FitSugar

Circuit Workout by Celebrity Trainer Jason Walsh

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:00:00 -0800

Since you all chose Jessica Biel's trainer Jason Walsh as your favorite celebrity trainer, I asked him to share a workout with us.

Jason thought this three part circuit workout that he does with his clients would be fun for us too. It will get your heart rate up and strengthen your body at the same time. That is what I call a win-win workout. It is full of mutli-joint exercises that work more than one muscle group at a time and the more muscle you use in a movement the more oxygen you need for those working muscles.

Keep track of your rest times and weights, so you can decrease the rest time and increase the weights from week to week. If you are new to weight training, Jason recommends starting with no weights and 1 min rest between sets. On the flip side, decrease the rest time if it feels too easy, but remember you have a lot to do so don't get ahead of yourself.

To see the workout just read more.

You will need: dumbbells (DB) or a medicine ball (MB), a step ( I used one of my daughters' kiddie chairs), and a pull up bar or lat machine (if you are trying this at home just improvise – I used the top of a door jam with a chair and did super slow supported pull-ups). This circuit take 25 to 30 minutes to perform depending on how long you rest in between sets.

Warm up	Active Stretch
5 to 10 minutes light to moderate cardio	Hamstrings Quads Inner thighs Calves Pecs Torso
Circuit 1	Repeat 3 times ( rest :60 between sets)
Side Planks	Hold :30 each side
Jump squats	15 reps
Push ups (use knees if necessary)	10 reps
Circuit 2	Repeat 3 times ( rest :60 between sets)
Squat to press (DB or MB)	15 reps
Pull ups or Lat pulldowns	10 reps
Bent over rows (DB)	15 reps
Circuit 3	Repeat 3 times ( rest :60 between sets)
Lateral lunge	10 reps each leg
Step ups (onto bench)	10 each leg
Straight leg sit ups	15 reps

I just did this workout, started with 10 minutes on the elliptical to warm up, stretched and then went for it. It was fun and challenging and I feel like my entire body got worked! Just a word of caution for those with lower back problems: straight leg sit ups can put a lot of pressure on the lumbar spine, try 90 seconds of crunches instead. Try it and let me know what you think in the comment section below.

Tips From Jessica Biel's Trainer!

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Jessica Biel continues to have one of the most wanted bodies in Hollywood. So when her trainer, Jason Walsh, tells Forbes a few things Jessica does to stay so fit, I am all ears.

Here's the deal:

Jason Walsh, the man responsible for Jessica Biel’s lingerie-clad body in this summer’s I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, says that maximizing any workout requires a mastery of the basics.

"Learn how to squat properly, crunch properly and how to do push-ups and pull-ups - two of the best upper-body exercises," he says. In addition to a weekly three-day cardio regimen, Biel spends three alternate days focusing on muscle development and toning by doing lunges, crunches, squats and core work.

Walsh suggests that beginners hire a trainer for a month or pick up a book like Core Performance by Mark Verstegen in order to learn the basics and understand how to avoid injuries.

Squats, crunches and push-ups might need to be added to my list of exercises I can't live without. Though I've got to say, I'm not sure pull-ups are in my cards, even if it means getting one step closer to getting Jess's bod.

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A Week In Review: FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 04:00:00 -0700

In case you missed it, here's what we've been talking about...

Cow Face: A funny name for a great yoga move.

Are you a fan of Blizzards? Then check out this Dairy Queen nutritional breakdown so you can make smarter choices.

Before you raid the medicine cabinet, try chewing gum to relieve heartburn.

I want your opinion on if paychecks should be docked for high BMIs or not.

You can use your fitness ball for yoga too -- Check out this great video to see how to use the ball for your backbend.

Gwen Stefani wants to be more fit but less neurotic.

There was a lot in the news about coffee recently so check out this coffee round up.

Celebrities do their fare share of running too. Take my celeb marathoners quiz.

Men and woman do everything differently, even dieting.

Running at night? Check out these tips for nighttime running.

Nutritional labels on booze a good idea? What about drinking raw milk?

Learn more about circut training and if it's right for you.

Maybe it's time to stop using your baby as an excuse not to workout.

