FitSugar

Print It: Back Plan

FitSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:30:00 PDT

If your back has been aching it probably could use some strengthening. Plus many of this season's fashions feature "sexy back." Since you all know that I think it's important to have a game plan when headed to the gym, why not use my Get Your Back Ready to Bare exercise plan?

Click here to download the PDF and print. It looks best printed in color and fits on one page.

Print it. Take it to the gym. Work your back. Get strong. Buy a backless dress to celebrate!

Take It to the Gym: Mermaid Stretch

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 17:15:00 PDT

The Mermaid is my favorite Pilates stretch!!! Here is a printable version from the video for you to take to the gym or to wherever you like to stretch.

Starting Position Sit in the Z leg position Place your right leg in front. Lift your arms to the sides. Inhale...
Exhale and side bend to the left.
Inhale through center. Exhale and side bend right.

There's more to this stretch, so

read more Repeat side bend to left and right...

Side bend one more time to the left. Begin to circle your right arm behind your head.
Continue circling around to the side.
Continue circling your arm and torso around to the front, pulling your abs deeply to your spine. This action in the abs increases the stretch in your spine.
Come all the way to a side bend, and prepare to reverse the circle.
Reverse the arm circle by starting to the front, hollowing out your belly.
Your arms comes to your side and as it passes your waist, begin to open your chest to the sky.
Cirlce the arm behind you to stretch out your pecs/chest.
Continue the circle, by side bending to the left. Continue with circling the arm and torso all the way to the front. Roll up one vertebra at a time to come all the way up to sitting.

Switch your legs bringing the left leg in front and reverse the stretch by side bending to the right first. You will be circling the left arm instead.

Take It to the Gym: Mini Boot Camp

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PDT

You saw the video and now here's the print out of the Mini boot camp so you can take it to the gym or the park or your backyard. Click here for the printer friendly version.

Boot Strappers 20 reps Only straighten your legs as far as you can while still keeping your hands on the ground Do not jam or pop your knees to straight Relax your neck and look at your shins Exhale as you straighten your legs and use your abs pulling toward the sky to initiate the motion
Boot Strappers Move 2 Come into a full crouched position with your heels raised Inhale as you bend your knees
Push Ups 10 reps Exhale as you push the ground away
Plank with Leg Raise 10 sets - alternating legs Focus on the glutes and hamstrings lifting the leg Keep your core engaged Do not let your back sway to lift your leg

Is there more??!!?? You betcha! Just

Push Ups 10 more reps Move to your knees only if you have to If your arms feel like they can't take it, try to stay in a plank and just make the motion smaller
Squats 10 reps Really stick your booty out as you bend your knees Keep your weight in your heels Keep your chest up and look forward Do not round your back, keep it neutral
Squat with Heel Raise 10 sets - alternating heels Hold your squat position and just lift one heel Keep your chest up
Squats 10 more reps
Twisting Side Lunges 10 sets - alternating sides Touch your hand to the outside of your foot Exhale as you twist down, inhale as you return to standing If your inner thighs are tight, you should stretch them first Focus on your obliques making the twisting motion
Alternating Forward Lunges 10 reps, stop with LEFT foot forward Aim to get both knees to 90 degree angles Really push off with the front foot to return to standing, this gets that back of the leg to work Keep your gaze straight out Your arms out to the sides helps with balance
Lunge with Twist to Left 10 reps Keep your torso long as your twist your ribs to the left Your pelvis should stay aimed forward Reach through your back heel to engage your glute muscle Exhale as you twist and imagine your waist wringing out like a wet washcloth
Alternating Forward Lunges 10 reps, stop with RIGHT foot forward Use "Diver Arms" position this round to challenge your balance more "Diver Arms" are arms overhead with elbows straight and hands overlapping
Lunge with Twist to Right 10 reps Keep your torso long as your twist your ribs to the right Genie Arms may feel stupid, but they make it harder to cheat and just move your shoulders to the right
Standing Knee Touch 10 sets - alternating sides This old school marching works the abs, so imagine the knee coming up because the navel is pulling to the spine Reach your arms up as the leg goes down You are bringing the opposite elbow down to the opposite knee
Isometric Crab Hold hold for 30 seconds Finger tips should point toward your bum Keep the pelvis at the same level for the entire 30 seconds, don't let it drop Let your head relax all the way back

Glee-ful Highlights From Episode "Heart"

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:38:32 PST

It's Valentine's Day at McKinley, and everyone gets in on the action in this week's episode of Glee. For the lesson, Mr. Schuester wants everyone to choose a great love song to perform, which means a lot of the action takes place in the relationship department. Finn and Rachel try to get everyone excited about their upcoming nuptials; Brittany and Santana deal with scrutiny of the nature of their relationship, and Mercedes and Sam may love each other, but they just can't seem to get it together.

