FitSugar

Yoga Video: Jump Through With Blocks

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 04:00:00 -0700

The jump through vinyasa is one of the toughest moves to master in Yoga, but it's an important move to learn since it brings an amazing sense of fluidity to your practice. If you've tried it a million times, and are constantly kicking your hands or crashing your booty into the ground, then you are probably frustrated.

Here's a trick to make your attempts successful and to strengthen your core muscles, which are vital for mastering the jump through. Check out the video.

Want a detailed explanation of how to do this? Then read more

Begin in Down Dog holding onto a set of blocks. Keep those blocks stable as you hop both feet forward between your hands. Practice this a couple of times, working on making it all the way in between the blocks. It's very important to work on engaging your abs and pelvic floor to slow down the jump, so you can land as softly as possible (without making a sound).
When you're ready, this time instead of landing on the soles of your feet, you want to land on the tops of your feet. All your soft and slow jumping practice will come in handy here, because if you land too hard, it'll hurt your feet. As you jump from Down Dog, engage your core, bend your knees, point through your toes and land on the tops of your feet ever so gently. To get back to Down Dog, just press into the tops of your feet and pop back (that's my favorite part).
Once you've got that down, this time as you jump forward, you want to cross at your ankles as you land on the tops of the feet. Continue working on engaging your core muscles, which will help to slow this move down and give you more control when you land. Try to keep your knees as close together as possible since eventually they'll need to fit between your arms. Practice this a few times.
Now you're ready for the jump through. You're still going to cross at your ankles and point through your toes, but you're going to jump passed your hands and land in a seated position on your bum. Take it slowly at first because it doesn't take much to get you through. To get back to Down Dog, just bend your knees into your chest, cross at your ankles, press into the blocks to lift your hips off the ground and jump back to Chaturanga (4-Limbed Staff) or straight to Down Dog.

Have fun practicing this jump through. Not only will it work your core and stretch out your hamstrings, but all that jumping will work your heart as well.

Just Released: Three Fitness Video Games For the Wii

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:00:47 -0700

Confession: I love playing video games - I especially love them on the Wii because I get to move, jump, and shake myself into a tizzy. Three fitness games were released for the Wii this last week and even though it's not like doing the real deal outside, the games are a fun way to burn calories and whip your bod into shape.

Nintendo Wii Fit Plus ($20) Wii Fit Plus is Nintendo's follow-up to the popular Wii Fit. There are new exercises, balance board games, and strength and yoga activities, as well as targeted exercise routines for things like reducing tummy fat and toning your figure. A great improvement is the addition of a calorie counter - after you complete each exercise the game tells you how many calories you've burned.

To hear about the other two games, continue reading.

New Exercise Trend: Masala Bhangra

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:00:20 -0700

Last week we talked about the new workouts you wanted to try and today we're adding another to the list: Masala Bhangra. For those of you not familiar with Masala Bhangra, it's similar to the energetic dance numbers seen in Bollywood cinema and the worldwide hit Slumdog Millionaire.

Created by expat Sarina Jain, the hour-long cardio workout incorporates sliding steps, squats, jumps, turns, and lots of hand and wrist movement set against upbeat modern Bhangra music - a percussion-based genre that sounds like a mash-up of hip-hop and classical Indian music. The instructors are extremely motivating and the class environment feels more like a fun party than a workout regimen.

Jain first introduced the workout through a series of tapes in the 1990s but as she sensed the growing interest in Indian culture, she decided to teach classes as well. If you are a fan of dance workouts, give Masala Bhangra a try. It's a great way to burn 500 calories.

If you have done this workout, I'd love to hear what you think of it . . .

DVD Review: Weight Loss - Cardio Kick

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:00:51 -0700

Although I'm not a huge fan of DVDs that have the words "weight loss" on the cover, I did love the Weight Loss - Cardio Sculpt video I reviewed a while back.

Here's another video from that series called Weight Loss - Cardio Kick ($15). This DVD follows the same format of a few minutes of cardio, and a few minutes of strength training with weights, so it goes by really fast. The cardio portion includes high-energy kickboxing and martial arts-influenced cardio moves like punching, kicking, and pretend jumping rope to burn calories. The sculpting section leads you through combo moves such as bicep curls with squats, and lunges with deadlifts. There are a few workout options you can choose from. Do the total 51-minute workout including warmup, two cardio/sculpting workouts, and the cooldown, or if you don't have as much time, do the 31-minute workout including warmup, one cardio/sculpting workout, and cooldown.

For more of my opinion on this DVD keep reading.

