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Do You Know Which Cardio Machine Meets Your Needs?

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0700

It's one of those rare days when you get to the gym and all the cardio machines are free. Which do you choose? You have many options and each machine has its advantages, so take this quiz to see which cardio machine is best for you.

Take the quiz

Fresh Ice Cream in 45 Seconds?

YumSugar — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 15:20:41 -0800

Imagine this: you're out shopping and you get this wild craving for ice cream. Fresh ice cream. Actually, make that, fresh ice cream in your favorite flavor. Normally you would have to settle for a scoop from Baskin Robbins or stop and pick something up from the store, but not anymore.

Thanks to the crazy scientists over at MooBella, you can now walk up to a machine, choose your favorite flavor (vanilla, mocha and caramel to name a few), pick your favorite topping (cookies, M&Ms, etc.), insert your 3 bucks and then 45 seconds later have a perfectly fresh cup of ice cream. Fresh as in mixed, flash-frozen, and aerated all in 45 seconds.

CNNMoney.com Reports:

All the ingredients are modular and sealed in hygienic pouches. The computer that controls the process is based on the Unix operating system, and the machine is programmed to report instantly, using wireless Internet, when it needs supplies or maintenance.

I've read that it tastes really smooth, creamy and delicious. Unfortunately, they've only got two vending machines operating right now and they're both in the Boston area. So if you live near one, try it out and let us all know how it is!

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.

Fitness 101: Smith Machine

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:00:15 -0700

When it comes to strength training, I am usually a free weight kind of gal. Then I learned to love the cable pulley machine. I was still looking to branch out a little more, so my trainer Hannah introduced me to the Smith machine. Essentially, the weight machine consists of a barbell that slides on a fixed rail, and can lock into place at the fixed points along the track. Twisting the barbell activates J-shaped hooks on the side of the bar that lock into holes on the rails. This simple locking mechanism turns the Smith machine into a "spotter," making it easier to work on hardcore moves like bench presses when you're alone at the gym. The Smith machine only moves in the vertical plane, which makes some exercises harder on the joints. Although squats seem to be a popular exercise to do using this machine, many fitness experts think the fixed plane of motion of the machine forces the body into compromising positions. You can still use this machine to get a full body workout, and by locking the bar you can do variations on incline pull-ups and push-ups.

While I always think of the Smith machine as something for gym dudes, I am keen to learn more. If your gym has this machine, ask someone to show you how to use it. See if they can teach you a few different types of exercises with it.

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:30:14 -0700

It's one of my favorite days of the week: Tuesday! Which means I get to add DVDs to my Netflix queue, along with some brand new tunes for my iPod. So check out today's music releases for what you should download. (And if you like to review albums, don't forget to take a peek at the Music Review Group in the community.)

A smooth ride: Sufjan Stevens takes a breather from his states project with BQE, an ode to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. He originally performed the work to accompany a film about the road, but the music stands on its own as a beautiful orchestral arrangement. Warning if you like Stevens's mellow voice: BQE is all instrumental. Still, it proves that he has what it takes as a composer, and I'd like to see him lend his talents to more of this sort of work. My picks: Movement II: Sleeping Invader, which sounds like a ballet dream sequence, and Traffic Shock, which mixes in clashing electronic sounds like a busy gridlock.

Pretty packs a punch: If you haven't heard of Florence and the Machine, get ready. Florence Welch is the latest spunky Brit singer on the scene, and her debut Lungs already went platinum in the UK. Today, it's available to buy stateside. She's the singer I'd want to be if I had my own band - a woman who wails while banging the tambourine - and her album veers between tough-chick anthems and haunting ballads a la Sarah McLachlan. Make sure you try the hand-clapping, feel-good Dog Days Are Over or the romantic Cosmic Love.

See two more releases when you read more.

Freaky fun: If you're a Flight of the Conchords fan - or even if you're not - you'll want to check out I Told You I Was Freaky, a compilation of music from season two (including three previously unreleased tracks). Sure, half the fun is watching the boys act out each song on the show (and Jemaine's wicked dance moves), but when you listen to the music on its own, you realize just how talented they really are. Each selection could qualify for radio-play - or just a ridiculously fun karaoke night. The album includes favorites like Sugarlumps, Hurt Feelings, and the Emmy-nominated Carol Brown.

Lyrical wanderlust: Jay Farrar of Son Volt and Benjamin Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie team up on One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Music From Kerouac's Big Sur, an ode to the famous author's work. The two musicians met while working on a documentary about Kerouac and decided to collaborate on this album using words from his novel. It's fitting then that the result feels like a cross-country trip - lazy and laid-back with some twangy country, Americana sound. I'll be adding the title track and California Zephyr to my car playlist.

Gym Equipment Explained: Cable Pulley Machine

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 04:00:00 -0800

That huge - and slightly daunting - object sitting smack dab in the middle of the gym could be one of the most versatile machines because its flexible cables work your muscles in every direction. You also hit your core by fighting the momentum that pulls you back toward the machine.

