FitSugar

Reese Witherspoon Strikes Midfoot

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:55:00 PDT

We have seen a many photos recently of Reese Witherspoon playing softball, and it looks like she will be running in her upcoming film, too.

It's nice to have a job that keeps you active. It also looks Reese is midfoot striker, which is good running technique. Although unnatural for some folks (like me), striking the ground with your midfoot provides greater shock absorption than heel striking, and it puts less strain on your calf muscle and Achilles tendon. A couple of years ago, I changed my foot strike and it has kept shin splints at bay. On another technical note, Reese could use a little more control in her arm swing to keep them moving more in the front back direction than swinging side to side.

To see which running celeb is a heel striker and why she should consider altering her gait,

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Jessica Biel is no slouch when it comes to fitness, but as sugar user syako pointed out, Jess is a heel striker. While we may be singling her out here, many people are. It feels natural for most people, especially since most of us wear very padded shoes when running. Hitting the pavement with your heel can puts you at greater risk for injury, especially to your knees. This gait pattern also sets you up for shin splints and hamstring injuries.

Do you run? Do you know where your foot strikes?

INF Daily and Bauer-Griffin Online

There Really Is Not One Right Way to Run

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:00:00 PDT

When it comes to endurance, long-distance running as opposed to sprinting short distances like Jamaican gold medalist and record breaker Usain Bolt (100m, 200m), there is not just one way to run.

There are many techniques out there and almost as many variations as there are runners. When watching the men's marathon (yes, I watched the men's marathon, which I guess establishes me as a running geek even if my weekly mileage doesn't), I kept using my DVR to pause the action and try to figure out where these elite runners strike: heel, midfoot, or toe. The answer is all three. The same goes for arm motion and torso placement - the variations are endless. I have been experimenting with where my foot strikes and I shared this information with a running-shoe specialist. I was surprised to hear him say that I would just be trading one type of injury for another as I transitioned from heel strike to hitting the pavement with my midfoot. Ahhhh, I thought, so there really isn't one way to run.

The New York Times broke down some of the pros and cons of different running patterns and for the highlights just

Toe running: Running on just the forefoot means the calves absorb the shock of the impact. Calf-strengthening exercises are recommended and this style adds wear and tear on the Achilles tendon.
Heel striking: American marathoner Deena Kastor is a heel-to-toe runner, and in this style of running a shoe that has a soft midsole can create a loss of power in the stride.
Control: No matter what part of the foot hits the ground first, it is how hard the foot hits that matters. The foot should be controlled into the ground, not slammed.
Stride length: Most runners naturally fall into their most efficient stride length.
Arm carriage: The running efficiency of runners tested with their arms tied behind barely changed, so swing your arms as you may!

Runners with smooth, graceful running win races. Runners with bobbing heads win races. Runners who hold their elbows out like they are doing the funky chicken win races. The take-home message for me, a runner who hopes to keep on running rather than win gold, is to do just that - keep on running and not sweat the small stuff (pun intended).

Source

Looks of the Week!

Laura Marie Given — Sun, 27 May 2012 04:00:54 PDT

This week, our Fab Community stuck to striking neon pieces and bright, mixed prints. From cropped floral pants to polka-dot skinny jeans, our readers proved that bold bottoms work well with both neutrals and patterns. Whether mini or maxi, skirts were full of volume and paired with simple tops in classic shapes. High heels and structured handbags topped off the looks, adding a refined element to the colorful prints. Here are our favorites: florals and spots, neo(n)-bohemian, floral love, siren twist, '60s sweater, dress to impress, neon dots, sequins and ruffles, date night, and icky pop. Congrats all!

Weekend-Chic Inspiration: 15 Street-Style Snaps to Keep Your Off-Duty Look Sharp

Marisa Tom — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:00:59 PDT

While we love nothing more than kicking off our heels on Friday evening and not even thinking about what we're going to wear for our weekend adventures, we're not about to slack off in the styling department either. It's about trading in our more constricting pencil skirts and buttoned-up blouses for slouchy t-shirts, go-to flats, and a sleek (but totally cozy) pair of jeans - mind you, all while striking that perfect balance between low-maintenance and superchic. To keep your off-duty look as refined and as sharp as your Monday through Friday approach, take cues from these slick street stylers, who've mastered the art of effortless cool dressing. Whether you've got a brunch with your girlfriends or plan on hanging in the park, there are certainly enough inspired ensembles to go around. Click through to see them all now.

First Look! ASOS's New Spring/Summer Africa Collection

Chi Diem Chau — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:45:05 PDT

We're going wild for ASOS's new sustainable Spring/Summer Africa collection, which just launched today at ASOS.com. The 21-piece line includes crop tops, shorts, shirt dresses, and trousers featuring the bold patterns we're craving this season - we're also suckers for the cute giraffe and zebra prints. If you're not familiar with the line, you'll be happy to hear that the ASOS Africa collection is made in collaboration with SOKO Kenya, providing opportunities for underprivileged communities to establish sustainable, modern business through local craftsmanship. Additionally, a portion of each purchase goes to support local communities in Africa. We love fashion for a cause, and if you do too, check out the top three looks below, then click the slideshow to see the rest of the collection.

