FitSugar

Your Top 10 Ways to Exercise

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:50:00 PDT

A few weeks ago I asked you guys to tell me what your favorite ways to exercise are, and you all gave me some great responses - I'm even motivated to do a little more dancing and dust off the old Rollerblades.

After tallying up all the votes, I've narrowed down the most popular activities. So for the most desirable ways to exercise, just

Here are your top ways to get moving:

Running tied with swimming
Walking tied with yoga
Dancing
Weightlifting
Hiking
Pilates tied with biking
Elliptical tied with kickboxing
Inline skating tied with Wii Fit
Tennis tied with rock climbing
Golf

Agree with the top 10? Does your favorite fall on the list? Share your thoughts below.

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Fit Tip: Beat Boredom with New Routes

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:30:00 PDT

Here we are not yet into Summer and many of us are already getting bored with our workout routines. Feeling bored after doing something more than once or twice is totally normal. Why do you think I use a different cardio machine every time I go to the gym? Doing the same cardio over and over again would bore me to tears. The same thing goes for my outdoor workouts too.

If you're starting to feel bored in your outdoor workouts then try something as simple as changing up the route you take. Whether you're on bike or on foot, a new route may provide enough variety to keep you motivated for a few weeks. When you get bored with your new route, time to switch it up again! There is no rule that says you have to do the same thing everyday, so don't.

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Add Resistance to Your Workout: Medicine Balls

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 13:43:15 PDT

I love using a medicine ball at the gym and if you haven't tried incorporating them into your workout, you should. It's a great and fun way to work with a partner as well as a great way to really change up your normal routine.

Power Med-Balls ($12.95-99.95) are a great option for your home gym. These rubber balls are durable, weather-resistant and available in 11 weight sizes from 2 lbs. to 30 lbs. The balls are designed to bounce and they're ideal for partner and wall-related exercises. The 2 lb. and 4 lb. balls are the size of a volleyball. The 6 lb. and 8 lb. balls are the size of a basketball and the 10 lb. to 30 lb. balls are slightly larger than a basketball.

I like to incorporate medicine balls into a lot of my already challenging fitness exercises for added resistance. For example, try doing full sit-ups with a medicine ball overhead. It's tough! Or try having a friend bounce the ball for you to catch while you're balancing on a bosu, then you bounce it back. Not too easy, but fun! Buy them from Power Systems online.

Work Out in Comfort With These Maternity Activewear Picks!

Zelana Montminy — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:52:41 PDT

Since working out with a bun in the oven can be challenging for a wide variety of reasons, it's important that your workout clothes are comfy. We've done the leg work for you and tested a handful of pieces of maternity fitness gear, both tops and bottoms. Watch the video and learn what our FitSugarTV host Zelana, pregnant herself, has to say about these five activewear picks.

*$20 gift card will be sent by email within 7 days of purchase on ActivewearUSA.com

How a Workout Buddy Challenges Your Fitness Routine

Leta Shy — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:35:13 PDT

You know that having a workout buddy can make exercise fly by, but it's not just about having someone to laugh and talk with you while you sweat. Read on for three ways exercising with a buddy challenges your workout.

They make you push yourself: The right workout partner helps challenge you to become better at your workouts, whether you're side by side on the elliptical or on an outdoor run. By racing each other, pushing each other to go for a few more minutes, or teaching each other the most effective ways to exercise, you and your workout buddy can both help push each other to the next level.

They help you branch out: You swear that you hate Zumba but begrudgingly take it at your buddy's urging - and now, you've found a new fitness love. Not only can trying something new with a friend help you feel less self-conscious if you're worried about looking awkward, but acquiescing to a friend's insistence to try something new can also inject fun and variety back into your workout routine, helping you avoid that dreaded fitness plateau and continue to see results.

They're foils for your excuses: Can't meet your friend at the gym because you forgot your socks? She just so happens to have an extra pair. Woke up late and now don't have time to fit in a run? "We'll just go for a quick one," your buddy says. No matter how much you've talked yourself out of your workout for the day, a good workout buddy won't take no for an answer so you continue to stay on track with your workout plan.

Wake Up! Pre-Workout Beverages to Boost Your Energy

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:39:43 PDT

Whether they're working out first thing in the morning or after work, many people may feel a little drowsy and sluggish. Rather than heading to the gym with only one eye open, prepare by drinking one of these energy-boosting beverages to help you feel more focused, energized, and ready to push your body to do more.

Coffee or Green Tea
Caffeine increases your endurance because it changes how your body uses fat. Caffeine helps your body convert fat into readily accessible energy, so you can work out for longer. As an added bonus, studies have also shown that caffeine consumption helps reduce postworkout DOMS.

Green Juice
Rich in natural sugars, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, a homemade green juice is a glass full of easily absorbable nutrients, especially iron, which can combat your sleepy slump. And because green juice recipes are high in carbs but low in fiber, it helps give the body energy while also being easy to digest. Perfect if you need something on the way into the gym.

