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Rowbike: This Looks Like Fun

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 02:00:17 -0800

The Rowbike is an exercise machine that provides the total body conditioning of rowing with the speed and excitement of being on a bicycle.

Riding the Rowbike will strengthen your arms, shoulders, upper back, and core muscles. It's a great cardio workout if you're used to running or regular biking, but it's much easier on your lower back, hips, knees, and feet.

It's a fun way to lose weight, tone up, lower your blood pressure, and relieve stress. It's also great for stretching your back, abs, and hamstrings.

Starting at $775, it's about as much as a regular high performance bike. Use it for exercise or a way to commute to work. You can enjoy the fresh air, and work your heart and muscles, and feel good knowing you're NOT contributing to air pollution.

Stretch It: Shoulder and Neck Stretching Backbend

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:00:42 -0800

This stretch may look familiar if you've taken a yoga class. It's the prep pose you learn before doing Wheel pose. Also called Half Wheel, this stretch will increase flexibility in your spine, and also stretch out your shoulders and the back of your neck. Because it doesn't require a lot of energy, it has both a calming and energetic effect on the body and mind.

Want to know how to do this stretch? Then read more.

Begin lying flat on your back with your arms along the sides of your body, with your palms facing down.
Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor. Walk your heels as close as you can to your bum, keeping them hip-width apart. Make sure both feet are parallel.
With your palms and feet pressing firmly into the ground, lift your hips off the floor.
Stay here, or clasp your hands together below your pelvis, extending through your arms. I like to rock my weight from side to side so that I can bring my shoulder blades closer together.
Stay here for 30 seconds. Try to keep lifting the hips up as high as you can, and gaze toward your belly.
To release this stretch, gently lower your booty back to the ground. Then stretch through your lower back by hugging your knees into your chest.

You Asked: How Can I Do the Wheel Pose?

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:00:00 -0800

You're asking and I'm answering . . .

"Hi Fit!! I'm taking a yoga class at the university gym. Once every class, the teacher will ask us to do the wheel and everybody either can or can't do it. I can't but would love to learn how. How can I build up to be able to do the wheel? Thanks!!"
- Tiny Bubble

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Yummy Links: From Steering Wheel Tables to Preggatinis

partysugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:50:34 -0700

Just what the world needs! A steering wheel dining table. - Eat Me Daily
Michael Symon has plans to open a burger joint. - Eater
Did the Internet kill Gourmet magazine?- Serious Eats
Ashley talks about her experience on Top Chef. - The Feedbag
Do you have a food blog? Here's how you can celebrate Gourmet. - A Mingling of Tastes
Michael Ruhlman is now excepting your comments and questions. - Chow
Mario Batali describes his ideal last meal. - The Epi-Log
Ben Ali, the founder of Ben's Chili Bowl has passed away. - Grub Street NY
Moms-to-be: check out these non-alcoholic mocktails. - Simply Stated

Blast Back From the Past: Big Wheels

LilSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:00:45 -0700

As a child of the 80s, I fondly remember Big Wheels. Seated just inches off the ground, lil rascals tore down the sidewalks pretending they were Ponch and John from CHiPs.

Introduced at the 1969 Toy Fair, The Big Wheel was a staple in many American homes by the late 70s. Made of plastic, they were cheaper than traditional tricycles and considered to be safer, due to their thick wheels and inability to tip over. By the mid-80s, the company that produced them had gone out of business and the original Big Wheel was no longer making the rounds. Today, the Original Big Wheel ($35) has been reintroduced by a new manufacturer and is winning over a new generation of riders. Though the current version does not have the hand brake that allowed the trike to spin in an awesome circle like the previous one did, it looks similar and is sure to bring back a flood of memories for the parents buying it for their tykes.

