Exercises

5 Exercises for a sexy back

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 01 May 2013 17:34:00 -0700

Regardless of your fitness level, it's easy to forget about what you can't see – your back. But you won’t get a celeb-worthy back with cardio alone. So step off the treadmill and head into the weight room to get a strong, sexy back that will rival Jessica Biel's.

Foam roller exercise moves

Laura Williams, M.S.Ed. — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:31:00 -0700

That weird cylindrical piece of equipment lurking in the corner of the stretching area at your gym shouldn't be ignored. Foam rolling is an excellent way to work out your kinks and improve core strength and balance.

Body-weight training exercises you can do anywhere

Laura Williams, M.S.Ed. — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:17:00 -0700

No gym? No problem! There's no reason you need to spend beaucoup bucks on a fitness center membership if you don't think you'll use it. Get the tight, toned body you've always wanted from the comfort of... well, anywhere! All you need is your own body and a little healthy self-motivation.

The best exercise for awesome abs

Jessica Collins Grimes — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 10:26:00 -0800

Do you plank? If not, you should. Learn why this simple yet challenging abs exercise is such an effective tummy-toner.

3 Bootylicious exercises

Stephanie Taylor Christensen — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:58:00 -0700

Summer is the perfect time to strive for a perfectly toned backside that will leave a lasting impression. Here are three moves for a booty that will turn heads.

Core training with the medicine ball

Linda Melone, CSCS — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:27:00 -0700

You don't need dumbbells or a gym membership to get in shape. Colorful, weighted rubber balls called "medicine balls" can take the place of traditional dumbbells. They're a fun way to make exercise seem less like work and more like play! Best yet, the variety of medicine ball exercises requires you to engage your core muscles so your abs get a serious workout to boot!

Newborn head control

Michelle Maffei — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:47:00 -0700

When your newborn arrives, all your love seems to be wrapped up in a squirmy package, especially because newborn head control is limited. But, you're probably eager to see him lift his head and gaze into your adoring eyes! Get the ABCs on how your little one will grow to control his noggin, from an average child development timeline to when to be concerned.

New moms! How to get a flat belly

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:30:00 -0700

As a new mom, along with losing the baby weight, it's no surprise that you are particularly conscious of your midsection. The rigors of pregnancy stretch the skin, separate the abdominal muscles, and can seem like the last place you see results from exercise. We talked to Dr. Danine Fruge, associate medical director at Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Miami, about the best exercises for a flat belly. Dr. Fruge is an athletic dynamo who is also pregnant with her third child.

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.

The best exercises for disease prevention

Kendra Y. Mims — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 02:54:00 -0700

Not feeling inspired lately to hit the gym to work on your six-pack? Let disease prevention be your primary motivation. According to experts, exercising can cut your chances of developing diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. From combating high blood pressure to lowering cholesterol and the risk of developing cancer, the following exercises are recommended by experts to help prevent diseases.

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.

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.

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.

5 Exercise machines to avoid

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:20:00 -0800

Walk into various gyms around the country and you face a sweat-inducing plethora of weight machines, all designed to target specific muscles and pump them up to their fitness potential. However, some of the most popular weight machines are actually biomechanically incorrect and can even put you at risk for injury. We asked Steve Perrine -- author of The Women’s Health Diet and editor-in-chief of Men’s Health and Women’s Health Books -- which exercise machines to avoid.

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.

Booty boosters: 3 Butt exercises for perky buns

Linda Melone, CSCS — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 08:57:00 -0800

What woman doesn't want flat abs? It's quite the opposite when we're talking about the derriere, though -- flat buns don't fill out a pair of jeans like a shapely behind can. Granted, some of your booty potential depends on your genetics, but you can still make the most of the butt you have. Here are three butt exercises for great glutes -- and exercise tips to make sure you’re targeting your booty.

Flat abs exercises: Top 4 tummy toners

Linda Melone, CSCS — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 10:04:00 -0800

If you're not quite back to your pre-holiday skinny jeans size, it may be time to bring out the heavy artillery. No, not the latest infomercial product like the ones gathering dust in your garage. Just you, gravity and a few of the right moves. Here are four abs exercises that will flatten your tummy and strengthen your core.

Weight lifting workout for sexy curves

Bob Timkey — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:59:00 -0800

By now, we've all gotten past the notion that lifting weights will make you look bulky and masculine. Besides the health benefits of strength training, weight lifting will give you a sexy, sculpted body that is enviably toned and curvaceous. Here's a three-move weight lifting workout for women for fabulous full-body results.