Apple Cider Vinegar
If you are a fan of kombucha, then you'll love the tart flavor of apple cider vinegar, which is rich in minerals, vitamins, and beneficial acids. For an energy booster sans caffeine, mix a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water and drink prior to a workout. Look for raw and unfiltered varieties to get the most nutrients possible. A small study also links apple cider vinegar to improved weight loss.

Preworkout Sports Beverages
Gatorade, Vega Sport, and Biosteel High Performance offer sports drinks that are developed specifically for before workouts. Each drink is formulated with ingredients to help stimulate and energize the body. We recommend these drinks for more intense or longer workouts.

5 Reasons You Need a Gym Membership

Leta Shy — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 04:12:31 PDT

Not everyone loves the gym - and in fact, there are times when canceling your gym membership is a good idea. But if you're wondering whether to sign up for a gym, here are five reasons one may be perfect for you.

You're new to it. If you've never exercised before, you'll need someone to show you the ropes to prevent injury. Joining a gym is good for this reason - you'll be able to get expert help and check out how more experienced exercisers do it.
You haven't used your DVDs in months. If your erstwhile dedication to exercising at home has turned into, "There's always tomorrow morning, right?" you can benefit from some extra motivation. Taking the time to go to the gym will help put you in a mindset that has you sticking, not skipping, your workout.

Read on for three more reasons you should join a gym.

5 Signs You Should Cancel Your Gym Membership

Leta Shy — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 02:03:04 PDT

I love my gym for many reasons: it adds structure to my workouts and motivates me, the class selection is amazing, and the people - both trainers and members - can be very inspiring. But I know that many times a gym membership isn't the most cost-effective solution for getting fit, and going isn't for everyone. Are you wasting your money? Here are five signs it may be time to cancel your gym membership.

You'd rather be outdoors: The thought of being cooped up indoors has you dreading - and then skipping - your workout, but you continue to hold onto that gym membership "just in case." Some people find gym workouts boring, so if you're one of them, start getting creative outdoors. Even if you're not a runner, you can still have an effective workout outside; find an open space where you can do your circuit workout, invest in a bike, or grab your yoga mat and seek out an inspiring place to stretch.
You only use one piece of equipment: Take a look at your gym workout. Do you just make a beeline for the treadmill and leave? If you're not utilizing your gym's classes or equipment or asking trainers for help, you may be wasting your money. Instead of paying $50 a month just to use a treadmill, save the money to buy a piece of gym equipment for your home or just go for a run or walk outside.
You waste time once you get there: The hardest part about going to the gym may be getting there, but that shouldn't be the part of your workout that burns the most calories. Whether you find the gym uninspiring or whether you use it as social hour to catch up with friends, if you're not dedicated to your workout once you're there, you're wasting your money along with your time. Take a look at your gym workouts; if you can't find any type of exercise at the gym that inspires you, try something else.

Read on for more reasons you may want to cancel your membership.

Jennifer Lopez's Bodacious Booty Workout

Shape — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:43:59 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Actress, singer, designer, dancer, and mom Jennifer Lopez may have a sizzling career, but she seems to be better known for that infamous, beautifully bodacious booty!

Celeb Pics: The Best Butts in Hollywood

With glutes that defy gravity, J Lo has made curves a good thing in Hollywood. How exactly does the dynamic diva hone her hot bod, other than just being lucky with genetics? We got the secrets to her sexy figure directly from the source - the powerhouse personal trainer who worked with Lopez for more than a decade, Gunnar Peterson.

Video: Get Fit With Kim Kardashian’s Trainer, Gunnar Peterson

"If you want to enhance the shape of your butt, as well as tone and tighten, the most important exercises are squats and lunges," Peterson says. "Be sure to use weights, weights, weights, and weights . . . and then some weights!"

Learn more about achieving J Lo's booty after the break!

4 Reasons to Cross Train, and How to Do It

Leta Shy — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:21:17 PST

Maybe you love to swim but hate lifting weights, or maybe you'd never step foot in one of your gym's fitness classes because you'd rather be on the treadmill. We all have our favorite ways to exercise, but sticking to the same workout can lead to unwanted consequences, especially overuse injuries. Here are four reasons to cross train and what type of cross training you should be doing.

You'll learn a new skill: You'll never know how good you are at something else until you try it out. You may find that you're a fan of Zumba or finally understand why everyone loves yoga once you expand your horizons.
You'll beat boredom: As much as you love your sport of choice, workouts can get tedious if you rarely do anything else. Instead of sticking to your normal five-days-a-week run, add a few strength-training or stretching moves to keep your workout routine full of variety.
You'll balance out your body: One of the most important reasons to vary your workouts is to ensure that you give all your muscles the attention they need so that your body stays balanced. An overdeveloped set of muscles can lead to injury since the stronger parts of your body will be overcompensating for the weaker parts.
You'll have more endurance and speed: Making your body stronger overall is a good way to ensure that you'll perform better at your first exercise love. Not only will your body be balanced, but you'll be strengthening your muscles overall as well.

Ready to add some variety to your workout? Read on for some cross-training ideas for runners, swimmers, and cyclists.