Exercise Routines

Resistance band workouts that tone

Laura Williams, M.S.Ed. — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:12:00 -0700

Grab your resistance bands and get ready to get started! With five do-anywhere moves, you'll be toned up and ready to hit the beach or the streets in no time.

How to: Simple playground workouts

Laura Williams, M.S.Ed. — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:09:00 -0700

It's tempting to use playground time as an opportunity to catch up on the latest celebrity gossip zines, but you should really get up off that park bench and get your butt in shape. As your kids tear around the jungle gym like wild monkeys, use the equipment as your own personal fitness center.

Best group fitness classes for heart health

Laura Williams, M.S.Ed. — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:15:00 -0800

Regular exercise is a key component of long-term heart health, so the best form of exercise is the one you'll do consistently. There are certain group exercise classes that pump up the fun while pumping up your heart rate. Check out a few of our favorite group exercise classes that will do wonders for your ticker!

5 Fast and fun workouts for busy moms

Michele Borboa, MS — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:01:00 -0700

Don’t you recall hearing the horror stories of your friends who had kids and reluctantly chucked their fitness out the window? You may have then thought that they were using motherhood as an excuse to not break a sweat and you may have even thought that you’d never let kids stand in the way of your workouts. But here you are with kids and you're seeing that finding time to exercise is an emotionally wrenching struggle. Good news: Instead of pining for those two-hour trips to the gym, simply put these five fast and fun workouts on your busy mom schedule.

Learn to exercise with your kids

Maria Mora — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:00:00 -0800

Short on time and low on inspiration? Try fun activities that get you and your kids moving together. When you’re having fun, you’re far more likely to stick with your exercise routine. Best of all, your children will learn to love being active.

Fit in fitness over the holidays with fun kitchen exercises

Jessica Padykula — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:37:00 -0800

The holiday season usually means lots of indulging and not a lot of exercise -- a recipe that usually translates into extra numbers on the scale. But fitting in fitness despite the lack of time and in the face of all those treats can be easier than you think. Fitness expert Sara Haley has some simple but effective no-excuse workout tips to help you squeeze in some exercise this season – in the kitchen.

4 Ways to sneak in exercise with your newborn

Michelle Maffei — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

When you have a newborn, getting yourself into the shower by noon is considered a successful day. So, fitting in exercise for mom is likely the last thing on your priority list. Although making time for an exercise routine when you bring home your bundle of joy can be tricky, it is possible with the right tips. From taking the baby for a stroll to doing lunges to lull your baby off to dreamland, discover four ways to sneak in exercise with your newborn baby in your life.

5 Summer-ready abs exercises

Linda Melone, CSCS — Fri, 06 May 2011 12:16:00 -0700

If bathing suit shopping makes you wish for an icy, freezing snowstorm, it may be time to get those abs in summer shape. Keep in mind that all the crunches in the world won't help if your diet consists of fast-food and vending machine meals. But combining regular exercise with a healthy diet will have your abs beach-ready just in time for the fireworks display.

5 Kenpo karate moves for full-body fitness

Michele Borboa, MS — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 11:05:00 -0700

If aerobic dance classes have you yawning, punch and kick your body into shape with Kenpo. Ellen Nalaboff, celebrity fitness guru, life coach, and owner of Ellen's Fitness Studio in New York, challenges you to try this five-move Kenpo karate workout – it not only shreds calories, it will strengthen and tone every muscle in your body.

Partner Pilates: Friend-ilates for fitness

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 05:01:00 -0700

Working out with a fitness buddy is one of the best ways to stick to your exercise plan and reach your weight loss and fitness goals. Andrea Metcalf, nationally renowned fitness expert and author of Naked Fitness: The Proven 28 Day Lifestyle Program for a Slimmer, Fitter, Pain-Free Body, has turned Pilates into a partner workout to help you build muscle, burn calories and strengthen your relationships. Here are four Pilates exercises to do with a friend.

Fusion workouts: 5 Exciting combo workouts

Tracy E. Hopkins — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 11:12:00 -0700

If you’re bored with the same old workout routine, SheKnows has found some exciting new fusion workouts that are sure to keep you pumped up. You don’t just get one type of exercise in each workout, you get a combination of fitness modalities fused into a fun, calorie-shredding sweat.

