FitSugar

What's the Deal with: The Bar Method?

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Looking for a new way to get fit? Maybe you should try the bar. Not that type of bar, silly...

The Bar Method exercise system is another way to create a lean, firm, sculpted body by reshaping and elongating muscles while maintaining an intense pace that burns fat and increases stamina. The class is usually an hour long and composed of eight or nine strengthening exercises followed by stretching. The strength work combines holding positions that use the body’s own weight with small, controlled moves that increase range of motion and stamina. Stretching is focused on the hips, chest and lower back to improve posture and body alignment. Students begin the class with free weights and push-ups, move to the ballet bar to work their legs and abdominals, and finish on mats for more core work and stretching (basically interval training). The Bar Method is great for working tight muscles, especially those around the hips and lower back that get that way from sitting hours and hours a day at your desk.

To learn more about where you can take it as well as to see a few examples of the kind of exercises you'll be doing in a class, read more

I sense a little friendly competition between The Bar Method with Pilates and Yoga folks, but the bottom line is that with any method you choose, you'll be doing something good for your body. Personally I like The Bar Method because it brings out the dancer in me -- Who doesn't have fun pretending to be a prima ballerina doing bar work? To learn more including where you can take a class, visit BarMethod.com.

Right now there are only studios in California and Connecticut, so if you don't live in those areas, you may want to check out the The Bar Method DVD's. I did it, so check out my review on it.

Here are some sample exercises you may find in a class:

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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?

Tired of Your Old Fitness DVDs? Swap Them

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:00:05 -0700

I've accumulated a bunch of fitness DVDs over the years. Some will forever be favorites, like Core Fusion Body Sculpt, and some I've only tried once, like Valerie Bertinelli's Losing It and Keeping Fit.

What's a girl to do with the stacks of fitness DVDs she never uses? Trade them for something she will use. SwapaDvd.com is a website that allows you to post DVDs you no longer want. Once you post 10 to your "DVD Tower," you get one "gift" credit from the site. Then you can start swapping with other users. When someone wants your DVD, you mail it to them (yes, you pay the postage, which is typically $1.85), and you earn one credit toward a video you want. When you request a DVD, the owner will mail it to you. It's a great way to get rid of workout videos you're bored with, and to try something new. Once you're done with exercise DVDs you've received, you can always re-post them for others to request. Great idea, huh?

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.

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.

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Back on Track: Order Some New Fitness DVDs

FitSugar — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 03:30:00 -0700

If you're doing the same types of workouts over and over again, the boredom can lead to skipping out on exercise entirely. So before that happens, you've got to mix up your routine a little. One way to do that is to try out some new fitness DVDs. So get online or head to the bookstore and pick up a few new videos. Need ideas? Here are some of my faves:

	Shiva Rea - Creative Core + Upper Body: This yoga video is a total body workout, but like the name suggests, it really focuses on your upper body. I was so sore the next day with all the push-up sets you do in between poses. It's a great video for beginner and advanced yogis alike.
	Zumba Total Body Transformation System: It's a low impact, fun workout, and the Latin music is infectious - it's hard to stay still with the enticing beats.

To see the rest read more.

	10 Minute Solution KnockOut Body: This kickboxing video comes with weighted gloves, and I was glistening with sweat by the end with all the kicking, jumping, punching, lunges, and sculpting moves.
	Element Pilates Weight Loss For Beginners: The perfect introduction for beginners, but veterans won't be bored, especially if you use the workout to ease into the day.
	Hoopnotica - Hoopdance Basics: Hooping is a unique workout that uses an adult-size weighted hula hoop. Not only is it an awesome cardio workout, but all the tricks you can learn also sculpt your core and upper body.

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.

Shape Your Tush With Tips From Booty Master David Kirsch

FitSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:30:36 -0700

Celebrity trainer David Kirsch's tips are all about the backside in his aptly titled upcoming book, Butt Book. Supermodel Karolina Kurkova was so impressed with Kirsch's ability to shape her booty that she affectionately calls him "Master of the Ass." High praise from someone whose job is looking hot in little clothing.

While promoting his book, the master shared some of his sculpting tips with Shape and suggests doing a variety of moves, like sumo lunges, platypus walk, and plié squats. To see what he recommends for people who worry about their quadriceps becoming bulky while strengthening and shaping their booty, read more.

Kirsch told Shape that anyone worried about bulking up their quads should stay away from traditional squats and explained,

They're going to [want] do a wide-stance squat or a plié squat, which is second position dance, opening up your legs and bringing the focus to the inner thighs and not to the quads. Don't use excessive weight and keep repetitions high. I use body weight or a medicine ball or light hand weights.

There you have it, from the master himself. Would you buy his book that's all about achieving your ideal booty?