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DVD Review: Dance and Be Fit - Lower Body Burn

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:00:00 -0700

When you just can't seem to dig up the motivation to get moving, the one thing that might give you a push is the possibility of having fun. Kimberly Miguel Mullen is all about putting joy into a workout with her Dance and Be Fit - Lower Body Burn DVD ($15), which consists of a five-minute warmup, two 20-minute sequences, and a five-minute cooldown.

It always throws me off when you're guided by a voice-over and not a speaking person, but once I got past that, I was able to enjoy this fun dance program. You can choose to do the two 20-minute sequences separately if you're pressed for time, but I did them together and felt a small glaze of sweat emerge at the video's halfway point.

The first sequence, Heavenly Hips, is easier than the second one, Lovely Legs, but they are both easy to follow. You're given basic steps and the choreography is layered on, and Kimberly goes through each dance set many times so you have plenty of opportunities to get the hang of it. While some other dance DVDs are confusing and leave a first-timer watching instead of doing, a novice would fall into step with this video.

With traditional dance basics like passe, attitude, plie, and gran plie, you're introduced to some of the fundamentals that create those gorgeous dancer legs. This is a pretty beginner workout and I wouldn't rely on it for toning my bottom half, but I'll keep it in my arsenal for those days when I want to increase my heart rate with a fun workout.

Olympic Fit Tip: Know Your Body Type

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

I find the Olympic Games inspiring and want to get out and try everything, except the vault because that just seems suicidal. Unfortunately, I don't have the height for basketball or the speed for sprinting (even though I have been doing my sprint intervals almost weekly). Sam Callan, an exercise physiologist and the coaching education manager for USA Cycling, stresses the importance of knowing your body type when ~~dreaming of gold~~ deciding what fitness avenue to take.

For instance Kerri Walsh, standing six feet two inches tall, is built for blocking volleyballs on the sand while Shawn Johnson who is only four feet nine inches tall is perfect for attacking a balance beam. So before you decide to tackle a new sport, consider your body and your likes and dislikes. You might not make it all the way to the podium, but at least you would be fighting a winning battle.

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Celebs Like to Shake It

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:50:58 -0700

At first, the Power Plate seems like another gimmicky weight-loss product, but its website features endorsements from fit celebs like Madonna, Courteney Cox, and Hilary Swank. On top of that, it's used by over 60 college and pro sports teams, and the Police brought one with them on their reunion tour. That's some serious ~~celeb~~ street cred.

The secret behind the Power Plate is its vibrating plates. The manufacturer claims that if you stand on it for 10 minutes a day, three times a week, you'll lose weight, tone your body, and improve bone density. To really maximize the benefits of the machine, it's encouraged that you do the same exercises you would do on the floor - sit-ups, for example - on the Power Plate.

Cougar Town actress Cox says the Power Plate was essential in shaping her up for her new role: "The Power Plate machine has dramatically changed my workout. I know that every muscle in my body is being ignited in ways that you can't do with traditional training."

To see a video of Cox's trainer Michelle Lovett demonstrating the Power Plate, read more.

They call the technology behind the machine Acceleration Training: the vibrations transmit energy waves to the body that are able to contract muscles 25 to 50 times per second. This is suppose to help stimulate blood flow, work the muscles harder than ever before, and increase strength and flexibility.

Vibration training is not a new thing in the fitness world (remember the black rubber belts that used to go around the waist to shake off fat?), but it's been picking up steam especially as it garners more backing from the medical community and health professionals.

Studies done on the effects of vibration training show that if used properly, it's more beneficial at building lean muscle mass, improving weight loss, and increasing strength and speed than exercise regimens without vibration training. Researchers warn that the machines should not be used for more than 30 minutes a day due to health concerns about engaging the body in high-amplitude vibrations like back pain or blurred vision.

I remain a little skeptical, mostly because I can't get the Shake Weights infomercial out of my head, but my curiosity is piqued. My gym doesn't have a Power Plate yet, does yours? I'd love to hear what you think of this new workout.

FitSugar Total Body Yoga Flow Sequence

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:48:19 -0700

Practicing yoga makes your muscles lean, limber, and strong, but that's not the only benefit. You're bound to feel calmer, have more energy, sleep better, and reduce your stress if you practice regularly. We don't always have time to make it to the studio for a class, so here's a fluid sequence you can try on your own. These nine poses will tone and strengthen every part of your body, so hop on your mat and keep reading. If you love this sequence, print out a copy to keep in your gym bag.

View Slideshow ›

Fit Tip: Don't Forget About the Rest of Your Body

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0700

When I exercise, I tend to go through cycles where I throw myself into one kind of activity. Lately I'm into biking. I love how the breeze keeps me cool in the heat, and the intense burn in my thighs and booty lets me know I'm working hard. Even though it's great to fully involve yourself with one kind of exercise, you may end up working only part of your body and neglecting other parts. If this sounds familiar, here's a friendly reminder not to forget about the rest of your anatomy. If your legs are sculpted and strong but your core is flabby and weak, it could result in an injury. So think about the kind of exercise you do on a regular basis and incorporate new kinds of exercises into your routine to include the body parts you tend to forget. That way your total body will be strong and healthy.

