FitSugar

Take a Pure Barre Class in Your Own Home

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:08:00 PST

When you're looking to tone your derriere, sometimes you need to go minimal. That's the philosophy behind the Pure Barre method, where micro movements rule the workout. We were curious to explore this toning technique and took a tutorial from Pure Barre instructor Gina Ragnone on three moves that tone the tush. Get ready to move small but burn big with this booty workout you can do in the comfort of your own home.

If you need a printout of the workout, click here.

Stay Put: Reviews of 5 Earphones Designed For Your Workout

Leta Shy — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:38:17 PST

When running, any old iPod earbud just won't do. Earphones that slip off easily can distract you and keep you from meeting your workout goals, and who wants low-quality sound when they need an extra heartbeat-raising boost from their playlist?

That's why you need a good pair of earphones that are designed to stay snugly in your ears while you work out. We tested out five types of workout-designed earphones meant to stay put while elevating your auditory experience. Keep clicking to read the reviews, and check out more earphones designed to stay put. Motivated to don a pair and go for a run? Don't forget to enter our Get Fit For 2012 giveaway for fabulous prizes that will also revamp your workout.

How to Jump-Start Your 2012 Workout Action Plan

Heather Dale — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 04:45:08 PST

If you're the type of person who likes to set New Year's resolutions each year, then you've probably already come up with some fitness-related goals to add to the list. With the holidays soon coming to a close, it can be difficult to carve out some time to plan for the next 12 months, which is why I've come up with some easy tips to help you get your workout plan underway. Just make sure your list doesn't include some of these unrealistic resolutions, which are pretty much guaranteed to fail!

Get Calendar Crazy: Don't stress about filling in your calendar for the entire year, but what can be helpful is to plan out the next two or three months. Is there a yoga or spin class you've been wanting to try? Find the class time each week and add it to your calendar so you instantly block off that time. If you know you want to get back into running, carve some time out of your calendar for scheduled running sessions. Also pencil in marathons and anything else fitness-related that interests you and is happening in 2012.

Keep reading to check out the rest of the plan!

The Best Hotel Room Workout

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:16:31 PST

Don’t let holiday travel keep you from getting a good workout. We've created a fitness routine to keep the happy traveler toned; in just five easy moves you can work your arms, legs, and fanny. Perfect for a the cramped space of a hotel room or a living room with the sofa sleeper pulled out, this workout is easy to fit in anywhere - and I mean that literally. With simple variations and props you can find in almost any hotel room or your host's home - a towel and phone book - you can customize your workout to target different muscles. You've got what it takes, wherever you go, to take care of yourself.

Is an Exercise Class Only Part of Your Workout?

Leta Shy — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:31:17 PDT

During my hour-long circuit-training class, we always spend a few minutes at the end for a cooldown stretch. It's an important part of your workout, so our teacher never skips out on making us do it. At my last class, however, I noticed that while everyone else was stretching, one of my neighbors continued her own workout - planks, push-ups, crunches, and all - even when the class was over.

When I go to a class, I don't usually do anything else, but some of my friends supplement a fitness class with time on the elliptical or strength training. How about you?

Personal Trainer Tricks You Don't Have to Pay For

Leta Shy — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:54:25 PDT

There are so many reasons why splurging on a personal trainer is a good idea. They teach you how to work out safely and efficiently, and show you how to attain your healthy goals. But often it's hard to justify the high price tag if you have other expenses that are also begging for your wallet's attention. If you're not in the market for a personal trainer, here are some tricks that trainers use to whip you into shape that don't require any money at all.

Just a little more: You pay your trainer to deliver results, which often translates to you panting on the floor while your trainer is telling you that you need to do 10 more push-ups. Channel that extra push, sans price tag, during your next workout. Just pushing yourself to go for five more minutes can help you burn up to 60 extra calories. Need motivation? Check out our chart of calories burned with just five more minutes of exercise.

Get creative with your workouts: Trainers have a knack for developing workouts that target muscles you didn't even know you had, but don't think that you can't create your own fun circuit workout that combines cardio with strength training. If you need ideas, try one of our all-over body circuit workouts (like this total-body circuit workout using dumbbells or this belly-fat blasting circuit workout by celebrity trainer Jeanette Jenkins) for an example of an efficient and trainer-inspired workout.

Read on for more ways to exercise like a personal trainer after the break.

Bootcamp or Yell-Free: What's Your Favorite Instructor Style?

Leta Shy — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:46:56 PDT

I tried to like spin class, but after a few too many classes with the instructor yelling for us to "Push harder!" over already too-loud music, I decided I wasn't a fan. While I enjoy taking exercise classes or enlisting the help of a personal trainer to keep me motivated (not to mention to make me finish an exercise when I think I just can't do it), I gravitate more toward instructors who firmly encourage without veering into drill sergeant territory.

I may not be signing up for a boot camp any time soon, but many people like the tough love they get from their no-excuses fitness instructors. What's your favorite style?

Spice Up Your Sex Life With KAMA Movement

FitSugar — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:18:48 PDT

Forget the pole and stiletto heels, because your body is the only tool required for the sensual KAMA Movement workout. For ladies only, KAMA is a sexy and erotic workout that targets the lower pelvic region in order to increase libido, open the hips, and help women gain more self-confidence. Developed by Miss Canada runner-up Halyna Skrypnyk and physician Dr. Melissa Hershberg, KAMA Movement is all about releasing your inhibitions while toning and strengthening the troublesome fat zone for most women that includes the hips, buttocks, thighs, and lower abdomen.

The exercises are as sultry as the name implies. KAMA is Sanskrit for pleasure, sexual fulfillment, sensual gratification, and pleasure of the senses. Centered on basic dance steps that emphasize hip thrusts, circles, and tilts, KAMA allows women to discover and/or reawaken their feminine strength and mystique. At KAMA classes, you'll be greeted in a romantic candle-lit room, dance to a mixture of hip-hop and sensual Eastern music, and gratify yourself with a dark chocolate kiss after class.

So get ready to release all your inhibitions. We're demystifying these hip opening exercises with Michelle Opperman, certified KAMA instructor at Crunch Fitness in San Francisco, who shares with us the basics of KAMA Movement.

Working Out, It's All in Your Head

Michele Foley — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:56:51 PDT

Yesterday, I was surprised by the sound of a calendar notification: "3 p.m., Crunch trainer." As soon as I saw it, I cringed. Having made the appointment the week prior, it slipped my mind and I was nowhere near prepared. My gym bag was under my desk like usual, but I'm talking mental preparation. While I'm up for spontaneous hikes, cycling outings, or a trip to the yoga studio, I still need to psyche myself out for time at the gym - especially when it's an hour-long intense TRX circuit training session. I love working out and I love my trainer, but it always seems to help if I have time to psyche myself out before heading in. Maybe it's because I need to be really focused when I work out with my trainer, or it could be because I want to plan the rest of my day around being sore. Either way, it just helps.

While I have a lot of friends that can head into the gym like it's no big thing, many people I know schedule gym workouts ahead of time for the same reason I do. How about you?

5 Hot Celeb Bikini Bums (and How to Get One Too)

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 06:38:00 PDT

Who in Hollywood has the most toned tush? Well, we're about to tell you! If you're feeling envious, just remember that even these celebrities work hard to keep their hineys fit and tiny. This Summer, implement these celebrity-certified exercises to firm up and slim down your backside.

Source: Flynet