Valerian Root: Nature's Valium


Updated 05/29/09 12:31 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 12 comments

Valerian Root:  Nature's Valium

Valerian Root may smell like disgustingly stinky feet, but it's great for relaxing the body and the muscles. It has been used for centuries in Europe and Asia as a sedative, and is believed to help you fall asleep faster, and improve the quality of your sleep. The Greeks also used valerian root to treat digestive problems. It's a hardy perennial flowering plant with heads of sweetly scented Read more

Coffee Helps Ease Muscle Pain


Updated 01/27/12 8:20 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 3 comments

Coffee Helps Ease Muscle Pain

MSNBC is reporting that a recent small study from the University of Georgia found that moderate doses of caffeine, the equivalent of about two cups of coffee, can cut post-gym muscle pain. Maybe don't request that your gym serves coffee just yet because too much caffeine can cause jitteriness, heart palpitations and sleep disturbances. Also, the results might not apply to regular coffee Read more

4 Reasons to Add an Exercise Ball to Your Home Gym


Updated 05/22/12 2:00 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Ways to Use an Exercise Ball

The exercise ball may occupy a lot of room in your home gym, but it's one versatile piece of equipment. Find out how to get the most out of your exercise ball below. A healthier seat: Ditch your normal seat on the couch and sit on an exercise ball instead. Using a ball to sit helps correct your posture, tones your abs, and encourages you to stretch, all of which sounds a lot better than the Read more

From the Fit Community: The Best Cardio Machine For Your Body


Posted by · 0 comments

Which Cardio Machine Is Best?

Which cardio machine is right for you? FitSugar reader JessicaSmithTV asks an expert for the answers. She shared what she found in our 10 Pounds Down! community group. The stair master, the stationary bike, and the elliptical — we all have our favorite cardio machine at the gym, but which one is the best one for your body? We asked Dr. Yoav Suprun, DPT, a McKenzie physical therapist at Canyon Read more

3 Ways Walkers Can Benefit From Going Barefoot


Updated 05/10/12 2:00 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Benefits of Barefoot Walking

If you're into running, there's no doubt you've heard the buzz about barefoot running. It's become trendy for a reason: running barefoot can help you have better form and technique, preventing injury and pain. Runners aren't the only ones who can benefit from ditching their footwear. If walking is your exercise of choice, here are some reasons you'll want to try going barefoot. Active and Read more

For Better Sleep, Do These 3 Things 20 Minutes Before Bed


Updated 05/10/12 5:05 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

What to Do Before Bed to Sleep Better

We spend about a third of our lives in slumberland, but many people complain of not sleeping well. If you have a tough time falling asleep or you toss and turn in the middle of the night, try exercising during the day and limiting alcohol and caffeine a few hours before bedtime. But if you are doing this already and still have troubles, here are three things to do immediately before hitting the Read more

5 Tricks to Get the Most Out of Your Outdoor Run


Updated 05/03/12 4:15 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Tips For Outdoor Running

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar. This week Shape turns to celebrity trainer Jay Cardiello for some help! The weather is getting nice and you may have been bitten by the "run bug." To make the transition from indoor runs to the great outdoors seamless and safe, I compiled a list of my top five tricks to get the most out of your outdoor run. Whether you Read more

Know Your Basics: How to Do a Lunge


Updated 05/01/12 3:10 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

How to Do a Lunge

Lunges are a quintessential exercise; you can do them anywhere and the effects can be seen in no time, in the form of shapely, toned legs and backside (just in time for bikini season!). If you're planning on incorporating lunges into your routine, however, make sure you're not doing more harm than good. Find out how to do lunges correctly below. The basics: It's important to do lunges properly Read more

13 Health Gimmicks You Can Stop Wasting Money On


Updated 05/01/12 12:20 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Health Gimmicks to Avoid

Consumers have a tendency of falling for the next big health gimmick. Save your money on health duds with these Business Insider tips. No matter how many times we're told otherwise, Americans' obsession with get-healthy-quick schemes will likely never die. Too bad most of these fads aren't worth their weight in salt — or your hard-earned dollars. We've put together a list of some of the worst Read more

Headstand? Ugh. How to Stop Hating Inversions


Updated 04/25/12 3:20 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Tips For Doing Inversions in Yoga

As beings who walk with their heads stacked over their feet, it's no surprise that going upside down in your yoga class scares the om out of you. Fear of falling, neck or other pains, and the sheer oddness of seeing the world from a whole new perspective can make inversions lowest on your list of faves. If you get upset whenever your teacher suggests headstands, forearm stands, or handstands, Read more