FitSugar

Shape Up! Alarm Clock: Cool or Not

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

This hilarious Shape Up! Alarm Clock (price unavailable) has you hit the weights instead of hitting snooze. The dumbbell-shaped alarm buzzes until you've done 30 reps of bicep curls. I'm all for sneaking in strength training and morning workouts, but I don't think I'd enjoying exercising amid the incessant buzzing. What do you think?

Review: FitFlops – Functional Fashion?

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 08:45:00 -0700

The fitness fashion fad of muscle sculpting footwear continues. Last Spring, FitFlops ($49.99) were all the rage, but due to unforeseen popularity they were hard to find since many stores couldn't keep them in stock.

This thong styled sandal from the UK is designed to make the muscles of your legs and bum work more than usual with each and every step. Essentially, as the makers say, they turn your average afternoon of running errands into something a little more akin to actual running. The shoes themselves are comfy, but unlike MBTs, I didn't really feel them working my legs or my bum; I couldn't sense the "wobble board" in the FitFlops that is supposed to increase muscle activity. If a body doesn't feel the work, does that mean the muscles aren't doing anything? Anyway, I haven't noticed any improvement on the backside either, although studies found increased muscle activity in the glutes and thighs in people wearing FitFlops.

The engineered FitFlops are considerably more foot friendly than regular flip flops. FitFlops have a much harder heel than most thongs and offer a lot more support. Wearing regular flip flops, with their lack of arch support, can make my feet and back ache, but I experienced no foot or back discomfort after running around in my FitFlops for a couple of hours on an unseasonably warm day.

If you are interested in experimenting with FitFlops you can find a store that sells them near you with this handy store locator, which will also help you find online retailers.

If you have a pair let me know what you think about them in the comments section below.

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Get Your Butt in Gear: Harbinger Weighted Fitness Balls with Straps

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 16:30:00 -0800

Harbinger Weighted Fitness Balls with straps are my new favorite work out toys. These fitness balls are like a combination between dumbbells and medicine balls. They come in weights of 6, 8 and 10 pounds and have a Velcro strap so that you can isolate specific muscle groups or body parts.

Why we love them: The straps make them versatile so you can easily train all parts of your body rather than just your arms, but they are still great for doing most arm work such as front raises and hammer curls. They are colorful and great for home use but relatively transportable for traveling as well. Buy them here.

Fit Tip: Trade Your Office Chair For an Exercise Ball

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0800

I really don't believe we evolved to sit all day long. Sitting creates tight hips and hamstrings, causes a tight neck and shoulders, and often leads to back pain. If you suffer from these ailments, ditch your regular office chair and replace it with an exercise ball ($27).

When you sit on a firmly inflated ball, you'll improve your balance and tone your core muscles from your desk. It allows you to focus on keeping your spine long, and you can even use the fitness ball for wall squats or other exercises during the day. Sitting on a ball has also been proven to help kids focus and do better in school. If it works for them, it'll work for you, too.

If you're worried about the ball being too roly-poly, and not having a back support to lean on, then check out Gaiam's BalanceBall Chair ($99). I know it's kind of pricey, but if it can prevent discomfort while you work, then isn't it worth it? To see a video of this ball in action read more.

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How to Choose and Use an Exercise Ball

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Yoga ball, exercise ball, gym ball, fitness ball - whatever you call it, it's a must have for all active people. An exercise ball can be used for both stretching and toning exercises, but if you're new to this piece of gym equipment, here are some things you should know.

When choosing an exercise ball, you should know they come in three sizes, depending on your height. Check the list below to see which size is right for you before purchasing one.

4'11" to 5'4" height: 55 cm ball
5'4" to 5'11" height: 65 cm ball
5'11" to 6' 7" height: 75 cm ball

Now that you know which size ball to use, here are some ways you can use it:

Use the ball as a weight bench. Lie across it on your back and do chest presses, tricep presses, or lying pec flies to work your upper body. Since you're using your legs to keep your body stable, you end up toning your glutes, quads, and hamstrings as well.

To see the other exercise ball ideas, read more.