An oldie but a goodie: Here is Jessica Biel's workout.

DVD Review: XFLOWSION

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Want to get in on the new workout that's recently been discovered by Jessica Biel, Elisha Cuthbert, Shannon Elizabeth and Randy Spelling?

XFLOWSION DVD Series ($59.85) is the latest and greatest in working out. The hybrid blend of yoga, martial arts, and dance, not to mention the live band on set makes XFLOWSION a unique way to exercise. It is fun, energetic, very effective way for shaping, toning and weight loss, and it also leaves a sense of calm and peace (thanks to the yoga). Students are guided and inspired by instructor Eric Paskel, a rebel turned fitness guru, whose mantra is “We do this for our sanity, not our vanity.” The DVD series is sold in a package (this includes 4 DVDs and lots of other info), which is why it's a little more pricey. Sounds like fun? Then buy it from xflowsion.com.

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Celebrity Trainers Give US the Scoop...

FitSugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 12:30:00 -0700

People are always ~~begging~~ asking me what Jessica Biel does to look so fit, as if I know the girl personally or something. So when I come across anything related to what she does (or eats, or thinks about eating), I like to give you guys the scoop because, I'll admit it: That girl does look good in her jeans, but she looks killer in a bikini.

USMagazine.com has gotten inside information from Jason Walsh, Jessica's trainer, along with other notable celeb trainers on what the stars are doing these days:

Change is good! Jessica Biel's trainer, Jason Walsh, likes to keep his client mentally stimulated. "I'm a big advocate of recreational sports and stuff. If someone can get out there, even if it's a hike or something like that, just to break up the monotony of going to the gym...I really like that."
Hard work is even better. According to Walsh, Biel's workouts are intense. "We do full body movements. You are pretty much using as many muscles at once, which in turn will jack that heart rate up."
Food is not the enemy. If you're out and about as Walsh recommends, you need snacks and drinks to give you sustained energy. He suggests "really organic and clean foods, all natural, like nuts." Also, "an amino acid drink, so that you're not burning up a lot of your muscle, or protein."
Everything old is new again. Walsh loves to use medicine balls with his intermediate to advanced level clients. "Get a medicine ball and do a lunge with a twist while you are holding the ball. Those are great. You are activating so many muscles at once, and you are using those muscles over so many different plains."
Healthy meals can be tasty. Harley Pasternak, who works with Eva Mendes and Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl, taught both of the actresses how to cook meals with some easy, healthy substitutions. "Breakfast would be whole grain bread French toast with egg whites and cinnamon. For a mid-morning snack, they'd do a mixed-berry protein shake. Lunch might be sweet potato tuna melt. An afternoon snack might be hummus with celery sticks. Dinner would be spaghetti and meatballs with spaghetti squash and meatballs made of turkey or chicken breast."
Just because it's trendy doesn't mean it works. Pasternak doesn't do yoga or pilates with his clients. "Those are great forms of exercise for stability and balance, but neither one of those is going to change your body dramatically like training with weights does."
The "F" word is not all bad. Rachel McAdams' trainer, Jerry Owen, says, "The biggest problem is that people are fat phobic. It¹s clinically proven that we need healthy fat in our diets. You need to eat a balanced diet but not be afraid of fat, like Omega 3 fatty acids like walnuts, olive oil and even coconut oil."
Focus on your whole body - not just problem areas. Owens tells Us the best way to lose weight and tone up is "to blend nutrition, exercise, and physical therapy. The body responds better. People get too wrapped up in doing isolated movement, like being very body part specific."
All cardio and no lifting makes for bad workouts. "People get too cardio-crazy and need to do more weight lifting," says Owens. He explains that for many people on elliptical machines, "their heart Rate is about the same as if they were shopping around a mall."
Everybody needs a break. Owens delivers the best news possible: working out for more than an hour is a "waste of time." He suggests gym-goers "take one to two days off a week: have a massage, make sure you get plenty of rest. The muscles actually change when they're recovering."

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Get the Bod: Jessica Biel

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 12:31:27 -0800

Jessica Biel's trainer, Jason Walsh has recently revealed to People what this starlet has been doing for the past 8 months to be looking so darn buff.

