FitSugar

Fitness Switchup: Boot Camp Instead of Pilates

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Spring is a time of change, and I think it is a perfect time to switch up your fitness routine. If you're starting to dread your Pilates mat class, might I suggest experimenting with a boot camp of some sort?

Pilates is great for training the small muscles that support your skeleton, while boot camps (like TRX and CrossFit) target the larger muscles. You can put your well trained Pilates posture to work while doing squats and lunges, and challenge your well honed Pilates core in a whole new way. It is a good idea to train your body in a variety of ways to keep yourself injury-free and to prevent workout boredom. Not sure how to find a boot camp? Check out this list of CrossFit affiliates.

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DVD Review: Skinny B*tch Fitness - Boot Camp

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:00:00 -0800

First came the book, Skinny B*itch - a saucy self-help book to help ladies change their relationship with food and take control of their lives. Then coauthors and BFFs Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin wrote a cookbook, Skinny B*itch in the Kitch. Now these ladies want to get you moving, so they created some fitness DVDs. The other night I tried their Boot Camp ($10) workout.

After defending the name and the graphics of the DVD to my husband, I worked it in my living room with Rory and Kim. The 45-minute basic workout alternates between dumbbell strength training segments and light to medium cardio. The workout is fun, and Rory and Kim chat, complain, and encourage you throughout the DVD, all the while offering variations for less fit and less flexible folks. These ladies are entertaining and I giggled through bicep curls and squat thrusts. I appreciated their humor and camaraderie, even if it made me roll my eyes occasionally. Eye rolling surely burns extra calories, right? The workout ends with ab work, including crunches and planks. The gals have also dreamed up five five-minute workouts for the severely time-crunched fitness enthusiast.

I enjoyed this boot camp workout. I love mixing strength training into my cardio. This workout will not get your heart pounding hard for long periods of time, but my heart rate stayed solidly in my fat burning zone for most of the workout with occasional upward spikes during squat thrusts.

This is a great DVD to work out with on a rainy day. It gets you moving and makes you smile. You can buy it directly from Warner Brothers.

Do you have any questions you are dying to ask these skinny b*itches? I am going to interview Rory and Kim soon, and if there is something you are dying to know about their advice, books, or DVDs, leave your question in the comments section below and I will try to work it into the conversation.

Train With Madonna's Trainer!

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Tracy Anderson, who is known best for training Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow, is taking her signature Method to the club.

Tracy has teamed up with Reebok Sports Club/NY for an intense two-week boot camp that promises you'll shed pounds while toning your body. This three hour per night boot camp starts on Monday, June 16 and as you may have guessed, training with Madonna's trainer does not come cheap: it's $2500 for members and $3000 for nonmembers. Call (212) 501-1429 to register.

Don't live in NY or have $3000 lying around? You can buy Tracy's Dance Aerobics DVD for $30.

FREE Boot Camp Classes!

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 09:00:00 -0700

I know it sounds too good to be true so here is the deal...

A bay area fitness expert is offering the Ultimate Outdoor Bootcamp FREE to residents on Saturday mornings at 8:00 am (rain or shine), at the Los Gatos Library in Los Gatos, Ca. Sign up at UltimateBodyPotential.com.

For everyone that does not live in the bay area, you can get your own FREE boot camp workout with my mini boot camp video -- I promise you'll feel the burn!

Also, check around for local boot camp classes near you. It's not uncommon for gyms to offer free trial classes for newbies.

Class Act: Boot Camps

FitSugar — Thu, 17 May 2007 12:30:00 -0700

It is always interesting to watch fitness trends - remember the high-impact aerobics craze of the 80's? Well, boot camps are all the rage these days and I must say I think they are a great product of the trickle down theory and reappropriation of something from the industrial-military complex.

There are many variations out there on the boot camp theme. There are camps for: new mothers, ladies only, marathoners, ones that focus on survival and self defense skills, and even ones dedicated to fitness and spiritual growth.

Even with these variations, boot camps tend to have a couple of things in common. They are generally outside, and they combine elements of cardio with strength training. Every minute of the hour session is packed with multi-tasking exercises. You don't just hold a plank, you also perform a one arm row in that challenging position. Resting in between lunge sets - never!!! Try some relaxing jumping jacks. Talk about an efficient work out.

Some gyms offer boot camp classes, that are either inside or outside, but many boot camps are independent operations, created and run by individuals dedicated to getting the participants fit. Many programs offer a discount on class packages for returning students, and that just might be incentive enough to keep you going. Do expect to be lectured about nutrition too since these folks want to make you healthy from the inside out.

Fit's Tip: If you are looking to start a boot camp find out about the class size and instructor to student ratio. Make sure the camp does a fitness assessment of you before you get into the thick of it. This way they can appropriately set goals for you.

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Class Act: Pilates Boot Camp

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:30:00 -0700

Most people think of Pilates as a mind/body exercise, and they think Pilates is a slow, nit-picky form of exercise. Now that boot camps and circuit training are big trends in the fitness world, Pilates studios and gyms are creating boot camps of their own. I was lucky enough to participate in a Pilates-style boot camp yesterday morning sponsored by Balanced Body at the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association convention happening here in SF this week.

The class was super fun, quick paced, and worked me from the big toe to the top of my head. This class was broken into four 12-minute circuits, with each circuit utilizing a different piece of Pilates equipment: Cadillac wall unit, chair, Reformer, and the Arc. Pilates equipment is so versatile, so the variety of exercises you could do in a circuit-style class is endless. Plus it is easy to incorporate classic gym moves like squats and lunges using the Cadillac wall unit springs for added resistance and/or assistance, depending on the exercise. Alternating backward lunges holding onto arm springs is an excellent challenge.

