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Fit Tip: Attach Your Workout to Your iPod

FitSugar — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:45:48 -0700

Are you hooked on my printable workouts yet? If so, make sure you keep up with them using this simple trick. If you keep your iPod with you at the gym, just tape your printout to the music player. If it's an interval program for the elliptical or treadmill, just cut out the workout you want and tape it to the back. Then, you can balance the iPod on your reading rack so it's easy to follow.

Or if you've got a longer regimen, like my all abs workout, fold it up and tuck it under the clip you use to affix the iPod to your waistband until you're ready to use it. That way the workout will move with you around the gym.

Fitness 101: 5 Things Every Workout Should Include

FitSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Here are five simple things to include in your workout, to make it both safe and effective:

Warm-up: Among other things a warm-up leads to efficient calorie burning, injury prevention, and prepares the body for the workout. This is true for both cardio workouts and strength training session.
Cardio: A cardio workout is great for the cardiovascular system and plays a very important role in weight management. If you're sticking to weights a little cardio is great for a warm-up and for a cool down to lower your blood pressure.
Strength training: This creates strength and good posture, reduces the risk of lower back injury, and builds muscle.
Cool-down: Among other things a cool-down prevents blood pooling, reduces the chances of dizziness or fainting, and slowly brings the heart rate back down. Think of it as a transition from your exercise life into the real world.
Flexibility Training: This maintains joint range of motion and reduces the risk of injury. Remember to stretch when your body is already warm.

Source

Quick Tip: Don't Go More than 48 Hours Between Workouts

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:15:00 -0800

Researchers from the University of Missouri have found that you should not be inactive for more than two days between workouts. The reason being when you're inactive for longer than 48 hours your body may experience an increase in the amount of fat and the size of fat cells in the body.

So, if you're on a workout kick, keep it up! Try not to go longer than two days in between workouts because you want to keep your momentum (mental and physical) going strong.

In Cooler Temps, Do You Prefer Indoor or Outdoor Workouts?

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:47:10 -0800

Now that the weather is changing and getting much chillier, some of us may be moving our workouts indoors, while others may love to sweat it out in the cool temps. Which do you prefer?

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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Fitness Magazine's Top 100 Workout Songs

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:43 -0800

Tired of listening to the same old Britney Spears and Madonna songs while you work out? Fitness magazine interviewed top personal trainers to find out what songs pump them up while working out, and they came up with a list of the top 100 workout songs. To hear a little taste, read more.

Favorite Workout Songs

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:00:46 -0700

Music motivates movement, and if you need some ideas for what tunes to turn up for your next workout, here are some suggestions from fellow FitSugar readers.

To hear the playlist, click play after you read more.

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!

Free Workout Music From Podrunner

FitSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:00:03 -0700

Music is the great fitness motivator, and the faster the beat, the faster you move. If you're looking for an entire playlist that offers non-stop, fixed tempo music for your running, walking, or cycling workouts, check out Podrunner.

The site offers free workout playlists to help keep your pace constant, with ranges between 152 to 181 beats per minute. Podrunner also has mixes designed for interval training. You can download these music mixes online or through iTunes, and the MP3 files can be played on most digital music players. The playlists are all electronica, and the music is energetic and upbeat. Best of all, it's free.

Get It Up, Your Heart Rate, That Is: Treadmill Hills and Legs

FitSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:00:35 -0700

If the Summer heat is forcing you to work out indoors, here is a treadmill workout that will certainly bust through your cardio-machine boredom.

Next time you're at the gym, try this hill climbing treadmill workout combined with a bit of strength training that will blast away calories and really work the muscles in your lower body. This workout will certainly help get your backside ready for the beach.

Check out the workout.