FitSugar

3 Reasons Why High-Intensity Workouts Are Essential

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 02:00:45 PST

If your goal is to get fit this year, hopefully, you've been reading our tips on how to motivate yourself to go to the gym, and being inspired by readers in our Fit Community. And now that you've gotten into a routine with your workouts, it's time to decide how you'll be switching it up to maximize your time in the gym or on the road.

Interval and high-intensity training are perfect ways to do just that, and are an important part of meeting your weight loss and fitness goals. Need more motivation for incorporating them into your weekly workout? Read on for three important reasons to add high-intensity training to your fitness sessions.

It helps you get out of a fitness rut. Adding some high-intensity muscle reps once a week or adding interval training to your cardio routine will help you get past boredom during your workouts.
It saves you time. You should be modifying your workout every two to three weeks, so upping the cardio intensity will mean you can fit in a fast, efficient workout into your busy schedule.
It targets belly fat. Faster-paced workouts help your body release fat-burning hormones, which burn fat both during your workouts as well as long after you've showered off the sweat. In addition, intense workouts target the fat we store around our midsections especially, which is important in lowering the risk of certain diseases.

Fit Tip: Do Five Minutes of Exercise That Winds You

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:00:00 PDT

Now that you're working regular exercise into your weekly schedule, you want to make sure you're getting the most out of it. For your heart's sake, spend at least five minutes of each workout doing something that makes you work at an intensity that leaves you winded. It's great for your respiratory system and also burns calories. Run up a hill, jump rope, do jumping jacks, dance, sprint up the stairs, or bike up a hill. Do anything for five minutes straight that leaves you huffing and puffing. I like to save this for the last five minutes of my workout. It makes me feel proud to push myself hard, and afterward, I always feel full of energy.

Fit's Tip: If you have asthma, ease into this type of high-intensity workout. You may want to keep your inhaler near by just in case, since breathing heavy can provoke an asthma attack.

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Don't Get in a Fitness Rut: Add a High Intensity Workout

FitSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 09:30:00 PDT

Are you getting into a fitness rut? Doing 3 sets of 12 reps of everything you do getting a little old? If so, think about incorporating a single set workout (high intensity training) into your routine every now and again.

Single set strength training (high intensity training) stresses muscle exhaustion in less time than the typical 3 sets. You probably currently lift 75% of your max resistance 10 times for three reps, but high intensity means lifting a higher percentage of your max resistance for a shorter period of time. For example, if your max (amount you could only lift once) is 10 pounds, instead of lifting 7.5 pounds 10 times for three sets, lift 8.5 pounds (85% of your max) until muscle exhaustion (until you can't do it again). It could as little as one rep, as long as one rep completely exhausts the muscle, but most people can lift 85% of their max 6 times.

Be sure not to go above 85% of your max (if your max is 100 lbs, don't go about 85 lbs) because that could lead to injury. Remember to breathe during the concentric (lifting) part. Always give the muscles you worked at least 48 hours rest before working them again. Also, it is always a good idea to use a spotter. Remember the name of the game here is quality not quantity so make sure that you're using proper form. I do not recommend doing a high intensity workout daily, but rather adding it once a week or so to spice up your workout.

Fit's Tip: Working at higher intensities also shortens the duration of your workout.

From the Fit Community: The Best Cardio Machine For Your Body

Fit Community — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:53:42 PDT

Which cardio machine is right for you? FitSugar reader JessicaSmithTV asks an expert for the answers. She shared what she found in our 10 Pounds Down! community group.

The stair master, the stationary bike, and the elliptical - we all have our favorite cardio machine at the gym, but which one is the best one for your body? We asked Dr. Yoav Suprun, DPT, a McKenzie physical therapist at Canyon Ranch in Miami Beach to weigh in on the pros and cons of some of your favorite gym staples.

The Stationary Bike
Pros: Low impact, easy on the joints, offers a wide range of intensity options
Cons: The riding position can bring on back pain, or aggravate sciatica for some. “We flex our spine all day and sit for hours - why sit for a cardio session?” asks Dr. Suprun.

