FitSugar

How to Make Your Time Count at the Gym

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 10:15:00 PDT

Here are a few things to consider when trying to make the most of your gym time. Maximize your workout time with the following tips.

Avoid distractions. I hate to be a nag, but you will get more out of your workout if you avoid distractions like TV, magazines, and your gossiping gal pals (save that for the sauna) and focus on your workout. If you are bored with your current cardio routine, try some of these cardio workouts.
Sneak in some cardio. When weight training, get your heart going by running in place between sets. Or why not find a jump rope!!!
Do Multitasking moves. Challenge more than one body part at a time. Combine bicep curls with forward lunges. Add an overhead press to your squats.
Pay attention to traffic patterns. Ask the folks at the front desk for times when the gym is slow and schedule your workout for those periods.
Go in with a game plan. Figuring out your workout ahead of time will keep you from wandering around the gym aimlessly, wasting time.

Source

How Sports Illustrated Cover Girl Kate Upton Stays Healthy and Fit

Michele Foley — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:48:16 PST

After being named the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition's "Rookie of the Year" in 2011, Kate Upton is this year's cover girl! The five-time equestrian champion has showed off her curves in campaigns for big names like Guess, Victoria's Secret, and Dooney & Burke. On being fit, Kate told The Daily, "It's really important to stay slim for the industry . . . but you still want to have a body." Here's the scoop on how Kate maintains her model curves.

Kate's fitness regimen: Like many of the industry's top models, Kate trains with former competitive swimmer Justin Gelband. Justin told Shape that he "incorporates multidirectional exercises" into Kate's training sessions. To keep things fresh, Justin changes up the types of workouts he and Kate do together (Pilates and kickboxing are favorites) and uses a variety of equipment like medicine balls and exercise bands.
Kate's diet: For Kate, it's all about living a healthy lifestyle. Kate has said in several interviews that it's important for her to watch what she eats, but she doesn't go on any sort of special diet to prepare for a shoot or runway show. Her splurge? The occasional treat of ice cream or french fries.

Photos courtesy of Sports Illustrated and The Daily

Oh Please! Worst Gym Pickup Lines

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:51:19 PST

It's Valentine's Day and maybe you have found love at the gym (I met my hubby in a yoga class!) While there's nothing wrong with a little harmless flirting during a workout, some people take it a little too far. Sometimes Cupid's arrow really misses the mark. To celebrate these awkward blunders, we've rounded up some of the worst pickup lines overhead at gyms. Maybe one of these has been used on you?

Read on for some cringe-worthy come-ons:

I know milk does a body good, but baby, how much have you been drinking?
Your daddy must have been a baker, because you've got a sweet set of buns.
You look like a cool glass of refreshing water, and I am the thirstiest man in the world.
Do you have tickets? [you say, "Tickets?"] Yeah, do you have tickets? Tickets to the gun show. [he flexes biceps]
I know an activity that’s fun and burns 350 calories an hour . . .
Are your legs tired? Because you've been running through my mind all day long.
Do you squat here often?

Keep reading for more cheesy gym pickup lines.

Tori Spelling Asks How Moms Squeeze in the Exercise

Tori Spelling — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:36:55 PST

We're excited to bring you a new post from mother and actress Tori Spelling! Every other week, we're bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle advice from ediTORIal by Tori Spelling, which is Tori's daily blog about everything from food and fashion to parenting and relationships. This week, Tori shares her thoughts on motherhood and exercise.

Last weekend, Liam had some observations about my footwear:

"Mama, what the heck are you wearing on your feet? Those are tennis shoes. I've never seen you wear those. You only wear regular shoes."

He's correct. The harsh realization that my 4-year-old is inadvertently pointing out that I haven't worked out in years. Oh well, ya gotta start someplace.

How do you busy mamas squeeze workouts into your crazy schedules?

More great articles from Tori Spelling:
Valentine's Day Creative Kids Crafts
Eco-Chic: My New Vintage Wood Floors
Home Sweet Hollywood Recap: The Season Finale
Palm Springs PicTORIal Part 1

Minka Kelly Shares Her Heart-Healthy Fitness and Diet Tips

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:02:38 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

Esquire magazine once named actress Minka Kelly the “sexiest woman alive," so walking in the Heart Truth’s Red Dress Fashion Show to raise awareness for women’s heart health should be a breeze, right? Not quite. “I’ve been nervous all week!” Kelly said when we got the chance to chat with her on her new ambassador title with Diet Coke. We caught up with the brunette bombshell hours before showtime to get the scoop on how she lives a heart-healthy lifestyle, the exercises she swears by, and more.

