FitSugar

Doing Cardio? Start Off Fast, Finish Nice and Easy

FitSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Whether you're running, biking, or swimming as your form of cardio, you want to get the most out of your workouts. When some people are training, they incorporate negative splits into their routines. It involves moving faster in the second half of your workout than you did for your first half. This warms up the muscles slowly, which helps reduce your risk of injury, and it also helps you finish strong when you're racing.

You can also work out in the opposite way, where you start off fast and intense and end your workout slower and with moderate intensity. Researchers at the College of New Jersey found that after a short warmup, "cyclists who punched up the intensity during the first half of their workouts and then cruised for the second half burned about 10 percent more calories than those who started slow and finished fast." Not only will you burn more calories, but when you give it all you've got in the beginning, it feels so good to reward yourself with a more relaxed second half of your workout.

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12 Ways to Burn More Calories

FitSugar — Mon, 07 May 2007 11:00:00 -0700

We are always looking for a few extra ways to burn a few extra calories.

Health.com is on it -- They have come up with a list of twelve ways you can burn more calories during your next workout:

Jog Through Water. It's one of the most strenuous activities you can perform, since water is about 12 to 15 times as resistant as air. Running at your hardest, you can burn about 17 calories per minute-at least twice as much as you would burn running on pavement.
Start Fast. Researchers at the College of New Jersey found that after a short warm-up, cyclists who punched up the intensity during the first half of their workouts and then cruised for the second half burned about 10 percent more calories than those who started slow and finished fast.
Warm Up Before You Lift. A short spin on a bike or jog on a treadmill (enough to get your heart rate up) warms your muscles and tendons and gets fluids flowing in the joints; this increases your muscles' elasticity, allowing you to handle heavier weights and endure a longer workout.
Sign Up For Hip-Hop. Surprising your body with a new dance or sport forces it to work harder because it's doing unfamiliar movements and using muscle groups in different ways. In the process, you'll burn more calories than you would by doing the same old routine.
Work Out in the a.m. Research has shown that people who exercise in the morning keep their metabolism elevated for hours and thus get a jump on burning calories. Studies also show that people who start each day with a workout tend to stick with their programs longer.
Fuel Up First. Grab a banana before you hit the gym, and it may actually help you slice off more calories in the long run. Shoot for 100 to 200 calories to nibble on: Yogurt, a piece of fruit, peanut butter and crackers, or half an energy bar are all excellent choices.

There's six more great ideas, so read more

Use the Surge Strategy. After a warm-up, push yourself a bit harder than usual for a short surge, then slow down to a more moderate pace to recover. Repeating this pattern several times in a single session will give you a higher calorie tally than you'd earn if you kept your pace steady.
Do a Triathlon at the Gym. Simply split your 30- or 45- minute workout into three segments-for example, pedal on a stationary bike, power-walk on a treadmill, and step onto an elliptical trainer for 10- or 15-minute bursts with no rest in between. You'll keep up your heart rate and increase the burn.
Take to the Sand. By walking or running on the beach, you'll use 20 to 50 percent more calories than you would going at the same pace on a hard trail or asphalt.
Don't Slouch. Propping yourself on your arms while you're using the elliptical trainer, stair-climber, or treadmill makes the routine feel easier, but it gives you a less-challenging workout. Be sure to maintain a neutral spine to protect your back, keep your abs tight, and go easy on the handrails.
Use Your Arms. To make the most of a 45-minute workout, try total-body activities such as rowing, swimming, or cross-country skiing. You can even gain a slight uptick by exaggerating your arm swing while you walk.
Tune in to Your Muscles. Concentrate on using your abdominal muscles, hips, and quadriceps to power up your walk. And when you come up during a crunch, instead of allowing your mind to wander, focus on contracting your abs and moving your ribs closer to your hip bones.

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Bone Health Requires Some Specific Exercise

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:00:36 -0800

Turns out if you want to keep your bones healthy, you'd better start young and be specific about which exercise you choose. The New York Times reveals the findings of a new study which indicates that, contrary to popular belief, "any and all activity" may not benefit your bones.

