FitSugar

Pool Push-Ups

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:00:00 PDT

I feel like the most effective arm exercise in the world is the push-up and just because you are working out in a pool doesn't mean you have to skip them. Doesn't that make you happy? You can do a push-up variation using the side of the pool.

To learn how to do pool push-ups,

read more. Here's how to use the edge of the pool to work your arms:

Place you hands on the side of the pool, just slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Your fingers should face forward.
On an exhale, push your self up like you are trying to exit the pool. Keep your shoulders away from your ears and don't lock your elbows. Don't forget to use your abs.
Inhale and slowly lower yourself back into the pool, stopping when your elbows are bent to 90 degrees.
Don't touch the bottom of the pool. If you are in the shallow end keep your knees bent so you don't jump to lessen the work of your arms.
Do two sets of 10 to 15 reps.

Fit's Tip: This is a great exercise for strengthening your arms to really power the "pull" of your freestyle stroke. Source

4 Moves to Say Goodbye to Saddlebags

Self — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:54:13 PST

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

If you're saddled with saddlebags, you probably think you got the short end of the family gene pool stick. But, lucky for you, those pesky fat deposits surrounding your hips, thighs, and butt are far easier to banish than, say, Great Aunt Hilda or your bossy big sister. "Saddlebags are largely determined by genetics, hormones, and age, but women can still affect the shape of their bodies through nutrition and exercise," says Rebekah Rotstein, a New York-based Pilates instructor who recently released the Pilates For Buff Bones DVD.

Not sure where to begin? Rotstein recommends utilizing large muscle groups rather than relying on spot training for fast results. "Pilates get results because it's a whole-body exercise program and works your muscles synergistically," she says. "Muscles aren't meant to function independently but as a team!"

Just remember to keep your expectations realistic. No workout in the world can turn you into Cameron Diaz overnight. "All women have padding at their hips, no matter how thin we are (even Diaz!)," says Rotstein. "It's what differentiates us from men and accentuates the curves you've got!"

To tone up those saddlebags fast, add these four moves to your regular workout routine. Check out the moves after the break.

The Pros and Cons of Being Friends With a Former Crush

TresSugar — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:00:20 PST

He used to make you feel weak in the knees, and then suddenly he's your . . . best friend? Whether it's an old crush that's resurfaced or a guy you've recently decided would fit better as a friend, a platonic relationship with someone you used to daydream about can be strange and difficult to navigate. Here are the pros and cons of becoming BFFs with a former crush:

The pros:

You're on his "forever" timeline. Girlfriends will come and go, but you'll be one of the lucky women in his life who lasts. Romantic relationships are special, of course, but one of friendship's major bonuses is its ability to endure. Not only will you be in the loop for major life events, you also won't have to worry about splitting up friends if you eventually break up.
A relationship that's all fun, no complications. Without the drama and pressure of intimacy, you'll be able to enjoy a friendship that's simple, straightforward, and carefree. No breakups, no makeups, and no friendly female competition - just two people who appreciate each other's company.
Single? He'll introduce you to other guys like him. Most men tend to hang out with other men who share the same qualities, so your best friend's social circle can become your dating pool. Plus, he'll be able to filter out the bad ones for you - since he cares about you, he'll be sure to hook you up with only his kindest, most loyal pals.

The cons:

There may still be feelings. (Cue the drama.) If you're single and realize that your crush hasn't quite faded, then you've officially moved out of simple friendship territory and into something messy. Keeping your feelings under wraps might make you crazy, but revealing them could ruin the relationship for good. It goes without saying, but if you're in a relationship and feelings resurface, it's time to step back and reevaluate.
Jealousy issues, part one. If he meets someone, you may start feeling pushed aside or left out - and vice versa. The third wheel problem can be tough to fix, so it's important to keep the communication lines open and be clear about any uncomfortable dynamics.
Jealousy issues, part two. Chances are, as best friends, you have some sort of chemistry - and significant others may start to envy the connection. Even worse? They may start to feel suspicious about the relationship and cause rifts in the friendship. Keep things cordial and build trust by creating separate friendships with each other's love interests.

