Healthy happy you.
The wall is a great prop to use when stretching because it can either support the weight of your body, as in Shoulder Wall Roll, or add resistance like with this Chest Opener. If you liked the relaxing Legs up the Wall Stretch, here's a variation that will stretch your inner thighs. To find out how to do this read more Read more
If you've been doing a lot of squats, biking, running, or sitting for long periods, you could use a good hip and inner thigh opener. This stretch I call Frogger might look a little x-rated, but once you get past that, it'll become your new favorite post-workout move. (Though I'd refrain from dropping on the floor in the middle of your office to do this one.) Like Pigeon and Butterfly, this hip Read more
In Ashtanga yoga, although there are technically four Wide-Legged Forward Bend poses, sometimes I've been to classes where the instructor throws in a fifth — Wide-Legged Forward Bend E. This pose is great for stretching your hips, hamstrings, and inner thighs. Sanskrit Name: Prasarita Padottanasana E English Translation: Feet Spread Intense Stretch Pose E Also Called: Wide-Legged Read more
It is best to stretch warm muscles, which means you should stretch after a run or a workout. Sometimes though, you are not really in a place where you want to throw yourself onto the ground and commence stretching. That is one reason I love this inner thigh stretch. You can do it anywhere without touching the ground. Side Lunge for the Inner Thigh Stand with your feet about 4 feet apart and Read more
I have received many requests from inflexible readers for stretches. So here is one of my favorites, especially for after a run since you can do it anywhere and you don't have to lie down to do it. It stretches the inner thighs (aka adductors) safely and effectively, and those inner thighs are often forgotten in a workout as well as stretching. Inner Thigh Stretch hold stretch for 20 seconds Read more
After a weekend spent doing Pilates and ballet-inspired workouts, I experienced a type of muscle soreness that was entirely new to me — my inner thighs (aka adductors) were on fire. While I have a series of stretches that I do after every workout, I now realize that none of them really target this often overlooked area. If you've also been neglecting your inner thighs the way I have, here are a Read more
What's not to love about circuit training? Combining heart-pumping elements of cardio with strength-training moves means you torch calories while toning muscles. It's just so efficient. Here's a fun yet challenging circuit workout I did recently with my Equinox trainer Lauren. The workout has you performing each exercise for a minute, which means you need to keep a stopwatch handy, but you have Read more
Strengthening your muscles shouldn't be limited to the weight room or machines at the gym. Tone while you stretch and flex with these five yoga and Pilates workouts. Thigh sculpting: No need to spend hours on those adductor machines; yoga can help stretch out tight muscles while also toning for bikini season. This sequence of nine yoga poses works all the muscles in your legs while focusing on Read more
If you live for the mountains during the Winter, your gym time probably includes exercises to strengthen your lower-body muscles and challenge your balance. Aspen Ascent, a new class at Sports Club LA locations, offers such a workout for skiers and snowboarders alike. Like many strength-training cardio classes, Aspen Ascent focuses on circuit training with supersets grouped by muscle area, to Read more
Indoor cycling offers an hour of sweaty cardio goodness. Your legs power this workout, so it’s best to stretch those tired muscles as soon as you hop off your stationary bike. In fact, that stable bike makes for a great stretching partner. If you only have two minutes to spare on flexibility training, you should focus on your hamstrings and quads. Start with your hamstrings by resting one heel Read more
