FitSugar

Build a Strong Core and Arms With the Suitcase Walk

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:00:00 -0800

If you're looking to strengthen your core muscles as well as your shoulders and arms, here's a great move called the suitcase walk. Not only is it great for toning your muscles, but it can also prepare you for carrying your suitcase in the airport this holiday season. Here's how to do it:

Hold a rather heavy size dumbbell in your right hand, between 15 and 30 pounds. You want to choose a dumbbell weight that will challenge your core, but also allow you to have good form when walking. Hold the hand weight to one side with a straight arm, just like you would hold a suitcase. Keep your shoulders even and your posture square.
Walk, carrying your dumbbell at your side, for 100 to 300 feet. If you don't have one long area to walk in, then walk a shorter distance, back and forth, to total the amount of feet you've chosen. Keep your spine straight and your abs engaged as you move with control. Don't swing the dumbbell mindlessly, but keep it at your side.
Then bend your knees to put the weight down and pick it up with your left hand. Walk the same distance.
Do this exercise once or twice on each side, envisioning the long lines at the airport.

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ExerciseTV: Post Flight Stretches

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 04:00:00 -0800

Travel much? Try these easy stretches for when you get off the plane. They will help revitalize your travel weary body by opening up your chest and shoulders. Since the busiest travel day of the year is approaching I wanted to share this video I found over on ExerciseTV. They were generous enough to share this video with me and to sponsor this post.

You should definitely check out the extensive video library at ExerciseTV. There is no reason to ever be bored with your workout again!

Happy traveling!

The Fit Traveler

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 11:30:00 -0800

I've said it before and I'll say it again, staying fit while on the road is tough.

Fit For Travelers ($14.00) by Eide is a great tool for anyone on the go. The book includes a free stretch, exercise band with a guide explaining and illustrating 20 exercises. Great, but the band is one more thing to carry, right? Well, the book has a hard case binding with a pocket for storing the band. The program delivers a decent full-body workout, including upper body, lower body and targets areas like the thighs and abs. Diet tips help round out this program along with the lay-flat design of the book. Try it out, it may be just what you need to keep motivated on the road. Buy The Fit Traveler on Amazon.com.

Fit Travel Tip: Inquire About Fit Amenities at Your Hotel

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0700

I recently took a trip out to Lake Tahoe and stayed at the Hyatt Regency there. I've always been a fan of Hyatt hotels because they tend to have great gyms and fitness programs for their guests. With its new StayFit program, most Hyatt gyms are open 24 hours a day so you can work out whenever you want. Now, the Hyatt is also offering some pretty sweet in-room fitness amenities.

Since we were traveling with the girls, we booked a suite because for the space factor. When we arrived to our room, I was delighted not only by the super-spacious room, but also the stationary bike inside it! Sometimes it is nice to escape to the gym, but I often have trouble fitting it in. With a stationary bike in my room, I had no excuse not to exercise. Later I asked the front desk what to do in the future if I wanted a room with a bike, and they said to ask if there are any available.

The whole experience made me think that it pays to be proactive when it comes to your fitness needs, especially when traveling. If I had not lucked out, I would have never even known that having exercise equipment in your room was an option. My guess is that most hotels offer many more fitness and health amenities than meets the eye, you just need to ask the front desk or concierge so you can take full advantage and stay fit while on vacation.

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Oh La La: TravelFit Paris

FitSugar — Thu, 17 May 2007 09:30:00 -0700

If you're lucky enough to be spending some time in the City of Lights this summer, you may find yourself indulging in some tasty pain au chocolat and vin rouge. This is great, but if you want to fit into all the très chic clothing you just picked up when you get home, you may want to check out this book before you travel.

The very first book in the TravelFit Guides series, TravelFit Paris ($10.17) is a great guide book for the fit and health-conscious traveler in Paris. Whether looking for a safe running route, a place to purchase soy milk, an English-spoken Pilates class, a personal trainer, a yoga studio, or the best walking tours to help burn off those French treats, TravelFit Paris will provide some great information. Heading there soon? Then buy it from Amazon.com.

