FitSugar

What Do You Think About: Naked Gyms?

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:30:00 PDT

Okay, now I've heard of Naked Yoga, but a Naked Gym? Now that's news to me.

Well, in the Netherlands, the gym called Fitworld welcomed nudists to come to "Naked Sunday," where they could pedal, run and lift wearing only their birthday suits. During the rest of the week, patrons would continue their clothed workout.

Now, we all know the Netherlands has a reputation for its relaxed sexual attitude. This seems a little extreme for me, even if the nudist are following the rules and putting down towels before they sit on anything!!!!

What do you think?

Carey Mulligan Talks Nude Scenes at NYT Event With Fiancé Marcus Mumford

Lauren Turner — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:12:16 PST

Carey Mulligan carried a Dolce & Gabanna bag as she arrived at the New York Times building in NYC with her fiancé Marcus Mumford yesterday. Carey participated in the NYT's Times Talks during their Arts & Leisure Weekend, and she chatted about doing her first nude scene with Michael Fassbender in Shame. Carey said, "I don't think if you held a gun to my head I would do sexy naked, but raw naked in this bit. . . it serves the purpose. By the time I was doing it, I really didn't feel nervous at all, which was so weird. I thought for a while, 'Oh, I'll go to the gym.' Then after a while I ended up not doing that."

She also shared about her love of the theater, though she's currently focused on the big screen since she's been in Australia filming The Great Gatsby. Carey showed off her diamond ring Down Under last Fall after becoming engaged to Marcus, who is the lead singer of Mumford & Sons.

Carey Mulligan Tells W About Facing Her Nude Scene Fears in Shame

Allie Merriam — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:54:25 PST

Carey Mulligan shows some skin on the cover of W's January 2012 issue. She's been off in Australia working on The Great Gatsby with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire, but it's her most recent release, Shame, that she discussed with the magazine. The Steve McQueen-directed movie earned a NC-17 rating for its graphic sex and frequent nude scenes, and leading man Michael Fassbender has gotten a great deal of attention for the amount of time he spends in the buff. Carey also has her moment sans clothes, and she spoke about that, as well as getting the role and her start in acting, with the publication. Carey Mulligan told W:

On going nude in Shame: "I’ve never been comfortable with the idea of nudity . . . When it came to this, it just seemed so obvious that she is the sort of person who would have no trouble being naked in front of any family member, especially not her brother . . . I thought I had a week before the nude scene to go to the gym, but we shot it on my first day of filming."
On wanting the role in the picture: "When I read the script, I found it terrifying. My English agents sent it to me and said, 'There’s this amazing part.' For me, as an actor, it was sort of scary. I’d seen Hunger, which was done by Steve McQueen, the director of Shame, and I thought it was just incredible. And I’d always wanted to work with Michael Fassbender, who had been cast as the brother. So, I asked to have a meeting with Steve to pitch myself for the job."
On being dramatic as a child: "I would put my earphones on and sing along to soundtracks of musicals like Les Misérables. I’d act it out in the mirror and cry. When I was 11 or 12, I asked my parents about going to a performing arts school, and they said no. Although I did audition to be a presenter on a TV show called Dig It."

Tales From the Fit Community: Unintentional Naked Yoga

Anna Monette Roberts — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:03:22 PST

Here is a hilarious yet totally embarrassing hot yoga story from reader FunSally, who shared her wardrobe malfunction in our Yoga Stretch and Tell group.

This is a little story of my first hot yoga class. I was surprised to see mostly men there and, out of a class of 20, only three other women. I was already sweating before we even got started. It was really hot, and it wasn't long before sweat was dripping off me. My mat had a pool of my sweat on it, and I was really having trouble not slipping as I did my moves. For one move, I was sitting on my mat, and we reached for our big toes, spread our legs apart as far as we could, and rolled onto our backs.

I was feeling really exposed. When we stood up again and turned to the front of the room. I saw myself in the mirror. I couldn't believe it. My white Danskin was just that - a skin. I was embarrassed that my shorts and top were totally see-through. It was as if I was doing the class naked in front of everyone; everything was in full sight. My nipples were bare, my ass was completely visible, and my lower lips were open and on full display for the entire class to see. I was so shocked to see that every time I turned around. The men around me all smiled and seemed to be loving the show.