We'd like to pair this cool tank dress with a white blazer and wooden heels for a fun office ensemble.
This outfit strikes the perfect balance between modern and simplistic. We love the printed jacket paired against the gray cropped trousers.
How cute is this bold striped suit set? The short-sleeved jacket is ideal for dressing on a hot Summer day.

A Body Check That Won't Hurt: Tips For Proper Running Form

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:49:36 PDT

Running is all about stepping one foot in front of the other. Sounds easy enough, right? But if your running form is incorrect, you'll end up with aches, strains, and injuries that could prevent you from lacing up your sneaks at all. Make sure to avoid these running-form mistakes the next time you hit the treadmill, trail, or pavement.

Head: It sometimes feels good to close your eyes and relax your chin toward your chest, but don't keep your head down (or tilt your head up) for long periods of time. Prevent neck strain and encourage an open throat for easy breathing by keeping your head stacked over your spine. Correct head position also encourages a straight, upright stance, which makes you a more efficient runner.
Shoulders: Without even realizing it, you may be running with your upper back and shoulders tensed up toward your ears. (And you wonder why you have a pounding headache or aching neck.) Every so often, take a nice deep breath in and as you exhale, relax your upper torso and actively roll your shoulders back and down toward your pelvis. Do a self-check to make sure your shoulders are stacked over the hips. Hunching the upper body forward not only makes it difficult to breathe, it also puts pressure on your lower back.

I'm just getting started so keep reading to find out what the rest of your body shouldn't be doing while running.

Take a Closer Look at the Best Fall Accessories From Alexander Wang, Dannijo, DVF, and More

Chi Diem Chau — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:22:46 PDT

Fashion Month is said and done, and now we're supplying you with a zoomed-in look at the top shoes, bags, and accessories from Fall 2012 New York Fashion Week. Yes, we are months away from Fall, but who wants to wait to check out all these gorgeous creations from the best American designers? Not us, and now's the time we start forecasting next season's trends. We noticed an overarching theme of structure and minimalism; designers like Alexander Wang and Phillip Lim showed a delectable array of totes and ankle-strap sandals punched up with bold colors and textures. Meanwhile, designers like Michael Kors and Diane von Furstenberg highlighted luxurious embellishments in the way of fur and artful appliqué. Also, could the crazy platform heel be seeing the end of its day soon? We couldn't help but notice its lack of presence, replaced by a bevy of point-toe ankle boots and statement pumps in the footwear category. Want to see more top looks from the New York collections? Read below for our top three picks, then just click the slideshow to see over 100 more irresistible shoes, bags, and jewels for Fall.

We're totally in love with these Alexander Wang ankle-strap heels. We love the simple shape injected with a bold neon hue.
Our search for the perfect clutch might be over, thanks to Jason Wu's blue studded confection. We die for the structured silhouette and fringe tassel detail.
We'd love to take this surrealism-inspired Diane von Furstenberg clutch out for a spin. We'd pair it with a little white dress and striking heels for a new twist on black-tie dressing.

See Nicholas Kirkwood's Sexy Fall 2012 Shoe Collection

Chi Diem Chau — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:00:51 PDT

With fans like Zoe Saldana, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Miranda Kerr sporting his sexy designs on the red carpet, it's no wonder that Nicholas Kirkwood has risen to shoe stardom. Pictures of his latest Fall 2012 collection just released, showing a range of extreme high heels and quirky leather flats inspired by Paris in the '20s. Platform heels highlighted colorful reptilian prints, sandals received the sequined Midas touch, while whimsical flats provided a comfy option for those kick-back days. There were also a few neotribal strappy sandals perfect for wearing with Spring and Fall's sporty trend. Check out our favorite looks below, then click the slideshow to see the rest of Nicholas Kirkwood's Fall 2012 shoe collection.

Fab's top three picks:

These tribal-inspired sandals are the perfect mix of sexy and sleek. We love the striking cobalt blue hue.
These raspberry cutout booties are adorable. How cute would they look with a pretty midi skirt or denim cutoffs?
We can't get enough of these floral slingbacks. The bow-adorned heel is such a cute, whimsical touch.

15 Street-Style Looks For a Weekend Warrior Pick-Me-Up

Marisa Tom — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:30:00 PST

We're all for taking a load off come weekend time, but sacrificing our styling chops? Not so much. Luckily, we think there's a perfect balance to strike between the more laid-back silhouettes and sleeker separates. Our go-to trick: a casual cool shoe. No need to wear those sky-high heels and funky wedges to a late Sunday brunch - a chic flat, pumped-up kick, or classic pair of Chucks should make all the styling difference. Take it from these street stylers, all of whom have incorporated a pared-down shoe with totally covet-worthy outfits. From fringed layers to leopard-print coats, pastel chiffon pieces, slick loafers, retro sneakers, and pleated leather skirts, here are 15 street snaps, chock-full of weekend warrior inspiration. Click through to see it all now.

SAG Awards: Amber Riley

FabSugar — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:43:18 PST

Amber Riley upped the flirt factor in a bow-adorned Badgley Mischka halter gown with a retro pinup feel. The feminine shape and pretty lace and peplum details feel Old Hollywood glam, as do her striking bouffant and classic ankle-strap heels. What do you think of the Glee star's sweet look?

Vote on all of our SAG Awards polls here!