FitSugar

Winterize Your Running: Treadmill Tips

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:00:00 PST

It is a common trend during late Autumn to start moving workouts indoors. Treadmills and spin classes are staples of Winter fitness. If layering up to brave the cold keeps you from running, then move your workout inside, but keep these tips in mind:

Ease into your treadmill runs. Don't expect to run as fast or as long on a treadmill as you did outside. Allow your body to get used to the treadmill's movement and surface. Start with shorter, slower runs and gradually increase time and speed until you're up to the level you were doing outside. Running on a treadmill is truly a repetitive action, since the surface never changes, and this is another reason to ramp up slowly.
Reconsider your sneaks. Trail runners were made for running outside on dirt paths and aren't exactly the best shoes for a treadmill or an indoor track surface. You may need to purchase another pair that's strictly for indoor use.

For other tips,

If running on a treadmill aggravates your knees, opt for using an elliptical instead.
Remember that running on a treadmill with zero percent incline can give you shin splints, so set your treadmill to at least one percent incline.
Take advantage of the incline on the treadmill to simulate running up hills.
Some folks think running on a treadmill is easier, so make it more difficult by varying your speed. This kind of interval training will not only work your heart and lungs and strengthen your muscles, but those sprinting bursts help to burn more calories.

Taking short breaks from training can be beneficial, but the longer you wait, the harder it will be to get back into the swing of things. If you own a treadmill or elliptical, dust it off, get it out of your basement, or remove the laundry you have hanging from it and start running. If you don't own one, join a gym immediately so you can use their equipment or indoor track.

Source

11 Studs That Will Steam Up the Silver Screen This Summer

Becky Kirsch — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:58:10 PDT

Summer will be here before you know it, which means the temperatures will be on the rise, but things will be heating up indoors as well - if you're at the movie theater, that is. With a new crop of blockbusters on the way comes a slew of hot leading men to swoon over. These guys run the gamut from strippers to superheroes, but they're all very crush-worthy in their own ways.

5 Tricks to Get the Most Out of Your Outdoor Run

Shape — Thu, 03 May 2012 04:11:45 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar. This week Shape turns to celebrity trainer Jay Cardiello for some help!

The weather is getting nice and you may have been bitten by the "run bug." To make the transition from indoor runs to the great outdoors seamless and safe, I compiled a list of my top five tricks to get the most out of your outdoor run. Whether you have had some success running on the treadmill, or you are completely new to outdoor running, there are two crucial factors that you must understand.

25 Most Deceiving Exercises (They Tone More Than You Think).

First, let's talk about a little guy named Newton. See, Newton has this law that states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Are you with me so far? Good. Well, with runners, the concern is what we run on. The harder the surface the greater the ground reaction force, which is basically the force exerted by the ground back onto the body (in this case, our little legs) that are in contact with it, is. To simplify this, surfaces like concrete and pavement will cause a greater reaction back into our joints and legs than an energy absorbing treadmill. This not only makes us work harder, but will tire us out faster and cause greater stress on our joints.

Are Your Workouts Causing Pain? How to Find Out.

Second, the treadmill is a flat belt that provides consistency with each step. There are no stones, traffic, or inclement weather activity that would cause you to be off balance or have to change your gait. Running outdoors forces the body to make constant small adjustments. That said, here is what’s going to make your outdoor run a successful one.

5 Unique Ways to Make the Most of Your Treadmill.

Learn how to make the most out of your outdoor runs after the break!

How to Begin a New Outdoor Cardio Routine

Leta Shy — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:44:31 PDT

Has the warm weather gotten you inspired to start a new outdoor cardio routine? Whether you've set your eyes on running, biking, or swimming, here are some things to remember before you begin.

Biking

Investing in a bike is exciting - once you find the perfect one for you, you'll be inspired to explore your town, take a long weekend bike ride, maybe even commute to work! But the process of finding the right bike and cycling routine takes a bit of thought. Start your cycling routine off right with these tips:

Buy the right bike: Do you want a road bike for commuting, a mountain bike for weekend trail rides, or something in between? Knowing the main purpose of your bike is the first step in buying the right kind of bike. You also will need to spend a few hours testing different brands and sizes. Read more tips for buying the right bike here.
Prevent pain and injuries: Even with the right size of bike, you need to ensure that you've adjusted your two-wheeler correctly so your rides won't lead to aches and pains. From saddle height to how to properly fit your helmet, here are tips on how to adjust your bike to fit your body.
Plan your workout: If you're new to biking, make sure you plan and prep your route and workout. If you're biking to work, for example, read these tips for how to start a bike commute to work, and if you can't wait to hit the hills this weekend, read our beginner mountain biking tips.

Read on for more beginner outdoor cardio tips!

Don't Throw Out Those Used Sneaks! How to Recycle Old Fitness Gear

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:05:25 PDT

Exercising regularly means going through lots of fitness gear. Instead of just tossing out old kicks or a worn-out yoga mat, do something good for the Earth. Here are ways to recycle or reuse old workout gear.

