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How Many Fitness DVDs Do You Own?

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:47:01 -0800

I have a shelf on one of my bookcases devoted purely to workout videos, because let's face it - between work, my family, and other obligations, getting to the gym or to a class doesn't always happen. I love knowing I can pop in a video whenever I have space in my schedule, and feel good about having a little "me time," even if it's only for 10 minutes. Plus, since there are so many types of fitness DVDs out there, I can strengthen my core doing Pilates, stretch my hamstrings doing yoga, or sweat it out kickboxing, depending on my mood. I definitely own more than 11 videos; what about you?

Push-Up Variation: Crocodile Jumps

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:00:46 -0700

I love push-ups. They are one of the best strength training moves out there. Not only do they sculpt your upper body and back, but they also tone your core. Here's a variation that will target your triceps more than regular push-ups since your elbows are in against your body instead of out wide. This exercise will make you stronger, and it's also a great prep for the yoga pose called Crocodile.

Music: "The Man Who Danced Too Slowly" by Baka Beyond

This is a pretty difficult exercise, so if you're up for the challenge keep reading

Push-Up Variation: Add In a Superman

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:30:01 -0700

Push-ups strengthen your upper body, and here's a variation that will also work the muscles in your back - just add in another no equipment necessary move, the superman.

Music: "Two of Us" by Aimee Mann and Michael Penn

To learn how to do this exercise, read more.

Begin on your belly in the superman, or X position, with your arms and legs out wide.
Inhale and lift your head, arms, chest, and legs off the floor, like Superman.
Then as you exhale, lower your body and plant your palms and feet on the floor. Inhale to straighten your arms and lift into plank position (top of a push-up). Hold here briefly, then exhale and bend your elbows behind you as you lower down.
This counts as one repetition. Complete 20, or as many as you can in one minute.

Multitasking Move: Burning Squats

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:00:20 -0700

Strengthening your quads not only prevents injuries to your knees when running, but it also makes you stronger and faster. Not to mention, toned thighs also look great in a bathing suit. Here's a squat sequence I love to do because it instantly burns my thighs. When you do squats holding weights, it'll also work your upper body, so this exercise is super challenging. You're guaranteed to feel sore the next day.

Music: "As is," by Ani Difranco

For details on how to do this squat sequence, read more.

Stand with your feet together. Place a dumbbell in each hand, bend your elbows and rest the weights gently on your shoulders. Do 10 squats here.
Then separate your feet hips-width distance apart and straighten your arms overhead. Do another 10 squats.
Next, bend your elbows at 90-degree angles and separate your feet even further. Point your toes out slightly and do 10 wide squats.
Bring your feet back in so they're hips-width distance apart. Straighten your arms overhead and do 10 more squats.
Step your feet back together, bend your elbows, and rest the weights on your shoulders for the last 10 squats.
Repeat sequence a total of three times.

Push-Up Variation: Grasshopper Push-Up

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

To tone up your upper body for strapless dress and tank top season, push-ups are my favorite. I love that you don't need any equipment to do them, and they're so effective that it only takes a few reps before you start feeling it. Here's a challenging variation that will also increase flexibility in your lower back.

Music: "Every Ghetto, Every City" by Lauryn Hill

To learn how to do this exercise, read more.

Come into plank position (top of a push-up), with your hands under your shoulders, and your body in one straight line.
As you bend your elbows out to the side and lower your torso toward the floor, step your right leg through the space between your left hand and foot, and cross it all the way over to the left side, resting on the outer edge of your foot. Keep your leg straight if you can.
As you straighten your arms, step your right foot back so you're in plank position once again. Now lower your body and cross your left leg over to the right side. Straighten your arms and come back to plank position. This counts as one rep.
Complete as many reps as you can. Don't be discouraged if you can't do too many, since this is a really challenging exercise.

DVD Review: Shiva Rea - Surf Yoga Soul

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0700

I'm a huge fan of Shiva Rea and all her yoga videos, so I was thrilled to hear she had a new video called Surf Yoga Soul ($15). You don't have to be a surfer to enjoy this video, since it focuses on creative movements that open your body and heart, and strengthen your muscles and mind, to help you "surf the power of the life force within you." OK, that might be a little cheesy, but the DVD is great fun.

There are seven segments you can complete at once for a 75-minute workout, or you can choose the ones you have time for and create your own personal workout. One called Agni Namaskar is a challenging variation of sun salutations developed to strengthen the core muscles and the upper body. She takes you through the same series of nine rounds of 12 push-ups that she included in her video Creative Core + Upper Body. My arms and upper back were sore for two days afterward, so needless to say, I loved this part of the video. Another segment called Balance Flow cultivates your balancing skills doing poses such as Warrior 3 and Side Crow, and opens your hips doing stretches such as Extended Pigeon. The other segments include meditation, breathwork, flexibility, and rest (Savasana).