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Reebok Promises to Make Your Boobs Jealous of Your Butt - Hilarious or Horrifying?

TresSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:24 -0800

On its website, Reebok claims that its new line of EasyTone shoes, which are displayed against the backdrop of a naked woman, will help you make 88 percent of men speechless and 76 percent of women jealous. Hoping to drum up some hype for these kicks, Reebok has also unveiled a whole slew of commercials touting the shoes' butt-toning abilities. In this commercial, Reebok pitches the shoes by reducing a faceless woman to two talking breasts. You see, the breasts are jealous of the woman's butt, which is now getting all the attention thanks to the shoes. Do you find this ad effective or offensive?

Sugarbabies: For the Love of Broccoli

Lil Community — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:30:17 -0800

This post was submitted by member FitSugar in our Sugarbabies group.

My little one last night asked me to make Brussels sprouts and then proceeded to eat three helpings. This photo is from her early days as a veggie lover. And yes, after the photo was taken we had the "don't take such big bites of your food, you could choke" conversation.

Don't you want to see your wee one on our LilSugar site? Don't wait another minute. Join our Sugarbabies group over in the LilSugar Community and share your priceless pictures. It's easy!

To see how to do it, just read more.

Create a PopSugar Account or login to your account.
Join the Sugarbabies group
Click "New Post" under the Sugarbabies tab at the top of the page.
Give your story a "Title."
Insert a photo of your babe.
Fill in the "Body" if you want to give us a snippet of the shot.
Add keyword(s) in the tag field with relevant tags (for example mine for this story was "Sugarbabies").
Click "Create Post" to submit content.

Kidoodles: Thanksgiving Turkeys For the Table

babysugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:00:20 -0800

It's time to rally the troops for a day of arts and crafts that can be showcased at the holiday table. A win-win, this simple project will have everyone feeling useful, creates decor for the evening, and leaves little mess in its wake.
Supplies needed:

Small pumpkins
Peel and stick foam paper
Small marshmallows and a black pen (substitute googly eyes if you have some)
Scissors

To see how to make these colorful gourd-geous birds, read more.

Simple Steps:

Cut out pieces for the turkey's body including the wattle, beak, and feathers
Peel the sticker side off of the feather backs and arrange them in a fan-like design. Once you are pleased with the shape, stick it to the back of the pumpkin.
Peel the wattle and stick it onto the turkey's face. Do the same for the beak.
Tear the marshmallow in half and place the two sticky sides to the face and dot them with the black marker for the eyes.
Peel the back of the turkey and stick the body to the front of the pumpkin. Your bird is now complete.

Allow the youngsters to peel and place the feathers and draw on the feathered friends where they see fit!

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What's the Deal With Wearable Weights?

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:00:13 -0700

The magic pill to weight loss is a mirage in my opinion, but companies continue to design products to help you burn more calories and drop pounds. As if the seven shady weight loss products I recently posted about weren't enough, I just discovered Body Togs Wearable Weights.

At first I thought they were for strength training exercises instead of dumbbells or resistance bands. Since you didn't have to hold them, they seemed like a cool idea. But taking a closer look, these aren't meant for the gym - they're meant to be worn all day long to help boost the amount of calories you burn and tone your muscles while doing day-to-day activities. Tiny weights are evenly distributed around each sleeve, adding about one to three pounds to each limb, depending on the size you choose. You're supposed to wear these arm and calve sleeves under your clothes. I guess if it's hot that day, you just wear them to match your favorite dress. Aside from looking completely idiotic, they're very pricey ($55 to $59 a pair), and also a health risk. To find out why read more.

Performing strength training exercises that are specifically designed to target certain muscles are excellent for your body. When you use correct form, and the appropriate amount of weight, there is little risk of injury. On the other hand, carrying around extra weight on your arms and legs while going about your day may burn extra calories, but it will also increase your risk for a torn muscle or injury to your joint. Just like walking with dumbbells or ankle weight is a big no-no, you don't want to do regular activities while carrying weights because it puts too much stress on your body.

If you want to burn extra calories during your day, fit in an extra 30 minutes of cardio. If toning your muscles is your goal, it's more effective to use dumbbells, resistance bands, or weight machines and do actual exercises that are meant for strengthening your muscles. Setting aside time to exercise will not only produce better results, but it's a great way to relieve stress and give you the much-deserved break we all need during the day.

Fit Tip: Don't Just Work Your Problem Areas

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:26:09 -0700

I saw a fitness buddy at the gym the other day running, so I hopped on the treadmill next to her. After about 20 minutes, I asked if she was going to the upper-body strengthening class in 10 minutes. She said, "It's my legs that need work, not my arms." While it's good to be honest with yourself about your problem areas, you shouldn't just focus on them every time you work out. Remember that your body works as a whole, and working certain areas and not others can cause imbalances in your body, which can lead to injuries. So even if you love the way your booty looks, but aren't a fan of your upper arms, don't skip out on the squats and lunges. Exercising your entire body will also help maintain the look and strength of your favorite parts as well.