To hear more about the class, just read more.

The class was fast-paced and my heart rate was highest for the standing leg section combining squats with arm exercises with springs. The most challenging section was on the chair, and if I didn't know Pilates this circuit might seem confusing. But chair work is great for the core since you have to support your torso no matter the position of your body. The Arc section was mostly abs and core work, while the Reformer section managed to work arms, abs, glutes, legs, and stability in 12 minutes. If you have a chance to try a Pilates boot camp, I think you should. While it helps to have Pilates experience, you could definitely follow along without any. Due to the fast-paced group situation, these classes are not about the precision often associated with the Pilates method. But a Pilates boot camp will get you strong, centered, and work your abs without you even knowing it - until the next day, of course.

Boot Camp For Veterans Day

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:30:00 -0800

Up in the Napa Valley, where gourmands rule the roost, Veterans Day is celebrated with a celebrity-chef luncheon honoring the veterans in the area. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I want to honor our country's brave vets with a little round of posts about boot camps. That is as militaristic as it gets here at FitSugar.

Boot-camp workout programs are popping up all over and if you want to know what you can expect when you sign up for one you should read:
Class Act: Boot Camps. It should answer your questions, allay your fears, and get you motivated to join one.
Looking to combine exercise and travel? You can head to an exotic destination for a bikini-boot camp.
Check out this mini boot camp workout! For more details and a printable version of the workout, read: Exercise Video: Mini Boot Camp

Before the Big Day: Bridal Boot Camp

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700

April means flowers and wedding showers, and for many newly engaged brides, it's time to start thinking about how to get in shape for the big day. Many women take a boot camp approach, using a focused fitness plan to stay on course. Thankfully, there are boot camps for every budget; here are three options to help you along.

Bridal retreats. Live in Fitness recently began offering a multiweek Bridal Retreat program, where women stay in a one-bedroom suite in Southern California and train from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with breaks for healthy meals. Not surprisingly, it'll cost you around $8,000 for two weeks.
Online programs: From Cynthia Conde's Bridal Bootcamp, which helps you create customized fitness and eating plans, to simple, downloadable regimens like Shape's Total Body Wedding Workout, there are oodles of online resources designed just for brides.
Wedding DVDs: If you prefer to work it at home, pick out a bridal-specific video, such as The Wedding Workout from Women's Health or this Wedding Boot Camp DVD.

For more wedding tips, check out all of the Sugar Network’s wedding coverage here.

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Exercise Video: Mini Boot Camp

FitSugar — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Looking for some moves to add to your workout? Moves that don't require any props or accessories, just a healthy "can do" attitude?

Well here's 6 minutes worth of moves that work your legs, arms, and abs. These are whole body, multitasking moves. You get some serious bang for your buck here. Add this workout into your routine and use it to split up time on a cardio equipment, or after your run. So the routine would go something like this: 10 minutes on the treadmill, mini boot camp, 10 minutes on elliptical, mini boot camp . . . you get the idea. Try it out and let me know what you think.

There is an isometric crab at the end of the video, if you feel you heart rate is still high you should hold off since the abrupt stop in motion is not the best for your heart.

There are a few tips, to see them just read more

Boot Strappers:
If you have tight hamstrings, straighten your knees only as far as is comfortable, but DO keep your hands on the ground.
Don't jam your knees to a hyper-extended position. Straighten them using your muscles not, brute force and momentum.
Exhale as you straighten your knees and really engage your abs while you do this by pulling your belly button to your spine.
Push Ups:
Try to do full body push ups, but move to your knees when your arms feel like they are about to give out.
Plank with Leg Lifts
Just hold steady and really keep your center engaged.
Squats
Go as low as you can to really work your back side.
Alternating Side Lunges
Take this move easy if you have tight inner thighs - stretch them like this.

Here's the Take It to the Gym printer friendly version of the Mini Boot Camp. Seriously, you should print it out and take it with you to the gym!!!

Bikini Boot Camp in Mexico: Amansala

FitSugar — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 04:00:00 -0800

Amansala, a super fabulous Mexican eco-resort and spa, offers a six-night Bikini Boot Camp program that is limited to 25 men and women, held on the beautiful, remote beach of Tulum, Mexico. Could there be a better place to get bikini ready? Possibly not.

While doing the Bikini Boot Camp, your days start with a beach or jungle power walk followed by a combination of body sculpting, power ab sessions or Pilates and end with yoga and meditation. When you're not doing that, there are excursions to the nearby jungle for swimming and snorkeling in fresh water swimming holes, visits to Mayan ruins and pampering with beach side massages, Mayan Clay Treatments and plenty of sunshine. Yes please.

It's not all about exercise at Bikini Boot Camp, the low fat diet consists of all local chemical free food such as fresh caught grilled fish, mangos, jicima salads and other delicious low calorie selections. Yum.

To see some beautiful pics of what you'll be seeing while you're there, read more

View 10 Photos ›

The relaxing, beautiful setting, along with the healthy meals, and activity filled days make for a perfect way to get your body bikini ready. It definitely doesn't hurt that you'll be in a beautiful part of Mexico as well as surrounded by people with the same goals in mind.

Six night programs are held year round. Three & four night programs available upon request. 6 nights will run you $1,842 per person but it is all inclusive, so it could be worse. For more information and to make a reservation, please visit Amansala online.