This is one of Shiva Rea's best Yoga DVDs because it's both challenging and creative, and targets every part of the body. My muscles felt the perfect balance of being strengthened, lengthened, and opened. I could see myself doing this video regularly and not getting bored. I definitely recommend this DVD to both beginner and advanced yogis, so if you're interested, you can order it through Acacia.

To see a clip of this Surf Yoga Soul, read more.

Stretch It: Ankle Rolls

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0700

I love a dynamic warmup, even more for feet. Before running, hiking, or dancing, it's a good idea to prime your feet and ankles for moving with a simple circular motion. Add these rolls to your warmup routine. Do at least 10 in each direction with each foot. Follow up with some toe walking and some heel walks. Then add a little calf stretch and your feet will be ready to move.

Music: "Toes" by Norah Jones

No Equipment Necessary: Two-Minute Headstand

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0700

So you've never tried a headstand in your life or you can't balance whatsoever. That's OK. This exercise is all about working your shoulders and upper back and doesn't have much to do with balance. You can do it against a wall so you don't have to worry about falling over, and you can focus all your attention on working your muscles. You'll be feeling this one tomorrow, for sure.

Music: "Salva Me" by Libera

It's important to take this exercise one step at a time. Once you master each step, you can move on until eventually you're balancing upsidedown and holding the headstand on your own. For a detailed description of how to conquer this headstand read more.

Sit on your heels in front of a wall. If your floor isn't carpeted, place a mat down to cushion your head. Interlace your fingers and place your elbows on the ground, bringing your lowest pinky in front of the other pinky, forming a semicircle with your hands.
Place the back of your head against your palms and the top of your head on the floor, so your skull is vertical with the floor. Once your head and forearms feel stable, straighten both legs and walk you feet towards your face as far as you can. Staying here will still work your upper body.
Once you feel ready, lift one leg up, bend your knee, and place your toes on the wall. Feel free to stay here, getting used to being upsidedown, or you can lift your other leg up and place that foot on the wall. You can hold this for two minutes or straighten your legs, allowing the wall to support you. Stay here, feeling the weight of your entire body in your shoulders and back.
If you have your heart set on doing a headstand without a wall then the next step is to move one of your heels off the wall, so your ankle is right over your hip. Then work on moving your other foot off the wall. The wall is there for you if you start to lose your balance.
Wherever you are, try to hold it for two minutes straight. It'll feel really intense, your muscles may quiver and they'll definitely burn a little. Just keep breathing.
After two minutes, slowly release your feet back down to the floor. Lower your head to the ground so your arms and spine take a little rest. When you're ready, keeping your chin tucked, gently lift your torso up. Your head and neck may feel a little tight, so take your time and lift your head when you're ready. Gently turn your head from side to side and do some leisurely head rolls.

Fit's Tip: When doing this exercise, if you start to feel pain in your neck, spine, or anywhere else, release your feet back to the floor immediately.

Couch Time: Scorpion

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:30:00 -0700

Since I run a lot, my hip flexors and lower back get really tight, so I love stretches that focus on opening these areas, such as Scorpion. This is actually a yoga pose that's a balancing backbend. It feels amazing on the front of your body and your spine, but it's a really difficult pose to get into, let alone hold long enough to get a good stretch. You can do it using a ball, but here's another way using a couch.

Music: "Field of Green," by Careless

To give it a try read more.

Kneel down in front of a couch, and place your forearms on the ground, so your fingers are a few inches away from the base of the couch. You want your elbows directly underneath your shoulders. Look between your hands, not at your feet.
Shift all your weight into your arms, straighten your legs and walk your feet as close as you can towards your elbows.
Lift your right leg up into the air. Then kick off the ground with your left foot, and let your right and then left foot gently fall to rest on the couch.
Walk your feet so your heels are on the edge of the couch - focus on pressing into your hands to help lift your head up as high as you can.
Stay here for thirty seconds, feeling the stretch in your belly, hip flexors, quads, and back. Then lift your right foot off the couch, and slowly kick your feet off and release them back to the ground. Stretch out your lower back by coming into Child's Pose.
Repeat this move again, this time with your left leg in the air.

Stretch It: Chest Opening Spinal Twist

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:00:00 -0700

I feel that no matter what you do, everyone can benefit from twisting and stretching their spines. Here is a wonderful stretch that will seriously open your chest, too.

Music: "Midnight Drive" by Phillip Emanuel

For a detailed description of how to get into this stretch read more.

Begin on your hands and knees.
Move your right hand a few inches to the left and then lift your left arm straight up towards the ceiling. Stay here for a second or two. Lower arms and thread the space between your right hand and your knees, lowering your left shoulder and head all the way to the ground.
Now raise your right arm straight into the air and lower it behind you as much as you can, feeling an opening in your chest. To deepen the stretch, you can wrap your right hand around your lower back and hook your fingers around your upper left thigh. Stay here for at least 30 seconds, actively pressing the back of your left palm into the ground.
Then release by planting your right hand and then your left back on the ground, so you're in the start position (on your hands and knees).
Repeat this stretch on the other side.