FitSugar

Gym Power to Power the Gym

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:00:00 PST

It looks like more than the New Year's Even 2009 sign at Times Square can be powered by pedaling exercisers; the Green MicroGym, in Portland, OR, takes full advantage of pedal power too.

The Green Microgym's goal is to be carbon neutral business and to use only solar power and energy created by clients. Most fitness equipment contains a spinning wheel which can be used just like a windmill for creating energy. At the Green Microgym, the treadmills and exercise bikes are connected to batteries that store the energy exercisers have vigorously created. The energy stored in the batteries is converted to an electrical current that can then be used to power appliances, using a piece of equipment called the Human Dynamo. While the energy created might be free, the batteries and converters are still costly and prohibitive for many gyms during this economic downturn.

The Green Microgym uses solar power to fulfill a third of its energy needs, and they are also savvy about saving energy. They save about 50 percent of their energy costs, by powering down gym equipment and televisions when not in use. The gym owner remains optimistic and feels that most gyms will be carbon neutral in 20 years. I think if we all had to pedal to keep the lights on, we would have much more respect for energy conservation as well as for our power-ful legs. Let me know how you feel about the carbon neutral gym in the comments section below.

Source

Fat-Proof Your Life

Health — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:06:06 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Maridel Reyes

It's true that there are certain times in your life when extra poundage seems to appear out of nowhere . . . and settle on you. In fact, experts have honed in on the exact moments when you're most vulnerable to weight gain.

"Life transitions, having a baby, and going through menopause cause many women to pile on pounds," says Susan Albers, PsyD, author of But I Deserve This Chocolate!: The 50 Most Common Diet-Derailing Excuses and How to Outwit Them. "But with planning and prep, you can stay thin."

We asked top experts for their strategies to help you ward off weight creep - and even shed pounds - at these tricky stages. Solutions ahead.

Getting married

Heavier ever after? It can be the flip side of wedded bliss: "Six out of 10 of my clients come back heavier after the honeymoon," says celebrity fitness and wellness guru David Kirsch.

Health.com: 25 Diet-Busting Foods You Should Never Eat

Young newlyweds pack on an extra six to nine pounds in the five years after getting hitched compared to singletons, according to research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. And most of that gain happens in the first year of marriage.

"Couples start to mirror each other's eating habits," explains Albers. "You might be matching him calorie for calorie without realizing it."

Learn how to keep the pounds down postmarriage and in the mommy years, after the break.

5 Things Not to Bring to the Gym

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:03:10 PST

If you want to make the most of your gym time, there are certain things you shouldn't take with you. To stay healthy and centered during your workout, leave these five items at home:

Reading material. It's important to stay focused while you're at the gym, not only for safety reasons, but also to maximize the benefits of your workout. If you're focusing on the latest issue of your favorite magazine, you're probably not paying attention to your body. Read outside the gym to zero in on your training.
Energy drinks. Stick to zero-calorie water to stay hydrated. The amount of caffeine in different energy drinks varies, but you should steer clear while you're working out to avoid becoming lightheaded. Prefer something with a bit of flavor? Try adding electrolyte enhanced flavor packets to your water.
A plastic water bottle. Refilling and reusing old plastic water bottles can be dangerous to your health - and the environment. Go green and invest in a stainless steel option instead.

Keep reading for two more things to leave at home.

Yoga Class: Studio vs. Gym

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:03:11 PST

With all the New Year's resolutions floating around, if "trying yoga" is on your list, you're probably wondering where the best place to practice is. With yoga's increased popularity, just about every gym offers yoga classes on their schedule in between Body Pump and Spinning, but there are also studios on every corner that teach yoga exclusively. Keep reading to find out which place you'd prefer getting your Down Dog on.

Price

Studio: Purchase single classes at a drop-in rate that's about $12 to $25 per class (depending on the length of the class), or you can buy a group of classes at a slightly cheaper rate. Some studios also offer monthly or yearly memberships, so classes are even cheaper, but this only pays off if you go a lot.
Gym: Many gym memberships include classes in the monthly or yearly fee, so yoga classes at gyms might be significantly less expensive than at a studio.

Continue reading to learn how studio's and gym's compare when it comes to atmosphere, convenience, and teacher qualifications.

