FitSugar

Gym Equipment Explained: Balance Cushion

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:45:00 PDT

Most gyms have these odd looking inflatable discs, but what the heck do you do with it?

Inflatable Balance Disc/Cushion
What is it: A small inflatable cushion/disc that adds an element of instability to a workout. The cushion is typically textured on one side to control tread and minimize tipping. You can easily control the balance challenge by adjusting the inflation (less inflated it is, the harder).
Area of Body it Works: Core and more (depends entirely on how you use it)
Why: The instability, maximizes effort during functional training-- Good for a strong core and lower back.
How: There are many ways you can use the disc but here are some easy ideas --

Place a cushion under your foot/feet when doing squats and lunges.
Place two under your feet when doing sit-ups on an exercise ball.
Place one under your low back when doing crunches on the floor.
Place two under your hands (or one under your feet) during push-ups.
Place one disc under your feet while doing calf raises to strengthen ankles, calves and thighs.
Place one under your hands or feet during a plank.
Place one under your booty while sitting on an average chair to increase the strength of your lower abdomen and back muscles, reducing your risk of back injury from sitting all day.

If you have your own use for the balance cushion, share it with us in the comments section below.

View 5 Photos ›

Source

11 Rules to Dramatically Increase Your Productivity

Wise Bread — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:35:04 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Wise Bread story here on Savvy!

There's a problem with a lot of productivity advice out there, and it's this - your "rules" for personal productivity are often going to be different than mine. Sure, sometimes there's overlap. Sure, you can always learn from others.

But if you want to see a dramatic increase in your productivity, spend less time reading and memorizing other people's rules, and more time figuring out what your own rules are. You'll be more productive and in a way that works with who you are.

So I'm sharing a few of my personal productivity rules. Maybe some of them will work for you or inspire you to think of your own.

1. Small Daily Movements Become Big Accomplishments

I tend to think that I must have big blocks of time in order to get any forward movement. So I hesitate and procrastinate, waiting for that "open time" when I can really push and get a lot done on whatever the current project is.

Turns out, that's a waste of time. Small daily movements add up. It's just that the movements or steps themselves are so small, I think they don't count. They do.

I have to constantly remind myself that I don't need a whole day or a whole week to devote to some project. I just need to take the 10 or 20 minutes I have here and there and use them. I need to achieve a little bit of forward movement every day. That adds up, and it builds momentum, and pretty soon there's been quite a lot accomplished.

For more rules, read after the jump.

13 Signs You’re Too Busy

LearnVest — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:15:38 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

There’s busy.

Then there’s too busy.

Busy is running from one appointment to the next. Too busy is running over someone on your way to the next appointment (physically, vehicularly, whatever). Busy is leaving your cell phone behind at the grocery store. Too busy is leaving your kid behind at the grocery store.

And then there’s the biggest of all ironies-we want to cut back, but frankly, we just don’t have the time to figure out how to do it.

Sound familiar? Well, we’re here to do an intervention-a time intervention. Today, we’ll help you figure out if your life is starting to burst at the seams when it comes to your time. If it is, you need a wake-up call to reset priorities, because there is no shakier foundation for healthy, balanced living (and healthy, balanced money management) than not having the space and breathing room that time provides in our lives.

If you’ve crossed over the line into too busy, you’ll need to reset your foundation: Maybe it means taking a day off from work to reassess your life priorities. Maybe it means evaluating what your time is worth and outsourcing chores like housekeeping or laundry. Maybe it means taking a break from social engagements for a little while to focus on building the right foundation.

Here are 13 signs that you might need a time overhaul in your life-and easy tips on how to get started, today.

You Spend a Good Amount of Time Worrying About Your Time

If your time is preoccupied with, well, your time, you might be: endlessly cycling through your to-do list in your head, spending a lot of time arranging and rearranging your schedule, or wishing throughout the day that you had more time.

If you've worried about your schedule or wished you had more time more than three times a day, you need a break from time itself as a stressor in your life.

Try this: Take a mental break. Remove one thing from your schedule for today that is the least important-it might be putting off doing the laundry or postponing a work call. Spend that time instead totally luxuriating in something in the present moment (like eating a macaron or listening to your favorite song) and not thinking about your schedule, or future plans, at all.

