PopSugar

Fitness Switchup: Kickboxing Instead of Swimming

FitSugar — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Swimming is wonderfully meditative, quiet, and peaceful, but creating your own fitness motivation when cranking out the laps can be difficult.

If you find your love of the pool receding, it is time for a fitness switchup. I suggest you try a rocking group class like kickboxing. Your upper body will still take a beating (bad pun, I know), but you will be working your shoulders in a wider variety of motions, which is great for injury prevention. Jumping around on land is great for your bones since it's weight bearing, unlike swimming. Plus, being in a group class can buoy your waning motivation. The loud music and fun moves of kickboxing are certainly different, but are still complementary to your time in the pool.

Source

Have You Ever Walked Out of a Group Fitness Class?

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:47:38 -0800

Even if kickboxing or step aerobics aren't your ideal fitness experience, working out in a group can buoy your spirits and help motivate you to push yourself. That being said, occasionally there's a sub standing in for your favorite teacher and you just can't hack it. Or you try a new class, realize you're in over your head, and fear injury if you finish. I have quietly moved to the back of a workout studio and slipped out the door to finish a workout on a treadmill when a class just wasn't moving enough for me. What about you?

Class Act: Turbo Kick

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 03:00:00 -0700

If you are trying to fit some punching into your workout, but don't want to miss out on dancing, then TurboKick might be just what you are looking for. The 60 minute classes combine the agility and rigor of both hip hop and Muay Thai Boxing – love the super multi-cultural mix.

The class begins and ends with a tai chi like warm up, with some ab work (crunches with choreographed punches) added at the end. Classes are made of "rounds," which are sections of classic boxing moves, from upper cuts to roundhouse kicks, with dance steps. The rounds are choreographed to the music, and the sequences build in 8 count sections with many repetitions. So you get a workout with all those reps as you also become familiar with the moves. You do not need to be a dancer or familiar with dance moves to enjoy the class and get your heart rate up. And it is fun! I really appreciated that my upper back and arms felt totally worked without having to do a single push up or lift a dumbbell; there is serious power to a punch. Beware, this class could make you really excited putting on some gloves and punching a bag!

Looking for a class near you? Then read more.

I found this class at my local YMCA. You can find a class with this thorough class finder.

Fit's Tips: Remember when punching that your entire body should be involved. You should pivot on the ball of your foot so your pelvis will move with your punch. If you just punch from your arms, your low back will bear the brunt of the movement. So twist with your punch and put your body into it.

Source

The Lowdown on Exercising High

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Recently FitSugar reader mamasitamalita wrote in to ask about her friend who works out while buzzed. Apparently it's more common than I thought, and it's not the only thing people are doing before hitting the gym. An anonymous reader commented

"Sometimes, every once in a while, I will get stoned before yoga or a long run - it helps me to calm down and focus on the task at hand, rather than obsessing about work or personal stresses."

So this brings up another issue. What about working out while high? Although illegal, people still smoke pot, so to find out if it's safe to light up before burning calories keep reading

Speak Up: What Exercise Do You Find Most Intimidating?

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:53 -0700

Even the most fervent fitness fanatics have things we just won't do. I'm all for taking up new fitness habits, but they don't always stick. I shy away from ice climbing, and I have friends who are terrified of surfing.

Some fitness fears are more basic: maybe you've always wanted to take group kickboxing classes, but the thought of keeping up with the steps keeps you up at night. Or perhaps you shudder at stepping into the free-weight section of your gym. So let's get it off our chests: what form of exercise do you find most intimidating, and why?

Back on Track: Order Some New Fitness DVDs

FitSugar — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 03:30:00 -0700

If you're doing the same types of workouts over and over again, the boredom can lead to skipping out on exercise entirely. So before that happens, you've got to mix up your routine a little. One way to do that is to try out some new fitness DVDs. So get online or head to the bookstore and pick up a few new videos. Need ideas? Here are some of my faves:

	Shiva Rea - Creative Core + Upper Body: This yoga video is a total body workout, but like the name suggests, it really focuses on your upper body. I was so sore the next day with all the push-up sets you do in between poses. It's a great video for beginner and advanced yogis alike.
	Zumba Total Body Transformation System: It's a low impact, fun workout, and the Latin music is infectious - it's hard to stay still with the enticing beats.

To see the rest read more.

	10 Minute Solution KnockOut Body: This kickboxing video comes with weighted gloves, and I was glistening with sweat by the end with all the kicking, jumping, punching, lunges, and sculpting moves.
	Element Pilates Weight Loss For Beginners: The perfect introduction for beginners, but veterans won't be bored, especially if you use the workout to ease into the day.
	Hoopnotica - Hoopdance Basics: Hooping is a unique workout that uses an adult-size weighted hula hoop. Not only is it an awesome cardio workout, but all the tricks you can learn also sculpt your core and upper body.

Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:00:14 -0700

Dine like a star: healthy, celeb-approved recipes from LA restaurants - Self
Biking to work is challenging but worth it - That's Fit
Calorie counts on menus are shockingly inaccurate - Nutrition Data Blog
Valerie Bertinelli completes a half marathon! - FitCeleb
Kickboxing plus yoga equals koga - Vitamin G
More on David Kirsch's Butt Book - Vital Juice
The ever-evolving, very confusing world of food labeling - Mark's Daily Apple
Four fun ways to exercise outside this Summer - Shape

Jillian Michaels Gets Wii Fit

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0800

Jillian Michaels is a tough cookie when it comes to training, and I love her hardcore attitude. The Biggest Loser trainer teamed up with Nintendo to create her workout for Wii Fit called Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009 ($37), and the final product looks like a fun way to get fit.

She visited ABC News to discuss the game and explained that she "got fat" as a kid playing video games, and hopes the Fitness Ultimatum will be an effective solution for combating childhood obesity. She's targeting kids by making the game fun and interactive, complete with cool graphics, but it's something the whole family can use. Jillian says eventually you can burn 300 to 400 calories an hour doing things like kickboxing, running, and squats.

To see a video of Jillian demonstrating with the Wii Fit, read more.

Gyms Offering Sexy Way to Burn Calories With Sex Rooms?

DearSugar — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:00:00 -0700

When you meet someone, chances are you forget all about your healthy eating habits and your weekly trips to the gym. You spend more time eating out and sitting on the couch, which can lead to weight gain. Luckily though, a popular chain of fitness centers is offering a racy new way to encourage couples to work out together, and drop those extra pounds. They're installing Sex Rooms in their facilities.

Since anything physical burns calories, including sex, people can choose to either run on the treadmill, take a cardio kickboxing class, or get it on with their lover - all in one place. The membership fee won't change, which is great news in this economy. The Sex Room includes a comfy bed, music, and candles, so you two can meet at the gym at noon, get in a sexy workout, and head back to work.

To find out which gyms will be offering these risque Sex Rooms, read more.

Happy April Fools' Day! You were right if this sounded too weird to be true. If you want to burn some calories with your partner, you'll have to meet somewhere else!

Source

Speak Up: What Form of Exercise Just Isn't For You?

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0700

The fitness world is full of options. From yoga and Pilates, to cycling, running, weight lifting, dancing, kickboxing, and variations of everything in between, the list of ways to work out goes on for miles - just like endurance running. Some people are fanatics for some forms of exercise, while other options make them less than excited to move. The important thing is finding a workout that works for you. Tell me, what type of exercise have you tried and decided it just isn't for you?

Source