I was so humiliated. Finally when the class was over and I had to turn in my mat, my instructor smiled and ask me how I liked my first class. I told him I was so embarrassed. He told me not to worry about it and that it happens to a lot of first timers. I left the building still wet and exposed. I will never forget the moment when, as I was leaving, all the men said, "It was nice to see you."

Are you worried about experiencing a major wardrobe malfunction during a hot yoga class? Read our tips on how to avoid dressing for an unintentional naked yoga class after the break.

David Barton One-Month Membership Event on PopSugar Shop

Danny Feekes — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:22:27 PST

This is not your average gym. Your David Barton Gym workouts will be nothing less than sexy. The decor promises to deliver moody, plush accents, and the music is freshly spun on in-house DJ turntables. Don't believe us? Break a sweat at one of the six locations across the US - NYC, Chicago, Seattle, and Miami - with a one-month membership at a fraction of the cost.

David Barton, "the man who made working out cool," has created a nightclub-inspired fitness empire that veers away from the constant reminders that you are, in fact, at a gym, working out. Take the Astor Place location in New York with its giant disco ball DJ booth, dim lighting, candle-lit hallways, and velvet chaises, or make note of the Elle Decor-esque lounge area adjacent to the weight machines in Seattle - it's all about feeling good and looking great before, during, and, most importantly, after your workout. Add to the mix swanky locker rooms, classes named Ass Blast, Six-Pack Attack, Pain & Pleasure, and Steam, and a hint of glam to everything you put your mind and muscle to, and you have yourself the full-service David Barton experience. Let's just say Barton's philosophy "look better naked" is one that's easily attainable once you join the club. Head over to PopSugar Shop and snag this deal before it's too late.

6 Surprising Health Mistakes Even Smart Women Make

Prevention — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:05:18 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

When was the last time you got 8 hours of sleep or lifted weights at the gym? You're not alone if you can't remember: Even some of the most savvy women didn't get the memo about these health-wrecking habits. Find out if you're among them.
From the Editors of Prevention

You're supposed to watch saturated fat and eat lots of vegetables — that's why you usually pick up a salad for lunch and dinner (even when the kids get burgers). But you're not obsessed with the scale like some women you know. You brush your teeth twice a day, and you last flossed, oh, maybe two weeks ago. You exercise but avoid lifting so you don't bulk up. The tummy pains you got last week? Must have been gas — nothing serious. And hey, you'd like to get 8 hours of sleep, but the days are short, and it's hard to get everything done. Sound familiar? These so-called "good" habits may actually be derailing your health. Here, experts share the surprising things you're doing wrong — and how to recover.

1. You Always Order a Salad
Don't assume that bowl of lettuce is always the healthiest menu pick.

Truth is, a lot of take-out and restaurant salads are basically a burger in a bowl, says Brie Turner-McGrievy, RD, clinical research coordinator for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) in Washington, DC. That's because add-ons like fried chicken, croutons, and full-fat dressing pack major calories, fat, sodium, and other unhealthy nutrients. One example: McDonald's Bacon Ranch Salad with Crispy Chicken and Newman's Own Ranch Dressing has 540 calories and 35 grams of fat; a Big Mac has 540 calories and 29 grams.

The fix: Don't scratch take-out salad off your menu; just use a few common sense rules before you order. Avoid high-fat add-ons such as sour cream, extra cheese, croutons, bacon bits, and creamy dressings like Caesar and ranch. Opt for salads that aren't just a fiber-free mound of iceberg lettuce dotted with a few carrot and red cabbage shavings. And plan ahead: Most fast-food chains supply nutritional info online so you can scout out the best options before you leave.

Avoid These Surprisingly Unhealthy Salads

2. You Rock Out While You Work Out
Do your ears ring after a long iPod-powered workout?

Check the volume on your iPod or MP3 player, advises Andrew Cheng, MD, an otolaryngologist at New York Medical College. The normal range of an MP3 player is 60 to 120 decibels; persistent exposures above 85 may cause hearing loss. If you're concerned, ask a friend to stand next to you while you listen: If she can hear your music, it's too loud.

Learn the fix and four more other common mistakes, when you read more.

5 Ways Relationships Help You Lose Weight

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:21:46 PDT

There are plenty of ways a relationship can lead you to pack on the pounds, but being in love doesn't automatically increase your jeans size. Here are some ways being attached at the hip to someone else can actually help you lose weight.

