FitSugar

Take It From Jennifer Garner: Use the Weight Machines

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:30:00 PDT

I am a big Jennifer Garner fan. Not only does she seem to be totally down to earth as a mom, she also has been slowly toning up (rather than the usual celeb disappearing act) after having that adorable baby of hers.

Looks like one way Jen gets those lovely arms, other than toting Violet around in her arms all day, is by using the weight machines at the gym. Weight machines, along with any other strength training methods, are a great way to tone up those arms. However, be sure you are getting the most out of it with these tips:

On machines that have multiple handles-such as the shoulder-press and row machines-alternate your grip between palms facing forward and palms facing each other.
Be sure you are using enough resistance. The machines tend to allow us to cheat due to their ease of down-shifting the resistance and the conspicuousness of it. Just like with free weights, you want to exhaust the muscles you are working in 10-12 reps.
Slow it down both ways. People tend to go too fast when bringing the machine to the return position and miss a good portion of their workout. So go slow during the entire movement to work opposing muscles as well as primary muscles.
Pay attention to proper form to avoid injury. Technique can usually be learned by simply reading the instructions on the machine or by having a trainer tell you how it works. Keep in mind that most of the time you want your knees, elbows, hips at 90 degree angles.
Been waiting a long time to use that Lat Pull-Down Machine? Ask the person hogging it if you can work in with her. This means that while she is resting in between sets, you do a set and then when you're resting in between sets, she does hers.

For more pics of Jen toning up with weight machines at the gym,

View 7 Photos ›

Flynet

Get Red Carpet Ready With This Circuit Workout From Valerie Waters

Michele Foley — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 03:25:57 PST

With the Oscars and all its afterparties only days away, celebrity trainer Valerie Waters and her Red Carpet Ready workouts are in high demand! Valerie, who also serves as a fitness expert on the LIVESTRONG.COM advisory board, still managed to find time to create a full-body strength circuit exclusively for us. Start incorporating this workout into your weekly routine, and you'll be able to hit the red carpet in no time!

Keep reading to see the six moves Valerie uses to get clients like Kate Beckinsale, Poppy Montgomery, and Jennifer Garner in shape, and find out which moves are Poppy's favorites when shaping up for a big night out.

Complete this circuit without resting in between exercises. Rest one minute between circuits. Do it three times. What you'll need: resistance band with handles, a set of light weights, and the Valslide.

Source

Hollywood-Approved Workouts to Get You in Celeb Shape

Michele Foley — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:41:27 PST

Cameron Diaz's arms, Lady Gaga's abs, and Fergie's legs: just a few of the famous body parts that are the talk of the red carpet. With the help of these nine workouts, you'll be one step closer to being in celebrity shape for 2012.

Lady Gaga's Killer Abs Workout

Halle Berry's Shoulder and Back Workout

Jessica Biel's Core Workout

Kate Middleton's Royal-Worthy Arms

Jennifer Lopez's Moves For Sexy Legs

A Circuit Workout From Cameron Diaz's Trainer

Fergie's Leg Workout

Sandra Bullock's Fitness Regimen

Mood-Boosting Exercises From Jennifer Garner

Reader Holiday Gift Guide: For the Fitness Fan on Your List (or You!)

Fit Community — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 04:19:31 PST

Need a fitness-related gift for fit-minded friends or relative? FitFabCities has you covered. She's rounded up her favorite gifts from foam rollers to iPads.

Okay, I’m willing to admit I might be a little weird. Every year for Christmas I ask for some sort of fitness thing. One year it was a BOSU ball, then next it was boxing gloves and last year it was kettlebells, and every December 26th I bring my new haul to the gym where I can’t wait to try it out. (Needless to say last year the 35 lb. kettlebell proved a little tricky. I think the holidays are a great time to ask for a few fitness things you’ve been eying but your practical side won’t let you buy for yourself. I’ve compiled a few of my holiday must haves that are sure to make your workouts more fun and give you an edge when it comes time for those New Year’s resolutions.

Valslides $30: Jennifer Garner and Jessica Biel’s trainer Valerie Waters uses these to whip her clients into shape for big movie roles. I am obsessed with using Valsides for killer core exercises and sliding lunges that totally tighten up your butt and thighs. Plus you can use them in your living room or pack them and take them anywhere!

GymBoss Trainer $19.95: This is totally on my list this year. The Gymboss lets you set a repeating interval timer perfect for circuit training, intervals or running workouts (think 30 seconds on, one minute off). You don’t have to struggle to set your watch or look at it throughout your workout since Gymboss is small and clips onto your shirt.

Foam Roller $34: If you’ve ever had sore muscles you have to get one of these. It will open up your back and make those miles on your legs melt away. Simply a must for runners or, let’s be honest, anyone who uses a computer.

