FitSugar

Class Act: Cardio Tai Boxing

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:00:13 -0800

I'm big on fitness classes, but tend to stick with Pilates, yoga, or something slower-paced - usually afraid that I won't be able to keep up with a class that requires any dance technique. My exercise solution came in the form of Crunch's Cardio Tai Box class - a class that gets you moving without a required-knowledge of dance choreography. All you need to know? How to punch and kick. Really.

In fact, once you master the basic kicks and three different kinds of punches, you'll easily catch on when the combinations are introduced - so don't psych yourself out if you can't keep up right away. The key throughout the workout is to focus on each individual action, fully extend your arms and legs for punches and kicks, and be conscious of your core - if you're flexing your abs throughout you'll notice improved balance and form that'll make leg extension easier for round-house and side-kicks.

To learn more about the class and see video, just read more.

Ultimately, you'll find that the high intensity that the class requires goes hand in hand with the kinds of moves you're doing - and throwing a few punches is sure to relieve stress or any aggression after a long day at work; it's hands-down my top choice for a workout to shake things up and re-energize mid-week. If you lag behind during round one, just go back and do it again, or pull aside your instructor after class to go over technique, this way, you'll be up to speed and blasting calories by round two in the cardio ring.

Do You Have to Eat Something Crunchy?

partysugar — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:15:54 -0700

The other day I had a couscous salad with roasted vegetables and feta cheese for lunch. While it was wonderfully satisfying in taste, in texture, it severely lacked crunch. That's why I had to enjoy some salty crackers on the side.

The same thing happens when I eat a sandwich: I have to pair it with a bag of potato chips to add an element of crunch.

How about you? Do you feel less satiated when a dish needs crunch?

No Equipment Necessary: Seated Bicycle Crunch

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:30:00 -0700

Bicycle crunches are my go-to ab exercise because I love how the move works my upper and lower abs, and obliques all at once. If you're looking for a variation to the basic bicycle crunch, you can try it with an exercise ball, or give this seated version a try.

To learn how to do it, read more.

Begin sitting on the floor. Lift both legs up, and point your knees up to the ceiling. Sit back a little so your torso isn't straight up and down.
Then extend your right leg out as you cross your right elbow to your left knee. To make it more challenging, touch the outside of your elbow to the outside of your knee.
Then switch to the other side, extending your right leg and crossing your left elbow to your right knee. Move with control for a total of 30 times on each side.
Make this move more challenging by lowering your torso even further, and repeating for another set of 30 on each side. Just make sure to keep your deep abs pulling to your spine the entire time.

Get Lifted: Dumbbell Crunch

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0800

If you have tired of regular abdominal crunches, you might want to up the ante by adding some weight to the move. The Dumbbell Crunch variation makes a basic crunch more challenging and saves you time - you need to do less in order to achieve the same results.

Grab a set of dumbbells and read more.

Lie on your back with a set of dumbbells nearby. Bend your knees and place your heels a few inches from your bum. Place a dumbbell in each hand.
Now bend your elbows and hold the dumbbells vertically, so the bottoms are on either side of your head. Engage your abs by drawing your navel toward your spine, and press your lower back into the floor.
When you're ready, keeping your belly pulled in, lift your upper body off the floor, so your shoulder blades are floating above the ground. Slowly lower back down, but don't let your shoulders or head touch down.
Do a total of 20 to 25 crunches, take a break, and do another set.

Taste Test: Crunch vs. Krackel

partysugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:15:01 -0700

Last Friday after hearing the news that Hershey's had changed its chocolate formula, YumSugar and I decided to perform a taste test. Luckily we had the perfect place to host a chocolate taste test - CasaSugar's space at Park(ing) Day! For the taste test, we pitted Nestle's Crunch against Hershey's Krackel. To check out the taste test in action watch the video below!

To see the results, read more.

We blind folded each participant. Next we gave them a bite of Krackel followed by a bite of Crunch. The taster had to answer the following three questions:

Which is the Krackel and which is the Crunch?
Which tastes better?
Which tastes more chocolate-y?

According to our tasters:

47 percent think Krackel tastes better
53 percent think Crunch tastes better
79 percent could identify when blindfolded, while 21 percent guessed wrong!
33 percent thought Krackel was more chocolatey
67 percent thought Crunch was more chocolatey
Split on which was crunchier

If you were to choose one, which do you prefer: Hershey's Krackel or Nestle's Crunch?

