FitSugar

Tighten Every Inch to Pinch: a Workout Video From Tone It Up

Fit Community — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 05:50:00 PDT

If you enjoyed the stability ball workout and bikini boot camp video from the Tone It Up group, here's a whole body toning workout video from Karena and Katrina.

Hey FitSugar community! It's Karena and Katrina from Tone It Up! This is one of our best workouts yet . . . only six minutes and it tightens and tones your whole body!

Tone up with this great total body workout! This high energy circuit can be done anywhere and will tone up your entire body with just a few simple moves.

To get the printable workout and more great tips from the Tone It Up girls, just check out the workout here.

From the Tone It Up Group: Three Moves to Tone Your Body

Fit Community — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:30:12 PDT

If you enjoyed the stability ball workout and bikini boot camp video from the Tone It Up group, here's a whole body toning workout video from Karena and Katrina.

Hi everyone! It's Karena and Katrina from Toneitup.com. Check out our Tone It Up video featuring three quick moves to tone your entire body in no time at all! These moves are fast, easy, and you can do them anywhere. Watch our video and then take a look at the printable version of the workout.

To get the printable workout and more great tips from the Tone It Up girls, just check out the workout here.

If you love the Tone It Up workouts, sign up for the Tone It Up community group, or share your own workouts in the FitSugar Community.

Why Gwyneth Paltrow Feels Comfortable in Shorts

FitSugar — Fri, 07 May 2010 05:50:14 PDT

Given that so much of the world is in the midst of Iron Man 2 fever, there has been a lot of talk about how Gwyneth Paltrow got in shape for the movie. We already know that she put on 10 pounds of lean muscle to portray Tony Stark's devoted assistant Pepper Potts. In the latest GOOP newsletter, Gwyneth shares even more details about how she got there with trainer Tracy Anderson's help.

Tracy developed a "terrifically difficult leg series" for Gwyneth to follow that consists of a 26-minute mat workout. In addition to this leg series, Gwyneth also did 45 minutes of Tracy's dance cardio and arm series while filming the movie. But what was most difficult for the star was having to diet. Gwyneth has said several times that the reason she works out so intensely is so she can eat whatever she wants. In order to really ramp things up and drop her "Winter weight," Gwyneth went on a strict five-day diet that included fresh juices and smoothies, healthy wraps, kombucha, salad, and soup. Says Gwyneth, "This regime got me into the shape of my life and I continue to return to it when I have a specific event so that I can do ridiculous things like be a 37-year-old mother of two and wear shorts!"

To see the video that Tracy made for Gwyneth,

While this is just a little tease of the leg series that Tracy developed for Gwyneth, the trainer is offering the entire video on her website for free.

How Many Fitness DVDs Do You Own?

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:47:01 PST

I have a shelf on one of my bookcases devoted purely to workout videos, because let's face it - between work, my family, and other obligations, getting to the gym or to a class doesn't always happen. I love knowing I can pop in a video whenever I have space in my schedule, and feel good about having a little "me time," even if it's only for 10 minutes. Plus, since there are so many types of fitness DVDs out there, I can strengthen my core doing Pilates, stretch my hamstrings doing yoga, or sweat it out kickboxing, depending on my mood. I definitely own more than 11 videos; what about you?

Push-Up Variation: Crocodile Jumps

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:00:46 PDT

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

Push-Up Variation: Add In a Superman

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:30:01 PDT

Push-ups strengthen your upper body, and here's a variation that will also work the muscles in your back - just add in another no equipment necessary move, the superman.

Music: "Two of Us" by Aimee Mann and Michael Penn

To learn how to do this exercise,

Begin on your belly in the superman, or X position, with your arms and legs out wide.
Inhale and lift your head, arms, chest, and legs off the floor, like Superman.
Then as you exhale, lower your body and plant your palms and feet on the floor. Inhale to straighten your arms and lift into plank position (top of a push-up). Hold here briefly, then exhale and bend your elbows behind you as you lower down.
This counts as one repetition. Complete 20, or as many as you can in one minute.

