FitSugar

Thigh Time: Heels vs. Toes

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:30:00 PDT

After tying our sneakers, most of us don't give much thought to our feet while working out, but how you use your feet affects how you work the muscles in your thighs. By changing your footing you can target the front or back of your thigh.

When using an elliptical, a stationary bike, or a stair stepper, pressing with your toes works your quads more, while pressing with the heels targets your hamstrings and your tush. Pay attention to your feet next time you hop on a cardio machine and feel the difference between your toes and heels.

Barre Workouts are Expensive! Try This At-Home Alternative Instead

Self — Wed, 23 May 2012 04:23:06 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Barre classes may make you easy on the eyes, but at $20 or more a pop, they're definitely not easy on the wallet. Rather than take a second job to pay for our latest fitness addiction, we turned to Beverly Hill-based Cardio Barre instructor Stacey Bosworth to get the inside scoop on scoring a long, lean dancer's body in your living room. "This at-home workout is effective because it targets the whole lower body. Cardio Barre is amazing because it is a no-impact workout that allows you to lengthen and strengthen your muscles while burning fat. It will also help increase your flexibility and strength," says Bosworth.

Celebrity devotees, including Dakota Fanning, Neve Campbell, and Heather Morris, can all attest to the fact that Cardio Barre has given them "a lifted tush and leaner, dancer-like legs!" Incorporate these three moves into your regular routine three times a week for maximum results.

Butt Blaster
Come down to the floor on both forearms with your knees bent. Your left hip is directly over your left knee. Your right leg is bent to a 90-degree angle with your foot flexed. Extend your right leg toward the ceiling as if you were pushing the ceiling away from you (see photo above). Bring your right leg down past your left hip and then back up toward the ceiling, keeping your leg parallel to the floor with your kneecap pointing toward the ground and your foot flexed. You are doing a full range of motion, trying to imagine extending your leg all the way through the ceiling.

Keep reading for more barre moves you can do at home!

DIY: Make Your Own Metallic Cap-Toe Heels à la Louis Vuitton

Allison McNamara — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:41:11 PDT

One of the hottest shoe trends this season are pumps with metallic cap toes. Louis Vuitton's Spring 2012 runway showed off beautiful versions of this must-have shoe, and celebrities including Kristen Stewart, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Solange Knowles have already tested the trend. Today, we're showing you how to make your very own pair - all you need are some heels (use pastel pumps if you really want to emulate the trend), silver spray paint, and tape. Watch this supereasy DIY right now. On Allison McNamara: H&M top, Lulu Frost necklace from CharmandChain.com.

Olivia Palermo Revives the Denim Skirt With a Cool, Seasonal Spin

Hannah Weil — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:01:29 PDT

With Olivia Palermo behind the resurgence of the denim skirt, it might be safe to say that the '90s staple is making a comeback. The style pro outfitted a button-front jean skirt with a fresh Spring twist for an NYC film screening, adding an open-weave knit and a pair of woven heels. We love how she plays to the season's trends, styling the nostalgic skirt with a sportier top and pointed-toe pumps. With an embossed handbag and a few luxe-feeling jewels, Olivia completes the event-ready style with polish. Feeling inspired? Shop our editors' picks to channel Olivia's sophisticated play on the denim mini.

Find Your Wedding Sole Mate - 15 Pairs Perfect For Walking Down the Aisle

Marisa Tom — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:00:02 PDT

You've snagged the wedding dress of your dreams, now it's time to find its perfect sole mate. When it comes down to it, it's all about mastering that vision from head to toe. Thus, polish off your bridal look with the perfect heel (or flat). For every bride, we've got your wedding shoe match: a metallic-infused Vera Wang caged heel will inject an edgier sense of glamour, a modernist white T-strap Zara sandal will work itself into your post-wedding wardrobe, and a gauzy bow-tie BHLDN pump will provide a princess-worthy vibe. Take a look inside - there are 15 gorgeous pairs at every price point, just begging to walk with you down the aisle.

Wee! A Total-Body Playground Circuit Workout

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:58:20 PDT

Playgrounds aren't just for the kiddos. Why not use the equipment to do a little strength training after you run or bike ride through the park, or while your children are playing (might as well tone your tush rather than just sitting on it)? Check out this five-minute circuit workout to target your entire body from head to toe. For a full workout, repeat the circuit six times through for a total of 30 minutes. Note that some cities have rules about adults using playground equipment, so double check before doing this workout.

