FitSugar

Cool Idea: Tennis Ball Chair

CasaSugar — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:30:00 PDT

In general, a wacky design like Hugh Hayden's Tennis Ball Chair would head straight for the Love It or Hate It box. But I think it's an innovative and eco-friendly repurposing of an object that's not meant for interiors. The chair apparently bounces and jiggles just like a tennis ball does, without losing shape, which is engaging and fun! It's definitely a modern design, but I'd like to see it in a traditional home - I'm thinking a blue and white Hamptons cottage or a pale place like this cool California home. It would perfect for a family with kids but also might be just the thing to get grownups to lighten up every now and then.

Source

Relax Anywhere: Achy Feet

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 11:41:04 PDT

I've been way into hiking and running lately, and my feet are taking the burden. My achy tootsies could use daily foot massages, but unfortunately my hubby doesn't agree. If you're suffering from sore feet, whether it be from exercising or being on you feet all day, give this technique a try. All you need is a tennis ball or racquetball.

Here's what you do: While seated, place a tennis ball under the ball of your foot. Roll the ball back and forth under the arch of your foot several times. Pay special attention to the areas that hurt, and don't forget to massage your heel and the ball of your foot. Use as much or as little pressure as is comfortable for you. I usually do about a minute under each foot.

That's it. I promise it will ease those tired feet. Also, if you know you're going to be walking a lot on your next vacation, throw a tennis ball in your suitcase. Feet ache after a long day at work? Keep a tennis ball in your desk for a mid-day massage. Try it and let me know what you think.

Easy Ways to Green Your Fitness and Daily Routine

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:38:43 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

You carry your own water bottle, use a reusable shopping bag, and sort your recyclables from the trash. Here are more easy ways to green your daily routine without thinking about it.

Choose Wisely

Look for eco-friendly companies when shopping for workout clothes and gear. Gaiam, Patagonia, and GoLite are just a few of the companies that use organic fibers in their clothing and accessories. Green your yoga session by investing in a mat made from sustainable ingredients, like Manduka's eKO Mat.

Reuse Old Fitness Gear

If you've Downward Dogged your yoga mat into tatters or have equipment from your days of being in the neighborhood soccer league, blow off the dust bunnies for a cause. Bring new life to your old gear through these programs.

Recycle Your Mat: Send your old mat (or drop it off at a participating location), and this company will work with other organizations to find creative new uses for it.

Sports Gift: Organize a collection in your neighborhood, school, or office for old gear like soccer balls, tennis rackets, and athletic shoes, and this nonprofit will ship them to underprivileged children worldwide, so they can enjoy sports too.

Reuse-a-Shoe: Donate worn sneakers to Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program, and they'll turn your pair into material for playgrounds and other Nike products. Find a drop-off location or start your own shoe drive at Nikereuseashoe.com.

Keep reading for more green fitness tips.

Zac Efron Dishes on His Full-Body Transformation in Men's Health

PopSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:35:12 PDT

Zac Efron shows off his newly buff body on the May cover of Men's Health, which is on newsstands on April 17. He'll soon be on the big screen when his most recent movie project, The Lucky One, is released on April 20. The former Disney Channel star showed up in a t-shirt and Vans for the shoot at LA's Weddington Golf & Tennis center, where he hit golf balls on the driving range. Zac has been all about the links recently. While in Sydney, Zac played golf solo on Easter. Inside the pages, the 24-year-old actor opens up about his work ethic, the changes his body underwent for his role in The Lucky One, and meeting with real-life Marines. Here's more from Zac Efron in Men's Health:

On his body's transformation for The Lucky One: "By the end of the movie I didn't recognize myself. You hear about guys like Christian Bale who dive into it and are really able to transform. I've always wondered if I had the willpower to actually do it. And I'll always have pride around the sense that I can."
On his work ethic: "I could pick up almost anything. If you put it in front of me, I could always find a way to tackle it. I was never a natural at anything, but I could always outwork everybody."
On meeting real Marines: "They were my age. 23, 24, even younger. And most of the staff sergeants were not huge guys. They were about my height, 5'9", 5'10", some shorter, but all very stocky. And I'm there in a backward hat and Vans, walking around like I'm still in college."

Ease Sore Muscles With a Tennis Ball

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:57 PDT

Getting a massage is not always an affordable option to relieve sore muscles. I use The Stick at home but when I'm on the go it's not something I can take with me. Because of its size, a tennis ball provides on the spot muscle relief wherever you are.

