Core Work: Side Elbow Plank With Twist


Updated 05/07/09 2:57 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 10 comments

Core Work: Side Elbow Plank With Twist

Side planks are a great way to work your core, but why not add a twist to spice things up. Adding any kind of motion to a side plank is a serious balance challenge and any time you twist the torso you will be working your obliques and toning the sides of your torso. This move will help you tone your entire torso, not to mention work your shoulders. Needless to say, I love this move. Details on Read more

Yoga Series For Runners


Updated 05/11/12 9:00 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 0 comments

Yoga For Runners (Video)

We love running and yoga. We actually find that these two forms of exercise are quite complementary. Yoga is perfect for stretching out all those muscles worked, and often overworked, while pounding the pavement. To ensure that your body can handle all the miles, Kimberly Fowler, founder of Yoga For Athletes, suggests adding these five yoga poses to your weekly fitness routine. This short series Read more

7 Ways to Challenge Your Plank


Updated 04/20/12 9:28 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Variations of Plank to Strengthen Abs and Upper Body

If you want to work your core, plank position (top of a push-up) is a great move. You'll not only feel it in your abs, but it works your back, arms, shoulders, and legs. Here are seven variations to make it even more challenging. Get low: Instead of balancing on your hands in a straight-arm position, bend your elbows and lower onto your forearms into dolphin plank. This plank variation targets Read more

Helpful Hints to Recover After a Long-Distance Run


Updated 04/17/12 10:01 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

How to Recover From a Long-Distance Run

With all things related to the Boston Marathon on our brain, there's no better time to share a few ways to recover from long-distance runs. Here are a few quick tips for recovering after a long-distance run, whether you're feeling motivated by the main event in Boston or you're an avid runner in need of a refresher. Give your bod a break. After being pushed to its limits, your body is in need Read more

Tone Your Middle With the Kettlebell Windmill


Updated 02/11/12 3:05 PM · Posted by · 3 comments

How to Do Windmills With Kettlebells

Swinging kettlebells around at the gym makes me feel like a super toughie. But I do love the sassy feeling I get doing slow and controlled windmills, a move I just learned from my Equinox trainer Lauren. Like most kettlebell moves, this is a full-body exercise, but the work is at your waist, toning the obliques and stretching the sides of the torso. The shoulders and arms are worked nicely, too. Read more

Walk This Way: The Benefits of Walking


Updated 04/04/12 12:07 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 2 comments

Why Walking Is a Good Way to Exercise

Around here, there's no exercise we don't love. Yoga, running, and rock climbing all have a place in our hearts. But we don't discount the most unassuming exercise of all, walking. It's a great no-fuss way to exercise (all you need are comfortable walking shoes!), and a moderately intense pace — 100 steps per minute — is the key to losing weight. If you're in the mood for taking advantage of Read more

5 Ways to Get Rid of a Muffin Top


Updated 05/27/12 8:36 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 10 comments

Ways to Get Rid of Love Handles

There are certain spots where fat likes to hang around. For some, extra padding accumulates in the torso, resulting in that lovely layer of softness above the waistline commonly referred to as the muffin top. Keep reading to find out how to help yours disappear. Source: Thinkstock, go2yas Read more

6 Hard-Core Obliques Moves


Updated 07/06/11 12:35 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 0 comments

Obliques Exercises

For better posture, lower-back support, and to avoid back pain, it's important to strengthen and tone your obliques (side abdominal muscles). We've compiled six hard-core exercises to train and tone this region. Remember that quality is better than quantity. Start with five solid reps and work your way up to 10 or more. Read more

How to Tone Your Love Handles


Updated 08/06/11 11:08 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 1 comment

Tone Your Love Handles With Three Side Planks to Work Your Obliques

Muffin top. Spare tire. Love handles. That extra jiggle around the waist may have a lot of endearing nicknames, but that doesn't mean we actually love it. Unfortunately you cannot pick and choose where you lose weight, but you can spot tone-troublesome areas. To lose weight at your waist, you need to commit to cardio workouts, which will help you lose fat all over. Toning up the muscles under Read more

Best Ab Workout Videos


Updated 12/29/11 8:38 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Best ab videos from FitSugar

Toned abs are always in season! We've rounded up our favorite videos to help you work your midsection over the holidays. Try Jennifer Aniston's yoga ab routine and learn a few new ab exercises by watching the videos below. Jennifer Aniston's Yoga Abs With Mandy Ingber Work Your Love Handles Minka Kelly's Abs With Gunnar Peterson Ball Pass With Exercise Ball Quadruped Knee Tuck on Read more