Triceps dips on a bench: Sit on a bench and place the heels of your palms next to your hips. Walk your feet away from you about six or so inches and hop your tush off so you're hovering in front of the bench. Slowly bend at your elbows and lower your upper body down toward the floor until your arms are at about a 90 degree angle. Be sure to keep your back close to the bench. Once you reach the bottom of the movement, slowly push yourself straight back up to the starting position. Repeat for one minute.
Push-ups with both feet on a swing: Stand two feet in front of a swing and place your hands on the ground. Step onto the swing so the tops of both ankles are resting on the middle of the swing. Walk your hands out as needed so your body is in the top of a push-up position. Slowly bend your elbows, lowering your chest toward the ground, and then straighten them, coming to the starting position. Do as many push-ups as you can for one minute (it's OK to do them slowly).

Keep reading for the rest of moves in this circuit workout.

Put a Cap on It: Jessica, Gwyneth, Solange, and More Wear Spring's Ladylike Cap-Toe Trend

Marisa Tom — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:40:18 PDT

Some shoe trends come and go, but Spring's ladylike cap-toe pump trend is here to stay. Proving our point and the two-toned silhouette's styling versatility, A-list celebrities and fashion's It girls have been donning the latest Christian Louboutin, Louis Vuitton, and Yves Saint Laurent renditions to red-carpet affairs, private dinners, and even basketball games. Lately, we've spotted Jessica Alba in two different Giuseppe Zanotti iterations, Gwyneth Paltrow dressing up her menswear-inspired suit with gold-studded Louis Vuitton heels, and Solange Knowles playing up Spring's brights via minty-green Stuart Weitzman Mary Janes. Whether you're loving the classic black-and-white capped combo or are gravitating toward a more daring spiked and PVC-infused version, we've rounded up 15 chic starlets wearing the trend, 15 different ways. Click through for a closer look, then shop our editors' picks at the end of the slideshow.

5 Things to Never Do During Indoor Cycling Class

Michele Foley — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:59:55 PDT

Indoor cycling classes are an amazing cardio workout, but if you don't know what you're doing, you'll walk away frustrated, or, even worse - injured. Compared to other group fitness classes, indoor cardio cycling is also a little harder to pick up on when trying it for the first time. After getting the lowdown on what to expect from your first class, follow these rules on things you should never do in an indoor cycling class.

Arrive to class late: As a rule, be on time for any fitness class, but more so if you plan on riding. Since there is a cap on the amount of bikes in a class, most gyms require students to register ahead of time (either online or using a sign-up sheet). A few minutes before or after class starts, instructors often release unclaimed bikes to those on the waiting list. Show up late, and chances are the bike you registered for will be taken, or, if you didn't sign up at all, the class will be full.
Hop on the bike as-is: This is definitely not a one-size-fits-all scenario - the person who was on the bike previously may have a good 10 inches on you. To avoid injury and ensure a comfortable ride, adjust the bike to suit your body. You'll also want to make sure the handlebars and seat are firmly secure to avoid any wobbling during class. Watch this video to learn the proper way to set up an indoor cycling bike.

Find out what else you should never do during an indoor cycling class - including pedaling too fast - after the break!

3 Ways to Avoid Self-Tanner Streaks and Blotches

Jaime Richards — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:00:29 PDT

Applying self-tanner is a great way to get a tan without the sun's harsh effects. But whereas the product can be a life-saver (literally), it also poses a conundrum, often marking its presence in the form of patchy, blotchy marks and streaks on the knees, elbows, fingers, and toes. "I always tell people, it's [self-tanner is] like makeup. You just have to practice a little bit," explains Sinead Norenius, a tanning expert and founder of Beautisol, an environmentally-conscious sun-care line. To see her advice on preventing tanning mishaps, just keep reading.

Celeb Style: Gwyneth Paltrow Shows Off Spring's Hottest Heels

Hannah Weil — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:40:57 PDT

In one slick move, Gwyneth Paltrow carries off both Spring's chic white blazer and this season's footwear of choice. Out and about in NYC, the ever-styled actress showed off her metallic cap-toe heels in a perfect pop of turquoise. The brilliant hue is just the thing to light up Gwyneth's black-and-white ensemble. It seems Gwyneth always plays the balance between the classics and the on-trend just right, and this look is no exception. Her slick, black skinnies are a cool counter to a staple white button-down, while an eclectic horn pendant finishes her casual-chic ensemble. Feeling inspired? Shop our editors' picks to channel Gwyneth's sophisticated-cool.