FitSugar

Move It at Home: Winsor Pilates Ab Sculpting

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 10:15:00 -0700

Sometimes getting to the gym or a Pilates class is just impossible! It is those times that make us all thankful for DVD players. It can be almost as difficult to find a good exercise DVD, as it is to get to the gym. Well I am here to tell you, and so are my abs, that the Winsor Pilates Ab Sculpting workout really packs a punch - in a good way.

The ab workout is about 20 minutes and includes all the classic Pilates abdominal exercises - like the 100s, single leg stretch and rolling like a ball. If you have never studied Pilates those names might be a little intriguing, and this DVD might not be the best place to learn the exercises so make sure to start with one of the beginner DVDs from Winsor included in the set with this one. You could also take a mat class or even better a Pilates private and the fundamentals of working your core and deep abs can be clarified for you. There are a few modifications offered in the DVD but not for every exercise.

On the other hand, if you have studied Pilates this is a great video leading you through the classic repertory without getting bogged down with too many of those fundamental details that can make exercising with a DVD frustrating. The pace is quick which is great, and this way you do quite a few different exercises in a short 20 minute workout. In fact one of my favorite elements of the routine is changing the tempo or pace of some of the exercises - starting with 10 slow repetitions followed by 10 or 20 quick reps. This would be a great routine to do 3 to 4 times a week.

The Ab Sculpting DVD is sold in a package with other Winsor Pilates DVDs. You can buy the package from Winsor Pilates directly for $59.80. The package includes 6 DVDs, and an exercise planner and a Sculpting Circle (similar to the Magic Circle).

Speak Up: What's Your Trouble Area?

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0800

Carrie Underwood boldly shared in Us Weekly that her trouble area is her tummy. She said, "It may take me the rest of my life, but if I'm 80 and I have abs, I'll be happy."

Now it's your turn to share which part of your body you work the hardest to tone up, shrink down, and sculpt. Tell me, what's your trouble area?

Class Act: Skinny Jeans Fitness Workout

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:43:33 -0700

I won't lie, the name caught my attention: Skinny Jeans Workout, a place where denim and my hamstrings collide. I find the fashion / fitness connection slightly amusing, but the 45 minute class left me more than slightly sweaty. It truly is a sculpting workout that borrows from a diverse array of fitness methods. We did lunges of all sorts, from the basic forward variety to the criss-crossing curtsy lunge. We did squat variations. We even did multiple Warrior 3s. My legs and glutes were worked from all angles ensuring that every fiber was taxed. There were sections of the workout that felt rather balletic too; these moves really worked the deep glute muscles that help lift the seat. The class kept moving, and my heart rate stayed pumping for most of the class. The first 35 minutes of the class are standing and there is an emphasis on standing tall and keeping your chest open, since part of looking good in your skinny jeans is postural. I have heard that slouching can make a person look 10 pounds heavier. The ab work is very Pilates based, with cuing to keep the abs pulled to the spine - a phrase you can't make it through a Pilates session without hearing repeatedly.

I will definitely take this class again and recommend it. This class is currently offered at many Equinox locations, but look for a version at a gym near you.

DVD Review: Valerie Bertinelli - Losing It and Keeping Fit

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:47:59 -0700

Valerie Bertinelli dramatically transformed her body over the last couple of years, and to help others find success, she made a new fitness video, Valerie Bertinelli - Losing It and Keeping Fit ($15). It's led by her personal trainer Christopher Ross Lane, who has also trained Jillian Michaels.

This video includes two workouts: 20-minute Body Basics and 40-minute Keeping Fit. The first video, aimed at beginners, reviews basic strength-training moves as well as proper form. It's also a good workout if you're short on time, and let me tell you, the word "basic" doesn't mean easy. These challenging moves effectively target your glutes, quads, hamstrings, abs, upper back, and arms. You feel like you're joining Valerie in a private session with her trainer. The workout includes a lot of mat work like push-ups, Superman lifts, and reverse crunches, along with familiar moves like squats and lunges.

To hear about what I didn't like, read more.

The 40-minute routine contains both cardio and sculpting moves with and without dumbbells. Valerie puts in her two cents throughout the video, making comments like, "Oh I knew you were going to make this more challenging," and "Do we have to do the other side?" or "I'm going faster so I can get it over with," which I found this a little annoying. It gives the impression that she's lazy - not exactly a great way to motivate DVD watchers to work out. I do love Christopher's down-to-earth attitude though, and the way he gently pushes you to keep going, saying it feels good and will only make you stronger. Cranking up your own workout playlist would drown out Valerie's complaints, remedying the situation since the moves are easy to follow. I definitely felt worked from head to toe, a major plus, and I know Valerie was just trying to be funny, but I'd rather not hear her sarcastic remarks as I lunge, squat, and sweat.

Get Lifted: Water Pump

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:00:29 -0700

Just because Summer is over, doesn't mean you can neglect sculpting your shoulders. Here's a strength training move that will tone your deltoid, triceps, and biceps.

So grab a pair of dumbbells and read more.

Stand with your feet hip distance apart, arms by your sides, with a dumbbell in each hand. Engage your abs to create a stable base.
Take a breath in and as you exhale, do reach your right arm out to the side doing a lateral side raise until your arm is parallel to the floor, keeping a slight bend in your elbow. Simultaneously, bring your left hand toward your armpit by bending your left elbow out to the side.
Inhale to return back to the starting position.
This counts as one rep. Complete three sets of 12 to 15 reps on each side.