The Elliptical
Pros: Low impact, upright position of the body, also easy on the joints and offers a wide range of intensity options
Cons: If you have a small structure or small frame, using an elliptical with handles would be pulling your body out of alignment. “People suffer from holding the handles as it pulls on the lower back and neck once the handle is moved forward,” explains Dr. Suprun.

Keep reading for more pros and cons of your favorite cardio machines.

Fit Tip: End Your Workout on a High Note

Leta Shy — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:41:56 PST

By the end of my workout, usually all I can think about is what I'll be eating as soon as I leave the gym. While I can't wait to give my body a rest, I also love adding one last push to my workouts before calling it quits. Making myself increase my intensity, when I know I'll be sitting pretty in just a few minutes, motivates me to end on a high note.

Like HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, increasing your energy output for just a few short minutes at the end is a fun, challenging way to push yourself to accomplish much more during a workout than you may have thought, all while burning major calories.

Whether or not you're doing a HIIT workout, you can still give it your all when the end is near. Go all-out for just a few minutes with these other high-intensity workout ideas after the break.

Two No-Sweat Ways to Extend Your Life

Leta Shy — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:46:02 PDT

Sometimes a healthy life isn't the easiest to live. It can be so hard to resist temptations in the form of desserts and comfy couches. And although regular exercise is one of the best ways to combat any bad effects from those temptations to prolong your life, it doesn't always have to be about getting in a strenuous, sweaty, heart-pumping workout. Here are two low-key ways to help you live a long life.

Get up and go: The more you sit, the more years you shave off your life, so make a habit of getting up and moving around as much as possible if your job requires you to sit in front of your computer all day. Haven't moved from your seat in a while? Read our tips for staying active while at work, even if you can't fit in a workout.

Take a jog: You don't have to always do high-intensity intervals to get the benefits of cardio. In fact, a recent study found that regularly taking a leisurely jog can add up to six years to your life. Just a few moderately paced jogs totaling around one- to two-and-a-half hours per week have been shown to be able to help you live longer, so try an easier walking-jogging routine the next time you're not exactly in the mood for a sweat session.

Not So Fast: 4 Ways Post-Workout Snacks Lead to Weight Gain

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:48:51 PDT

After finishing an intense workout, refueling is a must to restore water, electrolytes, and energy. But if you're not careful the snack you choose could end up undoing the good you've done, leading to extra pounds on the scale. Before grabbing just any old snack after working out, learn how the wrong choice can lead to weight gain.

Chowing on a minimeal: A post-workout snack is just that - a snack. And unless it's mealtime, what you eat after an average workout should be around 150 calories. Since healthy foods like trail mix can be high in calories, measure out a serving instead of mindlessly chomping straight out of the bag. If you're looking for some ideas, here are 10 post-workout snacks under 150 cals.
Chugging a sports drink: Liquid calories are still calories, and if you gulp a 120-calorie bottle of Gatorade along with a snack, calories really start to add up. For workouts under an hour (or low-impact activities), good old zero-calorie H2O is the perfect way to rehydrate.
Choose wisely: While you could really go for an enormous brownie after your run, it's not the best way to refuel after a workout. Your body needs carbs and protein, and if you choose a sugary or high-fat treat, you'll be hungry for something else soon after, which means consuming more calories. High-fat and sugary foods are also not the best choices when it comes to repairing the muscles to prevent soreness the next day.
Rewarding yourself with food: I'm all for rewarding fitness goals, but edible rewards are risky business. Hitting the ice cream parlor for a waffle cone or local café for a plate of cheese fries may sound like heaven on earth, but constantly using high-calorie foods as a way to pat your fit self on the back means tons of extra calories consumed. Find other healthy ways to reward your efforts, such as getting a pedicure, buying a new fitness top, or hitting the movies with your running buddy.

