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Give the Gift of Sports

FitSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I know that you still have dreams of dusting off that old softball bat in pursuit of greatness but let's be honest, your softball slugging days are over.

Instead of tossing it, dust off the bat and donate it to someone who can actually fulfill their sports dreams: kids! Sportsgift.org has already collected thousands and thousands of sports equipment for underprivileged children around the world and they're always looking for more. Not only will you be putting a smile on a child's face, but you'll also be keeping your old stuff from hitting the landfills.

Visit SportsGift.org for more information and a list of what types of equipment they need at this point. For a way to send your used equipment now by mail, just read more

Mail equipment you'd like to donate to:
Sports Gift 32545 B Golden Lantern, #478 Dana Point, California 92629

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Guess What?

FitSugar — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Guess what this thing is?

What's the WORST Part About Going to the Gym

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Having a gym membership can be great. There's tons of equipment you can use, a plethora of exercise classes, and some health clubs even have a sauna, a pool, or a hot tub.

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I usually try to go during my lunch hour at work so I do what I need to do, and get out of there fast. I try to go before the noon crowd hits, because I hate waiting for machines (I don't have much time). Even worse is waiting for the showers after the workout!

And for you...

Free Pilates Class: Pilates Day is May 5th, 2007

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Last week I told you that Hilary Duff loves Pilates, so maybe you were thinking that you would like to try it too. Well here's your chance - May 5th is Pilates Day. Yippee!

In celebration studios around the country are participating by offering free and reduced rate Pilates mat and equipment classes on May 5th, 2007. If you've never experienced the 100's or table top legs, now is your chance to do it for FREE. How cool is that? For more information and to find a participating studio near you, check out PilatesDay.com.

You're going to need something to wear so check out Joe's Pila-T-Shop for cute Pilates inspired gear.

Back Off: Lat Pulldown Machine

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 08:30:00 -0800

Based on my back fat post, many of you mentioned that you wanted to know some good ways to help combat that annoying problem.

The Lateral Pulldown Machine is the machine to use for some back toning -- but unless you own one, you're going to need to head to the gym.

Here's how to do it:

Adjust the weight so that it is not too easy or too hard that you won't be able to complete 10-15. A good idea may be to start lighter and increase the weight as you go along.
Stand up and hold the bar at a shoulder width grip.
Sit down (still holding the bar) with your feet flat on the floor.
Slightly lean back while keeping your abdominal muscles tight, shoulders back and chest up.
Pull the bar down in front of you while focusing on squeezing your shoulder blades together.
Stop just after your elbows are just a little below your shoulders and then reverse back to the starting position.
When you reverse, stop just before your elbows are straight.

That completes one rep. Aim for 3 sets of 10-15 reps (depending on your fitness level).

Fit's Tip: Try not to move forward or backward from the waist using your core to stabilize.

What's the Deal with: The Power Plate

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:35:27 -0800

The Power Plate is the latest in workout equipment.
The Product maker, Power Plate USA, says:

Advanced Vibration Technology exploits the body's innate reflexive response to disruptions in stability in order to stimulate enhanced muscle strength and performance. The Power Plate produces a vibration through which energy is transferred to the body. This mechanical stimulus produces a stretch reflex which, depending on the frequency, results in rapid and intense muscle contractions 30-50 times per second.

In simpler terms, the Power Plate is this machine that vibrates extremely fast. You stand on it and try and hold on for dear life until your session is over. I like to describe it as similar to when you are riding the bus or subway and it's full, so you have to stand (and that stinks). During your ride you hold on tight while it stops and starts again and your entire body automatically tightens up to keep upright. That's your reflexes doing their job, and the same type of thing happens when you train on the Power Plate.

The product is supposedly used by Clint Eastwood, Jane Fonda and even the king of Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, the price for the new Personal Power Plate is still out of my league at $3875, so I'll just vibrate when I am at the gym. But if it's in your league, buy it here

Fit's Tip: Each set on the machine is only 30, 45, or 60 seconds in length -- you're training sessions on the Power Plate don't need to be more than 3 to 4 times per week with each session lasting about 10 minutes of actual time on the Power Plate.

Fit Tip: Try a New Piece of Gym Equipment Each Week

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0700

The gym can get painfully boring when you constantly follow the same routine each day. FitSugar reader plumeria9 has some great advice though. She says, "I try to use one new piece of equipment a week so I don't get stuck in a rut." There's a huge variety of cardio machines and weight lifting equipment, so every week, do something new. Once you've tried everything out at least once, you'll feel more comfortable alternating them into your routines. Not only is variety the spice of life, but doing the same thing over again can cause repetitive stress injuries. It also only works certain muscle groups, so by using different equipment, you'll end up working more parts of your body, becoming stronger and burning more calories.

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Speak Up: What Fitness Equipment Intimidates You at the Gym?

FitSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0700

Many of you are avid gym goers, not only because the weather outside may not allow you to exercise outdoors, but because it's a convenient and easy way to get in a good workout. There are so many different types of machines and equipment you wouldn't be able to have access to if you worked out solely at home. I'm wondering if there is any type of gym equipment you shy away from because it intimidates you. Personally barbells intimidate me, not because I don't know how to use these types of weights, but because all the sweaty muscle men hang out near them. What about you?

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Guess the Fitness Equipment

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0800

If you belong to a gym, have a home gym, or are intrigued by exercise equipment infomericals, then you probably know a lot about fitness equipment, or at least the names. Test your smarts with this quiz. To make it more difficult, I cropped some of the pictures so you can't see the entire item.

Question 1 of 7

What's the name of this $40 item?

Mini Elliptical Me: Kid-Sized Gym Equipment?

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:10:00 -0700

The childhood obesity epidemic might be tapering, but it is still an important public-health issue. People are trying to figure out how to conquer the problem by downsizing adult exercise equipment. Sized for kids, gym equipment, such as treadmills and ellipticals created in child-friendly colors, have made their way onto the market. Parents can buy these expensive gadgets for home use or send their children to a gym that offers kids fitness programs.

While I'm all for kids being healthy and learning to love exercise early on in life, I'm not sure this is the way to approach this issue. My girls like playing school, ballet performance and soccer, but they never play "let's go to the gym." What happened to kids biking or playing a lively game of tag? And are team sports just not cool anymore? I'm worried that this focus on fitness will take the fun out of exercise, so kids will eventually shy away from it. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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