Portable stretch: Calves


Updated 11/16/06 8:05 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 3 comments

Portable stretch: Calves

Looking for inconspicuous ways to stretch when you're waiting for the bus, standing in line or riding the elevator? Well here is a "portable" stretch - a stretch you can take with you wherever you go. While standing, straighten your leg out to the front or the side, depending on where you have room. Then flex your toes, pulling them back toward your knee. Hold for 10 seconds then switch legs. Read more

Barre Workouts are Expensive! Try This At-Home Alternative Instead


Updated 05/24/12 8:43 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

At-Home Barre Workout Ideas

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar! Barre classes may make you easy on the eyes, but at $20 or more a pop, they're definitely not easy on the wallet. Rather than take a second job to pay for our latest fitness addiction, we turned to Beverly Hill-based Cardio Barre instructor Stacey Bosworth to get the inside scoop on scoring a long, lean dancer's body Read more

Stretch It: Easy Quad Stretch


Updated 02/17/11 1:22 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 1 comment

Stretch It: Easy Quad Stretch

I think the quads are the most over worked muscles in our bodies and they sure do get tight. This standing quad stretch is one of my favorite stretches because you can do it anywhere (I often do it when I am waiting for the elevator when no one is around). In fact I often refer to it as a "portable stretch" since you need no props to do it and you don't have to get on the ground. Here are Read more

Stretch It: Iliotibial Band and Outer Thigh


Updated 05/11/11 1:29 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 12 comments

Stretch It:  Iliotibial Band and Outer Thigh

Running can take its toll on your knees and having tight muscles and soft tissue around the very important knee joint can increase the toll we runners pay. That is why stretching is so very important. This stretch targets the iliotibial band (ITB), the thick band of fascia that runs down the outside of the thigh, and it is important because when the ITB gets tight it can pull the knee cap out Read more

How to Ease Back Onto Your Bike


Updated 06/09/11 1:13 PM · Posted by · 1 comment

Tips For Riding a Bike Again

Now that the weather is warming up, are you getting back into a sport that wasn't suited for colder days? My Memorial Day weekend activity of choice was biking, and let me tell you, it was good to get my biking muscles in motion again after such a long Winter! But just like any other sport, it's not all sunshine and roses when you go from zero to full steam ahead . . . literally. I hopped on my Read more

No Excuses! Try The Dailey Method No Excuses DVD


Updated 06/07/11 3:59 PM · Posted by · 2 comments

Review of The Dailey Method No Excuses DVD

That lean and toned dancer's body is in thanks to Black Swan, Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance and the growing popularity of Bar Method, The Dailey Method, and Body Bar. The differences between the systems may seem subtle at first, but each has a unique focus and avid followers. The Dailey Method, which has locations across the US and studios in Canada and France, has released Read more

DVD Review: Bar Method Dancer's Body Advanced Workout


Updated 03/13/11 3:06 PM · Posted by · 1 comment

Review of Bar Method's Dancer's Body Advanced Workout DVD

Barre-based workouts have become increasing popular thanks to Natalie Portman's dancer bod in Black Swan, the Tracy Anderson Method, and barre3; and Bar Method, a ballet-inspired sculpting program with studios across the US, is no exception. The method, which is taught as an hour-long class, focuses on isometric movements, light weight work, stretching, and subtle moves at the barre. It is also Read more