As Summer nears, our thoughts turn to what's underneath those layers of Winter clothes. If you're looking to tone your backside and legs before bikini season, here are five essential lower-body moves fundamental to any workout. And don't worry — you can do them anywhere! The squat: That burning in your upper thighs as you hold a squat tells you just how great this move is for lower body Read more

If you're looking to amp up your fitness routine, you need to get unstable. Performing classic single-leg exercises while standing on a foam pad, like the one pictured above by Aeromat, is simple way to do this. The squishy surface forces your core and legs to work harder, increasing your strength gains and caloric burn. Standing on the soft surface also strengthens your feet and ankles, which Read more

Sunny days are here again, which means a long season of shorts, bikinis, and skirts. Showcase your gams with these lower-body workouts that'll have your legs looking toned and strong. The basics: Simple, everyday lower-body exercises that you can do anywhere are the keys to your success. Once you've got the moves down, you can add lunges, squats, and deadlifts to your everyday routine, or even Read more

If the deadlift isn't part of your regular routine, it should be. While the move's name may conjure images of meaty bodybuilders, the exercise is an amazingly effective move for your lower body, especially your glutes, hamstrings, and quads. Not only that, it's great for your core muscles, too. "The act of keeping the core tight while the load is trying to pull you forward is extremely Read more

Today's not just any old Wednesday; it's Leap Day. Having an extra 24 hours in 2012 is a good reminder that we have the time to make exercise a priority, even when lives are hectic. In honor of the day, use this extra time to your advantage with a full, effective workout. Here are five workout ideas to "celebrate" Leap Day. Perfect your squat: Or deadlift, or any other basic move that is a Read more

The Muppets star Amy Adams admits that 18 months after giving birth to Aviana Olea she's OK with the baby weight, "I have a muffin top, and that’s OK right now." Most new moms can relate to holding on to post-baby weight since they're sleep-deprived and way too tired to exercise, or are too busy taking care of their little one to hit the gym, but if you're ready to get rid of your post-baby Read more

Once you've mastered the basic moves of strength training — like squats, lunges, and planks — gym time can become a little dull. Workouts creep by slowly due to boredom, and if you don't push yourself to the next level, you may find your fitness level stalling as you coast onto a plateau. When the going gets boring, it's time to get unstable. Performing seemingly simple exercises on an Read more

If your busy schedule doesn't allow for the recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise, a large study from Taiwan should make you feel better. The 13-year study tracked 416,000 participants and found that just 15 minutes of moderate exercise increased their life expectancy by three years, compared to those who didn't exercise. Daily workouts lower the incidence of cancer, and therefore lower the Read more

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar! The truth hurts. And so did my knee the other day while I was running. I can admit that to myself (and all of you!) now, despite my initial panic about pausing my exercise regimen and falling out of shape right before a beach holiday. I wondered: Would I have to stop working out altogether? Or could I just take it easy and Read more