Healthy Dose Link Time: GPS Watches May Not Be Great For Runs

Michele Foley — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:32:37 PST

Why a GPS watch isn't the best running partner - The New York Times
Santa in a Speedo and more scenes from Santathon - Blisstree
Eight tricks to saving money on next year's gym membership - Self
Six diet trends you're better off never trying - Real Simple
Get some workout inspiration from the newest crop of leggings - Vital Juice
A look back at the year's funniest yoga videos - Mind Body Green

Ashley Greene Stays Very Hydrated

Molly Goodson — Mon, 09 May 2011 07:14:27 PDT

Ashley Greene was equipped with a big bottle of water as she hit the gym in LA on Saturday. Ashley is done staying in tip-top shape for any Twilight-related fight scenes, since wrapping up work on Breaking Dawn last month, but she always maintains her rigorous fitness regimen between projects. We got a sneak peek of Ashley and her costars' return to playing the Cullens with the latest Breaking Dawn pictures released, and she's currently battling it out with her castmates for the top spot in our PopSugar 100 favorite vampires and werewolves list. At the moment Ashley is number five in the global results, behind Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Ian Somerhalder, and Peter Facinelli.

Ashley Greene Gets Pumped For a Twilight-Filled Oscar Weekend!

Katie Henry — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:15:00 PST

Ashley Greene left the gym laughing and chatting with a friend after an intense workout in LA today. The birthday girl celebrated her 24th in Las Vegas last weekend, and now she's back to following the strict fitness schedule Tracy Anderson personally choreographed for her. Ashley's been absent from the red carpets this award season, but at least one Twilight star may be on hand this weekend at the Oscars. According to show producer Bruce Cohen, "if you are a Twilight fan . . . For all of you Twi-Hards out there, we have a little surprise for you in our show on Sunday night . . . if you like those three films, I have three words for you: watch the Oscars." We'll be broadcasting LIVE from the red carpet so follow us on Twitter for breaking news and photos, and don't forget we're also giving away a Samsung TV, so be sure to fill out BuzzSugar's ballot for your chance to win!

Healthy Dose Link Time: Free Workout Playlist

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:16:47 PST

Download this free workout playlist featuring Gym Class Heroes and Adele - Shape
Ewww! Your reusable grocery bag is probably covered with nasty bacteria - Blisstree
It doesn't only come from meat: sneaky protein sources - Fitnessista
Hummus for breakfast? You betcha! Try it on an English muffin - Peanut Butter Fingers
Wear heels much? Do these stretches pronto - Health
Do a yoga teacher training, even if you never want to teach - Mind Body Green
Crunchy tofu salad that gives chicken and tuna a run for their money - Lunch Box Bunch

10 Ways Spending Money Can Help You Save

Bundle — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:15:18 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart Bundle story here on Savvy!

We're always talking about saving money, but sometimes spending money can help you save more in the long run. Here are 10 instances doling out cash can help you add more to your savings.

Do a big weekly grocery shop

I like to cook, but I'm a little lazy about buying groceries. It's hard to drop a lot of money on food all at once! When I do a big shop, it always seems like I'm spending so much money. Last week, for instance, the tab came to over $100 for two people. But, when I get lazy and don't do a grocery shop, I wind up going back to the store four or five times in a week, and end up spending even more than I would if I had just bought all my food for the week at once. Plan a few meals and make yourself go to the grocery store once a week.

Resole your shoes

I once had a pair of $150 boots that sat around for two years without once seeing the light of day because the soles had worn down. They were my favorite pair of boots, but I figured they were probably done for. I actually bought two other pairs of boots - and was going for a third when the light bulb went off - just get my old boots resoled! It cost about $50 and they feel like a whole new pair of boots. Save money on excessive numbers of shoes by getting your old pair resoled.

Read on for more.

3 Ways Soup Can Save Your Diet

Leta Shy — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:07:50 PDT

Once the weather turns colder, all thoughts turn to ways to keep warm. Does that mean that you've got soup on the brain? Thankfully, when done right, this cold-weather craving gets a thumbs-up in the diet department. Read on for three reasons to love soup.

It can act as an appetite suppressant: Ordering soup before a meal shouldn't just be saved for restaurant dining. Have a cup of soup before your dinner - the low-calorie appetizer will help fill you up before you reach for a huge helping later.

It helps you load up the veggies: Feeling like your veggie quotient is lacking? Soups are a good way to fill up on your greens. Add fresh or frozen vegetables to a ready-made soup, or try blending vegetables together to make your own hearty homemade meal.

Read on for more soup and your diet after the break.