FitSugar

What's More Important to You: Flat Belly or Toned Tush?

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:30:00 -0700

We all eat right and work out to feel energetic, and to prevent ourselves from getting sick, but let's face it - many of us are conscientious about diet and exercise because we love how it makes us look. Who doesn't want a slim and toned body, right? There's nothing wrong with being proud of your appearance.

With that said, everyone has certain parts of their body they love to work on so I'm wondering . . .

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Move It: Full Sit Up with Bridge

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:30:00 -0700

In a recent poll, I asked you all if your summer fitness goal is to have flat abs or a toned tush. Now, while the majority voted for flat abs I thought I'd share this exercise with you all that works both areas of concern. It's a full sit-up/bridge combo and it works your backs side and your torso splendidly.

Start with a basic bridge.

On an exhale, push your pelvis up. Keep your back straight and in neutral spine - imagine your abs and back muscles sandwiching your spine.

You will feel your hamstrings and glutes work.
If you want to work your inner thighs a bit, place something between your knees (like a pillow) and hold it there for the duration of the series.
Lower your pelvis down to the ground as you inhale. As your pelvis lowers, bring your arms up.

Next, do a full sit up.

Exhale and roll all the way up to sitting with your hands behind your head. You put your hands behind so you can't jerk yourself up by swinging your arms up.

Keep your feet firmly planted on the ground.
Focus on pulling your deep abs to your spine as your roll up. Work the abs not the hip flexors.

Roll down and onto your back.
Inhale generously into your back as you roll down, keeping the navel pulled to the spine.

Focus on hollowing out your abs even though you are moving quickly, move with control.
Get ready to bring your hands to your sides as bridge up again.

That completes one set.

Aim to to do 20 reps, but remember quality is more important than quality and speed. Do not fling your self up and down, use your abs and focus on control.

Fit's tip: If I were my trainer, I would definitely stick a small pillow between my knees. Work to keep your legs truly parallel through out this exercise, it is much better form.

Which is Your Goal This Summer: Toned Tush or Flat Abs?

FitSugar — Tue, 29 May 2007 07:30:00 -0700

We've all got our goals for summer (like get over fear of sharks)... For many of us, especially if you're reading FitSugar right now, that goal is to be comfortable (and looking good) in a bikini but that can be different for everyone.

So which is your goal from your workout this summer: Toned tush or flat abs?

I Don't Buy It: ThighGlider

FitSugar — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:33:00 -0700

A toned tush and lean thighs are something most of us strive for, so the ThighGlider may pique your interest. At $60, this machine is specifically designed for women to target the inner and outer thighs and buns. Of course, it all happens in just "minutes a day."

The ThighGlider is like a Thigh Master on wheels! I'm not denying that the fluid arch-movement of your thighs squeezing in and out won't tone your legs and rear, but if you have a lot of weight in that area, you still need to do some type of cardio to burn the fat. Although ThighGlider doesn't mention that part of it. They do guarantee that if you use their system, complete with ThighGlider, resistance band, and instructional DVD, it'll "give you the best thighs of your life." That's quite a statement right there, but I'm not falling for it. To lose weight in your lower body and tone your buns and thighs, I'd stick to squats, lunges, uphill walking, and jogging. They're not only effective, but they're free!

If you're curious about the ThighGlider, check out their infomercial when you read more.

Weekend Workout: Get Off Your Booty and Work It

FitSugar — Sat, 30 May 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Now that warmer weather has come for good, you're probably sporting shorts, skirts, and teeny bikini bottoms to beat the heat. If you're looking to tone up your tush, here are three must-do moves to get your booty in shape.

Dumbbell
Squats

Elevated
Leg Lift

Knee Lift With
Reverse Row

If that wasn't enough for you, click here for more Weekend Workouts.

Fittingly Green: Work Out Outside For Earth Day

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Today is Earth Day, so celebrate with an outdoor workout. Yes you can run and walk outside, but you can also strength train while doing so. All you need is an empty park bench and a curb to strength train your entire body while on the move in the outdoors.

Here are some ideas:

Take your basic step up and do it on a park bench. You will work your legs while keeping your heart rate up.
Use the same park bench for push-ups. Put your hands on the back of the bench, walk your feet out until you're in a plank position, and begin doing push-ups. For more of a challenge, put your hands on the seat of the bench. To mix it up, place one hand on the arm of the bench and the other on the seat. Make sure to repeat the same number of reps after switching your hand configuration to the other side.
Curb your calf raises. Stand with balls of feet on a curb/step, heels hanging off, and raise both heels for 10 reps. For an extra challenge, try single-leg calf raises.

Do I have more ideas? You betcha! See them when you read more.