Dealing With Rude People at the Gym

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:00:16 -0700

Working out is supposed to relieve stress and calm your nerves, but when I have to deal with rude people while trying to work out, it really aggravates me. If you find yourself putting up with inconsiderate and disrespectful fellow gym-goers, here is some advice from other FitSugar readers.

Syako says, "Usually I just ignore things that aggravate me or I find rude."
"People are quite often rude in my gym. Not to be rude per say, but just very self-involved with no consideration for others. Anyway, I use the opportunity to laugh in disbelief. The laughing puts me in a good mood." - michiny
StaceyP says to speak up for yourself. "I once had a woman jump in front of me to take a spot in a pool lane for which I had obviously been very patiently waiting for before she even walked through the door. As politely as I could, I stepped in and simply said that I had been waiting for it."
"My mother always said if people are in such a rush and rude, let them go." - TrnSmleShiftRpt
"I pity them. I feel sorry for people who have become adults and not yet learned how to treat other people with respect. I silently thank my parents for raising me with some sense that what I want isn't always the most important thing in the world. I take a deep breath and feel grateful for having a happy, full life, filled with people who love me; that getting the first bike in the class isn't the best thing that happened to me all day." - Vsugar

To see the other suggestions read more.

If there are rude people at the gym, one anonymous reader just exercises harder and says, "It is amazing how hard I can work out when I'm miffed."
Candace Foxx uses a little sarcasm when it comes to rude people. When a couple started using the piece of equipment she was about to use, she says, "I just stood there and stared. Then, after they were finished, the guy was like, 'Oh, were you using that?' I said, 'No, I just brought the bench clear across the room for you guys to use it.'"
You could always complain to the people who run the gym, suggests tlsgirl.
Even though you may not be able to make others be more polite, you can choose not to be rude yourself. NikkiRuby shares, "I have a tattoo that covers my entire back. One day I was running on the treadmill and mid run I had an older woman come up to me, stopped me from running and said, 'I don't understand why such a pretty girl would get such an ugly tattoo.' I could not believe it! . . . I just simply responded with, 'You don't have to be rude.' If she wants to live her life putting her negative energy on others that is her choice. I just can't be that cruel."

Learn to Love: Watermelon

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 04:32:43 -0700

I was accused of being unpatriotic when I expressed a distaste for watermelon at an Independence Day barbecue a few years ago. My hostess forced a piece upon me, and I have been eating the melon ever since. Which is a boon to my diet, since there are so many healthful reasons to love this melon.

For starters, this red and juicy melon is one of the few foods high in the cancer-fighting antioxidant lycopene, along with tomatoes and pink grapefruit - remember, antioxidants also provide color to fruits and veggies along with phytonutrients. Watermelon is also a low-calorie food and one cup of melon balls contains just under 50 calories. Being 92 percent water, the melon makes for a great post-workout treat on a hot day since it will help replace fluids lost through sweating.

Considered a cooling food, the yellow variety of watermelon might help you heat things up in the bedroom. Research out of Texas (the largest producer of the seedless variety of the melon) indicates that watermelon has an effect on the human body similar to Viagra. Learn more.

DVD Review: 10 Minute Solution KnockOut Body

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:30:00 -0700

Famous ladies like Lauren Conrad, Jenna Fischer, and Adriana Lima swear that boxing is a great way to get in shape without getting bored. I concur with their assessments after working out with 10 Minute Solution KnockOut Body Workout Kit with Weighted Gloves ($22). As with the other 10 Minute Solution DVDs, the video is broken up into five, 10-minute workouts that can be done separately, all at once, or you can customize by pairing two or three workouts. I chose to do all of them together and found myself glistening with sweat by the end.

While I enjoyed all of the segments, the Fat Attack and Kickbox Cross Train sections were my favorite, and I wore the provided weighted gloves for extra challenge. The workouts are designed to get your heart rate up with punching, kicking, jumping, and sculpting moves. Both segments incorporate varieties of lunges, and the Kickbox Cross Train is particularly appealing for those looking to spice up typical gym moves. The coach, Jessica Smith, takes you through exercises like squats into overhead tricep extensions with an added heel lift, and reverse lunges into backwards kicks.

The 50-minutes flew by and I had a blast. It provides an intermediate level workout, so I wouldn't rely on it for your sole source of cardio, but it will definitely get your heart rate up and burn some calories. I know I'll be popping this video in on days that I just don't feel like leaving the house to work out. To see a clip of the DVD, read more.

Avoid These 6 Workout Mistakes

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:00:00 -0700

We all want to make the most of our workouts since we don't have tons of time to devote to being at the gym. To ensure that your workout is effective, efficient, and safe, check to make sure you're not committing these exercise crimes.

