FitSugar

Three Ways to Add Arm Work to Your Lunges

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:00:49 PDT

If you're pressed for time at the gym (and these days, who isn't), time-saving exercises are a must. Adding arm work to the ever-classic lunge is a great way to work more of you in one move. Here are three ways to get more bang for your buck.

Newbie: If you're new to lunges, just stepping out and returning to your starting stance can be challenging enough. Don't sweat it. Simply hold dumbbells to push yourself to the next level. Holding weights, five to 10 pounds, will make both your booty and arms work more.

Up the ante: Add bicep curls to backward lunges. As your leg lunges back, bend both elbows, bringing hand weights to your shoulders. This is a great multitasking move and is pictured above.

Learn one more killer variation.

Multitasking Moves For Your Bikini Body

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:00:00 PDT

If you're working extra hard to get in shape for bikini season, why not try some time-saving moves that will work your core alongside other major muscles? In addition to my hardcore all-abs workout, I've compiled five multitasking moves that will tighten your abs plus other areas you're daring to bare: booty, shoulders, back, and thighs. Here's how to do them.

Squat Options

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:00:00 PDT

If you're pressed for time and feel like strength training has been pushed aside, I am here to tell you that you have squat options. While adding a smattering of squats throughout your day might not be ideal, it is better than nothing.

Here are some suggestions:

Laundry Squats: Combining two unpleasant tasks makes them both somehow sweeter. It is a multitasking move the whole family can love.
Potty Squats: If you're desk bound and feeling disembodied, take a trip to the ladies and do some squats.
Chair Squats: Chairs might be for sitting, but if you hover just above your seat your other seat will get a nice workout. This one is easier to get away with if you work at home.

I have a couple more suggestions so

Water Cooler Squats: A nice way to build endurance in your quads while you fill your water bottle at the water cooler. The larger your bottle the longer you work your quads.
Dishwasher Squats: Just like folding laundry, squat instead of bending at the waist to unload or load your dishwasher. It is actually a much more back friendly way to bend and works the backside.

If you have a great way to fit squats into your everyday routine, please share them in the comments section below.

5 Ways to Make Moving a Habit

Leta Shy — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:52:25 PST

We all should take time to relax, but sometimes we don't realize just exactly how sedentary our lives can be. Even if you devote an hour to exercise most days, if you're not moving a lot the rest of the time, you can be doing more harm than good. So start making moving a habit with these five tips.

Keep track: One of the best ways to encourage yourself to move is to get a fitness monitor that tracks your steps. You don't have to invest a lot - while more sophisticated trackers (like these five fitness monitors) track your steps as well as your exercise (some can also distinguish between walking on flat ground and when you're going up steps), you can buy a basic pedometer for just a few dollars.
Try a one-minute move: Whether you're folding laundry or watching TV, multitask by building muscle while you work. Take a one-minute break to dance around or do squats, lunges, or planks, and you'll raise your heartbeat as well as your energy levels.

Read on for three more ways to making moving a habit.

Multitasking Move: Booty Lift Chest Press

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:00:00 PDT

Multitasking moves are a fave of mine. They are not only extra challenging, but they're time savers as well. I like this one because not only do you get to lie down (another reason I like ab work), but it strengthens the shoulders, triceps, abs, and booty. You can't top that.

Holding dumbbells, lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor by your hips.
Lift your right foot off the ground, and place your right ankle in front of your left knee.
Bring your hands right over your chest, keeping your elbows next to the sides of your body.
Now press into your left foot to lift your hips up while you straighten your arms above you, turning your wrists so your palms are aimed towards your feet.
Then lower your hands to your chest while lowering your hips, but stop an inch above the floor.
Repeat this move about 12 to 15 times. Then release your right foot to the ground and switch sides, placing your left ankle in front of your right knee.
Do two sets on each leg.

10-Minute Workout: Legs and Arms With Sadie Lincoln

Zelana Montminy — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:58:48 PST

If you're short on time, you need a multitasking workout. Sadie Lincoln, founder of barre3, created a quick home workout that targets both the arms and legs. This workout will fit in your living room and won't bother your downstairs neighbors either. Press play and follow along as Sadie leads you through a series of moves to tone arms and legs while working your core too.

Get on the Ball: The Preacher Curl For Arms and Core

Zelana Montminy — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:49:59 PST

If you're ready to move beyond the basic biceps curl, try this multitasking move on an exercise ball: the preacher curl. Watch the video to learn the move, then grab a dumbbell and get pumping.

Get the Bod: Victoria Beckham's Legs

Zelana Montminy — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:15:06 PST

Victoria Beckham has more than a great fashion sense - she's got great gams, too. Check out these three leg-toning exercises we learned directly from her trainer, Ronald Jean. Watch the video for the deets on these multitasking moves, and then be sure to work them into your workout routine.

Pilates Moves For Your Arms and Core From Kim Kardashian's Trainer

Self — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:18:48 PST

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

If you're a novice like me, you might not realize that there are many different kinds of Pilates. And those incarnations are not defined as "hard, very hard, and nearly impossible."

Celebrity trainer Sara Kapuchinski just opened her new LA studio i heart fitness xo, where she teaches West Coast-style Pilates to a revolving A-list clientele including Khloe and Kim Kardashian, Christina Ricci, Modern Family's Sofia Vergara and Glee's Romy Rosemont.

Kapuchinski started out as a weekend trainer, whose day job was as an A & R executive in the music industry. Soon, she realized that teaching fitness felt more personally satisfying. "Music was fun, but I was more gratified training people," she recalls. "After sitting at a desk from 9 to 5 and staying up 'til all hours, I was experiencing a lot of neck and back pain. And, like most people, I was amazed that classic Pilates did the things that it was supposed to do: my posture improved, I lost inches in my waist and my neck and back pain basically disappeared."

After a bit of investigation, the trainer found that Pilates on the West Coast, which is heavier on cardio, was more her speed: "Pilates is so great for your body, for your core (that mysterious thing), but a lot of times you leave a class feeling like you need to sweat. I wanted something that was a bit more cardio-driven without having to go take a Boot Camp."

Read on for three of Kapuchinski's heart-pounding Pilates moves!

3 Ways to Incorporate Strength Training, Easily and Anywhere

Leta Shy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 03:44:48 PDT

If you're a cardio junkie, chances are you'd rather spend your workout on the treadmill or trails. But you shouldn't be neglecting your muscles in favor of your heart since building muscle helps up your metabolism and prevent injuries. But don't think you have to spend a whole session on the weights. Break up your strength training routine into more manageable parts with these tips.

Do it at your desk: Do you spend a lot of time sitting in front of the computer? Try these strength training exercises you can do at your desk so you can multitask while you work, without anyone knowing!

Time for squats: Squats are extremely effective lower-body exercises, so don't limit your squat time to the gym. Here are five common places to do squats throughout your day.

Remind yourself: There are many strength training moves that only require a pair of dumbbells. If you already have a pair under your bed or hidden in your closet, it can help to leave your weights out in the open to remind yourself to do a few bicep curls or tricep dips while you're sitting on the couch.