FitSugar

Gifts For Active Snow Bunnies

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:32 PST

Although snow may not be falling in your neck of the woods just yet, it's never too early to start thinking about all the people in your life who love playing in that fluffy white stuff.

If you have a friend or family member who's big into hitting the mountain, here are some gift ideas that are sure to keep her warm and happy. Although picking out ski or snowboard equipment is best left up to her, these items are sure to make wintertime even better.

Get Mountain Ready With Ashtanga Yoga

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 12:30:00 PST

Now that Winter is in full force, I'm sure many of you spend your weekends skiing or snowboarding. Nothing beats the excitement and anticipation of standing at the top of a white mountain and looking down the slope. However, an exhilarating day on the mountain can leave you very sore and achy the next day.

If you take the time to lengthen and strengthen your legs and core before heading to the slopes, you can seriously decrease the delayed onset muscle (DOMS) you experience the day after boarding or skiing. Let me tell you, Ashtanga Yoga can help get you mountain ready, especially the Primary Series. This sequence of set postures, involves tons of poses that stretch and strengthen your quads, hamstrings, hips, shoulders, and lower back. These are the areas skiers and boarders need to focus on, and stretching and strengthening them can prevent injury, as well as make you stronger and more in control when you hit the mountain.

In the Primary Series, you practice both Sun Salutation A and B, which are great for warming up heading up the lift. Other great poses in the Primary Series are: Warrior 1 and 2, Seated Straddle, and Head to Knee. These poses help increase your flexibility and build endurance. Ashtanga is perfect for inflexible athletes who like to sweat and work every muscle.

Fit's Tips: Check out your local yoga studio to see if the offer Primary Series classes or beginners workshops. If they don't, check out this awesome Primary Series DVD. Also check out my videos of Sun Salutation A and Sun Salutation B.

Ready, Set, Cycle: How to Fit Your Bike and Start Cycling

Zelana Montminy — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:47:53 PST

Indoor cycling is all the rage these days, but we know that setting up a stationary bike can be intimidating. Since the proper fit makes the workout so much better - and prevents injury - we tapped endurance rider Audry Adler to give us the skinny on adjusting a bike. Watch and learn! Then head to cardio cycling early to set up your bike just right and then get your sweat on.

9 Popular Tax Breaks You Can No Longer Count on in 2012

Kiplinger — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:15:00 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Kiplinger story here on Savvy!

You’ll face a higher tax bill next spring if Congress doesn’t act to revive a series of tax breaks that expired Dec. 31, 2011. Among the breaks that Congress didn’t extend in all the Sturm und Drang over the payroll tax holiday are:

Alternative minimum tax patch

The AMT is a parallel tax system created more than 40 years ago to prevent excessive use of tax breaks by the very wealthy, ensuring they pay at least some tax. Taxpayers whose income exceeds the AMT exemption – in 2011, $48,450 for individuals and $74,450 for married couples filing jointly - must calculate both regular tax and AMT liability and pay the larger of the two amounts. But exemption levels have, at least tentatively, dropped to $33,750 for individuals and $45,000 for married couples filing jointly in 2012, which will expose 31 million taxpayers to the higher AMT this year, according to Tax Policy Center estimates.

Higher mass transportation benefit

This one's of particular interest to strap-hangers, van-riders, and other users of public transit. A 2009 federal stimulus provision raised the maximum an employee could receive for transit, tax-free, from $120 to $230. That matched the tax-free limit for parking. With the expiration of this break, the maximum for 2012 dropped to $125. Employees who’ve asked to have an amount higher than that withheld from their paycheck to cover their total commuting costs will see their net pay come down, as the difference is now taxed.

Read on for more.

The Best Indoor Workout Classes (Because It's Freezing Outside!)

Self — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:35:01 PST

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

There are lots (and I mean, lots) of reasons why my motivation to work out during the Winter plummets - from the snowy commute to freezing cold winds to the cold, dry air that hits my chest with such force that it becomes hard to breathe. (Ahem, there's a reason I sign up for races that are after September - this born-and-raised Floridian prefers to train outdoors during the Summer.)

But it is possible to sculpt, strengthen, and sweat (majorly sweat) without having to be freezing cold during the winter. So when the weather outside is frightful, head indoors for these top full-body workouts that will help ward off Winter weight:

Indoor cycling: Ruth Zukerman, cofounder of NYC's FlyWheel cycling studio, is heating things up indoors with her 45-minute, heart-racing classes. (Self favorite Jillian Michaels is even a recent investor in the company). "I wanted to be part of the most innovative and effective indoor cycling program, and that is FlyWheel. I am thrilled to join the FlyWheel team," Michaels said in a press release. What makes cycling such an effective alternative is that it's taking the fun full-body workout people love indoors, and instead of scenery, you'll stay motivated to challenge yourself thanks to encouraging instructors and a killer playlist. Flywheel has an awesome on-bike technology board that lets you compete against other riders in the class. Plus if you're looking to shape up before hitting the slopes, "indoor cycling is great preparation for all Winter sports, especially skiing and snowboarding. I know from personal experience that when I hit the slopes I don't tire out easily or suffer from the kind of après-ski muscle pain that most people do, and it's because of indoor cycling," Zukerman says.

Try this move: If you're riding an exercise bike at home or the gym, try some interval training. One thing we often do at Flywheel is a "Sprint Chorus," meaning we increase our RPMs to a sprint during the song's chorus and then revert to a cadence on the beat of the music as the chorus ends.

