Healthy happy you.
Celebrity trainer and Pilates instructor Nicole Stuart spends her days keeping celeb clients like Kate Hudson and Anna Faris in shape, and for the next week, she'll be doing the same for us. Today she is demonstrating Single Leg Stretch, a move that works the low abs and also challenges your coordination. To start, lie on your back with your knees in tabletop position. Pull your right knee Read more
Someone recently asked me if Pilates was German for ab exercises. While the founder of Pilates hailed from Germany, his last name is now what we know his exercise method by. This question, however, is highly indicative of classic Pilates exercises - they work your abs! In many Pilates exercises that focus directly on strengthening the abs, you lie on your back and have both your legs as well as Read more
The exercise ball may occupy a lot of room in your home gym, but it's one versatile piece of equipment. Find out how to get the most out of your exercise ball below. A healthier seat: Ditch your normal seat on the couch and sit on an exercise ball instead. Using a ball to sit helps correct your posture, tones your abs, and encourages you to stretch, all of which sounds a lot better than the Read more
When it comes to looking your best on the beach, it's not all about how to build a six-pack or which exercises make your backside look the best in a bikini. In fact, having a healthy and strong back can make you feel your best on the beach in more ways than one. Here are some essential back exercises and why they will help you rock a swimsuit with confidence. Stand tall and slim: Wanna look five Read more
We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar! She played a frumpy reporter in The Help, but in real life, Emma Stone is the epitome of young Hollywood glamour. The 24-year-old made the transition from child actor to leading lady look effortless, but Stone puts plenty of hard work into every project she tackles, including her Pilates workout. "There's not much to Read more
Mat classes are the most affordable way to reap the benefits of Pilates. Taught across the country at gyms and private studios, group classes mean you don't have an instructor cuing and correcting your every move. Make the most of your time on the mat and be mindful of these common mistakes I've seen in classes over the years. Not Going Deep There are many benefits to Pilates, but getting in Read more
No matter your fitness passion, from snowboarding to CrossFit, you likely do squats in your sweat sessions — they're a fitness staple. Sometimes, the more simple the move, the more careless we become when doing it, and before you know it you have sloppy squats. Here are four common mistakes that plague the standard squat. Next time you head to the gym, take a little time to get back to basics Read more
If you're anything like me, back in the day — before exercise seemed like an issue — you rocked cropped tops everywhere. Circa 1994, was there something else worth wearing? In recent years, though, I've generally kept a little fabric between my belly and the world. Until now. Cropped tops are a must wear again. Luckily, Pilates instructor Natalie Ridley of The Sports Club/LA (where the likes Read more
We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar! Lady Gaga has finally dropped her latest masterpiece, and Born This Way was born to inspire our workouts. The '80s-inspired opus is full of gym-ready grooves, from Eurodisco to Latin rhythms. Let's get moving! Gaga training sessions with Harley Pasternak consist of a 25-minute routine combining strength and cardio. The Read more
We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar! Your office nemesis isn't that know-it-all in the cubicle over, it's lurking right beneath you: your chair! The more you're sitting, the less calories you're burning... not the ideal bikini body plan. Picture this: when sitting, your activity in your muscles drops and the calorie-burning rate decreases to just about one Read more
