FitSugar

Fit Tip: Make Squats Harder

FitSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Squats. Love them or hate them, you got to admit they are here to stay. A simple and extremely effective exercise, squats can become a little dull. Here are some ways you can spice up your squats and make them more challenging, too.

Lift one heel at a time as you lift and lower your hips. Also try lifting both heels together – this will challenge your balance.
Instead of lifting and lowering your bum, hold the lowered squat position for 15 to 30 seconds. This variation will increase the endurance of the muscles.
Make it a multitasking move for your upper and lower body by lifting dumbbells while you squat. I like to do Twisting Dumbbells Presses or Hammer Curls.
This is yoga variation, start with your legs and feet together, then lower your hips enough so that you can plant your palms firmly on the ground next to your feet. Hold this position for 15 to 30 seconds.
After working your quads, hamstrings, and glutes doing squats, it's nice to do some squat stretches. Lower your bum all the way down, widen your stance so your feet are shoulder-width distance apart, and hold a Wide Squat. This will open your hips and stretch out your calves. Or you can do a Bound Wide Squat to get all the benefits of a Wide Squat, but it will also open your chest and shoulders, and increase flexibility in your spine.

No Equipment Necessary: Balancing Windmill

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:47:10 -0800

Squats are essential in your strength-training tool belt if you want to tone your booty and thighs. Here's a variation that will also challenge your sense of balance and strengthen your core.

This is a four-part exercise. To see all the moves and learn the details on doing this exercise keep reading.

What Do You Work More, Your Arms or Your Legs?

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:47:21 -0700

When I work out on my own, I am all about lunges and squats - anything to work my legs. I might throw in a few biceps curls or some push-ups, too. When working with Hannah, my trainer at Equinox, we do a lot of upper body work - I feel like she has taught me every kind of push-up variation imaginable. My arms and back are becoming a lot stronger using the cable pulley machine and some kettle bells. What about you . . .

Fitness 101: Smith Machine

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:00:15 -0700

When it comes to strength training, I am usually a free weight kind of gal. Then I learned to love the cable pulley machine. I was still looking to branch out a little more, so my trainer Hannah introduced me to the Smith machine. Essentially, the weight machine consists of a barbell that slides on a fixed rail, and can lock into place at the fixed points along the track. Twisting the barbell activates J-shaped hooks on the side of the bar that lock into holes on the rails. This simple locking mechanism turns the Smith machine into a "spotter," making it easier to work on hardcore moves like bench presses when you're alone at the gym. The Smith machine only moves in the vertical plane, which makes some exercises harder on the joints. Although squats seem to be a popular exercise to do using this machine, many fitness experts think the fixed plane of motion of the machine forces the body into compromising positions. You can still use this machine to get a full body workout, and by locking the bar you can do variations on incline pull-ups and push-ups.

While I always think of the Smith machine as something for gym dudes, I am keen to learn more. If your gym has this machine, ask someone to show you how to use it. See if they can teach you a few different types of exercises with it.

Class Act: Skinny Jeans Fitness Workout

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:43:33 -0700

I won't lie, the name caught my attention: Skinny Jeans Workout, a place where denim and my hamstrings collide. I find the fashion / fitness connection slightly amusing, but the 45 minute class left me more than slightly sweaty. It truly is a sculpting workout that borrows from a diverse array of fitness methods. We did lunges of all sorts, from the basic forward variety to the criss-crossing curtsy lunge. We did squat variations. We even did multiple Warrior 3s. My legs and glutes were worked from all angles ensuring that every fiber was taxed. There were sections of the workout that felt rather balletic too; these moves really worked the deep glute muscles that help lift the seat. The class kept moving, and my heart rate stayed pumping for most of the class. The first 35 minutes of the class are standing and there is an emphasis on standing tall and keeping your chest open, since part of looking good in your skinny jeans is postural. I have heard that slouching can make a person look 10 pounds heavier. The ab work is very Pilates based, with cuing to keep the abs pulled to the spine - a phrase you can't make it through a Pilates session without hearing repeatedly.