View 11 Photos ›

Get on the Ball: Push-Up With Tuck Crunch

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Looking for a fun a challenging way to work your abs and upper body at the same time? Then check out this move using an exercise ball.

To find out how to add some ab work to your push-ups, just read more.

Place your belly on a ball and walk your hands out so the ball is under your shins.
Now bend your elbows and slowly lower your chest to the floor, doing a push-up.
Then straighten your arms and draw your knees forward into your chest. This will send your pelvis up and bring the ball closer to your face.
Extend your legs straight back, and repeat this sequence for a total of 15 to 20 times.

I feel so tough after doing this exercise, do you?

5 Ways to Make Crunches on the Ball More Challenging

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0700

Step into any gym at any given time and you'll most likely find someone doing crunches on the ball. And for good reason as crunches on the ball has been found to make the abs work 24 to 38 percent more than traditional crunches. The problem is, like all good things, they can get boring and become less challenging. If this is the case for you then don't stop crunching on the ball, just switch it up. Here are a few ideas for a more challenging crunch on the ball:

Bring your legs together. The closer your legs are together the harder it is to keep balance on the ball, which means the better the ab/core workout.
Try to slow it down to really challenge your abs - count 1-2-3 up, 1-2-3 down.
Try adding a light weight by holding a light dumbbell in your hands in front of your chest. This will provide added resistance and further challenge your abs.
Try placing the ball under your lower back, instead of under the upper or middle portion of your back, this will give you a tough ab workout.
Try adding a twist (twist to try and touch your elbow to the opposite knee - this is great for the obliques (aka love handles).

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DVD Review: Crunch - Belly, Butt & Thighs Boot Camp

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:45:00 -0700

I'll be the first to say that the Crunch workout videos can be a bit much for me. The trainers can be just a bit too peppy and the music can be a bit too pop-ish for me. I will say, however, that I enjoyed Crunch - Belly, Butt & Thighs Boot Camp a lot.

This DVD is a very high-energy workout that is easy to follow and interesting to do (i.e. I was not bored after the first five minutes). In the 40 or so minutes that it takes to do the DVD, there is a good mix of cardio and sculpting - the cardio is fun and the sculpting is tough. The video focuses a good amount of time on lunges, more lunges, and squats so be prepared. My husband spent the majority of the time saying, "Wow, that looks hard" (as he sat on the couch and watched me sweat). The trainer, Teri Ann Krefting, comes off as motivating and strong, rather than the typical overly peppy and oddly skinny DVD instructor.

My only wish is that there were a bit more exercises for the arms, but I guess that's why it's called a belly, butt, and thigh boot camp, so it was to be expected. If you're looking for a fun way to work out your lower body then I highly recommend trying out this DVD. If you do, or if you've already tried it, share your comments below.

Fit's Tip: To really get in a good workout, think about supplementing the DVD with some extra cardio. I took a 15 minute jog after the DVD workout was over and felt great.

No Equipment Necessary: Reverse Crunch

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 10:15:00 -0800

Looking for a new way to work your abs? Then try the reverse crunch, a new take on the regular old crunch. All you're going to need for this exercise is your body weight so you can do it anytime, anywhere. Here's how:

Lie on your back on the floor. Place your hands on the floor beside you.
Bring the knees in towards the chest with your feet together.
Use your abs to slowly curl the hips off the floor and into your chest, now slowly lower them back to the starting position to complete one.
Do two sets of 25.

Fit's Tip: Don't swing your legs to create momentum, use your abs - after all this is an ab exercise.

Like this? Then be sure to check out all my no equipment necessary exercises.

Class Act: Ex Factor

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:00:00 -0800

Looking for a new class that gets you pumped - literally and figuratively - for Valentine's Day by taking out a little aggression on your ex?

Maybe you should check out Ex-Factor, a new class from Crunch. This Valentine’s Day, Crunch invites all victims of love to take out their postrelationship aggression in this intense boxing/kickboxing class. Bring in a picture of your ex to tape on a focus mitt and then you'll get paired up with another bitter boxer; you'll both get the opportunity to get even. While going Hilary Swank on your former flame's pics, you'll also burn calories and tone up. Heck, you may even meet a few other singles to hit happy hour with after class.

If you're not a Crunch member, it's okay since members and nonmembers are welcome. Check out Crunch for all class times and locations.

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