In fact, as researchers investigate the effect of exercise on bone health, it has become increasingly clear that various kinds of exercise produces varying results on bone conditioning. Until recently, researchers believed that the impact of running, or any similar high-impact exercise, would transform the bone, "deforming" it just slightly. As a result of running, the bone would give slightly to the force of the physical activity, and the bone cells would stretch in response and adapt to the repeated exercise by adding cells and becoming denser. But this is not the case. In actuality, researchers have now found that the bone cells don't stretch; instead, when the bone bends, it "squeezes bone fluid" from one part of the bone "matrix" to another, and it's this extra fluid that causes the cells to add denser bone in response.

The key is that only certain types of exercise produce this kind of bone-bending, and the subsequent response to add dense bone-building. Says Alexander G. Robling, an assistant professor in the department of anatomy and cell biology at Indiana University School of Medicine, "large forces released in a relatively big burst” are crucial to building healthy bones, which is why activities like weight lifting won't help bone-bend or produce stronger, denser bones. But the exercises that will? Running, brisk walking at a fast pace, and surprisingly, repeated jumping.

Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:00:15 -0800

Biggest Loser Ali Vincent's memoir will motivate and entertain - That's Fit
Start your day with a quick and healthy breakfast - Shape
Chocolate pumped up with antioxidants to fight acne? - Vital Juice
Kristen Stewart joins the fight against diabetes - FitCeleb
Plus-sized dance clubs: cool or not? - Vitamin G
Countdown to the Olympics: 95 until the opening ceremonies - Fresh Fitness Tips
Run in the woods to change the meaning of "happy trails" - Fit Bottomed Girls
Skip these fast-food sammies when traveling for T-day - Daily Spark

Reasons to Try Mountain Biking

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:47:34 -0700

Road biking was my first taste of exercising on wheels. I loved the smooth terrain, how fast I could speed along, and how much distance I could cover, which made for great sightseeing. I never gave much thought to trying mountain biking, until my hubby persuaded me to go with him. I tell you, it's a completely different feeling riding on a woodsy trail than it is riding on the road. Here are some reasons you should give it a try.

It's the perfect time of year - the air is chilly so you won't overheat, there are no bugs, the ground is less muddy, and the foliage is gorgeous. It's a great way to celebrate Fall.
It's a major calorie burner. An hour of mountain biking burns over 500 calories.
You can forget about doing endless squats and lunges because mountain biking will effectively tone your thighs and booty. Since you have to pedal hard up steep hills, you really feel the burn in your lower body.
Once you purchase a mountain bike, cycling shoes, and a helmet, the trails are usually free, so it's a great way to stay fit during a time when we're all pinching pennies. Visit a bike shop and purchase an old model that stores are trying to get rid of, or check out Craigslist if you're on a budget.

To see why else you should start mountain biking read more.

It's a great alternative for people who say that running hurts their knees or back.
Since you're biking through narrow trails, over roots and rocks, dodging tree limbs and holes, you really tune your sense of balance. It also requires more awareness and quick thinking, so boredom just isn't an issue.
It's a great form of exercise you can do with a friend or whole group. Not only is there safety in numbers, but your pals can suggest new places to ride.
It's hardcore. I feel so tough after a ride in the woods because mountain biking is so challenging. I come home with scratches from branches, bruises from falling (since I'm a beginner), and mud on my legs. Aside from strengthening my body, my inner self feels stronger.

Tell me, have you ever tried mountain biking?

Add Sprints to Drop Those Last Five Pounds

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:47:07 -0700

You've been eating right and exercising regularly for quite some time and the scale has been good to you. You're five pounds away from your goal weight, but your body is hanging on to that extra fluff for dear life. To help drop those pounds for good, you're going to have to make a change to your exercise routine. When doing cardio, instead of traveling along at the same speed or intensity, sprinkle in 30-second sprints. It doesn't matter if you're jogging, biking, jumping rope, or swimming. Whatever type of cardio you're doing, start off your workout at a moderate pace for 10 to 15 minutes, then kick it up as fast as you can for 30 seconds, then slow it back down to an easy pace to recover for 90 seconds. Repeat this interval cycle five to eight times, and then finish off your workout at a moderate pace for 15 minutes. Including speedy bursts burns more calories than working at a continual steady pace. Doing this kind of interval training is also proven to decrease belly fat. So add sprints to your cardio workouts and you should see those last few pounds disappear.

