FitSugar

Reese Witherspoon Strikes Midfoot

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:55:00 -0700

We have seen a many photos recently of Reese Witherspoon playing softball, and it looks like she will be running in her upcoming film, too.

It's nice to have a job that keeps you active. It also looks Reese is midfoot striker, which is good running technique. Although unnatural for some folks (like me), striking the ground with your midfoot provides greater shock absorption than heel striking, and it puts less strain on your calf muscle and Achilles tendon. A couple of years ago, I changed my foot strike and it has kept shin splints at bay. On another technical note, Reese could use a little more control in her arm swing to keep them moving more in the front back direction than swinging side to side.

To see which running celeb is a heel striker and why she should consider altering her gait, read more.

Jessica Biel is no slouch when it comes to fitness, but as sugar user syako pointed out, Jess is a heel striker. While we may be singling her out here, many people are. It feels natural for most people, especially since most of us wear very padded shoes when running. Hitting the pavement with your heel can puts you at greater risk for injury, especially to your knees. This gait pattern also sets you up for shin splints and hamstring injuries.

Do you run? Do you know where your foot strikes?

INF Daily and Bauer-Griffin Online

ACTivism: Avon Breast Cancer Walks

FitSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:30:00 -0700

It is an unfortunate truth that breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. October might be breast cancer awareness month, but the disease still strikes 365 days a year. That is why Reese Witherspoon is working with the Avon Foundation For Women to fight breast cancer.

Fighting this disease is not just for the Hollywood elite. You can make a difference by participating in one of the Avon Breast Cancer Walks. Even their simple slogan - "For two days, we walk as one" - is pretty inspirational. The funds raised by walk participants help medically underinsured women and men receive the screening, support, and treatment they need. Proceeds from the walk also fund research for a cure for breast cancer.

Inspired to lace up your walking shoes? See if one of the nine walks is happening in your city when you read more.
Boston, MA - May 16-17
Chicago, IL - June 6-7
Rocky Mountains - June 27-28
San Francisco, CA - July 11-12
Los Angeles, CA - Sept. 12-13
New York, NY - Oct. 10-11

Coming up in 2010:
Houston, TX - April 10-11
Washington, DC - May 1-2

Have you taken part in one of these walks? If so, leave some advice for the folks doing them this year in the comments section below.

Source

Fit Tip: Coach a Youth Sports Team

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0700

Lately we've been seeing Reese Witherspoon throwing the softball around, both preparing for a movie and playing with her kids. Even if you don't have kids of your own, coaching a youth team can be a great way to get in shape and feel good at the same time.

Even though you're not actually on the team, you'll run around plenty when trying to keep a team of teens or kids in check. You might want to try coaching a sport you played in high school, but you can also sign up to help coach a game you've only played recreationally. Many local teams can always use coaches, even if they aren't super experts.

So check out the volunteer opportunities at the National Alliance For Youth Sports or your local YMCA. Better yet, enlist a friend to coach with you, so it becomes a social activity, too.

Flynet

Reese Witherspoon Loves YogaHop

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:30:00 -0800

Reese Witherspoon is one of those celebs who loves to work out (and it shows!) When she's not jogging or working outside the gym, according to the latest issue of Shape magazine, she takes YogaHop classes. These 90-minute workouts incorporate yoga poses with booming hip-hop, rock, and pop music. The class feels more like a dance party than an exercise routine, yet it's still as spiritually uplifting as traditional yoga classes. For the first 60 minutes, students flow from pose to pose to increase their heart rates, holding postures for a few breaths each. Then the last part of the class focuses on stretching for longer periods of time to increase flexibility. The reason this class helps you tone up is because you're encouraged to do sets of push-ups between poses.

If you're looking for a way to kick it up a notch on your mat, classes are offered at the YogaHop studio in Santa Monica, CA for $17 a pop.

Source

In Case You Missed It: Celebrity Workouts

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 09:30:00 -0800

In 2007 we saw celebs, some more than others, really shaping up their bodies. From John Mayer to Tyra Banks, stars are finding themselves in health clubs instead of night clubs and we couldn't be happier.

Jessica Biel was named your favorite fit female for a reason - she's always active. In 2007 we got the scoop from her trainer on her workout, which includes warming up with a walking lunge.

Speaking of Jessica's, Jessica Simpson attributed her newly toned-up body to 5-Factor Fitness and Fuze. She's even been sporting those coveted Nike Tempo Shorts we all love.

Reese Witherspoon also got us talking about fitness. From her daily jogs to her intense workouts in the park to her workout play list, Reese's workout details were ones that we all wanted to know.

Pacific Coast News

Jessica Biel Is a Fit Winner!

