FitSugar

5 Pilates Moves That Will Get You Ready For Bikini Season

Leta Shy — Tue, 24 May 2011 08:42:53 PDT

Whether you're dancing your way to dropped pounds or making like a ballerina on the barre, there's no end of trendy workouts to try. But one workout that's shown the test of time is Pilates: the exercises are great for toning and targeting muscle groups, which is perfect for upcoming bikini season. And don't be fooled; these exercises will have you sweating! Here are 5-targeted moves to start working into your exercise routine in time for bikini season!

Abs

Pilates is the perfect workout for your abs. It engages the transverse abdominal muscles, which are your deep abs, so these exercises not only help you get a toned stomach but also strengthen the muscle that helps "suck everything in." Try this ab sculpting series from celebrity trainer Nicole Stuart that includes Pilates basics like The Hundred and Single Leg Stretch.

Glutes

Pippa Middleton's love of Pilates may have been the key to her famous backside. Get your own attention-worthy bum with Pilates exercises that target your glutes. Try the Swimming Frog, for example. This move mimics the moves of an amphibian to tone your back as well as your backside. You can also try the move with a basketball between your legs to make it more challenging.

Check out three more moves for three different areas after the break!

Work That Backside With This Video From Tone It Up

Fit Community — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 03:55:45 PDT

Get ready for bikini season with this beach bum workout from the Tone It Up girls, Karina and Katrena. This workout "lifts and tones the booty and backs of the legs."

Get more great tips from the Tone It Up girls in the Tone It Up community group.

How the Victoria's Secret Models Get Bikini Ready

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:00:51 PDT

While promoting the new Victoria's Secret swimsuit catalog, models Miranda Kerr and Alessandra Ambrosio shared with E! Online their secrets for getting bikini bod ready. Though good genes and youth play an obvious part, the models make sure to eat right and work out regularly. "The first step is eating healthy," Miranda says. "I predominantly eat organic when I can. I eat extremely healthy because when I do, I have more energy."

As for what she eats, Miranda is a big fan of "spinach, avocado, lots of greens and broccoli." Like Miranda, Alessandra's diet also includes a lot of greens, but she admits that she can't pass up a good steak: " . . . I love meat, so lots of protein." Both women think the occasional indulgence is important so you don't feel like you are constantly depriving yourself - chocolate and french fries are their cheat foods.

To keep her body svelte and toned, Miranda does "yoga, Pilates, and low resistance weight training." She also makes use of the hotel gym during her frequent travels and hits the stair climber whenever she has the chance.

Although Memorial Day might be a few months away, now is the time to start working out so you'll be bikini ready by the Summer. If you're hoping to don a two-piece this season, give trainer Jackie Warner's beach body workout a try.

Get the Bod: Jessica Biel's Abs

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:00:04 PST

You love Jessica Biel; we know that. I mean, for three years running she's been voted the fittest female celebrity by you, our readers. It's easy to see why. Jessica always looks toned, slim, and strong. We already know how Jessica keeps her arms in shape, and now we know how she works those abs. Trainer Ramona Braganza shared with Us Magazine the details of how she kept Jessica in shape while filming the A-Team: "Jessica is in great shape. She maintains her body and doesn't necessarily have to train every day." Check out some of the exercises Braganza did with Jessica to work those abs. Added bonus: they're easy enough to do in your own home!

Source: Getty

5 Ways To a Flatter Belly

FitSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:30:00 PDT

We all know that the best way to a flat belly is by burning calories and fat through cardio. Bloating on the other hand, is its own beast and nothing kills a day at the beach than feeling super bloated.

Luckily there are easy ways to reduce bloating so that you can show-off that tummy you've been working so hard to get. Check out my top five ways to reduce bloating for bikini season:

Stay away from salt. Too much sodium is not only bad for your heart, but will cause you to retain water and feel bloated.
Drink Water. Being dehydrated is a sure way to cause you to retain water, so be sure you drink enough water to keep your body hydrated.
Limit gassy foods. Some foods (such as lentils, artichokes, wheat bran, carbonated drinks, and more) create more gases in your body than others so you may want to limit them if you're about to suit up.

There are two more so

5 Things Every Summer Shape-Up Plan Should Include

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:45:00 PST

It's not too late to get in shape for Summer and it's never too late to get in shape for life. Re-evaluate your Summer shape-up plan to make sure it incorporates the following basic must-have actions:

Doing 30 minutes of Cardio five times per week.
Doing two days of strength training per week.
Eating at least five fruits and veggies per day.
Recording and tracking your progress daily.
Generally burning off more calories than you eat.

What is a must in your Summer shape-up plan? Share it in the comments section below.

Source

Kate Hudson: At Peace in a Two Piece

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:24:43 PST

Kate Hudson, who's been under pregnancy watch for some time now, has no problem strutting around in a bikini. Perhaps she signed the Body Peace Project, but Kate seems to be totally at peace with her own body image. Or at least that is what she recently told Total Film magazine about her role in Fool's Gold. Here's more:

"I've danced my whole life, I work out all the time and I'm not worried about being totally perfect.

[My character is] a diver, so I'm not wearing this tiny string bikini; they're more the Speedo-type bikini – you know, the ones that cover pretty much everything."

What about you guys? Bathing suit season is just around the corner, so are you too worried about being perfect to wear a bathing suit or will you rock your suit no matter what?

Pacific Coast News Online

Get Motivated: Reevaluate Your Goals

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:45:00 PST

Bikini season is right around the corner. That's good if you've been dedicated to getting fit, or bad if you've let the cold weather get the best of you. If you fall into the category of the latter then it's time to get back on track. One way to start is by reevaluating your goals for getting fit. As the weather changes, so may your goals (à la a new bikini). Reevaluate and list all the reasons you want to shape up and then carry it around with you as a reminder. I keep my list folded up in my wallet, so I can take a peek whenever I need a little push on deciding to go to the gym or not - it pushes me when I'm feeling lazy.

So tell me, what's on your list? Write them in the comments section below.

Source

Are You Doing Anything to Prepare For Bikini Season?

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 08:45:00 PDT

The onset of bikini season (or any old swimsuit for that matter) reminds me a lot like when New Year's rolls around since people make all sorts of claims of what they are going to do differently. This bikini season have you adopted a new plan for getting into that bikini?

"Ab"solutely Don't Overwork Your Abs!

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:30:00 PDT

I know that bikini season is approaching fast. I also know that we are all looking to get those abs in tip-top shape; with this in mind, many of us have the tendency to go a little ab crazy right now. However, if you overwork them, you may be doing more harm than good.

The abs are like any other muscle in the body -- Intense work followed by a period of rest and recuperation (at least 48 hours) is the best way to develop them. Working them out on a daily basis is not a great idea because you are not allowing for that essential rest time. Think about having an intense "ab" day once or twice a week -- This would be a day that you only focus on exercising your abs, proceeded or followed with at least 30 minutes of cardio, of course.

I know it's tempting, but resist the urge to do those once obligatory 100 crunches at the end of your workout every single day. You and your abs can thank me later.