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Fit Tip: Wash Your Sports Bra in the Shower With You

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700

After a run, I immediately hop in the shower not only to cool myself down, but also to wash off all the sweat and bacteria to prevent breaking out. Since I only have a few sports bras, I got into the habit of bringing my sports bra in the shower with me. I keep a little container of laundry detergent on the shelf so I can hand wash it really quickly, and then I let it dry over my shower rod. That way it's always clean when I want to wear it next, and I don't have to worry about doing a whole load of laundry just so I can have a clean sports bra. Plus, hand washing engineered wicking clothes helps to maintain the integrity of the fabric.

Fit's Tip: This is especially great to do when you're on vacation and don't have access to a washing machine. Just make sure you don't accidentally forget to bring it home!

Holiday Fit Tip: Be Sport Specific

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 02:00:00 -0800

Let's face it: As the month of December progresses, there seems to be less and less time to work out. Instead of trying to fit in the various elements of your workout, try just being sport specific. If you run, make sure you have time for your regularly scheduled runs and if you can fit in some weight training, great. If not, it is OK to skip strength training for a couple of weeks. If you cycle, get on your bike and get three rides in a week.

If you don't train for a specific sport, then aim for working out at least three times a week. Remember if you are pressed for time, adjust your workout by shortening your routine, don't eliminate exercising altogether.

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Fit Tip: Coach a Youth Sports Team

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0700

Lately we've been seeing Reese Witherspoon throwing the softball around, both preparing for a movie and playing with her kids. Even if you don't have kids of your own, coaching a youth team can be a great way to get in shape and feel good at the same time.

Even though you're not actually on the team, you'll run around plenty when trying to keep a team of teens or kids in check. You might want to try coaching a sport you played in high school, but you can also sign up to help coach a game you've only played recreationally. Many local teams can always use coaches, even if they aren't super experts.

So check out the volunteer opportunities at the National Alliance For Youth Sports or your local YMCA. Better yet, enlist a friend to coach with you, so it becomes a social activity, too.

Flynet

Shirtless Gavin Gives Us All a Reason to Be Thankful

PopSugarUK — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:45:48 -0800

Tennis fan Gavin Rossdale stripped down shirtless to play in Beverly Hills yesterday. With all that energy expended on the court, Gavin will be looking forward to his turkey today: Happy Thanksgiving to all our American readers and friends! It's becoming quite the annual tradition for Gavin to pick up his racket before the big Holiday, as the rocker also took to the tennis courts this time last year. The Stefani-Rossdales certainly love their big Autumn events.

To see more pictures of Gavin in all his shirtless glory, just read more.

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You Asked: Jackie Warner's New Project

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:50:18 -0800

After reading our review of Jackie Warner's fitness DVD Workout One-on-One Training, many of you expressed curiosity over the future of her hit Bravo series, Work Out. After making a call to Sky Sport Spa - Warner's gym - today, I was told the unfortunate news that the show won't be returning for a fourth season.

I was a bit bummed to hear this but then I remembered Warner has a new show in the works, Thintervention With Jackie Warner. Not only that, Bravo is still looking for real folks struggling with weight loss to cast in the series. Thintervention will feature Warner working with individuals in their day-to-day environments to give them a complete lifestyle overhaul.

Learn the details of this new weight-loss reality show when you read more.
A press release from Bravo breaks down the show's formula:

Each episode of the one hour series will feature a grueling workout with Warner pushing her clients to their emotional and physical limits, a therapy session to get to the root of their weight issues, and a life lesson in nutrition such as grocery shopping or surprise raids of their home kitchens.

Thintervention seems to be banking on the success of The Biggest Loser formula, and given Warner's no-BS attitude, I'm sure we'll see more than a few tears shed as the season goes on. What we won't see is all the drama in Warner's personal life and the lives of her trainers. Personally, I think the drama is what helped make Work Out such a hit among, viewers so it'll be interesting to see how her new show fares.

Are you excited about Thintervention, or do you want Work Out to come back?

Now Is the Time to Get Ready For the Slopes

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:41 -0800

Even though we're in the middle of Fall and I've yet to see any real signs of snow, experts say now is the time to get your butt in gear for Winter sports. Days on the slopes can be long and require a good amount of endurance, especially if you're the type who likes to visit the mountains for an extended weekend or even longer.

Veteran Winter Olympic athletes like ski racer Daron Rahlves and snowboarder Elena Hight recommend doing specific training for Winter sports six to eight weeks before the season starts. They say the key to lasting all day, weekend, or week on the slopes is to work on flexibility, strength, and cardio. A good mix of this will ensure you can snowboard from sunup to sundown. Being in tip-top shape will also help cut down on injuries.

An article in the San Francisco Chronicle asked a group of Winter Olympians and trainers their advice on getting in shape for Winter sports. Here's some of their advice.

Stretch for 15-20 minutes every day or do 10 minutes of sun salutations. Skiers should focus on their lower bodies, while snowboarders should focus on their upper and lower areas.
Two to three times a week, focus on strength training with emphasis on your quads, hamstrings, and core muscles. Keeping your legs and core strong helps with balance and endurance, and helps cut down on ACL injuries. If you can, use kettlebells and also make sure to do tons of squats, leg curls, and lunges.
Do some sort of aerobic activity for at least 15 minutes every day, keeping your heart rate elevated the entire time.