Jessica Biel’s Workout:

Stretch: One of her favorite warm-ups is the walking lunge. “This stretches the larger leg and glute muscles,” says Walsh. How-to: With feet together, lunge first with right leg. Bring left foot alongside right. Lunge with left. Do 8-10 per leg.
Cardio: “It’s the cardio that leans her out,” says Walsh. After a ½-mile jog, they hit the track for two 200-meter, 150-meter and 100-meter sprints.
Core: “Hanging leg raises don’t build a six-pack, but they flatten,” says Walsh. “Jessica hates them, but she powers through!” How-to: Hanging from a high bar or rings, pull knees up slightly above waist. Do three sets of 15 repetitions.
Plyometrics: “These hurt,” says Walsh of stair jumping. “Even athletes hate them. After Jessica did these the first time, she would’ve punched me if she had the energy.” How-to: Jump from the bottom step of a flight of at least 20 stairs to the third. Keep going, skipping a stair each jump.
Weight Training: “We tend to use lighter weights and do more reps,” he says. “We keep moving, so it becomes a cardio workout too.”
For the waist: They do the Russian Twist. Sit down and lean back slightly. Hold a 5-lb. medicine ball and twist from side to side, 15 twists per side, three reps.
For shoulders/biceps: Stand with knees slightly bent. Hold 10-lb. weights in each hand. Curl to chest. Rotate hands, palms face outward. Press overhead together. Do 3 sets of 10-12 reps.

Want to find out about Jessica's diet and new year's resolution too, then read more.

Jessica Biel’s Diet:

“Clean foods”- those that aren’t processed-are on the menu Walsh created. “She eats complex carbs at the beginning of the day,” he says, “and tapers off by the end.”
Breakfast: 1 cup of oatmeal with handful of berries.
Snack: 1 slice whole wheat toast, 1-1 ½ tbsp. of almond butter and sliced bananas on top.
Lunch: Salad with 5-6 oz of chicken, vinaigrette dressing.
Snack: A banana, apple or strawberries.
Dinner: 6oz. of fish, plate full of veggies, 1/2 cup of low-glycemic basmati rice. Sweets A couple of pieces of dark chocolate.

Jessica Biel’s New Year’s Resolution:

“Stop eating cheese and start eating kale. I eat way too much cheese. Kale is good for you and delicious with a little garlic.”

Check out this great workout created by Jessica's trainer: Circuit Workout by Celebrity Trainer Jason Walsh as well as ways to get Jessica's arms.

Source

Burn Calories, Walk Your Dog and Your Dogs

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 12:00:00 -0800

Time and time again I get requests for Jessica Biel's workout. I don't blame you for wanting to know what she does, the girl is ripped. I have also noticed, time and time again, that we are always seeing Jessica out walking her dogs.

While I am sure that she does WAY more than just walk her dogs for exercise, it definitely doesn't hurt for maintaining that figure of hers. A 130-pound woman walking her dog at about 2.5mph (average) will burn about 183 calories in one hour. For great tips on safe dog walking and to see even more pics of Jessica walking her dogs read more

Here are some great tips from Weather.com for happy dog walking this spring:

Just like people who aren't used to exercise, dogs should start off slow. Moderately paced walking and swimming are a good way to start--they let canine athletes build their cardiovascular and muscle strength without putting undue stress on their joints.
Keep a close eye on your dog: watch for any unusual signs of fatigue or trouble breathing. If your pup wants to stop, let him. Dogs that overdo it can suffer strained tendons or ligaments or other orthopedic problems.
Don't expect your fuzzy buddy to be a weekend warrior, even if you only get exercise on the weekends yourself. After a long week without exercise, your dog may be ready to get out and burn off energy. But because of their enthusiasm, many of the popular breeds, such as Labrador and golden retrievers, will overdo it.
Safety first--keep Rover on a leash when you run. Even the best-trained dogs can run into the path of a car or a territorial animal. And if you have to run when it's dark out, put reflectors on your dog's collar as well as on your clothes.
Concrete and asphalt are tough on the paws, especially on hot days. Try to run on dirt paths or grass as much as possible. Gravel, cinders, and road salt can also irritate paws.
Take it easy in extreme weather. If it's freezing cold or hot and steamy out, either keep your run short or play a little indoor fetch instead.
The more active your dog is, the more water he'll need. Make sure he has plenty of fresh water before and after your run. If you're going for a long run, take some water along for him.