Read on for more.

Shoe Review: Brooks PureCadence

Leta Shy — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:54:49 PDT

The Brooks PureCadence ($120) is part of the company's new PureProject line of minimalist running shoes. The shoes all feature lightweight, flexible, and eco-friendly materials and are designed to improve your stride. The PureCadence, one of four PureProject models designed for different running needs, is made for the overpronator. Show me a stability shoe that's lightweight and cute, and I get excited, so I was more than happy to test out a pair Brooks sent over. If you're in the market for a pair of minimalist shoes for your dry or indoor runs, read on to learn more about the PureCadence.

If you're a regular stability shoe user, your feet will be happily surprised when you slip on these lightweight shoes. Each PureCadence shoe weighs in at 8.3 ounces, but these sneakers don't skimp on support and cushioning. My feet never felt better, whether I was on the treadmill or running in the park, thanks to the Brooks DNA gel-cushioning, which disperses or firms depending on your stride to give you the support you need. And even though I have low arches, I'm a big fan of the Nav Band that wraps around the shoe (you can see the neon green band in the middle of the shoe in the photo) - you can feel the arch support while you run. My runs felt more light and bouncy than normal, thanks not only to the minimalist design but also the small touches that help correct your stride, like split sole to under the big toe to give it room to balance and push off during your runs (see the split in the sole photo above), and a rounded short heel box helps correct your stride to be more mid- or forward-foot.

Keep reading for more about my Brooks PureCadence review.

6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First Yoga Mat

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:57:25 PDT

When I started practicing yoga over 10 years ago, I couldn't wait to own my first yoga mat. I impulsively bought a pretty purple one, based on color alone. Not the best move, as it began disintegrating after a few weeks. What a waste of $35. Like any fitness gear, it pays to do a little research and to know some tips from well-seasoned yogis. Here are things I wish I knew before buying my first yoga mat.

Not All Mats Are Created Equal
Just as there are many types of yoga, there are even more varieties of yoga mats. Some are lightweight for traveling, some are eco-friendly, and some are designed for classes where you don't sweat much. Choose a mat based on the type of yoga you're doing and the amount you perspire. Avoid mats made for other types of exercise like physical therapy or Pilates, as they can be too squishy or slippery.

If You Want It to Last, Spend the Dough
There are plenty of mats that costs $20 or less, but you get what you pay for in the yoga mat world. Typically found at huge stores like Target or Walmart, less-expensive mats not only wear down after a few months, but they're typically made with chemically-smelling plastics like PVC, which aren't good for the Earth or your body. Pricier mats like the Manduka Black Mat cost ~~a small fortune~~ over $90, but you're paying for a durable mat made to last a lifetime (or two). In the long run, you actually save money.

Keep reading for more tips on buying your first yoga mat.

Seven Secrets of Living Without Credit Cards

Bundle — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 03:05:52 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart Bundle story here on Savvy!

Just a few short years ago, it was inconceivable that American shoppers would start to give up paying with plastic. But in the wake of one of the worst economic crises in history, more people are choosing to kick credit cards to the curb. During last year’s Black Friday shopping, about half as many consumers paid with plastic as had the previous year, according to America’s Research Group. And credit card ownership dropped to 67 percent in 2010 from 71 percent in 2008.

What’s it like to live your life off the credit card grid? Is it liberating? Inconvenient? Will your friends think you’re weird? I chatted with a few cash-only converts to find out. Here’s what they said:

You’ll spend less. Ditching credit cards will re-tool your financial perspective like nothing else. All of a sudden, it’s literally impossible to spend beyond your means. If you don’t have the money, you can’t squander it - period. “There’s a definite difference in spending when you use a credit card than when you use a debit card,” says Adam Baker, 26, author of ManVsDebt.com and currently credit card free. “When you’re spending with a credit card, you say, ‘How am I going to pay this off at the end of the month?’ With a debit card, you have to say, ‘Do I have enough money for this in my account?’” In fact, this Bundler spent less after he froze his credit cards into a block of ice.

Read on to find out what it's like to live without credit cards.