Sounds doable to me. Who's hungry for powder?

Get in Gear: Twist-To-Fit In-Ear Sport Headphones

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:45:00 -0700

One of the biggest complaints about ear buds is that they fall out when running due to the combination of increased sweat, bouncing around and small ear holes (for some).

These headphones ($38.83) may be the perfect solution. The twist-to-fit design is supposed to ensure stability while you're out jogging. The two earpieces contain rubber stoppers that press against the outer ear to further enhance stability. What's more? A clip is included to hold the headphones to your clothes when they're not in use, which I really like. The downside is that currently they seem to only come in neon green.

Fit Gift: Sport Jelly Bellies Stocking Stuffer

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 10:30:00 -0800

We told you about the Sport Bean Jelly Belly when they first came out. Candy that keeps you energized while you work out is definitely something to celebrate! The Sport Beans are fortified with electrolytes and vitamins not found in the regular Jelly Belly.

Well the UC David Sport Medicine Program just studied the beans and found that they are just as effective as popular sports drinks and gels for maintaining blood sugar levels in athletes as well as improving their performance.

If they are good enough for a tri-athlete, they are definitely good enough for me. Why not put them in your loved ones stockings so they won't poop out in when they work out. They are a nice alternative to all the candy we usually stuff in stockings.

Buy your Sport Beans from Jelly Belly directly.

And the 2009 Health and Fitness Trends Are . . .

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

Every year the American College of Sports Medicine surveys over a thousand sports medicine professionals about the fitness trends for the upcoming year. It seems that the predicted trends for 2009 are pretty similar to those we saw for 2008 - a mixture of generalized trends and exercise specifics.

Here are the top 10 health and fitness trends for 2009:

Educated and experienced fitness professionals. Certification and accreditation for health and fitness programs and professionals are becoming more common.
Children and obesity. Fitness programs to address childhood obesity are a top trend for the third year in a row in the ACSM survey.
Personal training. Personal trainers are becoming more accessible to more people, according to the survey.
Strength training. Men and women are lifting weights; staying strong while aging is increasingly part of their motivation.
Core training. This trend is about strengthening muscles in the abdomen and back to stabilize the spine.

To see the other hot trends read more.

Special fitness programs for older adults. This trend includes aging baby boomers, frail elders who want to get stronger for daily tasks, active older adults, and master athletes.
Pilates. Done on a mat or special equipment, Pilates trains the core muscles and improves flexibility and posture.
Stability ball. These big, inflatable balls (also called Swiss balls or exercise balls) are used for crunches, push-ups, and other exercises. Staying stable on the ball is part of the challenge.
Sport-specific training. This trend is about athletes training in the off-season to build their strength and endurance.
Balance training. In balance training, you might stand on a wobble board or use a stability ball to hone your balance. It's a trend for all ages.

Pilates has been popular for a long time now and I am not sure I would call it a trend, but rather a staple of the fitness industry. But I, for one, would love to take a group fitness class centered around the balance board. What about you?

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The Blind Side: An Unexpected Delight

BuzzSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:30:42 -0800

It's not that the trailer for The Blind Side isn't compelling; the problem is that it combines Sandra Bullock's twangiest, most-over-the top lines with a heartrending song, which makes it seem schlocky. That's exactly what I expected from the movie, but I have to admit that I was wrong - to my surprise, I found it to be a sentimental gem that's actually quite restrained.

The Blind Side is the true story (based on Michael Lewis's book) of NFL player Michael Oher, who grew up in Memphis's projects with his drug-addicted mother and landed in and out of foster homes. He ended up in a fancy private school and in the home of a wealthy family, the Touhys, led by tough-talking Leigh Anne (Bullock). The weaving of Michael's newfound life in the movie is effective, with sweet bits of humor and just enough emotion.

To see what I liked about the film, just read more.

The movie is full of many surprises: first, it looks like it's going to be mainly about football, but it's not all sports. There is proper attention given to Michael's life before he's taken in and the development of the relationships between the Touhy family members and Michael.

Another nice thing is how smoothly Bullock slides into her role. It's not just her wardrobe and hair that transforms her into the high-maintenance Southern matriarch; her manner as the tough mom who's not completely comfortable showing emotion is very natural - not what I'd expect from the laid-back actress.

Quinton Aaron is also impressive as a sad-eyed orphan turned well-adjusted student and son over the course of the movie. It's not an incredibly complex performance, but his teddy bear presence is irresistible. The supporting players are equally as enjoyable: Tim McGraw, whom I didn't expect much from, is charming, while the Touhy children win you over with their affection for their new brother. The late addition of Kathy Bates (whose role is basically an extended cameo) is hardly needed to bolster the movie, but she adds a nice touch as well.

At two hours and six minutes, the movie is a little too long; director John Lee Hancock seemed intent on fitting in nearly every detail of Michael's journey. Then again, at the end you're rewarded with the payoff: footage and photos of the real-life Touhys and Michael. It's an emotionally satisfying ending to a movie that makes no apologies for being so uplifting.

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.