Core Work: Twisted BOSU Plank


Updated 02/24/11 8:15 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Twisted Plank on BOSU Ball

No matter how you slice it or dice it, the BOSU makes everything harder — and I mean that in a good way. Take your basic plank, add the BOSU into the equation and your core is working overtime. Here's a progression of plank exercises for this devilish piece of equipment that I learned from my Equinox trainer Lauren. Basic Plank: You start in a basic plank with the ball side of the BOSU facing Read more

RX For Love Handles: Add a Twist to Your Plank


Updated 12/15/10 7:05 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Oblique Exercise to Trim the Waistline

Are you falling out of love with your love handles? One of the secrets to trimming down the waistline is toning up those obliques. Thanks to the slim and trim Joy Bauer, I learned a new move that left my sides begging for a breather. A bit challenging on the body, it's an easy enough motion to learn and definitely gives the obliques a run for the money, which means your belts and slim fitting Read more

Whittle Your Waist With Side Planks


Updated 11/03/10 4:35 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 0 comments

Whittle Your Waist With Side Planks

Just because chunky sweaters are all the rage this Fall, you need to mind your waist. Especially as we enter the eating holiday season. While it is unfortunately true that you cannot spot reduce your love handles, venturing into the realm of side planks can help you tone your muffin top. Remember, the stronger your core the longer and harder you can run, dance, ski, and ride. Check out my fave Read more

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

Banish Love Handles: Side Bridge


Updated 05/23/08 10:30 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 11 comments

Banish Love Handles: Side Bridge

We may not be able to spot reduce love handles, but we can certainly tone them. Side Bridges are an effective oblique exercise to help banish love handles and get you ready for bikini time. The internal and external obliques are both abdominal muscles on the sides of the torso and this exercise will tone them both. Here's how to do a Side Bridge. Start sitting on your left side with legs Read more

Get on the Ball: Ab Twist


Updated 08/08/11 8:16 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 7 comments

Get on the Ball: Ab Twist

Looking for a great exercise to work your abs without straining your neck? Try this move on an exercise ball. It'll also work your glutes and thighs. Place your upper back on the ball, feet about a foot apart, with your heels underneath your knees to help you stay balanced. Straighten your arms up above your chest, and touch your palms together. Engage your abs and press your pelvis up so your Read more

No Equipment Necessary: Bicycle Crunches


Updated 05/26/09 6:17 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 26 comments

No Equipment Necessary: Bicycle Crunches

Looking to get that six-pack? You can do regular crunches until the cows come home, but that can get pretty boring for you and your abs. Bicycle crunches are a great way to target the rectus abdominis (the "six pack") and the obliques (the "spare tire") in one easy exercise. To learn how to do them just read more 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

Work Your Waist With Woodchoppers


Updated 04/01/11 5:00 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 4 comments

How to Do a Medicine Ball Woodchopper

The woodchopper is a fave exercise among trainers everywhere — Gunnar Peterson calls it his fave core exercise — and my Equinox trainer is a fan of the move too. Woodchoppers really work the abs but target the obliques, helping you to tone your muffin top. But unlike the static plank, woodchoppers target your middle while your middle is in motion, making this move a serious function fitness Read more

Torch Calories and Tone With This Circuit Workout


Updated 05/25/12 2:01 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Full-Body Circuit Workout From Equinox Trainer

What's not to love about circuit training? Combining heart-pumping elements of cardio with strength-training moves means you torch calories while toning muscles. It's just so efficient. Here's a fun yet challenging circuit workout I did recently with my Equinox trainer Lauren. The workout has you performing each exercise for a minute, which means you need to keep a stopwatch handy, but you have Read more