Multitasking Move: Burning Squats

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:00:20 PDT

Strengthening your quads not only prevents injuries to your knees when running, but it also makes you stronger and faster. Not to mention, toned thighs also look great in a bathing suit. Here's a squat sequence I love to do because it instantly burns my thighs. When you do squats holding weights, it'll also work your upper body, so this exercise is super challenging. You're guaranteed to feel sore the next day.

Music: "As is," by Ani Difranco

For details on how to do this squat sequence,

Stand with your feet together. Place a dumbbell in each hand, bend your elbows and rest the weights gently on your shoulders. Do 10 squats here.
Then separate your feet hips-width distance apart and straighten your arms overhead. Do another 10 squats.
Next, bend your elbows at 90-degree angles and separate your feet even further. Point your toes out slightly and do 10 wide squats.
Bring your feet back in so they're hips-width distance apart. Straighten your arms overhead and do 10 more squats.
Step your feet back together, bend your elbows, and rest the weights on your shoulders for the last 10 squats.
Repeat sequence a total of three times.

Push-Up Variation: Grasshopper Push-Up

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:30:00 PDT

To tone up your upper body for strapless dress and tank top season, push-ups are my favorite. I love that you don't need any equipment to do them, and they're so effective that it only takes a few reps before you start feeling it. Here's a challenging variation that will also increase flexibility in your lower back.

Music: "Every Ghetto, Every City" by Lauryn Hill

To learn how to do this exercise,

Come into plank position (top of a push-up), with your hands under your shoulders, and your body in one straight line.
As you bend your elbows out to the side and lower your torso toward the floor, step your right leg through the space between your left hand and foot, and cross it all the way over to the left side, resting on the outer edge of your foot. Keep your leg straight if you can.
As you straighten your arms, step your right foot back so you're in plank position once again. Now lower your body and cross your left leg over to the right side. Straighten your arms and come back to plank position. This counts as one rep.
Complete as many reps as you can. Don't be discouraged if you can't do too many, since this is a really challenging exercise.

DVD Review: Shiva Rea - Surf Yoga Soul

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:00:00 PDT

I'm a huge fan of Shiva Rea and all her yoga videos, so I was thrilled to hear she had a new video called Surf Yoga Soul ($15). You don't have to be a surfer to enjoy this video, since it focuses on creative movements that open your body and heart, and strengthen your muscles and mind, to help you "surf the power of the life force within you." OK, that might be a little cheesy, but the DVD is great fun.

There are seven segments you can complete at once for a 75-minute workout, or you can choose the ones you have time for and create your own personal workout. One called Agni Namaskar is a challenging variation of sun salutations developed to strengthen the core muscles and the upper body. She takes you through the same series of nine rounds of 12 push-ups that she included in her video Creative Core + Upper Body. My arms and upper back were sore for two days afterward, so needless to say, I loved this part of the video. Another segment called Balance Flow cultivates your balancing skills doing poses such as Warrior 3 and Side Crow, and opens your hips doing stretches such as Extended Pigeon. The other segments include meditation, breathwork, flexibility, and rest (Savasana).

This is one of Shiva Rea's best Yoga DVDs because it's both challenging and creative, and targets every part of the body. My muscles felt the perfect balance of being strengthened, lengthened, and opened. I could see myself doing this video regularly and not getting bored. I definitely recommend this DVD to both beginner and advanced yogis, so if you're interested, you can order it through Acacia.

To see a clip of this Surf Yoga Soul,

Stretch It: Ankle Rolls

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:00:00 PDT

I love a dynamic warmup, even more for feet. Before running, hiking, or dancing, it's a good idea to prime your feet and ankles for moving with a simple circular motion. Add these rolls to your warmup routine. Do at least 10 in each direction with each foot. Follow up with some toe walking and some heel walks. Then add a little calf stretch and your feet will be ready to move.

Music: "Toes" by Norah Jones