Single-leg squats on the bench will challenge your balance while toning your tush. Stand sideways on the bench with your right side toward the back of the bench and your left leg dangling off the seat. Bend your right leg into a squat position as your left leg moves lower than the bench seat. Do 10 on each leg.
Take your lunges for a walk in the great outdoors. Find an open space in the park, or a quiet stretch of sidewalk, and add some lunges into your run or walk.
Use the seat of a bench to tone the back of your arms with some triceps dips.

Don't forget to try the monkey bars next time you jog past a playground, too.

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Multitasking Move: Walking Squats With Bicep Curls and Overhead Press

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0700

If toning your tush and thighs is on your mind, then you've got to get busy doing squats. They target your lower body like no other move, and just after a few repetitions you'll start feeling the burn. Here's a variation on the basic squat. It's similar to the side squat using a Theraband, but it uses dumbbells to add more resistance, and movement to make it more challenging.

Music: "East Meets West" by Althea W.

To give it a try, read more.

Hold a set of dumbbells in each hand. Start with your feet together with your arms by your sides, palms facing away from you.
As you take a small step to the right and squat down, do a slow and controlled bicep curl. Your feet should be hip distance apart, with your weight in your heels and your quads parallel with each other. Remain in the squat as you do an overhead press. Stay in the squat as you lower your arms down; your elbows are at your sides and your palms are facing you and pressed against your biceps. Then as your step your left foot to meet your right, straighten your arms, finishing the bicep curl.
Repeat this for a total of five steps to the right, then do five steps to the left. This counts as one set. Complete three sets.

Get the Bod: Jessica Biel's Workout

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0700

When I think of fit celebs, Jessica Biel definitely comes to mind. Her toned tush and defined arms are the reason she's won the title of Fitsugar's Fittest Female Celeb two years in a row. If you want to know how she maintains such a strong and feminine physique, her personal trainer Jason Walsh told People magazine about her workouts. Here's what he said:

Stretch: Jessica warms up with walking lunges. Jason says, "This stretches the larger leg and glute muscles.”
Cardio: She hits the track and jogs for half a mile, then does two 200-meter, 150-meter, and 100-meter sprints. This type of cardio interval training "leans her out," Jason says.
Core: “Hanging leg raises don’t build a six-pack, but they flatten,” says Walsh. “Jessica hates them, but she powers through!”

To find out what else Jason Walsh had to say read more.

Plyometrics: “These hurt,” says Walsh of stair jumping. “Even athletes hate them. After Jessica did these the first time, she would’ve punched me if she had the energy.”
Weight Training: Jason says, “We tend to use lighter weights and do more reps. We keep moving, so it becomes a cardio workout, too.”
Waist: Get ready for Seated Russian Twists. Jessica does them holding a five-pound medicine ball. Twist to each side 15 times, and do a total of three sets.
Shoulders and biceps: Stand with knees slightly bent. Hold 10-pound dumbbells in each hand. Do a bicep curl and then rotate your hands hands so your palms face outward, and do a Twisting Dumbbell Press. Then reverse the move until you're back to the starting position. Complete three sets of 10 to 12 reps.

As for her diet, Jessica eats complex carbohydrates such as oatmeal and whole wheat toast with one tablespoon of almond butter in the morning. For dinner she enjoys fish, veggies, and basmati rice. She snacks on fruits like bananas, apples, and strawberries. She doesn't deny herself the foods she craves, and likes to treat herself at the end of the day with something sweet like a piece of dark chocolate.

Flynet

8 Dynamic Booty Exercises

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Many of us are aching for shorts and bathing suit weather to hit permanently, but until it does, you still have some time to tone your tush. Check out these eight exercises that target your glutes, and also work your core, thighs, and upper body.

View Slideshow ›

Seriously? An Exercise Pill?

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700

The fitness world just got a new prescription. Scientists have developed a pill that helps you burn calories without exercising one bit. So far only mice have benefited from this new exercise pill. It's tricked the rodents' muscles into thinking they've been working out, and their little bodies ended up burning calories without lifting a paw. It's also improved their fitness performance, helping mice run 68 percent longer and 70 percent farther than mice who exercised but didn't receive the drug. That's great news for those mousy couch potatoes who decide to get off their furry tushes and do a few laps around the cage.

Scientists aren't sure how this exercise pill called AICAR would work on the human population, but they're hoping a drug like this could help treat people suffering from obesity, diabetes, or other injuries and conditions that make it difficult to exercise regularly. While that is all well and good, it seems like the majority of people who'll want this magic pill will be able-bodied individuals looking for a way to skip out on their morning jog. Or it may be sought after by fitness fanatics and athletes who want to improve their endurance, or get an edge over their competition.

This pill, as amazing as it sounds, can only help to mimic aerobic activity, but a person will still need to strength train in order to tone their muscles. Also, besides burning calories, I can think of so many other reasons that exercise is necessary. It keeps your heart healthy, boosts your confidence, prevents depression and osteoporosis, and gives you time to yourself - you can't fulfill all that in a pill. So what do you think about this exercise drug? Would you take it?

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