FitSugar

DVD Review: Pilates For Beginners

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 12:45:41 PDT

It's probably pretty obvious by now that I'm quite a fan of Pilates. I've tried to coax many friends (ahem, mom) who want to try it but are intimidated by large classes and don't want to pay for private lessons. Now, there's no excuse. Pilates expert Kristin McGee has a new Acacia DVD with the straightforward title Pilates For Beginners ($14). After a quick 10-minute warm-up, Pilates virgins will have the confidence to take on the rest of the exercises daily. They can feel the comfort of their own home while getting used to the basic exercises. For those who are more advanced, it is still a useful video as you can add your own challenges and almost guarantee a burn in the bod.

Included in the DVD are two 10-minute and two 20-minute segments. The 10-minute Core Warm-Up and the 10-minute Core Connection can help ease newbies into the exercises while both offering even experts the opportunity to burn their core muscle groups with teasers, planks, sawing the toes, and simple oblique twists. When time isn't an issue, the longer 20-minute Foundation Work and Strong Backside sessions are simple enough yet challenging. They include scissor kicks, the 100s, and other basic Pilates moves. The ultra-thin Kristin McGee explains all the stretches and motions in great detail, which helps to ensure safe execution. Additionally, she tells viewers how to make it harder or easier depending on their skill levels. And more importantly for novice users, she also gives ample time between the exercises for home users to rest and stretch.

To learn more about the video and see what I would change,

For beginners just starting their adventures in Pilates, this video offers a great starting point. My only complaint is that new students need to be reminded of their breathing patterns as the inhaling and exhaling moments are crucial to the exercises' effectiveness. Once the breathing patterns are learned, however, it is nice to be able to exhale as loudly as one wishes in their own home.

Also included in the DVD is a Pilates tutorial, a 10-minute abdominal and glute workout, and a five-minute Pilates weight-loss segment. The tutorial is almost essential for those brand-new to Pilates and a good idea for those who need to dust off their mat. The glutes and abs session is certainly not Pilates-centered, but I won't complain about a rear-end tutorial - I felt the sting and appreciated the change of pace after my leisurely mat exercise. Finally, the five-minute Weight Loss Pilates bonus is a good way to add some oomph to a 30-minute workout. All in all, I would definitely recommend this DVD to someone interested in the Pilates practice. At $13, it costs less than a drop-in session at a gym, and if it converts the viewer into a believer, it will earn its worth in one day.

Exercise Video: The Clam Series

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:45:00 PDT

Having a shapely tush is always in fashion and that is why the Clam Series of exercises is a perennial favorite. In this efficient, short series you will be working your upper outer thigh and your low glutes - I call this the panty line muscle group.

So lie on your side and get ready for the Clam!

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Fit's Tip: Make sure to stretch your low glutes after doing the Clam with the figure 4 stretch. Work the muscles, and then stretch them so they become firm but stay flexible.

Pilates Stretch: The Mermaid

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PDT

The Mermaid is one of my favorite of all Pilates stretching series. It really stretches out the upper body in such an elegant fashion and is really great for opening up the chest.

Follow along and mirror the movement (do as I say, not as I do - just like Pilates mat class with the instructor facing the class).

Helpful Hints:

If the position bothers your hip, ankle or knee you can lengthen your back leg out to the side. Begin by stretching toward the leg that is stretched out to the side.
To see more detail on the "Z" leg position read this definition with photo. It will surely help.
To protect your knee, place the top of the foot on the ground and not out to the side.
Keep the motion fluid and don't jam into any of your joints.
When side bending toward your back leg, think of reaching on the high diagonal rather than down toward your knee. This should help keep pressure out of your knee.
When circling your arm around look at your hand as it circles this will increase the upper body stretch.

Music by Benny Benassi

Tone Your Love Handles: Exercise Video

FitSugar — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 04:00:00 PST

This video is all about toning up your love handles. Yep - just in time for Valentine's Day. While you may not be able to pick and choose the body parts where you lose fat, you can spot tone an area. To lose weight at your waist you need to commit to a cardio workout plan which will help you lose fat all over. Toning up the muscles under those love handles will both strengthen your core and give you a firmer look through your waist.

So give a little love to your love handles; I am sure they will enjoy the attention. There is now a printer friendly version of the love handle workout so you can take it with you to the gym.

