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You have until Midnight Today to WIN: Get Fit at the Gym

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 10:28:35 -0800

Christmas is officially over - at least in my book, and it is now time to focus on the new year which is rapidly approaching. If you live in Manhattan and you are ready to make fitness your priority in 2007, you should enter FitSugar's "Are you Fit for the gym" contest.

FitSugar and the gym, the latest and greatest gym brought to us by founders of Equinox, are giving away a FREE 6-month membership (a value of over $1000)! Located in the heart of the big apple, the gym will be a sure way to get fit in 2007. Think you should get the FREE 6-month membership to NYC's coolest gym?

All you have to do is join the "Are you Fit for the gym?" group and tell us why you deserve it most. Just create a blog entry by tonight, December 26th, by 11:59 pm PST and you will be entered in the contest.

If you don't live in the big apple, "e-mail this" to your friends who do. But they need to respond in a New York Minute since the contest ends tonight!!!!

Fitness Gadget: GoFit Ultimate ProGym

FitSugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0700

If you love to use dumbbells while strength training, you're going to love using resistance bands. Not only can you do the same exercises, but you'll work your muscles differently because you can move the band in every direction.

If you're in the market for some bands, check out this GoFit Ultimate ProGym. It comes with three different bands with 5-, 10-, and 15-pound tension, two ankle straps, a door anchor, and two handles. The best part is that it also comes with a DVD, so you can learn how to use all this great stuff to strengthen and tone every part of your body. I love that it comes with a little carrying bag, so you can bring it on vacation with you. OK, well maybe you won't, but at least you have the option.

Contest Still Going On: Are You FIT for the gym?

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 04:00:00 -0800

Hey gang! The contest is still on to win a FREE 6-Month Membership to NYC's hottest work out spot, the gym.

All you have to do is join my group: Are you FIT for the gym? and tell me why you need the membership most.

One contestant, Cg2003, shared this inspiring story:
"I'm graduating from college in exactly 6 months tomorrow. I've been trying and trying to lose some weight for my special day. i feel i'm most fit for the gym because i will be committed. i am a first generation college graduate, and it would feel so great for me if i could achieve my physical peak as well as my education peak. i want to start my new life more fit and more healthy."

Don't know how to post in a group, no problem, go to this how to tutorial to learn exactly how easy it is!

Don't live in NYC? Stay tuned for contests in your area but for now, be sure to email everyone that you know who lives in NYC so they can try for their chance at the membership.

Get in Gear: Gaiam's Everything Fits Gym Bag

FitSugar — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 03:00:00 -0800

I always have gym bag issues. It's just so hard to find a perfect size bag that will hold everything you need without breaking your back.

Gaiam's Everything Fits Gym Bag ($50) may be the answer. This cute bag features a roomy interior with a zippered pocket, an elastic pocket, and a key tether. The vented outside compartment can hold shoes, sweaty clothes or a wet towel. Also includes an easy-reach outside pocket for water bottle, inside and outside holsters for cell phone and MP3 player, and bottom adjustable straps for your yoga mat. What's more? It's made from 100% recycled polyester. It totally reminds me of the adorable Puddle Jumper Bag I fell in love with last year but is about $20 cheaper. Buy the Everything Fits Gym Bag here.

Fit Gift Guide: Gym Rat

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:30:00 -0800

If someone on your holiday gift list has found a second home in the gym, then it's safe to say you have a gym rat on your giving hands. A buff bod can never get enough fitness accessories, so why not enable their healthy habit with these gift ideas?

Power Block: Help your gym rat get lifted even when he can't make it to the gym. These compact weights take up little space and can replace up to 37 pairs of dumbbells.
Perfect Push-Up: Always striving to get the maximum out of every workout, any gym rat would appreciate this gadget that puts less stress on joints during push-ups while engaging more muscles.
Nike Running Shoe Wallet: Anybody who runs to the gym, likes to travel to the gym relatively empty handed, or wants to avoid the locker room, will appreciate the ease of a shoe wallet. It holds essentials like keys or cards and simply clips on to shoelaces.

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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Stop Hating the Gym and Start Loving It

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:50:43 -0800

If you are dreading moving your workouts indoors due to falling temperatures, let me help you learn to love, or at least tolerate, the gym. Here are some common reasons people hate hitting the gym, and solutions to help you overcome the hurdles.

I hate the gym because . . .	The solution
It's too expensive.	Go price hunting. There are so many different types of gyms that offer various services, so find one that fits your budget. Instead of paying $90 a month for a gym that has cardio machines, a weight room, classes, a pool, and a yoga studio, figure out what's most important to you and just pay for that. A gym down the street from me is only $10 a month for cardio and weight machines. Not bad at all.
It's too far away from my home.	If you can't find a gym close to where you live, try to find one close to where you work. That way you can head over on your lunch break or after work.
The cardio machines are boring.	Find a way to make them more enjoyable. I like to download audio books or podcasts onto my iPod. Listening really helps pass the time. Switching to different machines in one workout also helps beat boredom. Or try competing with a stranger.

To learn more ways to start loving the gym, keep reading.

Are you FIT for the gym? Contest

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 12:01:35 -0800

Calling all you New Yorkers: FitSugar and the gym, the latest and greatest gym brought to us by founders of Equinox, are giving away a FREE 6-month membership (a value of over $1000)! Located in the heart of the big apple, the gym will be a sure way to get fit in 2007.

Think you should get the FREE 6-month membership to NYC's coolest gym? All you have to do is join my Are you Fit to for the gym? group and tell us why you deserve it most.

Are you about to get married and want to fit into that special dress? Done having children and looking to shed the "baby" fat? Have you tried every diet in the book and now you want to try the fitness approach? Maybe you're a super couch potato, but since reading FitSugar, you're totally inspired? Have you heard about the gym and have been absolutely DYING to be a member? Or skinny jeans, need I say more... I'm sure you have your reasons and we all want to hear them all.

So post all your stories, sob stories, before pictures, motivational pictures of your kids or pictures of the dress you want to fit into and tell us why you're the most Fit for the gym.

To qualify, you must have your entry in by 12/26/06. I'll narrow it down and one extremely lucky winner will be announced on January 1st, 2007.

Don't live in NYC but know someone who does? Stay tuned for more give-a-ways near you but until then, e-mail them so they can participate now!

For officials rules, click here.

Fit Minute: Don't Belong to a Gym? No Worries

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0700

If your favorite excuse for not working out is that you don't belong to a gym, I have figured out many ways to work around this problem. Check out this Fit Minute from ExerciseTV to see some of my solutions to your problem.

Do have any additional ideas? Share them in the comment section below.

Nike+ Gym Equipment Coming to a 24-Hour Fitness Near You

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0700

In March, Nike and Apple announced they were working to integrate their Nike + iPod system with cardio equipment. The idea being that you could hop on a treadmill, elliptical, stair stepper, or stationary bike, track, and record your workouts in the same way that the Nike+ Sports Kit for the iPod works. The largest chain of gyms in the US, 24-Hour Fitness, just announced that in July, they'll be the first to offer this new Nike+ iPod compatible gym equipment. You'll see them in gyms located in New York, San Francisco, Miami, Denver, Portland, and Salt Lake City.

This is great news for people who love to mix up their cardio routines and want to know exactly how many miles they've gone and and how many calories they've burned. They'll be able to upload their data to the NikePlus.com website to keep track of all their workouts. Hopefully, in the near future other gyms will offer these NIke+ iPod compatible cardio machines, too.

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