The bottom line? Friendships between men and women are complicated - especially if you once thought of it as something more. Still that doesn't mean you need to pull the plug on a potential friend connection just because it started as an infatuation. If you stay honest with yourself and each other, friendship with a former crush can be fun and exciting.

What do you think? Ever been friends with a past crush?

From the Community: Trainer Tips For Exercising While Pregnant

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:31:53 PST

OnSugar blogger Coach Lark Says encourages his pregnant clients to exercise while pregnant - safely, of course. He shares a few tips on how to exercise when pregnant below.

Here are some of the best reasons to exercise when you are pregnant, which I have gathered from a variety of sources.

Better psychological wellbeing
Reduced incidence of gestational diabetes
Decreased incidence of preclampsia
Reduced lower back pain
Improved weight management
Improved fetal development
Easier or shorter labor
Decreased risk of premature labor
Greatly reduced incidence of abdominal surgery during delivery

Of course, it’s important to modify your workout to accommodate and support the pregnancy. But that doesn’t mean you can’t work out as hard. Maintaining the workout intensity you had going into your pregnancy is exactly what you want to do. It’s not time to start a new program. It is time to work the core in three planes of motion to strengthen the abdominals for pushing during labor. When I work with expecting moms at my training facility at the Bentley Reserve in downtown San Francisco, I advise them according to the following parameters.

Read his tips after the break.

What's Prince Harry Been Up To in Cali? Poolside Gallantry

Annie Scudder — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:51:37 PDT

Prince Harry is in California for helicopter training, and he's already managed to have some fun. Last weekend, Harry was hanging by a swimming pool at the Andaz hotel in San Diego doing things that English princes do, like watching an England rugby match, when all of a sudden someone decided to throw fully clothed 23-year-old Lindsay Swagery into the pool.

Lindsay told the Sun "Prince Harry was the first to notice me when I got out and he wrapped his towel around me to keep me warm." Talk about the best possible outcome for getting pushed into a pool with all of your clothes on.

Harry probably felt a sense of empathy for the poor wet girl, after his whole Croatia incident. Remember Harry fell into a pool in a nightclub? Or maybe he jumped. Either way, Harry and Lindsay obviously had a connection, and the next night she met up with him and his friends, according to the Sun, for beer and shots. "He is probably the most charming man I'll ever meet," Lindsay confessed. Perhaps she was the brunette Harry was spotted partying with at the Andaz's nightclub.

How to Be Safe When Exercising Solo

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 02:37:35 PDT

I went trail running yesterday and on my way back, I got a call from my mom. She was furious that I went by myself saying, "Do you know what kind of weirdos hang out in the woods?!" I assured her that I wouldn't have gone if I felt at risk, but I saw her point. There are perks to exercising alone, like time to be in silence and think and the ability to push yourself as hard or as easy as you choose, but it's not always the safest idea. If you prefer exercising outside on your own, here are some ways to keep you protected from danger.

Always tell someone where and when you're going. I recently saw the movie 127 Hours, and if Aron just mentioned to someone that he was going out hiking alone in a crevice in Utah, he probably could have prevented hours of agony and the loss of his arm.
Choose a safe location. Now is not the time to explore that new waterfall cliff your friend told you about. Exercise in an area you are familiar with, preferably one that's close to home, which you've visited before. You're more likely to avoid dangerous critters, poisonous vegetation, weird dudes with bad intentions, getting hurt, or getting lost.
Even though you're solo, don't exercise alone. Choose a populated hiking trail or bike path so that even if you're on your own, help is just a yell away.
Choose safe forms of exercise. Walking, hiking, running, or biking are usually harmless when you're alone, but if you get into more extreme sports like rock climbing or mountain biking, the risks for getting hurt are greater. Go easy when you're on your own and bring a friend when you want to kick it up a notch.

Keep reading for more life-saving tips.

Sweat 15 Minutes a Day and Add Three Years to Your Life, Study Says

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:18:41 PDT

If your busy schedule doesn't allow for the recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise, a large study from Taiwan should make you feel better. The 13-year study tracked 416,000 participants and found that just 15 minutes of moderate exercise increased their life expectancy by three years, compared to those who didn't exercise. Daily workouts lower the incidence of cancer, and therefore lower the risk of cancer-related deaths.

