We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar! If you're saddled with saddlebags, you probably think you got the short end of the family gene pool stick. But, lucky for you, those pesky fat deposits surrounding your hips, thighs, and butt are far easier to banish than, say, Great Aunt Hilda or your bossy big sister. "Saddlebags are largely determined by genetics, 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

The free weights section of the gym can be a bit daunting thanks to floor-to-ceiling mirrors, stacks of barbells and dumbbells, and a crowd of bodybuilding types. But the benefits of free weight exercises are great, so it's important to boost your dumbbell confidence. Here are five reasons you should take a break from the weight machines: Your know more than you think you know. There aren't any Read more

Want to get a long and lean body like Blake Lively? FitSugar reader FitFabCities developed this video workout based on a circuit from Blake's celebrity trainer. Blake Lively is in amazing shape; she has great muscle tone while still keeping some curves — a combo that looks killer in all those fabulous outfits she wears. To get in shape for The Green Lantern, Blake worked with one of my favorite Read more

You may think it's all fun and games sitting on a stability ball while you work, but you should implement these important guidelines to help protect yourself from accidental injury. While the stability ball has its advantages, you should avoid using one if you have an acute back injury, especially if your quadratus lumborum, the major back muscle that runs from your 12th rib to the top of your Read more

New to Pilates and yoga, but can't decide which class to take? Or maybe you love yoga and Pilates but can't squeeze both into your hectic schedule? These fitness dilemmas can easily be solved thanks to a new wave of Pilates- and yoga-fusion classes popping up all over the US. Reap the benefits from both practices in just one class. Wondering where to start? Here's a rundown of some yoga-Pilates Read more

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar! Back in the day, when we played double-dutch on the playground (or some simpler incarnation of that), we hardly cared about the value of the workout.  All we cared about was having fun. It turns out that jumping offers a lot more than a good time: in fact, depending on the type of jumping exercise you choose, you can Read more

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar. We all want a toned, flat stomach. No surprise there. But since many women are still relying on crunches to get it, we want to make one thing clear: crunching is not the most effective abs workout. "Crunches work only the muscles on the front and sides of your abdomen, but it's important to target all the muscles of the Read more

Perhaps you've seen people at your gym grunting and gasping when using the TRX suspension system. For a beginner, TRX may seem intimidating, but Angelica Gonzalez, a certified TRX trainer at Crunch fitness offers up some helpful TRX tips, so you are better prepared to enjoy this Navy Seal-inspired workout at your gym. What to wear: Wear tennis shoes and comfortable, tight fitting clothing that Read more