Healthy happy you.
I know a lot of you take Pilates mat classes, and some of you are entertaining the notion of taking Reformer classes. And I think you should since the Reformer is my favorite piece of Pilates equipment. Not only is it the original piece of equipment, but it is so versatile you can work every muscle with this one machine. The variations are endless. A Reformer is a little bit smaller and lower Read more
The word Cadillac conjures up big convertible cars with fins, electric windows and fancy hub caps. That is why this piece of Pilates equipment is named the Cadillac — it has all the bells and whistles you could possibly want. There are so many elements to the machine: leg springs, arm springs, fuzzy loops to hang from, a push-through bar to stretch you out, and even a trapeze. The trapeze Read more
I would say that the names of Pilates exercises and equipment are not really known for their poetry. Joe Pilates was German after all, so there's really a no nonsense approach to much of Pilates. My favorite factoid was that he referred to his work as Contrology. You know, like the study of control. The first piece of equipment Pilates designed was the Reformer and it is my favorite piece to Read more
I love my gym for many reasons: it adds structure to my workouts and motivates me, the class selection is amazing, and the people — both trainers and members — can be very inspiring. But I know that many times a gym membership isn't the most cost-effective solution for getting fit, and going isn't for everyone. Are you wasting your money? Here are five signs it may be time to cancel your gym Read more
Swimming always makes a splash at the Summer games, and Natalie Coughlin did just that in Beijing by becoming the first American woman to win six medals in one Olympics. A serious foodie as well as a gold medalist, Natalie took time out of her intense schedule to talk about her plans for London and how cooking calms her. Natalie's training day starts with a 4:30 a.m. wake-up, and she's at the Read more
After being named the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition's "Rookie of the Year" in 2011, Kate Upton is this year's cover girl! The five-time equestrian champion has showed off her curves in campaigns for big names like Guess, Victoria's Secret, and Dooney & Burke. On being fit, Kate told The Daily, "It's really important to stay slim for the industry . . . but you still want to have a body." Read more
Any comprehensive workout routine includes a few days of strength training, for good reasons. Having more muscles helps you burn more calories, not to mention the fact that a good set of muscles help your body look its defined best. When it comes to choosing how you tend to your muscles, the possibilities are endless. For me, having a trainer was a good way to learn how to use machines and other Read more
We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar! Let's face it; it's tough to avoid germs when you're breaking a sweat. And it's even harder to keep bacteria at bay if you're sharing space with hundreds of other fitness fans at the gym or in the studio. What's an exerciser to do to stay healthy and safe? Clean up your act with the help of these antimicrobial tools that Read more
You might avoid certain workouts because you are fearful of injury. Or if you are like me, you might migrate toward certain classes or equipment because you are trying to maintain some fitness level while recovering from an injury. I'm currently working through back and leg injuries, so when it comes to protecting my body from further damage, I've learned that proper alignment is absolutely key Read more
Hotel gyms are becoming so state-of-the-art nowadays that you really just need to show up in your shorts and running shoes and you will have access to all the amenities your workout routine could ever require. Hotel chains are even stepping it up a notch by offering in-room workout gear for guests, as an increasing amount of women are keen on exercising in the comfort of their own room — why Read more