I will definitely take this class again and recommend it. This class is currently offered at many Equinox locations, but look for a version at a gym near you.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Balancing Butterfly

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:00:16 -0700

If you're a runner, chances are your feet could use some extra love. Here's a tranquil pose that will stretch your arches and toes like Toe Breaker stretch, but will also open your hips and challenge your sense of balance.

To learn how to do this pose and see another variation read more.

Begin standing on your mat with both feet together. Bend your knees and squat down, placing your hands on the floor in front of your feet.
Turn your knees out to the sides, keeping the balls and heels of your feet together. When you're ready, bring your hands to your knees as shown below.

You can stay here, or bring your hands together in front of your heart in prayer position. Hold here, balancing for five deep breaths. To release, bring your knees together and stand up.

This is one of my favorite balancing poses. What's yours? Share it in FitSugar's Yoga Stretch and Tell Group.

Stretch It: Grounded Wide Squat

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:32 -0700

When my lower back is sore from running or sitting all day, a Low Squat is just what I need to stretch that area and get relief. Here's a deeper variation that will also open your hips.

For instructions on how to do this stretch read more.

Sit on the floor on a mat, rug, or carpet.
Bend your knees so they are slightly wider than your shoulders. Plant your feet slightly wider than your knees, with your toes pointing out to the sides.
Lower your torso in between your knees and place your hands on the floor. If you're more flexible, place your forearms on the floor. Relax your shoulders away from your ears and try not to let your feet slip away from your body.
Stay here for 30 seconds and then sit up to release.

Try it and tell me if you like it.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Noose

FitSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:50:38 -0700

This majestic and stable looking pose is a great way to open your shoulders, work the muscles in your feet and lower legs, and also challenges your sense of balance.

Sanskrit Name: Pasasana
English Translation: Noose Pose
Also Called: Twisting Bound Squat

This is a tough pose so to learn an easier modification read more.

Begin in a squat position on your mat, with both feet together. It might be easier to get into this pose by balancing on the balls of your feet first. From this position, cross your left elbow over to the outside of your right thigh. Turn your right arm down so you can bring your forearm in front of your shins.
Bring your right arm behind you and try to clasp your hands together around both legs. If this is super easy for you, hold your left wrist with your right hand. If it seems impossible, separate your knees slightly and wrap around just your left leg. If holding hands is too difficult, don't get frustrated. Just stay here, reaching your hands as close as you can together. No matter which variation you're doing, try to lower your heels to the floor. If this makes you fall over, place a folded mat or towel underneath your heels for a little support.
Hold for 30 seconds, then release and try this pose on the other side.

How-To: Alphabet Abs With Medicine Ball

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:30:23 -0700

Lying on the ground doing crunches might help you tone your upper six-pack, but you also need to strengthen your abs standing, because that's how you use them in your daily activities. Here is a great ab and core exercise, and all you need is a medicine ball and to know how to write your A, B, Cs. There are two variations.

To start: Grab a medicine ball that's between five and 15 pounds. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, making sure your knees are not locked.

For stability: Start with the ball at chest level, and slowly write the cursive alphabet in front of you. While your arms move around in all sorts of angles, you need to use your abs to keep your torso still. Think of keeping the area between your ribs and pelvis solid. For a more advanced version, try this move while standing on a BOSU.

Learn the other variation.

You Asked: Knee Friendly Alternatives to Lunges?

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:50:10 -0700

Recently, I wrote about loving lunges and urged everyone to add them to their workout. I forgot that this move can be hard on some joints and this comment reminded me of that problem:

"I like lunges in theory, but my knees do not agree with them. Any way to work around this, Fit?" - The New Black

There are indeed work-arounds that will work your lower body, while being kind to your knees. You can try to replace lunges with squats or leg presses on the machine. Some folks find that reverse lunges are gentler on the knee joint so you can experiment with that variation of the move. An alternative that I especially love is Step Ups because they work a lot of the same muscles that lunges would work.
Learn how to do Step Ups.