TRX Training System $199: Oh I LOVE this thing!!! BTW so do Jennifer Lopez, Gisele Bundchen and Superbowl MVP Drew Brees. This is a complete gym in a bag. You can do thousands of exercises, take it anywhere (all you need it a doorway or high place to anchor it), plus it’s only two pounds so you can totally pack it in your bag for business travel and vacations. This thing rocks. I can’t say enough good things about it so I think I’ll just have to devote a later post and video to my TRX devotion so you can get the full effect. Bottom line…if you’re OK spending a little more money you must get this thing. (Good news is you could probably give up your gym membership).

Lululemon Triumphant Tote $118: Not only is this bag waterproof but it’s also made of material that won’t cause your Lulu pants to pill when it rubs against them. Plus I think carrying a cute bag would totally be motivation to hit the gym, right? This bag even has a laptop pocket so it’s business and pleasure!

iPad 2 $499: All right, this is a big ticket item but if you’re thinking of one for Christmas I’ll tell you it is my workout secret. I load my favorite TV shows and movies onto the iPad and I actually look forward to my cardio sessions. Consider it a health care cost.

Happy shopping!!!

If you need some other gift ideas for those on your holiday list, check out these gift guides:

Women on the Run

Healthy Gifts That Won't Offend

Two-Wheelin' Friends

For the Active Man in Your Life

Gifts For the Outdoor Enthusiast

Ashley Greene Goes Short For Lunch Following an Apparent Flirt-Fest With Gerard Butler

Lindsay Miller — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 02:40:00 PDT

Ashley Greene looked ready for Summer yesterday in a pair of super-short denim cutoffs and fringed sandals as she stopped at Panera Bread in LA. The actress dressed down for the casual outing after getting glam late last week to help honor Katie Holmes at a dinner held by Women in Film, Vanity Fair, and Max Mara. It was one of several high-profile events Ashley has attended this month, having also made an appearance at the CFDA Awards and the Chrysalis Butterfly Ball with Jennifer Garner and Olivia Wilde. Ashley has been keeping up her fitness with frequent workouts when not on the red carpet, and is also apparently enjoying the single life too. She was reportedly seen flirting with Gerard Butler at a post-CFDA party in the Big Apple, where they got cozy over drinks and spent a couple of hours together. Ashley's been briefly linked to several new guys since her split with Joe Jonas, but her career's keeping her busy too. She has three already-completed films slated to hit theaters this year, including LOL, Butter, and last but not least, Breaking Dawn.

Katie Holmes Works Out Early For a Special Baked Treat

Katie Henry — Sun, 01 May 2011 07:00:30 PDT

Katie Holmes hit up one of her favorite LA bakeries, Le Pain Quotidien, on Friday to get coffee and a pastry following an early morning workout. Katie's princess-loving daughter Suri often accompanies her on the sweets run - Suri, though, may have had a big morning watching the royal wedding! The British nuptials were apparently a big event for celebrity moms and their daughters, with Jennifer Garner admitting to having plans for a "royal wedding breakfast" with girls Violet and Seraphina Affleck. Katie wound down from a hectic week that included a fashionable Ann Taylor lunch and a business meeting at a Hollywood studio. The actress also resolved a pending lawsuit she filed against Star magazine, and plans to donate her settlement from the publication to charity.

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 PST

3 Get-Fit-Fast Moves From Jennifer Garner's Trainer

Self — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:09:29 PDT

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

Ever wonder why "the beautiful people" often seem so chipper? (Not that we can't all answer that question firsthand.) It could be the free gifts from transfixed average folks. Or . . . it could be the exercise.

Just ask Valerie Waters, fitness expert on LIVESTRONG.com's advisory board and trainer to pretty folks like Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck, Cindy Crawford, and Jennifer Lopez. Her motto: "You're one workout away from a good mood."

And I would add, with these moves culled from her "Red Carpet Ready" program, you're only a few workouts away from a better body too.

So, first of all, what makes Valerie Waters such a sought after trainer? It might be her flexible attitude and her bright smile, among other things. "Every workout needs to move you toward your goal, but also make you feel better," she asserts. "I always have a plan, but I also have a plan B. If someone didn't sleep the night before or they [have] PMS, I may modify the workout. I always make sure the client feels successful."

4 Tried and True Tips From Waters

Being consistent is key. That doesn't mean doing the same exercises all the time, but being regular, healthy and moderate in your lifestyle.
Don't do too much too soon or assume the workout will do it all. If you want to lose weight, you must work on your diet!
For fast results, circuit train and eliminate sugar and white flour.
Eat more veggies and drink more water. These are cliches for a reason.

So, what's this "Red Carpet Ready" program really about? Read for a few key signature Valerie Waters moves using signature Valslide props, demonstrated by model Courtney Parks, after the break

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 PST