FitSugar

Home Fitness Test: Quad Strength and Endurance

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:30:00 PST

Ski season is rapidly approaching and with it means sore quads. That is if you don't do any preseason conditioning. I would start with the simple assessment of the your quad endurance, which is also a great exercise to add into your routine.
Wall Sit Test
Assesses: Quad strength and endurance

Place your back against the wall, and walk your feet out and away from the wall about 3 ft.
Bend your knees allowing your back to slide down the wall.
Bend both your hips and knees to 90 degrees and adjust your feet as needed. Imagine you are sitting in an invisible chair.
Start your stop watch now and see how long you can hold the position. Don't forget to breathe!

To see what your results mean

76 seconds or more = very good
58-75 seconds = average
57-30 seconds = below average
30 seconds or less = poor

Interested in more at home fitness tests? Then check out these assessments you can do in the comfort and privacy of you own home.

Source

Get Ready For Your Summer Hike With These Exercises

Leta Shy — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:24:26 PDT

Memorial Day is approaching, and we've got warm weather on the brain, but it's not just about getting in shape for the beach. Hiking is a great cardio and muscle-building workout - and you can burn 180 calories in just 30 minutes. Hiking trails vary in difficulty, yet no matter where you go it's a common sight: once-enthusiastic hikers having to stop halfway through, too exhausted and out of shape to finish the trail.

When you're on the trails, don't quit before you want to - if you're looking forward to a hike this season, start with these exercises.

Endurance: Spend some time working on your endurance before a long hike, and it'll all be worth it once you reach the hilltop. Increase the incline the next time your walk, jog, or run on the treadmill, and spend some time on a slower-paced, longer run during the week. Read more on how to increase your endurance here.
Core: Carrying a backpack while making your way up an incline requires engaged, strong abs; strengthen your core with these seven ab workouts.
Lower body: Strong legs make for impressive ascents, so go ahead, do some more squats (and then some). Here's a list of our favorite lower leg exercises to strengthen your glutes, hamstrings, and quads.

5 Moves to Make Running Hills a Breeze

FitSugar — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:50:52 PDT

Running up hills is tough, which is why many runners avoid them as much as cotton socks. Incorporating hills into your runs is the best way to increase your speed, build your endurance, and tone your lower body - something running on the flats just won't do. In order to power up those steep rises, you'll need strong quads, calves, hamstrings, and glutes. Here are five exercises all runners should include in their strength training routines in order to tackle those challenging hills.

Source: Thinkstock

The 3 Most Common Mistakes Runners Make

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:22:09 PDT

Running is one of the most popular forms of exercise, because besides burning major calories and toning your tush, it costs pennies compared to other sports. If you're a runner at heart, be sure to avoid these three most common mistakes.

Wearing Sneakers For Too Long
Your trusty old pair was there for you when you shaved two minutes off your 10K time and later conquered your first half, but that doesn't mean you should wear them forever. The lack of cushion and shock absorption that comes from wear and tear can result in foot pain or a more serious injury - make sure to retire an old pair every 200 to 350 miles (about four to six months, depending on how much you run). You could always buy the exact same pair you know and love, but if you're looking for a new sole mate, here are tips on how to find the perfect pair of running sneakers.

Skipping the Postrun Stretch Session
It's hard enough squeezing in a run during your busy day, but stretching those muscles you worked so hard is a must. Increasing flexibility in often-tight hamstrings, calves, shins, and quads can prevent shin splints and runner's knee, as well as lower back pain. A good stretching session can also prevent tomorrow's soreness. Try this yoga sequence to loosen tight hips and hamstrings.

Being Married to Running
You love running. We get it. And even if you're training for your first marathon, running as your sole form of exercise is a big no-no. Since overusing the same muscles can cause repetitive stress injuries, incorporate other forms of exercise into your routine. Biking, swimming, yoga, and strength training are perfect complements because they'll strengthen other muscles, which will make you a faster runner with better endurance. Not to mention, taking a break from running makes you love it even more.

3 Reasons to Increase the Incline on Your Treadmill

Leta Shy — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:00:52 PDT

Whether or not you love the treadmill incline as much as Jennifer Aniston does, increasing it is an efficient and smart way to get the most out of your run. Here are three important reasons to up the incline on your treadmill.

Calorie burn: Upping the incline, even just a little bit, will help you burn a few extra calories with just a little more effort. Going from a zero-percent incline to five-percent incline burns over 100 more calories when running for 30 minutes, no matter your pace. Check out our chart to see just how many calories running on an incline burns. You might be pleasantly motivated.

Bikini bum: Kill two birds with one stone by working your lower body while raising your heartbeat, just in time to show off all your hard work on the beach. Just like running hills or hiking, running on the treadmill is a great exercise for toning your glutes and quads.

Better runner: If you've never run outside before, hopping off the treadmill and onto the road can be a wake-up call, since running outside isn't as easy as running on a flat, consistent treadmill. But if you increase the incline whenever you run inside, you'll be amazed at how much better your endurance and stamina become.

Of course, you'll really feel it when you start upping the incline more than a few percentages (it'll affect your pace as well, so take it slower if needed), but you'll be glad you did. Ready to start? Here's an under-20-minute incline treadmill workout if you're pressed for time, or try this rolling hills treadmill workout instead.

Burn 1,000 Calories an Hour With This At-Home Indoor Cycling Workout

Self — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 04:14:46 PST

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

On a recent visit to Cycle House in West Hollywood, I was amazed to discover how fast an hour-long indoor cycling class can pass when you're cycling alongside a high-energy, no-nonsense fitness instructor. It's no wonder celebrities like Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman are flocking to this new hot spot! Not only did I torch major calories, but I could barely get off the couch the next day.

