FitSugar

Get Your Butt in Gear: Springboost Shoes

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 14:30:00 PDT

Walk much? Who doesn't, but are your shoes allowing you to do it properly?

Springboost B-WALK Shoe ($140.00) is a walking sneaker that automatically corrects your posture, just merely by wearing them while walking. B-Walk, is designed for the weekend warrior looking for a waterproof shoe with good grip. The outsole of the shoe has also been studied to provide increased rolling action, lengthening the stride and providing the feel of a light, dynamic walk. This is all done using Springboost's special Dorsiflexion Technology. Anyone who walks for fitness will appreciate the health benefits gained from walking in dorsiflexion (with your foot slightly flexed) such as relieved lower back pressure, straightening of the back, increased blood circulation in the legs and activation of more muscle fibers in the legs and buttocks. The shoes are sold with two sets of interchangeable insoles. One enables users to get used to dorsiflexion with an insole at 0 degrees dorsiflexion, and the other allows wearers to get more out of their walk with a 2 degree dorsiflexion insole.

They are a lot like Earth Shoes in that they promote good walking. They are similar in appearance to MBTs (though MBTs are made on a rocker rather than a decline), but they are a lot less expensive. Buy them from TheTannery.com.

What a Fit Girl Does Before a Big Event: Hike!

FitSugar — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 07:30:00 PST

Today, the stars may be looking for a way to unwind prior to a big event like, you've guessed it, The Oscars!

Hiking is simply walking on a path -- it could be a an easy winding trail or a steep treacherous one, either way it's hiking. Hiking can be a great way to escape your regular gym routine as well as a great way of clearing your mind before a major event. I'm guessing that may be what Drew Barrymore is getting ready to do here.

Like Drew, make sure you're prepared, because nothing could kill a red carpet event like getting lost in the woods without water. For hiking tips and more pics of Drew getting ready for a hike,

Wear comfortable shoes and socks.
Be careful when hiking up and down hills. For more stability, use a hiking stick or hiking poles.
Take your time, hiking is not a race.
Bring your own water and a snack or two in a light backpack (a health bar would be perfect).
Dress in layers, the higher you hike, the colder it gets.
Follow the trail. It is amazing how similar the woods can look after a few minutes of hiking.

View 5 Photos ›

Fit's Tip: One thing that Drew is doing that I don't recommend doing while hiking (or EVER): Smoking. Not a good idea for so many reasons (forest fires, cancer, etc), so just don't do it. Flynet

Minka Kelly Shares Her Heart-Healthy Fitness and Diet Tips

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:02:38 PST

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

Esquire magazine once named actress Minka Kelly the “sexiest woman alive," so walking in the Heart Truth’s Red Dress Fashion Show to raise awareness for women’s heart health should be a breeze, right? Not quite. “I’ve been nervous all week!” Kelly said when we got the chance to chat with her on her new ambassador title with Diet Coke. We caught up with the brunette bombshell hours before showtime to get the scoop on how she lives a heart-healthy lifestyle, the exercises she swears by, and more.

Tell us about your partnership with Diet Coke and Heart’s Truth Red Dress Fashion Show. What made you decide to get involved?

Before I started working with Diet Coke as an ambassador, I wasn’t even aware that heart disease is the number-one killer for women. I figured this would be a chance for me to use my voice and let other women know how important it is to eat right and exercise to keep your heart in good health.

How do you manage to stay in shape, especially with such a busy schedule?

I try to do yoga every morning at 7 a.m.; it’s good to get your workout out of the way early. I also work out with my trainer Gunnar Peterson two days a week on top of that. I owe him a lot of credit for the shape I’m in because I love to eat! I have to work out extra hard to balance my love for food out.

Keep reading to learn how Minka Kelly is trying defying gravity.