View 9 Photos ›

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Get the Bod: Jessica Biel's Workout

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0700

When I think of fit celebs, Jessica Biel definitely comes to mind. Her toned tush and defined arms are the reason she's won the title of Fitsugar's Fittest Female Celeb two years in a row. If you want to know how she maintains such a strong and feminine physique, her personal trainer Jason Walsh told People magazine about her workouts. Here's what he said:

Stretch: Jessica warms up with walking lunges. Jason says, "This stretches the larger leg and glute muscles.”
Cardio: She hits the track and jogs for half a mile, then does two 200-meter, 150-meter, and 100-meter sprints. This type of cardio interval training "leans her out," Jason says.
Core: “Hanging leg raises don’t build a six-pack, but they flatten,” says Walsh. “Jessica hates them, but she powers through!”

To find out what else Jason Walsh had to say read more.

Plyometrics: “These hurt,” says Walsh of stair jumping. “Even athletes hate them. After Jessica did these the first time, she would’ve punched me if she had the energy.”
Weight Training: Jason says, “We tend to use lighter weights and do more reps. We keep moving, so it becomes a cardio workout, too.”
Waist: Get ready for Seated Russian Twists. Jessica does them holding a five-pound medicine ball. Twist to each side 15 times, and do a total of three sets.
Shoulders and biceps: Stand with knees slightly bent. Hold 10-pound dumbbells in each hand. Do a bicep curl and then rotate your hands hands so your palms face outward, and do a Twisting Dumbbell Press. Then reverse the move until you're back to the starting position. Complete three sets of 10 to 12 reps.

As for her diet, Jessica eats complex carbohydrates such as oatmeal and whole wheat toast with one tablespoon of almond butter in the morning. For dinner she enjoys fish, veggies, and basmati rice. She snacks on fruits like bananas, apples, and strawberries. She doesn't deny herself the foods she craves, and likes to treat herself at the end of the day with something sweet like a piece of dark chocolate.

Flynet

Jessica Biel Does Boot Camp

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:30:16 -0700

Voted fittest female celeb by FitSugar readers two years in a row, we know Jessica Biel embraces a challenging workout. Jess recently shared the details of her new boot camp with Life and Style, and it sounds tough. After an hour-long session at Live-In Fitness Enterprise (L.I.F.E.) in Marina Del Rey, CA, the actress said that the workout "was tough, and I’ll definitely be back for more. But I’m tired!"

L.I.F.E. specializes in creating personalized five- to seven-hour workouts. Even though when preparing for a role Jessica has clocked some five-plus hours of exercise in a day, her boot-camp-style workout left her breathless. The session included leg lifts, medicine-ball training, hand-bike work, and kettlebell lifts. Trainer and gym owner Eric Viskovicz is known for working his clients hard. He explained his style like this: "I put my clients through the gantlet - it’s what I’d put a professional athlete through." After working Biel hard, he had only compliments for Jess saying, "Compared to the rest of the celebrities, I’d give Jessica an A."

An A-lister both in and out of the gym, Jess's physique comes with a lot of hard work. Her eating habits play a role in her healthy lifestyle too. Learn her food philosophy.

FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 05:50:11 -0700

It is OK to eat in between meals, as long as your follow the dos and don'ts of snacking.
Check out Jessica Biel's new workout.
Then print out my total body yoga flow series.
What do you think of the Skechers exercise shoe? Cool or not cool?
A very pregnant Heidi Klum opens up about losing baby weight.
Familiar with celebs' taut tummies? See if you can guess the celeb by her abs.
In this heat, how many glasses of water do you drink in a day?
Jennifer Love Hewitt has shed some pounds and gained some wisdom.
Some folks are saying that exercise doesn't help with weight loss.
If you think melon is the perfect Summer food, see how all sorts of melons compare.
Stay fit on the road with these eight vacation fitness vitals.

Source: Getty and Flickr User craige