Now who wouldn't dedicate 15 minutes a day if they could live longer? If you need some ideas for 15-minute mini workouts, check out the list below:

Walk your dog briskly around the neighborhood.
Head to the track and walk a mile, going around four times at a pace of four miles per hour (15 minutes per mile).
Run one and a half miles at a pace of 10 minutes per mile.
Do a mini interval workout on the elliptical or treadmill. Start off walking for two minutes, jog for two minutes, sprint for one minute, jog two, sprint one, jog two, sprint one, jog two, and end with two minutes of walking.

Keep reading for more 15-minute workout ideas.

4 Ways The Voice Is Different From American Idol

Shannon Vestal — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 04:30:00 PDT

NBC's new singing competition series The Voice premieres tonight, with Carson Daly on board as host. Four musicians make up the judges' panel: Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, and Cee Lo Green. Like its competitor American Idol, the show will narrow down a pool of hopefuls to one victor, who'll be rewarded with $100,000 and a recording contract for Universal Music Group. But this isn't just an Idol clone: here are the four main differences that set it apart.

Blind auditions. When the contestants are first trying out, the coaches are turned away from them so that they're not influenced by the contestants' appearance or age; the only deciding factor is their voice.
The celebrity judges aren't just there to critique. Once the judges decide they like someone's voice, they're allowed to see them. At that point, the contestant becomes a part of that coach's team, and they then mentor the contestants to a win.
The judges are actually pitted against each other. Because each coach wants someone that they've coached to win, Shelton, Levine, Green, and Aguilera may have to fight over contestants to get them on their team. The arguments they'll have to provide to get the contestants to pick them may end up being the source of the most entertainment.
The furniture is interactive. The big fancy red seats that the judges sit in aren't just a place to recline; they turn away from the contestants, but at the push of a button, the seats automatically swivel the judge around to face the stage.

Will you tune in to The Voice? Watch a preview when you

Stay Cool: Ways to Tone Up in the Pool

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 03:22:00 PDT

Just like running endlessly on a treadmill, swimming laps can be super ~~boring~~ repetitive. Exercising in a pool is so refreshing though, especially on Summer days that are too hot to jog or bike outside. If swimming laps isn't your cup of tea, here are some ways you can burn calories and strengthen your muscles while staying cool in the pool.

Do triceps dips: Use the pool stairs and place your hands on the top step and your feet two or three steps below. Tone the backs of your arms by doing three sets of 15 to 20 reps.
Instead of chatting it up on a lounge chair with your best friend, talk while treading water. Just 10 minutes will burn 45 calories.
Swim over to the side of the pool or hold onto some pool noodles and do kicks, just like when you were a kid. Focus on keeping your legs straight and alternately fluttering them like a synchronized swimmer, or move them at the same time like a mermaid. You're sure to feel this in your quads and glutes.

Keep reading

How Pregnancy Ruins Workouts (and Ways to Deal)

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 01:49:32 PDT

It can be difficult to embrace that pregnancy makes things like running or yoga hard to do. When I first found out I was pregnant, I was so excited to grow a gorgeous belly and become a momma. Innocently, I had no idea how intense the ~~crappy feelings~~ symptoms of pregnancy would be. If you recently discovered there's a bun in your oven, or you're planning on becoming pregnant in the near future, check out how you can alleviate some of the issues pregnancy brings up that might get in the way of your workouts.

Urinating often: In a 30-minute workout session, you may have the urge to pee three different times. Work out close to a bathroom so you can quickly relieve yourself and get back to your workout.
Feeling overheated: Head indoors where the AC is flowing, and make sure you're wearing comfortable workout clothes made of breathable wicking material. If you love being outside, move your workouts to a pool or lake.
Round ligament pain: As your belly expands, the round ligaments that support your uterus are getting stretched out, so it makes sense that you'd feel intense cramp-like pains in your lower belly. Wearing a supportive compression band that's specifically designed for prenatal exercise might help. If you feel a sharp twinge during a sweat session, reduce the intensity of your workout, and if that doesn't bring relief, take a break.

Keep reading for more ways to continue exercising while pregnant.