FitSugar

Want Toned Abs? Don't Use Momentum

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:00:05 PDT

Many of the women in my Pilates and yoga classes ask how they can get a trim and toned middle. Aside from doing cardio to reduce overall body fat, exercises that target the core muscles are key. Crunches on an exercise ball, Pilates 100s, the always challenging Bicycle Crunches, and Reverse Curls are all essential exercises when it comes to strengthening your abs.

One tip to keep in mind when doing these strength training moves is to move with control. You want to use your muscles, not momentum, to ensure that your abs are doing all the work. You can even pause slightly between reps to make sure you're not just rocking from one rep to another. Keep your abs contracted throughout the entire range of motion, and you'll feel the burn instantly that lets you know your hard work is paying off.

7 Ways to a Flatter, Fitter Belly

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:00:00 PDT

No matter how many crunches you do, you cannot spot reduce your midsection. If you are battling with your belly check out these seven things you can do to make peace with your midriff.

Source

Bring Sexy Back With This Quick Exercise

Zelana Montminy — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:56:49 PST

We tend to obsess about toning our abs, but strengthening the back is important for keeping the torso in balance. One of our fave core exercises, the superman works the back extensors, which run on either side of the spine, as well as the glutes. Press play and learn how to take care of your spine while strengthening your back.

Healthy Dose Link Time: Belly-Blasting Ab Workout

Susi May — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:43:20 PST

Grab a resistance band and tone up your middle - Fitness
Go ahead and cry! It's good for your health - HuffPost Healthy Living
Tighten up your backside in 15 minutes - Real Simple
Why your doctor's weight is important to your health - Prevention
New strategies for dropping 10 pounds safely - Shape
Add Carmen Electra to the list of celebs who Zumba - Fab Fit Fun
New drinking trend, bone luging, might be beneficial to your health - Blisstree

Get Lady Gaga's Booty With This Simple Workout

Zelana Montminy — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:04:51 PST

Known for her crazy costumes and her cut abs, Lady Gaga also has quite a shapely backside. To get the scoop on her booty moves, we talked to her trainer Harley Pasternak. Here, he shows us three exercises you can do to tone your tush.

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.

Work Out Like a Celeb: Get the Bod

Susi May — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:36:22 PST

Celebrity trainers offer up the best exercises they can give to their clients, including Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz, and Heidi Klum. Just in time for the New Year, use these videos to help get your buns, abs, and guns in shape, so you can feel as toned and sexy as these leading stars.

Jennifer Aniston's Abs	Cameron Diaz's Legs	Heidi Klum's Supermodel Sculpt
Minka Kelly's Abs	Katie Holmes's Glutes	Victoria Beckham's Legs

The Fitness Goal You Can Accomplish Before 2012

Self — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:23:44 PST

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

"Make your last set the one that counts," the instructor cued us during last night's workout. And while the last things my arms wanted to do was another bicep curl, ending on a strong note not only made me feel extra accomplished, but it's that extra push towards sculpting a slim, strong bod.

So while we've only got four days left before the end of year, end on a high note by crossing a fitness goal off your to-do list. Your challenge: perfect a squat. (We know it's one of your least-favorite moves, but maybe this'll change your mind!)

"The squat is what we call a functional exercise. If you can practice doing it properly in your workout routine then when you have to do it in everyday life it becomes easier and you're less likely to get injured as you age," says NY-based fitness expert Melissa Paris. "You don't even realize but you are already squatting every day: when you go to the bathroom, when you pick something up off the floor or when you get up and down from your office chair."

Read on for tips on how to perfect the all-important squat.

Quick Waist-Slimmers: No Spanx Needed!

Self — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 04:27:07 PDT

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

Instead of reaching for shapewear when your sexy new date night dress doesn't fit, try a few of these tummy toning tips from celebrity trainer and fitness advisor for USANA Health Sciences, Kathy Kaehler.

Drink Plenty of H2O: Skip the soda and the wine. Opt for water, water, and more water instead. Drinking water flushes the system and helps flatten out your mid-section.
Tone Up: A fantastic exercise to do on a daily basis is the plank. Hold it for at least one minute or build up to that. It works the core muscles from top to bottom and inside out. A super strong core keeps that belly pulled in and tight.
Limit the Gassy Foods: When you want to slim down that belly to fit into clothes for a big night out, keep the veggies at bay hours before you dress. That will limit the gas and reduce the bloat.
Kick up the Cardio: Walk, walk, walk! I have all my clients, including Julia Roberts, walk. Whether you are outside or on a treadmill, walking is a great way to trim up the body, keep you at your ideal weight, and, because you use most of your muscles, add more lean body weight (which burns more calories and helps you stay lean!).

Keep reading to find out what exercise you should be doing to tone your core!