Running is your only form of cardio. Don't get me wrong. Running is effective at getting your heart rate up, toning your legs, and burning calories, but you can suffer repetitive injuries if you only stick to running. So mix it up when it comes to cardio. Biking, hiking, swimming, jumping rope, and cardio classes are also good forms of cardio.
You skip the warmup. What if you're short on time and you want to burn as many calories as possible in your 30-minute lunch break? Not only will warming up prevent injury, but research shows that, "Your body literally needs to warm up so that blood flow increases, the nervous system wakes up, and the body starts to use energy and oxygen more efficiently." So warm up by doing a low intensity version of whatever type of cardio you've chosen.

What other mistakes should you avoid? To find out read more.

You don't stretch. Many of you admitted that stretching is not top on your list. Just like the warmup, it's essential to include in every workout. Hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds, don't bounce, and don't push yourself in a stretch to the point of feeling pain. Need some ideas? Here are some of my favorite basic stretches.
Your weights are too light. If you can rush through your reps and not feel tired by the end of your last set, then you need to choose a heavier weight. In order to build muscle tone, the muscle fibers need to be stressed. Likewise, if your weights are too heavy, you'll have improper form and will rely on momentum to do reps instead of utilizing your muscles. You'll know you have the perfect amount of weight when your muscles feel fatigued by 10 or 12 reps.
You do the same strength-training routine every time. Does it seem like your routine is getting easier? It's not necessarily because your muscles are getting stronger. They're just accustomed to doing the exact same exercises every session. To tone your muscles effectively, they need to be challenged continuously. So surprise your muscles and mix up the order of your routine, or better yet, include new exercises each time.
You only do crunches to whittle your middle. Doing ab work will definitely tone your muscles, but it won't get rid of the layer of fat that's covering them. You can't rely solely on target strength training to fix problems areas. You need to do calorie-burning cardio to reduce your overall body fat percentage. This is the best way to reduce the extra padding around your waist, thighs, and booty.

Are you guilty of any of these mistakes? Share the details in the comments section below.

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Class Act: CrossFit Training

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:00:00 -0700

When I showed up to meet my CrossFit certified trainer, Sean Murphy, I found myself approaching a co-ed group performing Olympic lifting as part of an ongoing group class. The outdoor facility was as simple as it gets - a group of mats under a weather-protective tarp, a set of monkey bars, a shed for housing basic supplies like jump ropes and weights, and tractor tires resting about. The rugged scene was a far cry from the luxury home of my morning workouts at Equinox, but the fitness element challenged me in an entirely different and refreshing way.

Sean handed me a jump rope to warm up and then took me through the basics of what would make up my workout. In a completely encouraging and noncondescending way, Sean guided me on how to perfect a simple squat (lead with your booty!), challenged me to do the most perfect push-up that brought my chest barely an inch from the ground, and taught me how to do jumping pull-ups. We did a series of stretches for my hips and quads and it was time for the real workout. To see what it consisted of and what I thought, read more.

My workout was scrawled with a piece of chalk on a mat under the monkey bars: 15 jumping pull-ups, 15 deep squats, 15 perfect push-ups, and a 200 meter run, all to be completed three times. He challenged me to do the entire workout in under eight minutes, and that gave me the extra competitive push that always gets me going. This workout is deceivingly simple - I was breathing heavily after round two. I completed my workout in just under seven minutes, but there was ab-work to follow that challenged my core and we finished with some stretching.

This was just a sample of the workouts offered at CrossFit facilities. Sean described how no workout is ever the same, but they always incorporate exercises that build strength and power while increasing endurance. Typically, the workouts last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour, and after my experience I can see why the CrossFit methodology has so many dedicated followers. I would definitely recommend checking out Boost Athletics (Sean's training business) if you're in San Francisco, and if you're looking for an ever-changing outdoor workout look into CrossFit facilities in your area.

Photo courtesy of Boost Athletics

Vitamins Reduce the Benefits of Your Workout

FitSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Free radicals create oxidative stress on a cellular level and have long been considered a major culprit of the aging process. Since antioxidants clean up those free roaming bits of "reactive oxygen compounds," one would think vitamins loaded with free radicals would help folks live longer. However, last Spring, researchers found that taking high doses of vitamins may decrease life span rather than lengthen it.

Now a new study has found that taking moderate doses of vitamins E and C interferes with the benefits of exercise, specifically the increase of metabolism and diabetes prevention through insulin sensitivity.

It seems the antioxidants found in vitamins C and E are too efficient at mopping up free radicals, and our muscles need a little bit of cellular damage caused by oxidative stress to jump-start their natural defense systems. Researchers wholeheartedly believe more research should be done in this area, and that we should not worry about getting too much of these vitamins in our diet naturally; it is supplements that should possibly be avoided.

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