Push-Up Variation: Crocodile Jumps

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:00:46 -0700

I love push-ups. They are one of the best strength training moves out there. Not only do they sculpt your upper body and back, but they also tone your core. Here's a variation that will target your triceps more than regular push-ups since your elbows are in against your body instead of out wide. This exercise will make you stronger, and it's also a great prep for the yoga pose called Crocodile.

Music: "The Man Who Danced Too Slowly" by Baka Beyond

This is a pretty difficult exercise, so if you're up for the challenge keep reading

5 Resistance Band Moves

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:50:10 -0700

Our friends over at the American Council on Exercise (ACE) have shared many workouts with us. There's a morning core workout to target your abs, a hip, thighs, and tush workout to get you ready for bikini season, four exercises for a strong and healthy back, and shoulder sculpting moves to get strapless-dress-ready. ACE has shared another workout with us, this time using a resistance band, that targets a few areas of the body that women say are "trouble spots." So grab a band and get started.

View Slideshow ›

DVD Review: Dance and Be Fit - Abs Burn

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:00:41 -0700

The last DVD of the Dance and Be Fit video series, Abs Burn ($15), targets your middle without a single crunch in the entire 50-minute running time of the video.

The five-minute warm-up is followed by two 20-minute core-sculpting workouts. The first focuses on floor and standing exercises that strengthen and tone your abs and back muscles. Some exercises are pretty basic, like elbow plank, but the instructor builds up to some very unique fluid dance moves like hip pops and turns to add a little variety. All the moves isolate the core muscles, but you also end up working your shoulders, legs, and booty. The moves are a little repetitive, so I found myself looking at the clock, wondering when we'd get to the second section - not a good sign.

The second 20-minute workout begins with some more floor exercises that were very Pilates-like, but there weren't enough repetitions, so I found myself straying from the video and doing my own thing - another bad sign. Overall, I felt like other ab videos I've done have been more effective, such as Body Target - Abs and Shiva Rea - Creative Core Abs.

Feel free to make your own decision though. To see a video clip of this DVD, just read more.

DVD Review: Zumba Total Body Transformation System

FitSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:00:33 -0700

If your home fitness routine is feeling a little dull, you can seriously spice up your workouts by having a Zumba party in front of your DVD player. Zumba is a dance workout that doubles as a tasting tour of popular Latin dances, from salsa to samba. You can experiment with shaking your hips and hone your shoulder shimmy with no one watching but your dog with the Zumba Total Body Transformation System ($60).

This six-DVD set includes a basic workout, which is a 60-minute tutorial of the "basic" dance moves used in Zumba; a 20-minute express workout; two 50-minute dance workouts; a toning workout; and an abs workout. The set also includes two fitness toning sticks - lightweight dumbbells that double as maracas to help you get your rhythm on.

See what I thought of the workout.

Recession Proof Your Fitness: David Kirsch's Free Ultimate Summer Slimdown

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Memorial Day comes a bit early this year, which means we have a little over three weeks to get ready for opening beach day. While you are looking for a program to tighten your abs, celebrity trainer David Kirsch knows that times are tight. After training the likes of Heidi Klum and Anne Hathaway, David is sharing his Ultimate Summer Slimdown for free. Sign up today, since the program starts tomorrow. Kirsch has created an exercise plan designed to maximize fat and calorie burning. It is rigorous, but he will also supply you with a daily dose of motivation and healthy recipes to fuel your workouts.

I received a sneak peek at the program, so learn more about it when you read more.

The first sculpting workout is 45 minutes long and works every muscle. This workout is designed to keep your heart rate up while toning and using a medicine ball, an exercise ball, and hand weights. If you don't have those exercise accessories, get creative.

The moves look fun and challenging, like this plyometric exercise that almost reads like a haiku: sumo lunge with side kick and frog jump. You are asked to combine this workout with another 45 minutes of cardio. Signing up for the challenge is one thing, but David asks that you really dedicate the next three weeks to whipping yourself in shape with his workouts, recipes, and motivation.

Speaking of recipes, check out David's turkey lasagna.

David Kirsch's Turkey Lasagna
David Kirsch's Ultimate Summer Slimdown

Ingredients

Lasagna
½ small eggplant, cut lengthwise in ¼ inch slices
Pinch freshly ground pepper
Pinch cayenne pepper
½ small zucchini, cut lengthwise in ¼ inch slices
4 ounces ground turkey breast
¼ teaspoon ground coriander
½ cup *Marinara Sauce
1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil

Marinara Sauce
1 Vidalia onion, chopped
6 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 cup chopped canned tomatoes
½ cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

Directions
Lasagna:

Preheat oven to 400 F.
Lightly coat a nonstick cookie sheet with nonfat vegetable cooking spray. Place eggplant and zucchini slices on the sheet, cover with foil, and bake for about 15 minutes or until slices are soft. Remove from oven and set aside.
Heat a skillet over medium heat and coat with nonfat vegetable cooking spray. Place ground turkey, coriander, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in the skillet and sauté until brown-approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
Lasagna assembly: Lightly spray an ovenproof baking dish with nonfat vegetable cooking spray. Alternate layers of baked eggplant, ground turkey, marinara sauce, and baked zucchini. Top with marinara sauce. Repeat the process if necessary.
Bake for 15 minutes or until heated through.
Top with chopped fresh basil.

Marinara Sauce:

Heat a medium-sized, nonstick skillet over medium heat and coat with cooking spray. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add the plum tomatoes, canned tomatoes, and basil.
Simmer gently for 15 minutes. Let it cool and refrigerate for 3-5 days, or place in freezer until ready to use.

Print recipe with images | without images

What I want to know now is, are you signing up?