"Every instructor is committed to creating the most effective interval-training, body-toning, heart-pumping, calorie-torching, challenging, fun rhythm ride workout that cannot be duplicated," says Cycle House Chief Ride Officer Nichelle Hines. "Indoor cycling allows you to craft a true training style that allows you to really shape and tone your body by adjusting speed and resistance while engaging the mind."

Luckily, you don't need to be a movie star to experience the Cycle House craze. All you need is a stationary bike to put the pedal to the metal. Says Hines, "I think the workout is so popular with the Cycle House client for one reason. It works!"

To burn 500 to 1,000 calories per hour at home, "find songs you like that inspire you" and "ride as much as you like as long as it feels good," says Hines. Incorporate these five moves into your regular routine at least twice a week for a full lower-body workout.

See the at-home cycling workout after the break!

Improve Your Running With Squats

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:22:38 PST

Don't skip out on strength training just because you think running is the ultimate form of exercise. Building a little muscle should be part of every runner's cross-training fitness routine. Squats, a classic lower-body move, is great for runners for these four reasons.

Prevent knee injuries: Knee pain is one of the most common injuries runners face. Aside from wearing supportive sneakers and running on softer surfaces, strengthening the muscles around this joint can also reduce your risk of pain and injury. Try these wall squats to strengthen your upper legs.
Increase your speed: Practicing sprinting intervals and negative splits will make you a faster runner, but first and foremost, you need muscular legs to have the ability to propel your body forward with each step. Goddess pose, a form of a wide squat, is a killer move that will have your thighs and booty burning. To target your calves and hamstrings, do this variation that Cameron Diaz uses called the Plié With Calf Raise.

Continue reading for two more reasons runners need to do squats.

From Beginner to Expert: 4 Ways to Become a Better Runner

Leta Shy — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:42:26 PST

Have you got the running bug? If you've recently committed to a running program, it may seem like there's not much prep involved, except downloading your favorite playlist. Running is a popular pastime because it doesn't require much know-how to start - just pick out your shoes and go. But that doesn't mean that there isn't technique. Whether you're starting out or never thought twice about your regular runs, read on for tips on how to become a better runner.

Learn the basics: The barriers to entry may be low, but that doesn't mean running isn't a skill. If you are a beginner runner, pay attention to how you run. Listen to your gait - you shouldn't be running unevenly or hitting the ground hard. Read more tips on analyzing your running style here. And remember that mid- or forefoot-striking is best (as opposed to heel striking) for helping prevent injuries.

Read more tips on proper running after the break.

Show Your Running Knees Some Love

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:30:58 PST

Running as a convenient form of cardio may be the bee's knees, but it can leave my knees aching. Although studies have found there is no connection between running and an increased risk for arthritis, here are some easy ways to show your knees some love.

Stay flexible: Tight hamstrings or quads can prevent the knee from going through its full range of motion, which can negatively impact the soft tissues that work the knee. Hamstrings can get especially tight for runners, and here are five easy ways to lengthen the muscles in the back of your legs. Don't forget to stretch your quads post-run, as well as your calves. Tight calves can create knee pain so stretch the back of your lower legs as well.
Maintain a healthy weight: Running can be considered a series of connecting hops, and the force of landing on your knees is considerable. Excess weight just increases the force of pressure your knees endure while running.
Strength train: Keeping your legs strong can help prevent knee injuries. Strong quads and strong glute meds, the muscle on the side of the pelvis, can help prevent iliotibial band syndrome, which causes pain on the outside of the knee, so do this wall sit exercise.
Cross train: Doing multiple forms of cardio is a great way to give your knee joints a nice break. Biking, swimming, Zumba, and running in water are great ways to mix up your cardio routine.

How to Run a Faster 5K

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:23:54 PST

You've been running regularly for some time and have completed a few 5K fun runs. But now it's time to step it up and take this distance seriously. Here are some tips to help you beat your personal record when running 3.1 miles.

During Training

Add speedwork: If you want to run a faster 5K, you have to practice running faster. Coach Andrew Kastor recommends adding 80-meter sprints into your training schedule, and here's his plan for running a faster 5K in four weeks. Remember: sprinting can be hard on the body, so make sure to start off with shorter sprints and build up to the full 80 meters, especially if you're new to speed work.
Add short uphills: Hills require strength and endurance, so if you practice them during your training, you'll develop speed and muscle power, and just as with plyometrics (jump exercises), hill sprints will increase flexibility in your muscles and tendons, which reduces your risk of injury. In your training, tackle shorter steep hills (about six to 10 percent incline). Sprint up for 10 seconds, then walk downhill backwards to avoid pressure on the knees. Repeat, eventually building up to eight 10-second sprints. It's a surefire way to stronger, faster legs.
Incorporate strength training moves that target your shins, calves, quads, glutes, and core: Running alone won't increase your speed. You need to strengthen the muscles that make you move so your actions will be more powerful and more efficient. Incorporate variations of squats, lunges, step-ups, calf raises, bent over rows, and these three booty moves from celebrity trainer David Kirsch.
Become familiar with the route: Obtain a map of the 5K course, and if the route is open (like in a neighborhood or wooded trail), practice running it to familiarize yourself with the hills, curves, and mile markers. Knowing the course in advance will give you confidence and an added advantage over runners who are running it for the first time.

Keep reading to find out what to do on race day to run a faster 5K.