FitSugar

Gear Review: Puma TP Tights

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:00:00 PST

I'm always on the lookout for breathable running pants, and Puma's TP 3/4-length tights ($45) are a valuable addition to my collection. They're so light that the pants feel like a second skin, and so effective at keeping me dry that I've worn them during a sweaty elliptical workout, an outside run, and a spin class (when my bike shorts were still in the dirty clothes pile) - just in the last couple weeks.

Besides being extremely breathable, I love the inner drawstring that allows you to adjust the tightness around your waist, instead of an elastic waistband that can dig into your skin. The pants are fitted to right below the knee and the overall fit is surprisingly flattering. If you want to take your pants on a run, there's a key pocket on the back (below the waistband) and cool reflective design at the back of each knee - it's effective for a nighttime run, but the interesting design makes them unassuming reflectors and wearable for any workout.

To see if these lightweight tights came through the washing machine in one piece, just

.
I was pleased when my pants came out of the wash undamaged; just be sure to hang them dry to maintain the quality. If you're on the hunt for something to keep you dry during your sweaty workouts, I recommend investing in these tights. My tip: The pants definitely run big, so order one size down to ensure your tights aren't baggy.

Fit for December: Must Haves

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 10:15:00 PST

They say the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, but I must add that it generally isn't the healthiest. Here are a few things I think will help you stay happy, fit, and healthy in December.

REI Power Stretch Tights ($70)	Hands2Go: Alcohol Free Anti-bacterial Hand Sanitizer ($3.50)
Juice Beauty SPF 15 Tinted Lip Moisturizers ($15)	Peppermint	Single Leg Squats

If you want to see why these are my December must haves just

REI Power Stretch Tights ($70): Come winter and snow time, you want a pair of toasty pants you can wear for a variety of activities, and these Stretch Tights by REI will take you on a run through wintry streets and to the slopes as a great base layer. Made with Polartec fabric that stretches four directions to ensure ease of motion, they have a moisture-wicking velour fleece to keep you dry on the inside and a smooth nylon outer face that sheds light rain and wind. I love that they come with an unobtrusive zippered side pocket.
Hands2Go Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer ($3.50): Keep your hands germ free with this alcohol-free hand sanitizer. Not only does it kill 99 percent of bacteria, but it also moisturizes with a blend of aloe vera, chamomile, and lavender extracts.
Tinted lip balm with sunscreen: Just because it is cold outside doesn't mean the sun cannot do damage. I love this trio of lip moisturizers with mineral tint for color and SPF 15 by Juice Beauty ($15). There is a color for every occasion. I would definitely slip one if these into the zippered pocket of my REI running tights!
Peppermint: This herb is more than candy-cane flavoring; peppermint is considered by many to be the world's oldest medicine. Peppermint has been shown to help decrease symptoms of irritable bowl syndrome. It can also help relieve cold symptoms by working as a decongestant and expectorant. Warm yourself with a cup of peppermint tea.
Single-Leg Squats: Skiing season officially starts in December (here's hoping for a good snow year in the Sierras) and you need to start conditioning for the slopes now, if not yesterday! Single-leg squats are the exercise to get your thighs mountain ready. Start with six reps on each leg, for two sets.

Get Your Butt in Gear: Sahalie Running Tights

FitSugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 02:30:00 PDT

Somedays we all need a little support, and I am not talking about a shoulder to cry on. I am talking about supporting the joints and muscles of your legs that get taxed by your many activities. These Running Tights ($79.50) by Sahalie are engineered to support your weary bones so you can get out and run. Designed with patented support panels strategically placed to provide added protection, support and warmth for your muscles and knees. These tights are beneficial for the well trained athlete as well as the weekend warriors. Not only do these tights create support for running, but are useful for skiing and cycling as well. Made of a CoolMax polyester/Lycra spandex blend, they are great at wicking and machine washable as well!

Buy them in either all black or with gray accents directly from Sahalie.

Common Treadmill Woe: How to Avoid a Stiff Neck While Running

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:13:23 PDT

Many people prefer hitting the treadmill to running outdoors, but if you're not careful, along with that toned tush you might end up with a stiff neck, resulting in a nagging headache. Follow these tips the next time you hop on the treadmill to prevent this common running woe.

Keep Your Gaze Forward
One gym perk is its televisions, which allow you to catch up on the news or your favorite TV show. It becomes a problem, however, if your gym mounts its TVs on the wall instead of using individual screens on each machine - if you're looking up and to the right for 30 minutes straight, it's no secret why your neck hurts! Avoid cranking your head upward or all the way to one side by choosing a treadmill directly in front of the TV you're watching. Or better yet, bring in your iPad and place it on the magazine rack of your machine to keep your head directly over your spine. The same goes for chatting with your running buddy on the treadmill next to you - keep the conversation going while looking straight ahead.

Keep reading for more tips on preventing neck pain on the treadmill.

Yoga Series For Runners

FitSugar — Fri, 11 May 2012 08:58:17 PDT

We love running and yoga. We actually find that these two forms of exercise are quite complementary. Yoga is perfect for stretching out all those muscles worked, and often overworked, while pounding the pavement. To ensure that your body can handle all the miles, Kimberly Fowler, founder of Yoga For Athletes, suggests adding these five yoga poses to your weekly fitness routine. This short series is great for lengthening shortened hamstrings and opening tight hips - both side effects of running. A little attention to your overworked muscles is a great form of injury prevention. And if you only have time for one stretch, Kim will tell you what to do. Press play and get ready to stretch.

Challenge Your Run: 4 Training Techniques Every Runner Needs

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:16:04 PDT

Whether you're a beginner or have a few marathons under your belt, every runner can benefit from a little extra training. Here are four techniques to incorporate into weekly workouts that will make you stronger, faster, and more efficient on your feet.