Here's how I've been using mine:

For leg muscles I sit down on the floor with my legs outstretched and place the ball underneath myself where the thigh meets the butt. I slowly move from side-to-side and let the ball work itself over my muscles, placing my hands on the floor for support. This motion can be worked all the way down leg. After that's done, I turn over and place the tennis ball under the front of my thigh and start the rolling motion all over again.
For my back, I place a tennis ball between myself and a wall - this works especially well for the muscles near the neck and shoulders. Lean back into the ball and let it roll back and forth over your muscles.
Use a tennis ball underneath the arch of your foot to relieve tired muscles. Sit down in a chair and place the tennis ball under your foot. Put some pressure on the ball and let it roll up and down the muscles of the foot. This is an easy way to get a great foot massage!

The basic idea is that you can work a tennis ball into a trigger point with just a little bit of pressure. If you need to cover greater surface area, put a few tennis balls into a long sock and tie off the end.

Amanda Seyfried and Josh Hartnett Enjoy Another Low-Key Day Date

Katie Henry — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 22:58:03 PDT

New couple Amanda Seyfried and Josh Hartnett were spotted picking out custom frames at Beverly Hills gallery on yesterday. The pair reportedly started dating in January and recently stepped out together in Malibu. Amanda and Josh took their dogs to the beach, where the four-legged companions chased after a tennis ball in the surf. In the past, Amanda's talked openly about on-again off-again boyfriend Dominic Cooper, but for now it seems she's keeping details about her relationship with Josh under wraps.

Spring Cleaning: Refreshing a Pet-Friendly Home

Sara Yoo — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:00:00 PDT

Thanks to cold weather and short days, it's easy to get complacent about house cleaning during those long Winter months. But now that Spring has sprung, I'm feeling recharged and ready to tackle the tasks I've largely ignored since Fall's warmer days! I won't place full blame on my pup, but for such a small member of the household, she sure contributes a lot of the mess: muddy footprints, fur everywhere, slobbery toys, and errant treat crumbs are just a few of her transgressions. So I've compiled my to-do list of must-hit spots in my Spring cleaning purge. Keep reading for my Spring tasks!

5 Ways to Show Your Running Feet Some Love

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:35:45 PST

A runner's feet take quite the beating with all the repetitive pounding, sweating, and muscle exertion. Here are five ways to help ease soreness and prevent foot injuries that could sideline your running routine.

Grab a tennis ball: If you have a loving friend who's offering to rub your feet regularly, that's great, but most of us don't have that luxury. Instead, perform a little self-massage with a tennis ball or racquetball. Sit or stand and place the ball under the arch of your foot, roll it along your arch, and shift to whatever part of your foot needs attention. You'll be surprised at how sore your feet really are.
Trim your toenails: Seems like a simple task that doesn't need mentioning, but since feet are covered most of the time, you may not pay as much attention to your toenails as you do your fingernails. Long toenails can rub against the inside of your shoe or cut the adjacent toes, making it painful to run. When giving yourself a minipedicure, cut or file nails straight since rounded edges can cause ingrown toenails.

Keep reading for more ways to care for your runner's feet.

From the Fit Community: Get Ready For Spring With These Tennis Whites

Fit Community — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:11:21 PST

Tennis, anyone? With OnSugar Blogger girl meets fit's suggestions, you'll be the most stylish girl on the courts. Check out her picks for must-have tennis gear.

Clockwise from top left: Nike Woven Jacket ($84); Nike Feather Light Visor ($20); Prince O3 Hybrid Spectrum Oversize Tennis Racket ($70); Tennis Cap Sleeve Tee ($60); Adidas Tennis Performance Skirt ($95); Thorlos Tennis Mini-Crew Socks ($12); Clinique Continuous Coverage SPF 15 ($23); Penn Tennis Balls ($3); I Love Tennis Water Bottle ($34); Nike City Court VII ($55).

Make sure to follow girl meets fit for more fun workout gear-shopping suggestions. And why not start your own OnSugar blog? Your posts may be featured here on FitSugar!

Keep Running: Prevent Plantar Fasciitis With These Tips

Susi May — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:06:42 PST

From pounding the pavement running to spending a day in fashionable shoes that lack proper support, feet take a beating. If you're training for a race this Spring and upping your mileage, it pays to show your peds some love. You can do some preventive prehab to avoid coming down with a case of plantar fasciitis. This painful condition, which can be common in new runners and affects women more than men, occurs when the the fibrous band that runs from the heel bone to the base of the toes stretches too far and tears. These micro tears cause inflammation of the fascia and the tissues surrounding it, making every footstep painful and abruptly stalling your training schedule. If you're experiencing some unexplainable heel pain, try these methods to keep plantar fasciitis at bay.