FitSugar

Get Physical: How Bout Some Wiffle Ball?

FitSugar — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 03:30:00 PDT

Since baseball season is in full gear, why not get outside and hit some wiffle balls? It's fun, easy to play, and sure to relieve some stress (laughing at yourself is the best part).

One great thing about this "sport" is that the equipment has to be just about the cheapest on the planet -- The ball and bat cost $4.25 through Amazon. Another great thing - a dinky wiffle ball can't cause nearly as much damage (to people and windows) as a dense baseball. Plus you can play with only 2 people - you and your honey.

The most fun part is trying to hit the ball, so you can just take turns pitching and swinging, or if you're really into it, you can make lines on the field. I just use cones or jump ropes that designate Single, Double, Triple, and Home Run. So every time the person hits the ball, you can keep track of where the "runners" are on the bases. I also like to use a chalkboard to help me remember.

Of course, if you want to play with more people, or you want to get more exercise, you can set up bases and actually run around them. It's up to you. Either way, I always end up having a great time. Plus wiffle ball is all about hand-eye-coordination, so it doesn't take much muscle power. That means you very well could beat your friend or lover in a friendly game of wiffle ball.

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Get in Gear: Baden Pink Soccer Ball

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 02:00:00 PDT

I grew up playing soccer and realized it is time to introduce my girly-girl to the sport. I was looking for the right ball since my daughter is very particular about design, and I found this Pink soccer ball by Baden. It even has a cool "liquid" pattern all over the ball. It comes only in size 4, but no worries since that is the official size and weight.

Girls and soccer just go together, ain't that right Mia? So why not bend it like Beckham in your own back yard. Or take it to the park and be the envy of all the soccer grrls. Buy one from Hit.Run.Score. for $14.99.

Dodgeball? A Workout?

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 08:45:00 PDT

Okay, I'm having major PE flashbacks here. Dodgeball was definitely not my favorite sport as a child, but Dodgeball, the movie definitely sparked my interest in the sport as an adult.

I just found out that Crunch Fitness Gyms offer Dodgeball 101 classes.

Dodgeball is back folks! You get a great cardio workout from all that running around, ducking, and throwing balls. Playing this fast-paced game as an adult is much more fun, since now you have more throwing and aiming skills, not to mention upper body strength and speed. I always end up laughing my ass off, so it's a great way to relieve stress. Plus, since you are playing a game you forget that you are working out.

You're interested now, aren't you? To find a Crunch Fitness Gym near you, check out this map of gym locations.

Fit's Tips: If you're even more into it, you can also join a local Dodgeball team or league. Check around in your area to see where they're offered (try the YMCA), so your team can start practicing for the 2007 National Dodgeball Championship.

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4 Reasons to Add an Exercise Ball to Your Home Gym

Leta Shy — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:58:44 PDT

The exercise ball may occupy a lot of room in your home gym, but it's one versatile piece of equipment. Find out how to get the most out of your exercise ball below.

A healthier seat: Ditch your normal seat on the couch and sit on an exercise ball instead. Using a ball to sit helps correct your posture, tones your abs, and encourages you to stretch, all of which sounds a lot better than the lower back pain that too much sitting on the couch can cause.

Routine shakeup: Adding an exercise ball to your normal mat routines can shake things up and challenge you. For example, you can plank using an exercise ball at your feet to make holding your pose that much harder, or sit or lay on your exercise ball while you execute arm exercises. Even just practicing your balance by kneeling on the exercise ball can help you tone and whittle. Need some ideas? Try these amazingly effective ab and butt workouts using the exercise ball:

Find out how to do the plank pike and the hamstring curl using an exercise ball with this advanced exercise ball workout video.
Skip boring crunches and do this ball pass ab exercise instead.
Challenge your core and balance with this single-leg squat, done against a wall using an exercise ball.
Lie on the ball and work your arms with this chest press move.

Read on for more reasons to use an exercise ball.

Milla Jovovich Shares Her New Big Project (and Her Look)

Annie Tomlin — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:41:14 PDT

You might know Milla Jovovich as a model and actress, but her talents don't end there; she's a singer and musician, too. Last night, at a Chopard and L'Oréal Paris bash, Milla shared a bit about her new synth-pop single, "Electric Sky," which she debuted at the Life Ball in Vienna. "It's really exciting," she said of her forthcoming EP. "It was me and my two closest friends. We just did it in my home studio, on the computer." Next up? An accompanying video, which, like the single, will be available online for free. In the meantime, we'll settle for borrowing her summery makeup palette. She wore L'Oréal's Infallible eye shadow in Amber Rush and Infallible Le Rouge lipstick in Charismatic Coral. Like just about everything else Milla puts together, it's a beautifully unconventional pairing.