Fit Traveler: Hilton Garden Inn's Stay Fit Kit

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Staying fit while traveling is important in keeping up your routine and staying with your exercise momentum. Luckily some hotels are making it easier than ever to workout while on the road.

The Hilton Garden Inn has created the Stay Fit Kit, which allows you to workout in the privacy of your guest room or in the fitness center. It offers an isometric and core body workout by accommodating three (3) areas of training: Yoga, Pilates, and Core. This kit includes: a Pilates band, a Yoga mat, strap and bricks, an 8 lb abs ball, 3 lb hand weights and a resistance rope.

The Stay Fit Kits are currently available for complimentary check-out at the front desk at every Hilton Garden Inn. Each Stay Fit Kit includes instruction cards that detail exercises for each piece of equipment. However, if you're not into self instruction, there is also in-room 25-30 minute fitness programming (available for purchase) to go along with the kit.

No more excuses, working out is truly getting easier than ever, anywhere.

Fit Traveler: Fitness Cruise

FitSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Needing a getaway but don't want to do something that will be counter productive to your fitness efforts? How about a cruise? No, seriously...

What: Tom Holland's Fitness Cruise
Where: The ship, Carnival Valor, departs port in Miami, FL to the waters of the Grand Cayman, to the exotic ports of call of Roatan Island, Belize, Costa Maya and back to Miami.
When: March 2, 2008
Why: Tom Holland, a well known personal trainer who has worked at Reebok Sports Club, Equinox, Crunch, The New York Sports Clubs and the Cardio Fitness Center, has put together this fitness cruise. During the cruise, he has daily workout sessions planned that complement the ship's activities and ports of call. Along with your daily workout sessions, you'll have time to talk with Tom directly about your own fitness goals, concerns, etc.

For more information and to sign-up, visit QueenslandTours.com.

Fit Travel Tip: Wear Sneakers During Travels

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0700

Usually I try to dress up a little bit when I am traveling. My parents always made us dress up for plane rides, and it's one of those things that has stuck with me through my adult years.

Last weekend I broke my code and decided to wear sneakers and comfortable pants on the plane. I don't know about you, but comfortable clothes make me move a lot more than heels and a skirt, and I was pleased to be comfortable. Not only did I find myself walking around the terminal a lot more while skipping moving sidewalks and escalators, jogging to make my connection was not an issue with my sneaks on. You may already do this, but if not, think about traveling sporty on your next trip. You might find that you'll even end up burning calories while killing time. Happy travels!

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Fitness Travel Tip: Stretch It Out

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 12:30:00 -0700

For some of us, a vacation does not always entail hitting the gym for rigorous workouts. If your idea of a vacation is lounging around and relaxing, take it as an opportunity to work on your stretching. If feeling good is the goal of your vacation, I can assure you that 10-15 minutes of stretching will get you well on your way to feeling good.

If your vacation is over and you haven't been stretching, you best start adding it into your routine. Take advantage of the lingering warm weather to lengthen those muscles.

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Fit Travel Tip: Plan for the Weather

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Good intentions of exercising while traveling can lead to less than positive results if you don't keep an eye on the weather changes.

During a recent trip to Florida, I brought all my workout gear with the high hopes of doing workouts on the beach during my vacation. On the first day I went out, I was exhausted and dripping with sweat within minutes and had to stop. The Florida heat and sun were too much for my San Francisco blood to handle; I hadn't even considered the heat as a potential problem. So instead of doing the three mile jogs on the beach I had intended, I opted for one hour walks with a lot of water and frequent breaks. If you're heading for a vacation this Fall and Winter and plan on exercising, be sure to plan for a different climate than what you're used to. Be it too hot, or too cold, conditions may require you to alter your existing workout. And always listen to your body, if you feel fatigued or short of breath at any point, slow down and reassess your workout.

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