Kettlebell workout: 3 killer kettlebell exercises

Michele Borboa, MS — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:54:00 -0700

Streamlining your workouts so you get the best results in record time is an easy feat with these three dynamic kettlebell exercises. Because kettlebell moves use your entire body, you accomplish full-body fitness that not only sculpts your muscles but also delivers a cardio blast. Put this three-move kettlebell workout on your spring and summer fitness agenda.

How to maintain your exercise motivation

Jessica Padykula — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 09:10:00 -0700

Need a shape-up on exercise motivation? Though you stuck to your fitness resolutions for first few weeks of the new year, now it’s March and your fitness resolve is starting to fade – fast. You know working out is good for you and you still really want to get in shape for summer, but your workout motivation has waned considerably since vowing to go running every morning and try out all those strength training classes at your gym. So what’s a well-meaning but fitness-fatigued woman to do? We’ve put together some simple fitness strategies to help you maintain your exercise motivation and break free from workout boredom.

Outdoor fitness: Kick and toss your way into shape

Linda Melone, CSCS — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 04:59:00 -0700

If you're like most people, you've had your fill of winter weather. It's finally time to trade in that boring treadmill workout for sunshine and fun. And what better way than with a game of kickball or Frisbee?

Fast fitness: Ten 10-minute exercises

Kendra Y. Mims — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 04:21:00 -0700

If you find your schedule packed with work deadlines, family activities and a busy social life, you may not have the extra time to spend hours at the gym whipping your body into shape. Instead of kicking your fitness to the curb, fit these ten 10-minute workouts into your day.

5 Exercises to a perfect posture

Michele Borboa, MS — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:24:00 -0800

You don’t have to accept that burning pain in your neck and shoulders, ache in your low back and throbbing headaches as a daily norm. Pain isn’t normal and can often be remedied just by improving your posture. Dr. Beverly Marr, creator of The Soar Method for Perfect Posture, says proper posture will not only help ease your pain, but it can also improve your energy level and even your digestion. Here are five of Dr. Marr’s stretching and strengthening exercises for better posture.

Ditch the gym every day of the week

Lisa M. Maloney — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 09:22:00 -0800

Do you struggle to drag yourself into the gym on warm, sunny days? Don’t bother. Exercising outdoors – a literal breath of fresh air – can reinvigorate a previously “blah” fitness plan and help you avoid the dreaded plateau. Every day of this no-gym workout plan includes a different cardiovascular exercise, and a strength-training exercise you can do on children’s playground equipment.

Barre workout: Get lean and chiseled

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:30:00 -0800

What do you get when you combine the grace and flexibility of dance moves with the strength and sculpting of Pilates? The Xtend Barre workout, a dynamic combination of exercises that will give you a long, strong and lean physique. Just in time for spring fitness, here is an Xtend Barre workout from Andrea Rogers, courtesy of AcaciaLifestyle.com.

Why you should find your cardio zone

Linda Melone, CSCS — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 03:36:00 -0800

Even if you don't regularly track your heart rate, chances are you've checked it while on the elliptical trainer just to see what it registered. But what does it tell you? Here’s why you should find your cardio zone.

Workout revival: 3 Fun spring workouts

Kristina Marquez — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:39:00 -0800

Out with the drudgery of "New Year’s resolution" fitness and in with fun, spring workout routines! You’ve been working hard in the gym since you committed to your New Year’s fitness resolutions, and the weekly treadmill and indoor aerobic classes have lost their appeal. You’re ready for fun and fresh workout changes to keep you motivated. With just a few changes to your weekly exercises, you’ll be reinvigorated to stick to your fitness goals and jump into the spring season.

The best body-sculpting fitness books

Michele Borboa, MS — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:09:00 -0800

Looking for the fastest way to get the sculpted, lean body of your dreams? These four fitness books are hot off the presses and just waiting to show you how to transform your physique, boost your fitness level and sweat to workouts you love -- and they get results.