Tell us about your partnership with Diet Coke and Heart’s Truth Red Dress Fashion Show. What made you decide to get involved?

Before I started working with Diet Coke as an ambassador, I wasn’t even aware that heart disease is the number-one killer for women. I figured this would be a chance for me to use my voice and let other women know how important it is to eat right and exercise to keep your heart in good health.

How do you manage to stay in shape, especially with such a busy schedule?

I try to do yoga every morning at 7 a.m.; it’s good to get your workout out of the way early. I also work out with my trainer Gunnar Peterson two days a week on top of that. I owe him a lot of credit for the shape I’m in because I love to eat! I have to work out extra hard to balance my love for food out.

Keep reading to learn how Minka Kelly is trying defying gravity.

Sweaty and So in Love: Celebrity Couples Who Work Out Together

Leta Shy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:13:14 PST

The couple that plays together, stays together, and the same seems to be true for these celebrity duos who work out together. Keeping fit is a high priority in Hollywood, and these celebrities definitely know how to go from significant other to workout buddy. Take a look at these couples that love to sweat as a pair, whether it's at the gym, on the hills, or on the road!

Sources: INFDaily.com and Bauer-Griffin Online

How to Keep Your Run Pain-Free

Leta Shy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:54:30 PST

Sometimes, you start your run with the best intentions, only to be thwarted by recurring cramps and a headache that zaps all your energy. If you've experienced these nagging annoyances when you run, here are some tips for preventing pain and coping with it when it happens during your workout.

Headache: Often, a pounding headache that comes on during a run is due to inadequate water intake. Your body loses a lot of fluids while you're sweating it out on the treadmill, so before you even begin, make sure that you've had enough water throughout the day. During your run, sip water slowly, about five to 12 ounces every 20 minutes (or sip a sports drink with electrolytes if you are running for more than an hour), but don't drink so much that you feel all of it sloshing around in your stomach - that can lead to cramps or nausea.

More tips for pain-free running after the break.

Yoga Secrets From Jennifer Aniston's Guru

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:02:49 PST

Jennifer Aniston may be making her debut as a horrible boss, but she does have one hot body. Her secret? Yoga with Mandy Ingber.

Mandy recently schooled us on how to get legs like Jen and the philosophy behind Yogalosophy - DVDs of the yoga workout are available for $15. Watch this video to learn Jen's fave yoga pose, tips for relaxing with your mat, and poses Mandy's celebs try to avoid. What's your favorite yoga pose?

Heavenly Massage Technique to Try on Your Valentine - or Yourself!

Zelana Montminy — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:33:21 PST

Not sure how to express your love this year come Feb. 14? We say go for an experiential, hands-on gift and give your valentine the ultimate tension-relieving neck rub this year. Watch this video to learn the pin and stretch method to lengthen overworked muscles in the neck, upper back, and shoulders. This quick and easy massage is perfect for after a hard workout, a long day at the office, or to simply unwind and get in the mood.

No Headphones? 5 Ways to Entertain Yourself on the Treadmill

Leta Shy — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:44:44 PST

I love running on the treadmill, but let's be honest: it's not the most entertaining workout. I usually distract myself from counting down the minutes with a good playlist, audiobook, or tuning in to the gym's TVs. When I forget to take my running headphones, however, I have to entertain myself in an entirely different way. Here are some ways to keep yourself entertained (not to mention motivated!) when you can't do your normal headphones-on, tune-everything-out routine.

Change up your intervals: You should be doing this anyway once you've mastered your current workout, but if you're used to going through the motions, now's the time to change your intervals or the speed of your high-intensity runs.
Take a fit test: See how fast you can run in a set period - say, five minutes - without stopping (make sure you don't overdo it, though - stay at a level where you don't feel short of breath, lightheaded, or dizzy). Doing a fit test regularly is a good way to gauge your progress if you've been running regularly and if it's time to pick up the pace. Plus you may be surprised by just how fast you can really go!

Read on for more.