- Additional reporting by Allie Merriam

6 Beach Workouts For a Sunny Memorial Day Weekend

Leta Shy — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:52:50 PDT

Hopefully this weekend will involve some fun in the sun, but that doesn't have to be limited to sipping a frozen cocktail on a deck chair. To get you inspired for an outdoor sweat session, we've rounded up some fun fitness routines for the beach - check off your daily workout for the day while enjoying the sun!

Fit and fast: Got 12 minutes? Do this simple CrossFit circuit workout as hard as you can. Bonus: after the intense session, all you have to do is take a dip in the sea!
Leg up: Want to tone legs and thighs? This leg workout from a FitSugar reader helps save your knees from too many squats - and you can do the moves while laying out in the sun.
On the ball: If you happen to have an exercise ball handy, this Kerri Walsh-approved full-body workout will get you in pro-athlete shape.

More beach workouts to inspire you after the break!

Barre Workouts are Expensive! Try This At-Home Alternative Instead

Self — Wed, 23 May 2012 04:23:06 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Barre classes may make you easy on the eyes, but at $20 or more a pop, they're definitely not easy on the wallet. Rather than take a second job to pay for our latest fitness addiction, we turned to Beverly Hill-based Cardio Barre instructor Stacey Bosworth to get the inside scoop on scoring a long, lean dancer's body in your living room. "This at-home workout is effective because it targets the whole lower body. Cardio Barre is amazing because it is a no-impact workout that allows you to lengthen and strengthen your muscles while burning fat. It will also help increase your flexibility and strength," says Bosworth.

Celebrity devotees, including Dakota Fanning, Neve Campbell, and Heather Morris, can all attest to the fact that Cardio Barre has given them "a lifted tush and leaner, dancer-like legs!" Incorporate these three moves into your regular routine three times a week for maximum results.

Butt Blaster
Come down to the floor on both forearms with your knees bent. Your left hip is directly over your left knee. Your right leg is bent to a 90-degree angle with your foot flexed. Extend your right leg toward the ceiling as if you were pushing the ceiling away from you (see photo above). Bring your right leg down past your left hip and then back up toward the ceiling, keeping your leg parallel to the floor with your kneecap pointing toward the ground and your foot flexed. You are doing a full range of motion, trying to imagine extending your leg all the way through the ceiling.

Keep reading for more barre moves you can do at home!

Oscar de la Renta Resort 2013 Takes Us on a Luxe Ladylike Picnic - See the Complete Collection Here

Marisa Tom — Tue, 22 May 2012 07:43:10 PDT

Oscar de la Renta's Resort 2013 collection offered up a plethora of plush, picnic-ready looks for sunny days ahead. And while you may have pastoral images of lazy lawn spreads and fruit-filled wicker baskets in mind, this country-chic girl wears her gingham prints in luxe satins and silks. The iconic designer presented a cool mix of traditionally sleek looks - black-and-white short suits, apple red tea party frocks, and bright peplum tops - along with quirkier pieces, like a silk and sequined baseball t-shirt paired up with a decadent gingham ball skirt. If the more daytime-friendly wares don't inspire dreams of frolicking in a manicured meadow, then de la Renta's signature frothy gowns will certainly transport you to an evening under the stars in the French Riviera. Above all, this is an ultrafresh lineup with classic and cool-girl appeal. To see every Resort '13 look, just keep clicking.

Carrie Underwood Poses With Husband Mike Fisher at the Billboard Music Awards

Lauren Turner — Sun, 20 May 2012 17:30:46 PDT

Carrie Underwood brought her husband, Mike Fisher, as her date to the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas this evening. She dressed up in a sparkly Oscar de la Renta ball gown and accessorized with a pink jeweled clutch. Carrie is performing at tonight's show, which is being hosted by Modern Family's Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen. It's been a busy few weeks for Carrie, who released her album Blown Away earlier this month.

Shia and Tom Hardy Bring a Double Dose of Hotness to Cannes For Lawless

Molly Goodson — Sat, 19 May 2012 08:56:02 PDT

Shia LaBeouf and Tom Hardy play brothers on the big screen in Lawless, which they debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, today. The two made a handsome pair at their morning photocall, where they joined their leading ladies Jessica Chastain and Mia Wasikowska. Shia was sporting a well-manicured scruff while Tom has clearly been growing out his facial hair. Jessica has been the belle of the ball at the festival so far, hitting up many red carpets and also promoting Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted yesterday. The film, which was formerly called The Wettest County in the World, has its big red-carpet premiere later on Saturday. The movie was met by positive reviews from the press who checked out the first screening. We had a chance to see Lawless this morning and will be chatting with the cast tomorrow.

We're on the ground here at the festival, so don't miss all of the Cannes celebrity pictures so far and follow PopSugar on Twitter for all of our updates.