One Leg Is Less Flexible, Is This Normal?


Updated 04/15/12 2:17 PM · Posted by · 4 comments

Muscle Imbalances Can Lead to Overuse Injuries

Is one of your legs always stiffer and won't stretch or move as far as the other one? You're not alone. Flexibility and range of motion differences between the sides of our bodies is very common. The problem is, this can set you up for an injury. In general, we all have a dominant leg just as most folks have a dominant hand. If you notice one leg is more flexible than the other, it means you're Read more

Emma Stone's Amazing Ab Workout


Updated 04/11/12 4:15 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Emma Stone's Pilates Workout Routine

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar! She played a frumpy reporter in The Help, but in real life, Emma Stone is the epitome of young Hollywood glamour. The 24-year-old made the transition from child actor to leading lady look effortless, but Stone puts plenty of hard work into every project she tackles, including her Pilates workout. "There's not much to Read more

4 Reasons to Stick With Pilates


Updated 04/15/12 10:27 AM · Posted by · 11 comments

The Benefits of Pilates

Fad workouts come and go, but Pilates continues to be a favorite among Hollywood starlets and well-versed fitness fanatics. What's to love about the exercise? Check out these four reasons to do Pilates below. Complementary workout: Whether you are a hard-core swimmer or a bootcamp devotee, incorporating Pilates into your workout routine helps keep your muscles loose and flexible, important for Read more

No Equipment Required! Tone the Body With These Yoga and Pilates Workouts


Updated 04/09/12 3:21 PM · Posted by · 1 comment

Yoga and Pilates Workouts For Toning the Body

Strengthening your muscles shouldn't be limited to the weight room or machines at the gym. Tone while you stretch and flex with these five yoga and Pilates workouts. Thigh sculpting: No need to spend hours on those adductor machines; yoga can help stretch out tight muscles while also toning for bikini season. This sequence of nine yoga poses works all the muscles in your legs while focusing on Read more

From the Fit Community: Can You Really Make Your Muscles Longer and Leaner?


Updated 01/31/12 3:50 PM · Posted by · 3 comments

Can Pilates Make Muscles Longer and Leaner?

FitSugar reader JessicaSmithTV wanted to know: are all those claims about creating longer and leaner muscles through exercise true? She asked an expert and posted the answer in our Fit Community. You've probably heard it numerous times before — a workout that promises to give you longer, leaner muscles (we've often heard this said about PIlates or ballet-based training methods) . . . so can 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

Breathe Deeply, Improve Your Running


Updated 12/27/11 9:45 AM · Posted by · 1 comment

Pilates Breathing Can Help Your Running and Cycling

Breathing. You're doing it right now without even thinking about it. Put a little thought into the action, and you just might find yourself soaring through your next tempo run. When you're going the distance running, swimming, cycling, and even rowing you need to power your muscles with fresh oxygen. To do this, you need to breathe deeply. Unfortunately, most of us are just breathing into our Read more

5 Pilates DVDs For Beginners


Updated 12/16/11 12:10 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Best Pilates DVDs For Beginners

Now that you've conquered the basics of yoga with these DVDs, it may be time to test the waters of Pilates. Or maybe you have someone on your holiday list this year that prefers working out in the comfort of her home and has always wanted to give Pilates a try? What's great about Pilates is that it can be practiced by a wide range of people — whether you're a runner, a professional athlete, or Read more