What: Cable Pulley Machine (or Cable Machine)
Area of Body It Works: The cable machine can be used to work almost any part of the body, but especially the core.
Why: The cable machine's flexible cables can work your muscles in every direction - you're also almost always working your core as your body fights the momentum that pulls you back toward the machine.
How: There are numerous exercises you can do using the cable machine, far too many to name. I like to focus on doing movements that use major muscle groups and multiple joints, like your legs, back, chest, shoulders and glutes. Your best bet is to ask a staff member at your gym to show you a few exercises.

Source

Rowing Machine Do's and Don'ts

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 08:45:00 -0700

You've seen it laying on the floor at the gym and you've also seen others get on and go, so should you workout on the rowing machine too? You may be a little intimidated by the rowing machine, but did you know that it is a great aerobic workout that targets the upper and lower body muscles?

Here are the DO's and DON'Ts of using a rowing machine to get you started:

DO: Make sure that your heel is resting comfortably against the base of the foot pedal and that the strap is secured.
DON'T: Row barefoot.
DO: Set the resistance at low if you're a beginner.
DON'T: Row on high resistance until you've got form figured out.
DO: Sit up straight (your back should have a slight natural arch) and bend forward at the hips.
DON'T: Arch your back or hunch over your shoulders.
DO: Keep your elbows tucked close to your side.
DON'T: Allow your elbows to raise up as high as your shoulders.
DO: Alternate between overhand or underhand to decrease arm fatigue.
DON'T: Use one arm at any time.
DO: Push with your legs to minimize back strain.
DON'T: Use your back to pull the bar.
DO: Bend your arms as you pull on the bar until your elbows pass behind your torso and the handles are about an inch from your stomach.
DON'T: Bring your legs or arms to full extension.
DO: Use the rowing machine if your back is completely healthy.
DON'T: Use the rowing machine if you have a history of back problems.

Source

Fittingly Mad: Crap in the Snack Machine

FitSugar — Sat, 19 May 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Doritos, Fritos, Oreos, gummy bears, Lays potato chips, Snickers, M&Ms, Butterfingers, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey Bars, Lifesavers, Twizzlers! I know this sounds like a PMS wish list, but this is the "food" in the snack vending machine where I work. You call that crap a snack?!

I'm usually one to bring my lunch and snacks from home, and this is a major reason why - It's hard to find healthy food in a pinch. It's really becoming annoying! I mean, what kind of message is this sending to kids (and adults) when everywhere they turn is sugar, partially hydrogenated oil and trans fat!

I wish we could replace all those crappy snacks with healthy, energy-giving munchies that are made of actual food. Here's what I'd put in my healthy vending machine:

granola bars like ones made by Kashi and
Whole grain crackers like TLC crackers
Tiny tubs of real peanut butter (just peanuts - no sugar or corn syrup)
LARABARS
Packages of mixed nuts
Packages of dried fruit
Bear Naked Trail Mix
Nature's choice cereal bars
Newman's Own Organic pretzels
Gardin of Eatin' Tortilla chips (I love Pico de Gallo)
Endangered Species Chocolate bars

Fit's Tips: Until YoNaturals, the San Diego based company with the healthy vending machine idea gets its machines into the world, be your own vending machine. I always keep granola bars and ziploc baggies of trail mix in my purse and gym bag just in case.

Source

Florence & the Machine "You've Got The Love" - Spin It?

PopSugarUK — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Florence & the Machine are releasing their cover of Candi Staton's "You've Got the Love" on November 16, and here's the video! It's sparkly and dreamlike, and fits the song perfectly. I love it, but I'd like to know if you do too - will you spin it, or sling it?

Happy Hour: Green Machine & Vodka

partysugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:13:20 -0700

In honor of today being 420, and this weekend being Earth Day, I thought it would be fun to create my own green cocktail. I was brainstorming ingredients and wanted something that was healthy and alcoholic. If tomato juice and orange juice are mixed with vodka to make super tasty drinks, why not mix together Naked Juice's (which, in case you haven't noticed, is all the rage now... and seriously while the best mimosas are made with fresh OJ, when you're in a pinch, Odwalla's OJ is the next best thing to freshly squeezed) Green Machine with my favorite liquor? Not for the fair-of-heart, Green Machine is a fruit juice blend of apple and kiwi that is supposed to help you detox, revive, and energize. So yesterday afternoon I transformed into Mad Scientist PartySugar and came up with an interesting mix of green machine, vodka (Level had recently sent me a bottle and I was anxious to try it), lemon juice, and Sprite. Raise your glass to celebrate mother nature and read more

Green Machine & Vodka
From PartySugar

1 1/2 oz vodka (I recommend Level for its undeniable smoothness)
1 oz Naked Juice's Green Machine
1 oz Sprite
juice of half of a lemon

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Combine all of the ingredients in the cocktail shaker.
Shake and strain into a tumbler filled with ice.
Enjoy!

Serves 1.

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