Use it to elevate parts of your body. Raising your upper or lower body on a ball can help target specific muscle groups more effectively. Try doing push-ups or bridge leg lifts with a ball and you'll end up working many muscles at one time.
Do ab work. Crunches, abdominal twists, and bicycle crunches are so much more challenging on a ball, since lying on one engages your abs even before you start doing any exercises.
Do yoga and Pilates moves. You can tone and increase flexibility by using a ball to do basic poses and exercises. Do backbends and back strengthening exercises such as prone leg raises. A ball can also support your body weight to help you balance when trying challenging poses such as Scorpion.

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Cool Fitness Gadget: Gaiam Abs Ball

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Everybody wants a slender and toned middle, not only because it makes you feel good in a bathing suit, but also because it prevents back pain. Plain crunches are not the most effective exercise on their own, and to increase the level of intensity, you can add some weight to your ab work. That's where the Gaiam Abs Ball ($40) comes in.

It's similar to using a medicine ball, but the handy handles make it much easier to hold, so you can concentrate more on the exercise, rather than it slipping out of your palms. The ball weighs six pounds and it comes with a 35-minute instructional DVD to show you how to use it. Triathlete Jonathan Roche demonstrates how to define your obliques and abs with both beginner and advanced workouts. Adding a little weight to your upper body really helps to target and strengthen your core. If the 6-lb ball is too easy, you can buy the 8-lb Abs Ball instead.

Cool Fitness Gadget: NRG Ball

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0700

If you're looking for a new way to strength train, you may want to get your hands on an NRG BALL. It's a barbell and medicine ball rolled into one piece of equipment. It comes in a variety of weights including, 5 lb. ($59.95), 7 lb. ($69.95), and 9 lb. ($79.95). You can use it as shown, or you can unscrew one of the handles to do exercises like Overhead Triceps. You can also use the medicine ball on its own.

I know it seems pretty expensive, and rather gimmicky, but wait until you see all the exercises you can do with it. The website features a ton of videos to work your core, upper body, glutes, and legs. To see how a video on how you can use the NRG ball to get strong abs just read more.

If it's something you want to add to your home gym then order it from the NRG BALL website.

Get on the Ball: Circling Plank

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:47:57 -0800

Plank is one of my favorite exercises because it really targets your upper body and core. Plus there are so many challenging variations such as plank jumping jacks and walking elbow plank, so you mix up your routine and never get bored. Here's another variation that will really work your lower abs, so grab an exercise ball and give it a try.

Music: "Faith I Do Believe" by Rusted Root

For detailed instructions on this move, keep reading

Cool Fitness Gadget: Danskin Core Ball Plus

FitSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:00:00 -0700

I am always looking for fun ways to vary my workout routine at home that won't break the bank. Danskin's Core Ball Plus does just that.

Danskin's Core Ball Plus (starts at $35) is an exercise ball with weighted ball handles, resistance bands, and a balance ring. The balance ring provides beginner and intermediate users the benefits of a stability ball workout without dealing with wobbling and falling off the ball before you've really strengthened your core. The ring also keeps the ball in place, which means it won't roll around the house when you turn your back for just a second. I especially love that this set includes resistance bands and weighted ball handles. They really add an effective upper body workout to the ball without the use of weights. It's a great addition to your home workout and compared to most full body workout systems, it's moderately priced.

Buy it here.

Get on the Ball: Saddlebag Busting Leg Lifts

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:32:08 -0800

If you're unhappy with the extra bit of padding on the sides of your thighs right by your bum, here's a move that can help smooth out your saddlebags, which I affectionately call my lower love handles. You can't spot-reduce the area, but toning sure does help.

To learn how to do this exercise, read more.

Come onto your knees and bring an exercise ball next to your right thigh. Rest your right arm on the outside of the ball and lean your weight into the ball. Now your right thigh is in a diagonal line.
Extend your left leg straight out and flex your foot. Balance your weight on both the ball and your right knee as you lift your left leg up toward the ceiling. Try to raise your left foot so it's as high as your hip.
Then with control, lower your leg so your toes barely touch the floor.
This counts as one rep. Complete three sets of 12 to 15 reps on this side and then repeat with the left leg.