Shoe Review: New Balance 890

Susi May — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 02:00:29 PST

The barefoot running trend is, ironically, creeping into sneaker design. Inspired by the phenom of running sans shoes, many popular running shoe brands are bringing lighter weight running shoes to the market this Spring. New Balance, a company that built its reputation on well-cushioned, fortified sneakers, is introducing the revamped 890 running shoe ($100).

It's a bantam weight sneaker - one shoe clocks in at 7.75 ounces according to my little electronic food scale. Shoes this light are usually pared down racing flats, but the 890 is a neutral training shoe, meaning it still offers cushion. New Balance has created the midsole with a new foam, christened REVlite, which weighs nearly one third less of equally durable compounds.

But how does the shoe feel? Well keep on reading

Gear Review: DoD Fitness Tools

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:36:06 PDT

Tightness in the wrists, a kink in the neck, and discomfort in the knees - these pains can disrupt a great workout, interfering with the benefits of toning exercises or yoga poses. DoD Fitness (the acronym stands for Do or Die) created a line of foamy products to help reduce discomfort in the wrists, neck, and knees during poses that typically strain these areas. We tried the Set of All Three ($45), which included Wrist Wedges, Knee Donuts, and a Neck Circle. DoD Fitness Tools are made out of a super light foamy material, so they can be transported easily. No need to deal with towels, because the products are sweat-proof and waterproof too. The line was tested by experts in biomechanics, kinesiology, and chiropractics to ensure that they aid in correct alignment while achieving better comfort.

Find out what we thought of DoD Fitness Tools.

How Not to Blow Your Budget on Vacation

LearnVest — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:15:36 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Whether you’re planning a vacation in Paris or a skydive in the States this summer, we don’t want you counting pennies while you stroll along the Seine or thinking about your savings account as you plummet toward Earth.

Vacations are well-deserved treats and money shouldn’t be a cloud over these precious times away. On the other hand, the “anything goes” spirit that is so intoxicating during a trip can turn a little . . . toxic afterward, when you’re home facing staggering credit card bills.

Follow our tips for staying within your budget on vacation so money concerns don’t interfere with your good times.

Start Planning Early-With A Budget In Mind

The key to optimal vacation spending is-you guessed it-planning and budgeting. About 8% of your total yearly budget can go toward “fun” spending like travel. If you love to travel, you can increase this portion of your budget by cutting other areas. When trip planning, balance your total costs based on 1) where you’re going; 2) how you plan to get there; and 3) what you’ll do once there. For example, while a small island in the Pacific might have really great rates on hotels or restaurants, it might cost a small fortune to fly there-but you’ll save on low-cost beach activities. If you’re on a budget, plan a trip that doesn’t gouge you in all three areas.

(To learn how to find cheap airplane tickets, click here.)

Create A Daily Cash Allowance

After the initial investments of transportation and hotel, set a daily budget for expected food, drink, activities and souvenirs/shopping. Inflate the number by 10% to 15% as a cushion for small emergencies or unforeseen expenses. Vacations are a great time to practice the “cash diet.” Once you arrive at your daily allowance, set aside that amount in separate envelopes for each day and stash the envelopes in the hotel safe. Each day, use only what’s in one envelope. Your credit card can be saved for emergencies.

Read on for more tips on how to save money on your trip.

Tone-Ups vs. EasyTone Flip-Flops vs. TrimTreads

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:00:30 PDT

Just in time for Summer, all those toning sneakers have evolved into seasonal sandals. Essentially, they are slightly unstable flip-flops that force you to work a little bit harder with every step, even though fitness experts question if working harder actually means better. Earlier this month, I received three different brands of toning flip-flops and have been testing them all out as I go about my daily routine. Here is my unscientific impression on these three sandals.

Skechers Tone-Ups
- Price: $49
- Claim: "Burn more calories, tones muscles, improve posture"
- Looks: Thick sole gives it the appearance of a regular flip-flop on steroids. The sequins were a bigger hit with my young daughters than with me.
- Feel: Cushioned flip-flop, comfy, and easy to walk in
- Verdict: I found the Tone-Ups to be quite comfortable, considerably more so than the regular flip-flops due to the thick sole. You can feel the roll bar action of the sole, which makes the shoe unstable, very slightly. The shoes were easy to walk and move in. I am not sure I felt them doing much extra work on my lower legs though.

See what I think of the other two brands when you