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Beyonce's Trainer Reveals 5-Minute Preparty "Body Blast"

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:50:29 -0800

When I'm totally wrapped up in Thanksgiving cooking, prepping, organizing, shopping (need I go on?), there's hardly a fighting chance that I'll make it to the gym for a full-on workout. Usually, I'll try to squeeze in a set of push-ups while prepping dinner preparation, or an early morning yoga session, if I can. So, I was excited to see Marco Borges, the trainer credited with whipping Beyonce, husband Jay-Z, and Gwen Stefani into tip-top shape, sharing an easy and no-equipment-needed workout with US Weekly. Here are the five moves he suggests to give yourself an all-over body-blasting workout (even if you only have five minutes to spare before your guests arrive):

Jumping Plies: I call these jumping squats, but it doesn't matter what you call them as long as you do them. Here's how: stand with your feet just a bit wider than shoulder-width apart, abs pulled in tight, and bend your knees, lowering your body till your thighs are parallel to the floor and jump straight into the air. Return to starting position and repeat for one minute.

Reverse Lunges: Standing with feet shoulder-width apart, step back into a lunge and repeat on the opposite side, alternating for one minute. Be sure that abs remain tight throughout, working your core and maintaining your balance and posture.

Push-Ups: According to Marco, "The push-up is quite possibly one of the simplest and best body weight movements targeting the muscles of the chest, arms, shoulders and core." Do as many classic push-ups, or moderated position push-ups from your knees, as you can for a full one minute, making sure to maintain proper form and bring your chest as close to the floor as you can before pushing back to starting plank position.

For the rest of Marco's workout, keep reading

David Kirsch's Boot Camp Circuit Workout

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:30:34 -0800

We are headed straight for the ultimate day of American indulgence, Thanksgiving, which if followed by a month of festivities closing out the year. New York based trainer David Kirsch created a workout to help FitSugar readers stay on track this holiday season. He's helped Heidi Klum bounce back post baby, so he can definitely help us all tone up. David's circuit boot camp is intense, fun, and sure to burn calories. Here's how to follow the workout.

Instructions: Work through the entire circuit doing 15 to 20 reps of each exercise. Then repeat entire circuit twice more for a total of three sets. Your goal is to complete three full sets in 45 minutes. Props needed: a set of three- to five-pound dumbbells, a four- to six-pound medicine ball, and an exercise ball to fit your height.

Click here for the PDF of the workout, then print it.
Source: WireImage

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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?

Work Out: One-on-One Training With Jackie

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:30:35 -0800

I definitely was a fan of Jackie Warner's Bravo show, Work Out. And though I didn't always agree with the drama in her personal life, Warner's workout ethic is inspiring. I was recently given a copy of the fitness DVD, Workout: One-on-One Training With Jackie ($10) and the picture of Warner on the cover was enough to make me drop and give her 20. It's obvious that Warner works hard for her body, and that's enough for me to buy what she's selling.

Warner has designed an intense workout that focuses on upper body, lower body, and core. You can combine the three sections together for a grueling one-hour workout, or just focus on one area for about 20 minutes. Warner is great at talking you through the moves, and there are also modifications for beginners and the more advanced.

To hear more of my thoughts on Workout, read more.

I like my workouts to feel intense but to also fly by, and Warner provides that to a tee. Her workout offers a wide variety of moves with a lot of twists on the classics, and she offers little rest between them. Don't be fooled by how quickly time moves though, this is definitely an intense cross training workout - it combines alternating strength (you'll need hand weights) and cardio exercises. After doing this workout my abs were definitely sore the next day.

I think fans of Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred will really appreciate Workout. They both move at the same pace and each trainer has a similar no-nonsense, but encouraging approach. Beginners might benefit from Warner's DVD a bit more though because unlike Michaels, she does a much better job at instructing. This was especially helpful during the exercises where weights are used.

My only beef with the DVD is that there were some segments in which all of her trainers did not participate. Instead of going off camera they sat in the background, which might be a little distracting or uninspiring for viewers. Despite that criticism I definitely recommend this DVD and can attest that my abs were still sore two days later!

When Is It OK to Work Out Sick?

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:30:12 -0700

'Tis the season for coughs and sniffles. If you're like me, the idea of having to skip a workout because of a small cough seems crazy. When is the best time to choose rest over a treadmill though? Take my quiz to find out . . .

Take the quiz

New Exercise Trend: Masala Bhangra

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:00:20 -0700

Last week we talked about the new workouts you wanted to try and today we're adding another to the list: Masala Bhangra. For those of you not familiar with Masala Bhangra, it's similar to the energetic dance numbers seen in Bollywood cinema and the worldwide hit Slumdog Millionaire.

Created by expat Sarina Jain, the hour-long cardio workout incorporates sliding steps, squats, jumps, turns, and lots of hand and wrist movement set against upbeat modern Bhangra music - a percussion-based genre that sounds like a mash-up of hip-hop and classical Indian music. The instructors are extremely motivating and the class environment feels more like a fun party than a workout regimen.

Jain first introduced the workout through a series of tapes in the 1990s but as she sensed the growing interest in Indian culture, she decided to teach classes as well. If you are a fan of dance workouts, give Masala Bhangra a try. It's a great way to burn 500 calories.

If you have done this workout, I'd love to hear what you think of it . . .

Is Christina Hendricks Losing Her Curves?

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:15:00 -0700

Wearing a gorgeous L'Wren Scott dress, Mad Men actress Christina Hendricks showed off her glowing skin and new, slimmer figure at this year's Emmy Awards. Hendricks, who plays the curvy secretary Joan Holloway on the popular series, is said to be dieting for her upcoming nuptials to Geoffrey Arrend.

At an Emmy afterparty, costar January Jones commented that she hopes Hendricks holds onto her signature curves. I think most of you will agree that Hendricks looks amazing as is, but getting in shape before the big day is almost a rite of passage for new brides.

Jones won't have to worry though - Hendricks recently told Self that she is more than content with the way she looks: "My healthiest habit is keeping positive about my body at whatever stage it is - being confident and celebrating who I am at the moment."

To learn how she's tweaking her diet and exercise program, just read more.

The actress went on to describe her diet and says she makes food choices based on seasonality, sticking to high-energy proteins and setting limits on her carb intake. As for her fitness regimen, she and her fiancé meet with a trainer three times a week for a strength and cardio workout: "It's amazing how quick an hour can go by when you work out with someone you love."

I love the approach Hendricks is taking towards her health - it's balanced and, most important, she seems really happy. What do you think: are you worried like Jones that she'll lose her curvy figure?

10 New Workouts to Try

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:30:55 -0700

Going to the gym every day can feel monotonous. An easy way to get out of a rut is to try a new class or workout. Here are some of the classes you told us you wanted to try, as well as a few of our own suggestions to inspire you.

Source: HoopNotica

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Are Your Weekend Workouts Longer?

FitSugar — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:30:00 -0700

I'm psyched when the weekend rolls around because my schedule is fairly wide open, so I can plan longer workouts than I'd be able to do Monday through Friday. I like to go for hikes with the fam, make dates with my running buddies to do longer runs, or my hubby and I go for hour-long bike rides. What about you?

Do You Wear Rings When You Work Out?

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:00:12 -0700