You Asked: Why Avoid Locking?


Updated 04/04/08 11:00 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 7 comments

Why Not to Lock Your Joints During Exercise

You're asking and I'm answering. "Fit, whenever I am reading about how to do a new exercise it almost always says, "Do not lock your knees," or elbows or whatever. Why is locking so bad?" - Locked Lindsay That's a very good question! Let me start with a little explanation. Locking your joints is when you are doing an exercise and you fully extend the limb until it can't straighten anymore — it Read more

5 Solutions to Beginner Bike Commuting Problems


Updated 05/18/12 9:45 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

How to Start a Bike Commute

That fact that it's National Bike Month and the warmer Spring days may mean you have cycling on the brain. Whether you're participating in your city's Bike to Work program or you're starting a commuting routine, here are some solutions to your newbie concerns. I don't know my route: Finding a bike-friendly route is especially crucial if you're a cycling newbie, so before your actual commute, Read more

7 Smart Ways to Pay for College


Updated 03/12/12 8:03 PM · Posted by · 1 comment

How to Pay For College

Does paying for college overwhelm you? Here's a helpful post from Kiplinger. College students who borrow graduate with an average of $25,250 in debt. That's the equivalent of a new-car purchase or a down payment on a home. Even if some borrowing is inevitable for you, first explore other options to help you pay for college. Coverdells, 529 plans and Roth IRAs come with tax advantages for college Read more

Don't Pop or Lock These: Mind Your Elbows


Updated 11/15/11 2:00 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Avoid Hyperextending Your Elbows During Exercises

Unless an instructor or trainer calls you out, most people don't pay attention to what's happening with their elbows. When straightening your elbows during weight-bearing exercises, have you noticed if you unintentionally hyperextend them? You'll know that you have hyperextended elbows if your joint extends beyond 180 degrees when completely straightened. Going to the hyperextended place means Read more

6 Moves to Say Goodbye to Lower-Back Pain


Updated 07/06/11 5:40 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Exercises to Relieve Back Pain

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar! We know planks and dead-lifts are great, but the real question is, how can they help relieve your aching back? Back pain affects about 8 out of 10 people, according to the National Institutes of Health, and is one of the most common medical problems. It's costly too — in 2004, a team from Duke University found that Read more

How to Deal With a Sports Injury


Updated 10/14/11 11:50 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 5 comments

How to Deal With a Sports Injury

Many of you are excited to kick-start your Spring with some outdoor sports, but if you're a bit overzealous in your return to this active season, you may end up with an injury. The big question is, do you go see a doctor or treat it yourself? Dr. Thomas Best, a doctor and marathon runner told The New York Times, "Know how you typically recover. When you are not recovering as you typically do, Read more

Gear Review: Icebreaker GT260 Rapid Leggings


Updated 10/14/11 11:50 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 5 comments

Review of Icebreaker GT260 Leggings

When it comes to working out or playing on the weekends, I'm an outdoors girl. Where I live, it never gets too cold during the Winter, but in Tahoe or Yosemite — my weekend getaway spots — it can be downright frigid. That's why I was stoked to try out a new pair of leggings on my Valentine's Day climbing trip. Rock climbing when you're cold is not fun. It can be really difficult to get Read more