FitSugar

Gear Review: Perfect Pushup

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:00:00 PDT

One of the random benefits of having house guests is getting to play with the toys they accidentally leave behind. My cousin's fiancé is working on his upper body so he can wow us all at their upcoming wedding. One of the tools in his traveling fitness arsenal is the Perfect Pushup ($40). His forgetfulness was my chance to try this "as seen on TV" gizmo, which meant I did many reps of push-ups.

By gripping the handles, the Perfect Pushup definitely protects your wrists. Since you are also slightly elevated off the ground, you work your center in a different way too and this makes the push-up seem more challenging. Since the discs rotate, you can twist your shoulder joints you press back up to the plank, but trying to keep the discs still emphasizes the core engagement of the push-up. I liked using them, but for $40 bucks (plus shipping and handling) I think I will stick all my push-up variations and wrist stretches. What about you?

If you want to see how everyone's favorite trainer Danny Bonaduce uses the Perfect Pushup, well then just

Get in Gear: The Perfect Pushup

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 02:00:00 PDT

Push-ups are an awesome exercise you can do to tone your upper body, and the best part - you can do them anywhere. Many women I know complain that push ups bother their wrists though, so here's a cool gadget that may help.

It's called the Perfect Pushup ($39.95). It's basically 2 handles on 8" bases that swivel, which allows you to rotate your arms naturally, just as you would do if you were throwing a punch or lifting a dumb bell. The base is rubberized on the bottom, which provides stability, and the handles provide a comfortable place to grip. Since the base is slightly elevated, it'll allow you to get a deeper push up than you could if you just used the floor.

I love that the handles rotate, so you can adjust the angles for your arms. This will enable you to reduce strain on certain areas, and you can also work different muscles in your chest, arms and upper back. This may be a great addition to your home gym.

Fit's Tips: You can also use the Perfect Pushup handles to do yoga, if Up Dog or Down Dog bothers your wrists.

Brown Fat, the Cold, and You: How to Make Your Fat Burn Calories

Leta Shy — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:33:54 PST

Not all body fat is created equal, at least according to two new studies reported by the New York Times last week. One study found that brown fat burns calories "like a furnace" when you're cold, and another found that regular white fat can be converted into calorie-burning brown fat while you exercise.

The first study found that brown fat burns glucose as well as other stores of fat when its own are depleted in order to keep the study participants warm. The other study found that in mice exercise creates a hormone that may be turning those dangerous white fat stores into fuel-burning brown fat. These studies aren't the first to identify the seemingly magical properties of brown fat. Brown fat has been known for years to be a calorie-torching element found mostly in those who are leaner, younger, or women (compared to older or obese people or men).

More research is necessary to see just how brown fat can help promote weight loss, but even so, by making a few simple changes you can take advantage of the findings. How can you possibly increase your own store of brown fat? Read on for some metabolism-boosting tips.

From the Community: a Total-Body Toning Circuit

Fit Community — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:57:49 PST

FitSugar reader FitFabCities has a circuit workout that works your entire body. She shared the video with us in our Fit Community.

Grab a resistance band and a pair of dumbbells, and you're good to go for this full-body circuit-training workout . . . and the best part is you don't even have to leave your living room to do it. That said, this is also a great workout to try at the gym if you're looking to switch up your regular routine.

Circuit training means you move from exercise to exercise and take minimal breaks between the moves so you keep your heart rate up the entire time. This helps to burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time, something I love. There are eight exercises total in this workout, and we are going for about 15 reps per exercise. You'll notice there are a lot of multimuscle group exercises meaning you'll work more than one muscle at once, which is perfect if you're short on time. Let's be honest, who's isn't?

Strength training is so important since it helps to prevent injury, increase bone density, increase muscle mass (meaning you burn more calories just doing things like driving your car or watching Bravo) and, of course, it helps you feel fab in your jeans.

You might want to watch this workout video once to preview the exercises then follow along for a kick-butt, total body workout sure to burn lots of calories and tighten and tone every muscle in your body!

Keep reading for the video and workout breakdown.

Reese Witherspoon's "Om"-azing Arm Workout

Self — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 04:15:35 PST

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

Reese Witherspoon may be one of Hollywood's most in-demand leading ladies, but don't expect the Oscar winner to solicit any special treatment during her tri-weekly yoga sessions.

"We've done private training a few times but she usually comes to the group class," says YogaHop owner Matthew Reyes, who has trained Witherspoon for the past five years. "I treat Reese the same as I treat everyone else but I'm glad she feels comfortable enough to come in with the general public."

Reyes enthusiastically endorses the 35-year-old's other passion (running) as a perfect complement to yoga but warns, "Women across the board, especially runners, have a much better developed lower body than upper body." That's why he pushes the actress to find her edge in every power yoga session. "My goal is, if someone were to work out until their arms were exhausted, take a day off then do it again, take a day off and do it again. You will see some really nice development in your muscular tone."

Want to get strong, sexy arms like the Water For Elephants star? Add these four moves to your regular routine three times a week and you'll be flaunting Witherspoon-like guns in no time.