Class Act: Cardio Theater

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:47:52 -0700

One way I beat boredom while doing cardio inside is to watch movies. I'll start one and watch about 30 minutes or more, and then the next time I work out, I'm excited to continue where I left off in the flick. I'm lucky to have a machine at home I can walk or run on, but if you don't, check out Cardio Theater. Fitworks health clubs offer a huge room with cardio machines in front of a 15-foot theater screen, so you feel like you're at the local cinema, not at the gym. You can watch movies, TV shows, or sports games, and it makes the time go by so fast. Cardio Theater is included in the price of the membership at their Cincinnati, Akron, Cleveland, Dayton, Ohio, and Northern Kentucky area clubs. If you don't live in these areas, I'm sure it'll be just a matter of time before other fitness clubs catch on. Tell me, would you want a Cardio Theater at your gym?

Get It Up, Your Heart Rate, That Is: Hill Repeats

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:00:25 -0700

Love it or avoid it, running hills is simply great conditioning. After exerting yourself to climb hills, running in the flats will feel easy. Once you begin tackling hills, they will be less intimidating.

Find a hill in your area, and use map my run to figure out the percentage of the grade by clicking on the "show elevation" button. Find a hill with a medium grade of about five to six percent.

Warm up at an easy jog for five minutes, then pick up the pace and keep running for five more. Use this time to wend your way to your designated hill.
Maintain your comfortable running pace, and climb the hill for 30 seconds. Slowly jog or walk to starting point and repeat four more times. On the last two reps, pick up your pace for the last 15 seconds.
Now run uphill, maintaining your moderate running pace for three 60-second runs. Slowly jog or walk back to your starting point.
Run fast for 15 seconds uphill twice, slowly jogging or walking to return to your starting point.
Cool down with 10 minutes of easy running.

Afterward, be sure to stretch your calves, shin muscles, quads, hamstrings, glutes, and hip flexors. Oh, and if you like running, join my RunningSugar to meet like minded sugar users.

Eve on Whipping Herself Into Shape

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:50:44 -0700

Are you excited for the roller derby romp Whip It? I know I sure am. Hip-hop artist Eve skates her way through the film, and she spoke recently with Women's Health about developing a dependence on Tiger Balm, her relationship with her trainer, and keeping her "booty in order."

The actors participated in a three-week skate camp to prepare for their roller derby role. About the camp Eve said, "I used a lot of Tiger Balm. I felt like an 80-year-old woman."

In addition to skate camps, Eve works with a trainer, who even checks up on her when she's on the road since working out while traveling is not her forte. Eve explained their relationship like this, "Working with trainer is intimate, [as it is with] a hairdresser."

To see if Eve loves push-ups, just read more.
For her fitness regimen, Eve is not a weight machine gal.

"We don’t do a lot of weights, but we do a lot of push-ups, crunches, and squats - exercises that let me use my own body weight. We work out in a private gym, but we’re about to start incorporating outdoor things into my routine. I can’t wait, because I love being outside."

Not hung up on unrealistic goals, the singer wants to be fit. Now that she's 30, she has become a bit more body conscious. Her reasons for working out go like this:

"I’m not trying to be super skinny. I want to keep my booty in order. When you’re 23, you can lose five pounds in a week because your metabolism is fast. I don’t want to do unhealthy things to lose weight fast for, say, a photo shoot. I do want to feel amazing in my clothes, though."

What do you think? Roller derby may be a crazy activity, but Eve sounds levelheaded to me.

Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:00:52 -0700

From the pole to the trapeze - are the new fitness trends for you? - Daily Spark
Emotional eating can take a toll, but you can control it - Fit Bottomed Girls
Kelly Ripa's fave workout, Physique 57, comes to DVD - Vital Juice Daily
OK Magazine and Jessica Simpson's photoshop diet - Never Say Diet
Japanese food makes for a great breakfast - Vitamin G
Rush Limbaugh is dropping pounds fast - but how? - That's Fit
The best snacks for under 200 calories - Shape
Pregant Gisele starts her day with early morning yoga - FitCeleb

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