Lacoste Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:18:02 PST

If the snow outside wasn't enough for NYFW attendees, Felipe Oliveira Baptista provided a few snowflakes of his own for Lacoste's Fall runway show this morning at Lincoln Center. As fake snow blew into the audience, Oliveira Baptista set the tone for his sporty chic ski-inspired line. Mixing in the old - Oliveira Baptista referenced uniforms the brand designed for France's 1966 national ski team - with the new, the designer conceived a smart mix of body-conscious pieces fitting for any après-ski occasion. One can easily head to the slopes, or to the cabin, in one of Oliveira Baptista's rugby-meets-ski minidresses and jumpsuits or sport-striped leggings paired with chic oversized parkas and coats. Leather quilted vests and jackets injected a luxurious touch to the overt sportif theme. With a play on fashionable function, Oliveira Baptista experimented with zippers, some of which opened up all the way up to the shoulders to replicate the look of a cardigan tossed over your shoulder, while others served as pockets for hoods disguised as a stylish oversized collar. More details from the collection below.

Trends: Oversized parkas, colorblock, sporty zipper accents.
Colors: Blue, red, off-white, gray, navy blue, black.
Key Piece: We loved the oversized parka jackets and luxurious quilted leather jackets and vests.
Accessories: Leather platform boots, wool and leather bucket bags, snow goggles/sunglasses, leather gloves.
Who Would Wear It: Anyone looking for a sporty play on Winterwear or otherwise, heading to a ski retreat or chic après-ski event.

4 Moves to Say Goodbye to Saddlebags

Self — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:54:13 PST

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, hormones, and age, but women can still affect the shape of their bodies through nutrition and exercise," says Rebekah Rotstein, a New York-based Pilates instructor who recently released the Pilates For Buff Bones DVD.

Not sure where to begin? Rotstein recommends utilizing large muscle groups rather than relying on spot training for fast results. "Pilates get results because it's a whole-body exercise program and works your muscles synergistically," she says. "Muscles aren't meant to function independently but as a team!"

Just remember to keep your expectations realistic. No workout in the world can turn you into Cameron Diaz overnight. "All women have padding at their hips, no matter how thin we are (even Diaz!)," says Rotstein. "It's what differentiates us from men and accentuates the curves you've got!"

To tone up those saddlebags fast, add these four moves to your regular workout routine. Check out the moves after the break.

Love Your Lower Half: Your Go-To Wardrobe and Workout

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:15:16 PST

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

We've been thinking a lot about our backsides the past few months here at Fitness, as our team put together part one of our "Body Lab" to help you get a butt that defies gravity (see the February issue for more!).

While we work hard in the gym to sculpt a better behind, we don't complain when we get a little help from a particularly flattering pair of pants. The minute we slipped on the GapFit gFast Color Binding Leggings ($60, gap.com), we fell in love with their comfy fit and cute colors. And after testing them out in a strength class at David Barton Gym to celebrate GapFit's new line, we knew they would be mainstays in our workout wardrobes. The fabric is just thick enough for cool morning runs, but doesn't feel too heavy for the gym.

If you're feeling a bit timid about rocking these leggings, add these three moves from David Barton Gym trainer Meka to your workout three times each week, and soon you'll be loving your rear view! Get the details on these booty-toning exercises after the break.

Sweat and Tone! Cardio That Works Your Bum

Susi May — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:31:29 PST

Cardio is great for burning calories, but it can also help give you a shapely tush. Don't miss out on the potential to pull double duty in your workout.

Running: Hills are a great for building cardio endurance and toning your backside. Running on an incline targets the glutes and the hamstrings, so be sure to add hills to your outdoor runs. If you're more the treadmill type, use our rolling-hills treadmill workout.

Elliptical: If the elliptical is your cardio jam, work your glutes and hamstrings by focusing on the connection of your heel on the pedal. Pedaling backward also targets the back of your legs and butt, so remember to reverse direction often. Work the incline with this butt-toning elliptical workout.

Cardio Cycling: Sitting while biking won't do much for your booty, but once you stand to pedal, your glutes kick into action. Keep you butt over the bike seat while you lean forward to maximize the booty work.

Stairs: Think of the stair-climbing as a bunch of step-ups (a great strength-training move for toning the backside) strung together. As you climb the stairs, either on a StepMill or actual steps, your glute kicks into action. Put you mind where you want the action to be and actively engage your glutes as you straighten your leg while stepping up.