Sneakers

Donate: You can toss them in a Goodwill bin, or send them to an organization that'll put them to good use. Soles4Souls's tag line is "Saving the world - one pair at a time." This organization takes your tired, but "gently worn," sneakers and finds needy feet to fill them. They strongly suggest organizing shoe drives and mailing all the pairs to one of their three warehouse locations. Another organization, One World Running, has been serving runners around the world since 1986. Through collection programs, they are able to provide shoes for needy runners across the world. Check here for drop-off locations.
Recycle: Turn your old shoes into something new. Nike Reuse-A-Shoe takes all brands of sneakers that are beyond "gently worn" and turns them into a recycled product known as Nike Grind, which is used to make tracks, indoor basketball courts, fields, and playgrounds. Just drop off your retired sneakers at any Nike store, or check here for drop-off locations.
Reuse: Keep an old pair of sneakers around for days when you're running or walking in the rain or on muddy trails. Some people even use old shoes as plant potters. Fill a disinfected shoe with soil and grow some basil or cilantro on your deck or windowsill.

Keep reading to find out what you can do with your old fitness clothes, equipment, and yoga mats.

Put a Spring in Your Step With These Seasonal Running Essentials

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:11:36 PDT

Brisk temps often force runners to use treadmills indoors, so as soon as warm and sunny weather blows in, many of us can't wait to get out of the stale gym and head to the open road. Ditch the warm pants and mittens for these Spring running essentials.

21 Disposable Products You Can Reuse

Wise Bread — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:00:39 PDT

Even when the product is supposedly "disposable," you can always reuse it. Wise Bread shares awesome ways to reuse these 21 disposable products.

It’s said that we live in a disposable society. But the word "disposable" is a misnomer. Disposable is considered throwaway, something you use once and dump, regardless of the life that may be left in it. As a frugal shopper with a concern for the state of our environment, I think that just won’t do.

I often reuse many so-called “onetime-use” items, and I asked friends, family, and colleagues to tell me which disposable items they squeeze more life from. Here’s my list, including some of the surprising ideas I was given.

RELATED: 25 Things to Throw Out Today

1. Butter Wrappers

If you’re like most people, you unwrap your butter, pop the stick into your handy holder, and throw the wrapper away. But wait a second - instead of trashing the wrappers, keep them in a sandwich bag. The next time you need to grease a baking tray or dish, you’ve got something all ready to go.

Read on for more.

The Best Rainy-Day Workouts

Michele Foley — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 03:07:06 PDT

Spring's warmer temps means we're pulling off Winter's layers and heading outside to run, bike, and swim. That is, until a heavy shower comes our way. Instead of using the rain as an excuse to skip a workout, burn major calories and tone up with these five indoor workouts that'll have you swearing you're outside on a sunny trail.

10 Boredom Busters For Indoor Workouts

Laura Marie Given — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:52:00 PDT

If you tend to feel bored at the gym and spend more time watching the clock, these easy tricks are sure to boost your motivation. Whether you're just beginning a bikini-ready plan for the Summer or consider yourself a seasoned gym rat, here are 11 simple ways to fire up your indoor workouts:

Vary your machines: If the treadmill is your best (and only) friend, it's time to switch things up. Try the seated row, the stationary bike, the elliptical, or a mix of all four to keep your body guessing.
Head for the hills: Ward off repetition by changing the incline regularly. The best part? You'll tone your muscles and burn extra calories.
Direct your thoughts: If you can't stop thinking about how bored you are, try coming up with a new focus for every minute or mile. Plan your future wedding, imagine a dream home, or brainstorm your favorite songs and movies to distract yourself.
Alternate weights and cardio: Rather than following a full strength workout with a long bout of cardio, mix up the two. Not only will you stave off boredom, but you'll also give your metabolism an extra boost from the intervals.
Change your listening habits: If you're sick of your workout playlists, why not try an audiobook? What about a podcast? If you prefer something with a fast tempo while you run, reserve audiobooks and podcasts for incline walks or cool downs.

Keep reading for more boredom busters.

5 Signs You Should Cancel Your Gym Membership

Leta Shy — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 02:03:04 PDT

I love my gym for many reasons: it adds structure to my workouts and motivates me, the class selection is amazing, and the people - both trainers and members - can be very inspiring. But I know that many times a gym membership isn't the most cost-effective solution for getting fit, and going isn't for everyone. Are you wasting your money? Here are five signs it may be time to cancel your gym membership.

You'd rather be outdoors: The thought of being cooped up indoors has you dreading - and then skipping - your workout, but you continue to hold onto that gym membership "just in case." Some people find gym workouts boring, so if you're one of them, start getting creative outdoors. Even if you're not a runner, you can still have an effective workout outside; find an open space where you can do your circuit workout, invest in a bike, or grab your yoga mat and seek out an inspiring place to stretch.
You only use one piece of equipment: Take a look at your gym workout. Do you just make a beeline for the treadmill and leave? If you're not utilizing your gym's classes or equipment or asking trainers for help, you may be wasting your money. Instead of paying $50 a month just to use a treadmill, save the money to buy a piece of gym equipment for your home or just go for a run or walk outside.
You waste time once you get there: The hardest part about going to the gym may be getting there, but that shouldn't be the part of your workout that burns the most calories. Whether you find the gym uninspiring or whether you use it as social hour to catch up with friends, if you're not dedicated to your workout once you're there, you're wasting your money along with your time. Take a look at your gym workouts; if you can't find any type of exercise at the gym that inspires you, try something else.

Read on for more reasons you may want to cancel your membership.