Pilates Video: Saw Off Your Baby Toe

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 09:15:00 PST

Looking for a way to work your abs and stretch your back at the same time!!! I love multitasking exercises like this one with one of the best names in the Pilates repertoire Saw off your baby toe.

Try it. I think you will like it. Plus, it is a great exercise to do in a series with the Twist.

Remember to really pull yourself back to upright with your abdominals. The more you work your abs, the bigger stretch you will get for your back.

Pilates Video: Single Leg Stretch

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 09:35:00 PST

Here is one of my favorite Pilates abdominal exercises. It is called the Single Leg Stretch and it is just lovely.

Fit's tip: Keep your deep abdominals engaged throughout the entire exercise by pulling your navel to your spine. This scooping action will help keep your low back from touching the ground and will help keep your pelvis stable.

Back Off! Chest Expansion with a Theraband

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 09:46:12 PST

Here's another Back OFF! video for you to check out and do. This is a classic Pilates exercise done with a theraband so hopefully you or your gym has one for you to use. You can also try it with 2 or 3 pound hand weights.

You should do 2 sets of 10 repetitions.

Kate Hudson's Fit Philosophy

Leta Shy — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:20:56 PDT

Happy birthday, Kate Hudson! The perennially sunny actress turns 33 today, and to celebrate we're taking a look at how the mother of two stays active and fit.

Her love of Pilates: To keep her figure toned and lean, Kate Hudson turns to celebrity Pilates trainer Nicole Stuart. Want to get Kate's Pilates-perfect body? Get Kate's Pilates workout here, and read these tips from Nicole Stuart on how to stay in shape.

All in the family: Kate's always on the move! She loves to stay active with her whole family and not just fiancé Matt Bellamy and older son Ryder - Kate's family riders also include mom Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Kate also logs time with Matt at the gym (and doubles the calorie burn by following her workout with a bike ride!).

Have fun: Whether she's kayaking on vacation or dancing with celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson, Kate knows that staying in shape (even while pregnant) is all about having fun. Check out our video of Tracy Anderson's pregnancy workout for your own fun and effective prenatal workout.

A healthy diet: Kate stays bikini-ready with a healthy diet. Her trainer Ashley Conrad recommends you stay hydrated and detoxed with lots of water with lemon, and frequent meals and healthy snacks. Get Kate Hudson's flat ab diet plan here.

Her healthy living motto: Kate doesn't sweat the small stuff. For her, the secret to happiness is about putting family first, paying attention to the good, and ignoring the bad. "It's important to be conscious of your health and not indulge too much in the things that are bad for you. Do I mind having my appearance constantly scrutinized? I don't have enough time on this planet to worry about things like that. I'm more concerned with if I'm raising my son properly, with what makes my family happy, with what makes me happy," Kate has said.

Did Kate Moss and Gwyneth Paltrow Get Into a Fight in Mexico?

Katie Henry — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:05:07 PDT

Is there a feud brewing between Kate Moss and Gwyneth Paltrow? - Lainey Gossip
Carnie Wilson has weight-loss surgery - again - People
Gene Simmons disses Rihanna - HuffPost Entertainment
Are Ellen and Portia headed for a breakup? - The Frisky
Kirsten Dunst steps out with a hot lunch date - JustJared
See Joan Rivers rap - BuzzFeed
Two Broke Girls' Beth Beyers works a gold bikini - Hollywood Tuna
Miley Cyrus is all about Winsor Pilates - The Superficial
Even major stars bash their own films - The Daily Beast
Idol contestants compare the singing competition to The Hunger Games - Zap2it
The Muppets get a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame - TooFab
Jude Law takes his vintage car for a spin - I'm Not Obsessed
Watch Madonna's Girl Gone Wild video - D-Listed
Katy Perry surfaces in Paris with rumored boyfriend Baptiste Giabiconi - Pink Is the New Blog

How Roberto Cavalli's New Face Stays Gorgeous

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 06:00:34 PDT

You may not know her by name yet, but Elisa Sednaoui is changing that. The face of the latest Roberto Cavalli fragrance, this multilingual model portrays one head-turning tigress in the spot above. She's something of a renaissance woman, too; this 24-year-old with Italian, Egyptian, and French heritage has used her modeling career to catapult her to other opportunities like acting and directing a music video. And on top of that, hello - she's gorgeous. She's sharing her best beauty advice (it's refreshingly down-to-earth!), so read more