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:30:00 -0800

While we saw many of our favorite fit female celebrities working to get even fitter in 2007, none more so than Jessica Biel. When she is not walking her dogs, she can be seen hitting the track for a tough session of plyometrics, hitting the beach for a fun workout in the sand, practicing her golf swing, and bumming around post workout with her slightly less fit, but really cute boyfriend Justin Timberlake. So it's no surprise that you guys picked Jessica as your favorite fit female celebrity of 2007!

A close second was superfit "Alias" alum and mommy Jennifer Garner, though many of you decided that Reese Witherspoon should have been on the list. Who's the one to watch for in 2008? Definitely Hayden Panettiere, since she's been hitting the gym more than usual lately. Me, I'm just excited that fit is in, so I can't wait to see who is fit in 2008.
194115

Flynet

Gear Makeover: Reese Is Old-School

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Reese Witherspoon has been quite the jogger recently, so I can't understand why she doesn't just bite the bullet and update her gear. We all know it's not about the money and I think it would make her jogs a bit more comfortable. Plus, then we can all stop cringing each time she is spotted in those old-school yellow headphones.

Here are my updates for Reese's gear situation:

Swap out the uncomfortable yellow earphones for a pair of ear buds made specifically for running. I personally like the Sennheiser MX75 Twist-To-Fit In-Ear Stereo Sport Headphones.
While I love the aviator sunglasses, I am thinking a pair of running sunglasses may be a bit more comfortable since they are more lightweight and hug your head, which means less slipping down your nose. I love the Nike V. Cadence Sunglasses.
I've done the iPod in the pants thing and it's a pain in the butt. Reese should get a sport band for her shuffle-I like the Shuffle Sweats Arm Band.
Something about stark white sneakers with black pants that reminds me of my grandmother (and priests, but that's a whole different story). You don't have to only wear white sneaks these days. There are lots of great sneaks in different colors, such as Adidas Response Light Sneakers.

iMojo shuffle Sweats	Twist-To-Fit In-Ear Sport Headphones
Nike V.Cadence Sunglasses	adidas - Women's Shoes: Running: Response Light

Flynet

Bonus P.L.O.W - Reese Witherspoon's Play List

FitSugar — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 03:00:00 -0700

We've been seeing Reese Witherspoon working out these days. Like any other exerciser, Reese uses music for motivation. Glamour.com got the scoop on her favorite songs to workout to.

“Soak Up the Sun,” by Sheryl Crow
“Buttons,” by The Pussycat Dolls
“Walk On,” by U2
“Sweet Home Alabama,” by B.A.M.A.
“Stop This Train,” by John Mayer (for stretching and cool-down)

I'm sure that along with motivation Reese uses music as a distraction from the gang of paparazzi constantly on her tail, but you can steal a few off her list for a distraction from your own hassles of the day.

Source

Reese Gets a Full Body Workout, So Can You!

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Reese has been getting healthier and healthier as she is a new single woman prepping for an upcoming movie. It looks like her trainer has been putting her through the ringer with some serious moves.

It looks like she's doing several variations of ab exercises, side planks, sprints, lots of stretching and even some crazy push-up against a tree. You go girl!

I love seeing celebs being really pushed by their trainers and it's even cooler that she is stepping up her outdoor jog! It just goes to show you that anyone can get a workout anywhere. Trees, park benches and a patch of soft grass are great tools to use in the great outdoors!

Reese inspired me to create a fun little workout. To see it (along with more pics of Reese working her tail off), just read more

Sprint (or speed jog in place): 30 seconds
Side plank: one minute
Sprint again: 30 seconds
Side plank (opposite side): One minute
Sprint: 30 seconds
Full body crunches: one minute
Sprint: 30 seconds
V-Sit with Opposite Leg/Arm Lifts: One minute
Sprint: 30 seconds
Elevated Push-up: 20

Try not to rest in between each move. The above completes one cycle (should take you about six minutes). Repeat the cycle 3-5 times, resting in between each cycle. And, just like Reese, make sure to stretch when you're done. Enjoy!

View 15 Photos ›

Pacific Coast News

Hollywood's Top Ten Summer Running Superlatives

FitSugar — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Much of Hollywood seems to have adopted the love for running and they sure seem to have taken an interesting approach to it, so in honor of back-to-school season I've passed out superlatives for Hollywood's Top Ten Summer Runners.

#10 The Former Supermodel Runner
# 9 The Shameless Self Promotion Runner
# 8 The "I'll Wear What I Want" Runner
# 7 The Blowing-Off-Steam Runner
# 6 The Pet Lover Runner

Want to see my top five? Then read more

Source, Source and Source