See the moves after the break.

8 Ways to Motivate and Get Off Your Cold Weather Butt

Self — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:08:54 PDT

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

I got chills. They're multiplying. But they're not of the Grease Lightening variety. It's getting cold (nearly 75 degrees in LA) and I'm starting to see visions of couches, heavy meals, hot chocolate and layered clothing (to hide the blubber!).

What? You need fat for warmth . . . supposedly.

Okay, fine. Better nip this cold weather slump in the bud before I settle down for a five-month Snuggie hibernation. Luckily, I have certified trainer and owner of new BIA Strong Body Studio Rebecca Black (not that Rebecca Black) to motivate me. And now so do you.

And Black knows a thing or two about weight loss. Not only does the Columbus, Ohio-based trainer help other people get in shape (while participating in bikini fitness competitions), but she also experienced her own weight loss transformation. "I lost about 40lbs," she explains. "But it took longer than it should have because I didn't know what I was doing and neither did my trainer."

As we all know, it's easy to fall into bad habits, especially as the winter months approach. "This is when people pack on the pounds, especially in the Midwest and on the East Coast," laments the trainer. "As soon as the temperature starts to drop, people become hermits: Instead of going to the gym, they watch TV. They're back to school and super busy. And it's football season, so there's tailgating. I even fall into that rut and I'm a trainer. If I don't want to get up at 5am and train people, why would my clients?"

Luckily, Black has certain tricks for getting people up and ready to exercise. Here are her top eight motivational tips after the break.

Personal Trainer Tricks You Don't Have to Pay For

Leta Shy — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:54:25 PDT

There are so many reasons why splurging on a personal trainer is a good idea. They teach you how to work out safely and efficiently, and show you how to attain your healthy goals. But often it's hard to justify the high price tag if you have other expenses that are also begging for your wallet's attention. If you're not in the market for a personal trainer, here are some tricks that trainers use to whip you into shape that don't require any money at all.

Just a little more: You pay your trainer to deliver results, which often translates to you panting on the floor while your trainer is telling you that you need to do 10 more push-ups. Channel that extra push, sans price tag, during your next workout. Just pushing yourself to go for five more minutes can help you burn up to 60 extra calories. Need motivation? Check out our chart of calories burned with just five more minutes of exercise.

Get creative with your workouts: Trainers have a knack for developing workouts that target muscles you didn't even know you had, but don't think that you can't create your own fun circuit workout that combines cardio with strength training. If you need ideas, try one of our all-over body circuit workouts (like this total-body circuit workout using dumbbells or this belly-fat blasting circuit workout by celebrity trainer Jeanette Jenkins) for an example of an efficient and trainer-inspired workout.

Read on for more ways to exercise like a personal trainer after the break.

Warm Up With 3 Dynamic Moves Before Your Next Run

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:20:24 PDT

Walking briskly for five minutes is a great way to warm up before running, but it's not exactly the most exciting activity. Here are three fun and challenging moves you can do inside, which is nice if it's chilly, before heading out for a jog.

Running Plank
Here's a move that will get your blood pumping and warm up your upper body as well as your hips, lower back, legs, and core.

Begin in a plank position (top of a push-up), with your shoulders over your wrists and your body in one straight line. Engage your abs and step your feet together. Bend your right knee and draw it into your chest.
Then simultaneously and quickly step your right foot back and bend your left knee into your chest. Keep alternating so that you're essentially running in place. Move as fast as you want, making sure to keep your abs pulled in.
Do this for one minute, take a break, and repeat.

Learn the the other great moves after the break.

The Fastest Way to Lose Belly Fat

Shape — Thu, 19 May 2011 04:30:50 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

We all want a toned, flat stomach. No surprise there. But since many women are still relying on crunches to get it, we want to make one thing clear: crunching is not the most effective abs workout. "Crunches work only the muscles on the front and sides of your abdomen, but it's important to target all the muscles of the core to get more defined abs - including lower back, hips, and upper thighs," says Lou Schuler, co-author of The New Rules of Lifting for Abs.

To lose belly fat and uncover amazing abs, Schuler recommends a series of core stabilization exercises based on a training program devised by co-author and personal trainer Alwyn Cosgrove. "Core exercises like the plank help train muscles to stabilize the spine and pelvis so you can avoid back pain and improve posture, Schuler says. "They also burn more calories than crunches because they work more muscles." Trade crunches for these three super-effective abs exercises from The New Rules of Lifting for Abs and you’ll be on your way to a perfectly toned, flatter tummy.

See the exercises and learn how to do them after the break!

Victoria's Secret Goes Bombshell For Summer Swim and Intimates Collection

Chi Diem Chau — Tue, 17 May 2011 07:48:54 PDT

Not that we needed it, but Victoria's Secret has given us more inspiration to go double time on our abs for swim season. Its newest line, dubbed the Bombshell Collection, highlights a sexy array of push-up swimwear and intimates - perfect for those gals looking to add a little extra to their bikini bust line. Peep the lookbook, featuring Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, and Erin Heatherton, then tell us if this makes you want to grab a piece from the scintillating collection.