At first, I was pretty excited that "Heart" was going to be an episode full of musical numbers, but it feels a little plot driven for my taste. Regardless, there's a lot happened this week, so get in on all details after the jump.

From the Community: The Fab 15 Total-Body Circuit Workout

Fit Community — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:24:05 PST

Reader FitFabCities has a simple 15-minute workout for you - no equipment needed! She shared it with us in our FitSugar Community.

Want to know how Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, Sofia Vergara, Penélope Cruz, Minka Kelly, and Brooke Burke get their killer curves? Well, their superfit shapes come courtesy of Gunnar Peterson. Gunnar is one of my favorite celebrity trainers, and he’s the go-to guy for actresses, models, musicians, and even professional athletes who count on being in amazing shape for their jobs.

Learn more about this workout after the break!

Get Great Benefits by Taking on One of These 11 Part-Time Jobs

LearnVest — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:15:46 PST

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

“Underemployment” is a term that, compared to “unemployment,” more fully captures the lack of job opportunities.

The underemployed includes the unemployed as well as those employed part-time but wanting full-time work.

According to a recent poll, underemployment is currently at 18.1 percent. That’s down from 18.3 percent the month prior, and 19 percent a year ago. While these numbers are still high, there are opportunities to work part-time. You won’t make as much money as you would with a full-time job, but with many part-time positions, you’ll not only earn a salary but also score some great perks.

Related: the 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs

We’ve put together a list of 11 big-name companies that provide big benefits to its part-time workers. Whether they're offering free merchandise, health insurance benefits, or tuition aid, these employers certainly make it worth your while to work, even if you’re only putting in 20 hours a week.

Whole Foods

After part-timers have worked 400 hours, they get health, dental, and vision plans, as well as 401(k) retirement plans, paid time off, and a 20 percent employee discount. After working 6,000 hours, employees are offered stock options.

Target

Work at Target as few as two and a half days a week for six months, and you can become eligible for Target’s health care coverage. Employees also get access to other health benefits like free flu vaccinations, a 24-hour nurse hotline, and discounts for Weight Watchers.

Read on for more.

Oh Please! Worst Gym Pickup Lines

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:51:19 PST

It's Valentine's Day and maybe you have found love at the gym (I met my hubby in a yoga class!) While there's nothing wrong with a little harmless flirting during a workout, some people take it a little too far. Sometimes Cupid's arrow really misses the mark. To celebrate these awkward blunders, we've rounded up some of the worst pickup lines overhead at gyms. Maybe one of these has been used on you?

Read on for some cringe-worthy come-ons:

I know milk does a body good, but baby, how much have you been drinking?
Your daddy must have been a baker, because you've got a sweet set of buns.
You look like a cool glass of refreshing water, and I am the thirstiest man in the world.
Do you have tickets? [you say, "Tickets?"] Yeah, do you have tickets? Tickets to the gun show. [he flexes biceps]
I know an activity that’s fun and burns 350 calories an hour . . .
Are your legs tired? Because you've been running through my mind all day long.
Do you squat here often?

Keep reading for more cheesy gym pickup lines.

Sweaty and So in Love: Celebrity Couples Who Work Out Together

Leta Shy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:13:14 PST

The couple that plays together, stays together, and the same seems to be true for these celebrity duos who work out together. Keeping fit is a high priority in Hollywood, and these celebrities definitely know how to go from significant other to workout buddy. Take a look at these couples that love to sweat as a pair, whether it's at the gym, on the hills, or on the road!

Sources: INFDaily.com and Bauer-Griffin Online

Do You Work Out on Your Lunch Break?

Michele Foley — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:11:27 PST

The dark days of Winter have me skipping my usual afterwork gym session; emerging from a workout to pitch-black darkness and freezing temps doesn't appeal to me. To make up for it, I've been ramping up weekend workouts and fitting in gym sessions during my lunch breaks at work. It takes extra planning (and organizing) when it comes to my workday, but it's worth it to avoid the dark commute home. I also have to make sure I am speedy getting in and out of the locker room since every extra minute at the gym is one less minute I'm at my desk. To make sure I don't run over on time, I follow these timesaving tips for working out at lunch.

What Would You Rather Splurge on?

Emily Co — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:54:17 PST

What's worth a splurge? Spending and saving money is highly subjective: what some of us see as a necessity, others might view as a frivolous waste. Play our What Would You Rather Spend Money On? faceoff game and tell us which expense you value the most.

The choices are endless, from gym memberships to having a kid to premium cable channels; you never know what crazy matchup will come next. Pick which one you'd rather spend money on and see if your peers agree. The pairs won't always be apples-to-apples comparisons - say, taking a honeymoon vs. eyebrow shaping! - but they are designed to inspire tough choices, which is what personal saving is all about.