It Took a Lot of Tries to Wii-Invent the Wii Wheel

GeekSugar — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 07:10:40 -0700

With Mario Kart for the Wii hitting store shelves April 27, I'm already getting my engine revved up and am dying to get my hands on a Wii Wheel (which just so happens to come with the game!). A wheel is a wheel is a wheel right? Not exactly. When Mario Kart Wii creators were asked about the development of Mario Kart Wii, they said that there were 30 different prototype Wii Wheels before they got just the right wheel design. . . as some were not white, and some were not perfectly round. For more interesting Mario Kart tid-bits, check out the full interview!
Source

Need a Challenge? Step Up to the Nimbus Ultimate Wheel

FitSugar — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0800

You started with a tricycle, then you moved to a regular two-wheel bike. Learning to ride a unicycle seems like the next step, right? If you agree, then check out the Nimbus Ultimate Wheel ($90). It's a unique one-wheel ~~bike~~ cycle with no seat, so it's especially challenging for your balance. Since it has no handlebars, you'll end up working your core and upper body much more than you would on a regular ol' bike. Practicing riding this bike could help you with tons of other sports and activities that require balance, such as snowboarding, yoga, dance, and surfing.

Want to see someone give it a try? Then read more.

Man, this guy is really good (just ignore the pleather pants)!

Lil Tip: Pizza Wheels For Cutting Kiddie Meals

LilSugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:00:10 -0800

A fork and knife can only go so far when cutting up your lil one's meals. Once your baby moves beyond pureed food and you find yourself cutting up everything she eats into bite sized pieces, you may notice that forks and knives can really destroy the food you serve. The cheese starts falling off of the crust of the pizza, the breading slides off of the chicken nuggets and in the end you are left with an unappetizing plate of scraps. After experimenting with a few kitchen gadgets, I found that a pizza wheel does wonders for a variety of foods. They create clean cut pieces that keep toppings intact. The Zyliss Pizza Wheel ($10) is small enough to take with me when dining out and easy to stash in the zippered pocket of my diaper bag (far away from prying hands).

Things on Wheels Coming to XBox Live Arcade This Summer

GeekSugar — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:03:52 -0800

Racing Games: Seen one, seen 'em all, right? With the new format of Burnout Paradise totally blowing my mind, I thought innovation would take a backseat for a bit while we got used to a new way of playing racers. Little did I know that game developer Load had something up its sleeves. In a partnership with Xbox Live Arcade, Load will be letting us in on what is sure to be a big Summer hit: Things on Wheels.

Things on Wheels lets you control your very own RC car through a big and shiny art deco mansion, avoiding obstacles and hazards like stacks of magazines in the living room and oven coils in the kitchen as you race from room to room. And it's not just me that's geeking out about the concept. Game publisher Southpeak Games saw the potential too: "Competing with real life remote control cars is great fun, so why not do it in a video game? ToW delivers the same reckless thrill," says CEO Melanie Mroze in a company announcement.

Who didn't love racing remote control cars when they were kids? Only now we can finally do it in the house without hearing it from mom! Expect to see Things on Wheels to hit XBox Live Arcade sometime this Summer.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Wheel

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 04:00:00 -0800

In Ashtanga yoga, right before you go into the closing sequence, you do the Wheel, aka backbend. This is one of my favorite poses because not only does it increase flexibility in your spine, but it also opens up your shoulders and strengthens your upper back and thighs.

Sanskrit Name: Urdhva Dhanurasana
English Translation: Upward Bow Pose
Also Called: Wheel or Full Backbend

Want to know a great trick for getting into this pose? Then read more

Lie on your back, bend your knees, and place your feet flat on the ground (heels as close as possible to your booty).
Bend your elbows and place your palms flat on the ground above your shoulders, fingertips facing your feet.
Inhale, press into your palms and lift your head and shoulders off the ground, placing the crown (top) of your head on the mat.
Check to make sure your hands and feet are parallel. You can stay here, getting used to being upside down, or take a deep inhale as you straighten your arms and lift your head off the ground. Once you're fully in the pose, try to walk your hands and feet a little closer together.
Stay here for five deep breaths and then slowly lower your body down. Eventually you want to do this pose for a total of three times.
Hug your knees into your chest to release your lower back. Then roll up to a sitting position and do a Seated Forward Bend as a counter pose.

Fit's Tips: If you want to try this pose but feel you need a little support then try Wheel pose with an exercise ball.