5 Things: About Your Hamstrings


Updated 06/21/07 9:05 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 6 comments

5 Things:  About Your Hamstrings

Tight hamstrings are a complaint of many athletes since they're often overworked and under stretched. Here's some things you may not have known about your hammys: Your hamstring is actually made up of 3 different muscles. They run from your booty (sits bones) to the backs of your knees. Tight hamstrings can be responsible for postural problems and back pain, because they tend to pull the hips Read more

3 Yoga Class Dangers and How to Prevent Them


Updated 02/22/12 9:16 AM · Posted by · 1 comment

How to Prevent Yoga Class Dangers

Yoga is associated with feeling joyful, open, and calm, but as with all types of movement, there are risks involved that make you go from "om" to "ow" in the blink of your third eye. Here are three common dangers you're at risk for when taking a yoga class and how to prevent them from happening. Slipping Depending on their type of material, some yoga mats may be extremely slippery when wet. Read more

Top 10 Mistakes You Make on the Elliptical Trainer


Updated 01/16/12 10:31 AM · Posted by · 1 comment

Top 10 Mistakes You Make on the Elliptical Trainer

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar! By Lisa Hoehn, Prevention As the weather drops, more and more people head straight to one machine in their gym — the elliptical trainer. According to a 2008 report from the International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association, the number of users of elliptical trainers in health clubs grew sevenfold from Read more

Ways to Keep Knee Pain at Bay


Updated 01/26/12 6:50 PM · Posted by · 4 comments

What to Do to Prevent Knee Pain

When a good workout leaves my muscles sore, I know I'm getting stronger every day and revel in the pain. But when a long run leaves me with achy knees, I'm reminded that I'm getting a little bit older and a little more creaky. Unfortunately, my knees have been talking back a lot lately — just another reminder that as your age increases so does the amount of time you need to spend doing body Read more

What Not to Do in Chair Pose


Updated 01/25/12 12:44 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

What Not to Do in Chair Pose

Whether you have five or 50 yoga classes under your capris, Chair pose (aka Fierce) is one of the many basic postures you'll strike just about as often as Down Dog since it's the first pose in Sun Salutation B. As a yoga instructor, I've noticed some major no-nos that you'll want to avoid to prevent discomfort and to make sure you're getting the most out of the pose. Weight too far forward: Read more

5 Tips For Strength-Training Newbies


Updated 11/17/11 9:31 AM · Posted by · 1 comment

Beginner Strength Training Tips

Aside from toned and sculpted muscles, strength training can also make you a better runner, cyclist, or swimmer. Increasing your muscle mass also increases your metabolism since muscles burn calories at a higher rate than fat. These are all great reasons to include strength training in your routine. If you're new to the scene, here are some helpful tips for beginners. Start off nice and easy: Read more

Running With a Bun in the Oven


Updated 11/13/11 2:42 PM · Posted by · 6 comments

Running Tips For Pregnant Women

When I became pregnant with my first, it was important to keep up with my healthy lifestyle. Running was always a big part of my exercise routine, so if you were an avid runner who now has a baby on the way, here are some tips for keeping up with your running routine. As soon as you find out you're expecting, talk to your OB about continuing with running. Chances are your doc will encourage Read more

Reasons Runners Should Get Down Dogging


Updated 09/20/11 7:48 PM · Posted by · 3 comments

Reasons Runners Should Do Yoga

If you hit the treadmill, trail, or road most days of the week, here are some reasons you should spend some time on a yoga mat. An Easier Time on Hills All those standing poses like Warrior variations, Fierce, and Goddess are yoga's version of squats and lunges. Within a few yoga classes, you'll notice that your quads, hamstrings, and glutes feel stronger while running, which means an easier time Read more

11 Things Your Yoga Instructor Wants You to Know


Updated 09/16/11 10:54 AM · Posted by · 2 comments

Beginner Tips From a Yoga Instructor

You see them smiling at you as they walk around the room or demonstrate poses, but do you ever wonder what your yoga teachers are thinking? Here are some things yoga instructors want newbies to know about their class. They're not checking you out to see how flexible you are (or aren't): If your teacher is looking at you, it's not to judge whether or not you can straighten your legs in Down Dog Read more

What to Expect From an Ashtanga Yoga Class


Updated 08/15/11 6:50 AM · Posted by · 4 comments

What Ashtanga Yoga Class Is Like

If you're a runner, cyclist, skier, rider, climber, swimmer, or have a Type A, high-energy, can't-sit-still kind of personality, sign yourself up for Ashtanga yoga. This type of yoga is challenging, quick-paced, and just the thing to open your tight hamstrings, hips, and shoulders. Before heading to your first class, here are some things you should know. It's Hot I'm not talking Bikram-yoga hot, Read more