You have an instant workout buddy: You both need to work out to stay healthy, and it's another way you can spend time together. Sign up for a two-for-one membership at a gym, take your dog for a woodsy hike, or go for a long bike ride. And when you'd rather sit on the couch watching The Office reruns, hopefully your S.O. will give you the kick in the pants you need to lace up your sneaks.
Increased desire to look good naked: OK, so this is a little vain, but if you want to feel good when the lights go down and the clothes come off, there's no way you'll even think about skipping out on your morning run.

Continue reading to find out other ways your relationship can help you slim down.

Best of Yoga: Hybrid Classes

Self — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:28:37 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Still think yoga is for hippies? Think again! Instead of chanting, there are lots of yoga styles that fuse elements of other workouts to make a killer two-for-one workout for any exercise personality.

Since you've never been one to play by the rules, why should your yoga practice? Think of this as your yogi cheat sheet of fusion classes to help guide you through National Yoga Month. And be sure to brush up on first class tricks of the trade to look like a pro!

AntiGravity Yoga: Having trouble mastering the handstand? This is for you. Also known as cocooning and aerial yoga, AntiGravity yoga, created by former aerial acrobat Christopher Harrison, involves using a giant hanging fabric (think of a hammock) to assist with yoga pose and stretches.

AcroYoga: Need a spot? AcroYoga combines traditional yoga with Thai massage and Acrobatics for a partner-based practice. You'll massage, flow, invert, spot and asana with a buddy who is the ying to your yang.

Breakti: It's yoga with a beat! Founded by Anya Porter, Breakti is the fusion of break dancing and yoga.

Learn about more hybrid yoga classes after the break!

Obama Calls Weiner a Distraction as an Endless Supply of Pictures Come Out

Annie Scudder — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:40:48 PDT

Weinergate is a well of puns and jokes for late-night comics. But as more lewd photos of Anthony Weiner emerge, the President has made it clear that he finds nothing funny about the Democratic congressman's penchant for sexting.

Today a White House spokesman said, "The president feels, we feel at the White House, this is a distraction. Obviously, as Congressman Weiner has said himself, his behavior was inappropriate, his dishonesty was inappropriate." The public keeps finding out just how inappropriate the behavior was. Yesterday TMZ released half-naked photos Weiner took at the congressional gym. And as we discovered last week, he was apparently doing all of this while his wife was pregnant.

Weiner has asked for a leave of absence, but has not stepped down, and is seeking "treatment." Obama's press secretary didn't go as far as to call for Weiner's resignation, but it's clear the pressure's increasing. Do you think he should step down or let the voters decide?

Why You Feel Embarrassed at the Gym (and Why You Shouldn't)

Self — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 04:00:15 PST

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Workout-related humiliation is common: After all, you're doing things that require coordination and bum-in-the-air positions in a room full of strangers clad in sweaty spandex. Not only does this scenario lead to the obvious physical mishaps (falling in Zumba class, passing gas during downward dog, naked encounters in the locker room, etc.), it can also make you feel, well, awkward.

Here are 4 common gym insecurities, and why you should ditch them ASAP:

You think: "Ugh, everyone is in better shape than I am!"
Snap out of it: First of all, don't assume that just because someone weighs less than you that they are in better shape than you are. Being skinny isn't necessarily a sign of being fit - being strong is. To get an actual accurate reading on your body composition (rather than just comparing yourself to others), exercise physiologist Fabio Comana, spokesman for the American Council on Exercise, recommends checking your waist-to-hip ratio and your Body Mass Index (here's an online calculator).

And to get yourself in a more self-accepting state of mind pronto, position your body in a confident way: Shoulders back and down, head up, abs braced (like someone is about to sock you) and glutes engaged. Exude confidence and everyone will be jealous of you!

You think: "I have no idea what I'm doing."
Snap out of it: This might be true, but don't assume that everyone else does. They may look like they're pros, but chances are, they're just going through the motions (and not necessarily in an effective way) because they are too proud to ask for help. One-up them by seeking out the assistance of a trainer. You don't even need to buy an expensive lesson, just show up at the gym with a workout in hand (click here to download SELF's workout app), and ask one of the trainers roaming the floor if your form looks OK. Do this a few times a week and people will be asking you for help before you know it.

Two more solutions to your gym woes when you keep reading.