lauren, my Equinox trainer, introduced me to these moves, and after a little light cardio — for me, it's five minutes running on a treadmill at a 6 mph pace, but the elliptical or a little jump rope would work — Read more

Mistakes You're Making on the Pilates Mat


Updated 02/07/12 5:16 AM · Posted by · 2 comments

Common Mistakes in Pilates Mat Classes

Mat classes are the most affordable way to reap the benefits of Pilates. Taught across the country at gyms and private studios, group classes mean you don't have an instructor cuing and correcting your every move. Make the most of your time on the mat and be mindful of these common mistakes I've seen in classes over the years. Not Going Deep There are many benefits to Pilates, but getting in Read more

RX For Shin Splints: Ice Massage


Updated 01/20/12 12:07 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Treat Shin Splints With Ice Massage

Shin splints are the bane of many new runners. The tight calves that accompany mileage increases can spell pain for the lower leg. If running causes any discomfort, take time off to allow your shin splints to heal. But you need not sit idle on the sidelines while you recuperate: ice massages help, too. A serious runner, my Equinox trainer reminded me of the healing combo of ice and massage to Read more

Full-Body Move: Turkish Get Up


Updated 03/03/12 10:55 AM · Posted by · 1 comment

How to Do a Turkish Get Up

Imagine lying on your back and then getting off the floor to a standing position, over and over again. Imagine holding a weight over your head as you do it. This mental image should give you a basic sketch of the Turkish Get Up. This classic strength-training move is all about functional fitness involving every major muscle group as you make your way to being upright and return back to the Read more