How Many Extra Calories Incline Really Burns

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:00:37 PST

Pumping up the incline on the treadmill not only tones your tush and legs, increases your endurance, and can help you improve your speed, it also burns crazy calories - significantly more than with no incline. Need a little more proof? Check out the chart below for some inspiring numbers.

*All calculations are based on a 130-pound woman.

Pace (minutes per mile)	Calories burned in 30 min at 0% incline	Calories burned in 30 min at 5% incline	Calories burned in 30 min at 10% incline	Calories burned in 30 min at 15% incline
7	391	526	615	708
8	338	464	550	630
9	300	420	482	558
10	270	363	420	482
11	243	326	392	432
12	216	296	362	394

Hilary Duff's High-Energy Prenatal Piloxing Workout

Self — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:39:32 PST

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

Some women may take it easy during their last trimester, but Hilary Duff isn't the type to let her workouts slide just because she's eating for two. The singer-actress may be seven months pregnant, but according to her trainer of eight years, Vivica Jensen, she's still staying fit with biweekly Piloxing sessions. "Piloxing is the first fitness program that blends the best of Pilates, boxing, and dance into a high-energy, hour-long interval workout," says Jensen, who created the hybrid class. "I put a lot of focus into balance and alignment, which can be thrown off when you're pregnant. You also get a great cardio workout, and the boxing element tones your arms and legs."

Although Jensen has tweaked Duff's workouts to accommodate her pregnancy, she's quick to point out that the mom-to-be is no slouch in the gym. "Since Hilary was already in good shape, she's able to do everything but at her own pace with a few modifications like taking more breaks to drink water and catch her breath when her heart rate goes up and not doing advanced ab exercises," says Jensen.

As her due date draws near, the former Lizzie McGuire star is also preparing her body for the hardships of labor. That means plenty of arm, leg, chest, and core exercises. "For now, I'm focusing on her core muscles because I want those muscles intact so she has an easier delivery," says Jensen. Just don't expect Mrs. Comrie to stay bedridden for very long since "Hilary loves being healthy and has always been very active. Once she gets the OK from her doctor, we're really going to kick it up a notch," says Jensen. "She's tough with amazing form, so I'm able to work her hard and really kick her butt!"

Want to stay fit throughout all nine months of your pregnancy (or even if you're not eating for two!)? Incorporate four moves into your regular workout routine to get buff like Duff. Read on for the moves.

The Best Indoor Workout Classes (Because It's Freezing Outside!)

Self — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:35:01 PST

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

There are lots (and I mean, lots) of reasons why my motivation to work out during the Winter plummets - from the snowy commute to freezing cold winds to the cold, dry air that hits my chest with such force that it becomes hard to breathe. (Ahem, there's a reason I sign up for races that are after September - this born-and-raised Floridian prefers to train outdoors during the Summer.)

But it is possible to sculpt, strengthen, and sweat (majorly sweat) without having to be freezing cold during the winter. So when the weather outside is frightful, head indoors for these top full-body workouts that will help ward off Winter weight:

Indoor cycling: Ruth Zukerman, cofounder of NYC's FlyWheel cycling studio, is heating things up indoors with her 45-minute, heart-racing classes. (Self favorite Jillian Michaels is even a recent investor in the company). "I wanted to be part of the most innovative and effective indoor cycling program, and that is FlyWheel. I am thrilled to join the FlyWheel team," Michaels said in a press release. What makes cycling such an effective alternative is that it's taking the fun full-body workout people love indoors, and instead of scenery, you'll stay motivated to challenge yourself thanks to encouraging instructors and a killer playlist. Flywheel has an awesome on-bike technology board that lets you compete against other riders in the class. Plus if you're looking to shape up before hitting the slopes, "indoor cycling is great preparation for all Winter sports, especially skiing and snowboarding. I know from personal experience that when I hit the slopes I don't tire out easily or suffer from the kind of après-ski muscle pain that most people do, and it's because of indoor cycling," Zukerman says.

Try this move: If you're riding an exercise bike at home or the gym, try some interval training. One thing we often do at Flywheel is a "Sprint Chorus," meaning we increase our RPMs to a sprint during the song's chorus and then revert to a cadence on the beat of the music as the chorus ends.

More best indoor workouts after the break.