Source: Flickr User mary_thompson

CrossFit Workouts Anyone Can Do

Leta Shy — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:35:58 PDT

Want muscles like Cameron Diaz and Jessica Biel? You may want to try CrossFit. The workout has many devoted fans, not just incredibly fit celebrities, who love it not only for its scalability - workouts are tailored to your current ability, and the difficulty increases as you get better - but also for the mental challenge that comes from pushing yourself further with each workout.

So, what exactly is CrossFit? The workout uses simple exercises involving body resistance, gymnastics, aerobics, weight lifting, and other moves, which are done at a high intensity. While the exercises are simple, that doesn't mean you'll be bored - CrossFit is all about mixing up exercises and ramping up difficulty over time so you don't do the same workout twice in a row.

If you've been curious about CrossFit, read on for a few workouts to try.

Beginner's workout: CrossFit Games champ Mel Ockerby takes us through a simple workout of squats, sit-ups, and push-ups that anyone can try. You probably know how to do these moves already; get the beginner's CrossFit workout here.

Outdoor workout: Who needs a gym when the weather's this nice? Brick gym owner and CrossFit coach Jarett Perelmutter shows us a total-body outdoor CrossFit workout that you can do outside; all you need is a park bench. Get the CrossFit bench workout video here.

Eight-minute workout: CrossFit is all about high-intensity intervals to get results fast. This Tabata workout video from CrossFit trainer Shirley Brown uses 20-second intense intervals of squats and push-ups to whip you into shape in only eight minutes.

A Cancer Survivor's Goal: 50 Triathlons by Her 50th Birthday

espnW — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:26:06 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Julia Savacool

It's a good thing Jenn Sommermann discovered triathlons when she did. "I was turning 40 years old, and my friend and I were looking for a way to commemorate the occasion," Sommermann said. "We decided to train for a triathlon." Because Sommermann was on the East Coast and her friend was on the West, the two trained together virtually, exchanging workout notes and messages of encouragement. Several months later, they competed in the Danskin Women's Tri in Seattle.

"That was it, I was in love with triathlons," Sommermann said. Little did she know, two years later the fitness she gained through the sport would help her win a battle against ovarian cancer.

It was December 2006 when Sommermann received her diagnosis. She'd been feeling out of sorts for months, but had been reluctant to see her doctor.

The symptoms for ovarian cancer are subtle: Bloating, weight gain, fatigue and indigestion are all indicators for the disease, but they are also common symptoms for many women during their monthly cycle. The main difference with ovarian cancer, explained Sommermann, is the symptoms don't go away.

It was by chance she discovered the cancer - she was pressing on her stomach one night and came across a hard lump. "I called my husband over, and he felt it, too," she said. "I knew this wasn't good." She went to see her physician immediately, and an ultrasound revealed a tumor about the size of an eggplant. "I had Stage 3 ovarian cancer," said Sommermann. "I was in shock. The disease is 94 percent curable if you catch it by Stage 2. But after that, the numbers are not in your favor."

Surfing gets Anastasia Ashley through tough times

Read more about Jen's inspiring story after the break.

One Month Till Memorial Day Weekend! How to Get Bikini-Ready Now

Self — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:12:29 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

With spring in full swing, we've already said goodbye to the winter blues. But as you enjoy the milder weather and longer days, keep in mind that Memorial Day weekend is merely a month away - meaning it's almost time for bikinis and short shorts! So, is one month enough time to score your best body yet?

It sure is, says Jim White, registered dietician, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and spokesman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. But you'd better get started now. "After all the shrieking and gasping about how 'time flies' and it's 'too soon' to be exposing that muffin top, it's time to get realistic and take action," he explains. "A month is not a tremendous amount of time to shed any accumulated winter fat, but before you break out into cold sweats, it is not unreasonable to lose 10 pounds or one dress size in that time."

To make sure you score your best bikini bod before you hit the beach, sign up for SELF's free Drop 10 plan - it'll have you slimmer and stronger than ever in only five short weeks! Then, follow White's basic rules for healthy eating. "Healthy eating is a must if you expect weight loss," he says.

Read on for the one-month plan!