Intervals
Running at a consistent pace is great for longer training runs, but make workouts more intense by doing intervals. By alternating between running a few minutes at a moderate pace and throwing in bursts at a quicker pace (or even sprinting), you'll burn more calories, build endurance, and become a faster, stronger runner. Not to mention, intervals have also been proven to fight belly fat. Here's a 30-minute treadmill interval workout for you to try.

Hills
Doing hill work on inclines targets your thighs, calves, and booty, so aside from giving you the tight tush you always wanted, your stronger lower body will make you a faster, more efficient runner. Doing hill work also burns more calories and strengthens the calves which is one way you can help prevent the dreaded shin splints. Here are tips for incorporating hills into your run.

Keep reading to find out two other techniques all runners should incorporate into their workouts.

Don't Waste Your Dough on These Yogic Products

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:05:58 PDT

Like running, yoga doesn't take a whole lot of fancy equipment. All you truly need are a good yoga mat and a comfortable outfit that keeps you covered and dry. But with yoga's growing popularity, it seems like more and more yoga-focused products are cropping up. Here are a few you could live without.

Round Yoga Mat
Unless you practice partner yoga, attend Mommy and Me classes, or go to a specific type of class where a round Mandala yoga mat is a necessity, save your $70. The extra mat circumference isn't necessary since most instructors teach using a traditional rectangular-shaped mat. Studio space is also tight, and it would be inconsiderate to take up so much room with a circular mat. If you do invest in one of these six-foot round mats, you can't use a basic yoga bag, so purchasing a square-shaped bag would be another investment you'd have to make. So although intriguing, a circular mat isn't worth the money.

Keep reading to find out what other yoga products aren't worth the dough.

3 Leg Stretches Runners Should Do Daily

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:41:42 PDT

I don't think I've ever met a runner who doesn't suffer from tight hips, hamstrings, or a lower back. The receptive movements and strengthening aspect of running can cause tight muscles that need extra attention. Of course you should never skip the stretching session after a run, but here are three lower-body stretches you should do every day - even on the days you don't run.

Open Lizard

What it stretches: sides of the hips and hip flexors

How to do it:

Come into a lunge position with the right foot forward and the left leg extended behind you, toes relaxed. Make sure there's enough distance between your feet so your front knee is at a 90-degree angle. Lower your hands to the floor to the left of your right foot.
Keep your front foot where it is and slowly lower your right knee outward, so you're resting on the outside of your right flexed foot. Keep your arms straight, pressing your chest forward just like in Upward Facing Dog; this will help encourage your hips to lower, increasing the stretch.
Gaze forward and enjoy Open Lizard for 30 seconds and then switch sides.

Keep reading to find out how to do the above stretch and one more that will target your hamstrings.

Jennifer Garner Jokes About Her "Weird Job" and Joins Charlize in Hot LBDs For CinemaCon

Molly Goodson — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:25:55 PDT

CinemaCon wrapped up with its star-studded Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas last night. Jennifer Garner wore a tight black dress to show off her postbaby body while accepting the female star of the year award in her second appearance of the week. Jennifer joined Johnny Depp for an event on Tuesday evening, though that time she choose a looser-fitting look. On stage, Jennifer joked about winning this award, saying:

"I told my mom the other day I was getting this award . . . and I was excited and feeling proud and thought she was going to be proud, and then there was this pause on the other end of the line. She said, 'Jennifer, do these people know you haven't worked in the last year?' I said, 'Yeah, I feel they probably know what I've been up to. I haven't stepped foot on a set. You are correct, mom.' She said, 'Can they take this back? Because every time I talk to you, you are breastfeeding, you are running carpool, you are on the library committee - you are not acting!' I said it's not all about the now, it's things you've done in the past or in the future, and she was like, 'Honey, you have a weird job.'"

Charlize Theron was also honored yesterday evening, after joining Kristen Stewart to promote Snow White and the Huntsman at the convention earlier in the day. Michelle Pfeiffer looked stunning in her own LBD to receive the cinema icon statue. Jeremy Renner and The Hunger Games' Josh Hutcherson took home male star of the year and breakthrough star of the year, respectively.

CinemaCon has been going on since Monday and given press and movie theater owners sneak peeks at highly-anticipated upcoming movies like Snow White and the Huntsman and Battleship. The convention even brought out the first 60 seconds of the new adaptation of Les Misérables, which is apparently already earning very early award-season buzz.

Hollywood Secrets For Long, Lean Legs!

Self — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:30:18 PDT

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

Angelina Jolie, Jessica Biel, Cameron Diaz . . . Who hasn't watched their favorite movie stars walk the red carpet and grown a little envious of their mile-long legs? Granted, most leading ladies are blessed with superior DNA, but that doesn't mean you can't score long, lean gams too! "What is possible for others is possible for you," says Barry's Bootcamp cofounder Barry Jay, the celebrity trainer behind Eliza Dushku's, Stacy Keibler's, and Juliette Lewis's fit physiques. "But be patient! If you want legs that look like Jessica Biel's, do the work!"

That means ditching the late-night pizza runs and sticking to a healthy diet. Also remember to maintain proper form during those calorie-torching sweat sessions or all of your hard work will be for naught. "Form is everything," says Jay. "Don't just do it. Do it right!"

To get started, incorporate these three moves using a set of five- to eight-pound hand weights (or set a timer for one minute per exercise if hand weights are unavailable) into your regular routine twice a week. "Good legs are important because they help your whole body change," says Jay. "You burn the most calories when you work out your legs. They are the foundation of your body, a gift, and they deserve to look their best!"

Read on for the workout.