More best indoor workouts after the break.

The Kinect Board of Awesomeness

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:16:01 PST

We've been waiting for Kinect to acquire some practical purpose in everyday life. Sure, we love the virtual sports, and the dancing games make for adorable celebrity home movies, but we've got to be able to do something more with the amazing motion sensor technology!

Mobile app developer Chaotic Moon harnessed the power of Kinect along with the unreleased Samsung Windows 8 tablet to create a skateboard powered by the user's movements. They call it the Board of Awesomeness.

The science of the mechanics and engineering aside, the board moves when the riders push their hands forward to speed up and pull their hands back to slow down. It's exciting to think of a future with more motion-controlled devices; which products do you think need motion sensors?

Nicolas Cage Is Seriously on Fire in the Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance Trailer

Shannon Vestal — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 05:30:00 PDT

The Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance trailer is really something you have to see to believe. The sequel to the 2007 action flick has Nicolas Cage reprising his role as Johnny Blaze (aka Ghost Rider), and this time he's taking on the devil, played by Ciarán Hinds, in Eastern Europe. Idris Elba and Johnny Whitworth (Empire Records alert!) also star.

Like most action trailers, Ghost Rider gives you a lot of intensity from high-speed chases, explosions, and menacing villains, but this installment really goes one step further, with a flaming Cage riding his motorcycle like he did in the first film - but this time he's doing more, uh, everyday things while on fire, too. Even if you're not planning on seeing the film, slated for release in February 2012, it's worth it to see the trailer's jarringly silly final image. Watch when you

Shoe Review: Mizuno Wave Rider 15

Leta Shy — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:14:21 PST

I'm a Mizuno fan - the company's roster of running shoes has something for every serious runner (or any type of runner who's serious about getting the right gear). So I was happy to test out the Wave Rider 15 ($115), the newest model in a line of shoes that has proven to be one of Mizuno's most popular since it was introduced 15 years ago.

I was a little wary about trying the Wave Riders, however, since the shoes are built for neutral runners and not those who over- or underpronate (I usually buy shoes for overpronators). And while the Wave Rider has enjoyed immense popularity, the Wave Rider 15s were my first encounter with the style, so I wasn't sure what to expect.

As soon as I unboxed the ruby red sneakers, though, my reservations started disappearing. My first thoughts were that even though they look substantial, they felt incredibly lightweight. The sole is relatively thick, but it doesn't interfere with the responsiveness of the shoe as you run. In fact, as I ran I felt more connected with the ground than I thought I would.

Read more about the Mizuno Waver Rider 15s after the break.

Best of 2011: What Was Your Favorite New Toddler Toy?

Nicole Abbott — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:37:45 PST

Toy makers released lots of new toddler toys this year - was there one in particular that your tot couldn't get enough of? Eco-friendly mamas opted to entertain their tykes with green - and educational! - toys like the Green Toys' Pizza Parlor ($19) and the Plan Toys' Build a Robot ($32). Tots who are always on the go got the ride of a lifetime on the new Wishbone Flip Rocker & Rider ($165). Pint-sized photographers got a kick out of taking pictures of themselves with the Fisher-Price Kid-Tough See Yourself Camera ($40) - while little engineers built spaceships with the Educo Discovery Spaceship And Lift Off Rocket ($96)!

So which new toddler toy did your tyke love the most? Let us know or add another toy in the comments.

Feel the Wind in Your Hair With Classic to High-Tech Sleds

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:17:48 PST

Bring on the snow day! An overnight snow fall may wreak havoc on the morning commute, but it brings out the best in lil ones who can't wait to bundle up and play. Whether racing each other for the fastest run down the local hill or going for a leisurely ride through the neighborhood, kids love sleds. From classic wooden versions to ergonomically designed speed demons, these picks are guaranteed to add some thrill to the next snow day!

Mountain Boy Sledworks Butterfly Convertible Wagon ($200) converts from a wagon to a sled in a matter of minutes for some old-fashioned fun!
Morgan Cycle Prancer Sleigh ($350) adds a bit of nostalgia to the classic sleigh ride.
The Kringle Snow Sled ($38) is the perfect way to introduce young tots to the joy of sledding.
This Red Sled ($43) uses a classic Toboggan style to whisk riders through the snow, and then folds up flat for storage.
The Flexible Flyer PT Blaster Sledding Mobile ($80) is designed for older kids with a functioning steering wheel and brakes.
The high-tech Hammerhead Sled ($350) has an aluminum frame and mesh suspension seat for a comfortable ride every time.

Atlas Elektra 8 Series Snowshoe ($140)	Darn Tough Merino Wool Over The Calf Cushion Ski Sock ($17)
Outdoor Research Meteor Mitts ($65)	The North Face Freedom Low-Rise Boot-Cut Insulated Pants ($149)
Smartwool Glove Liners ($18)	Smartwool Women's Midweight Bottoms ($75)
Mountain Hardwear Dome Meritage Hat ($30)	CamelBak Sno Angel Hydration Pack ($55)
Turtle Fur Neck Warmer ($12)	Oregon Scientific ATC5K Waterproof Helmet Camera ($200)
The North Face Amore Down Insulated Jacket ($249)	Smarwool Women's Midweight Zip T ($85)