GeekSugar

Make Your Gym Time Count

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:30:00 PDT

When it comes to exercise you want to make the most of your workouts, especially if you are pressed for time. And these days, who isn't pressed for time.

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your workout:

Warm Up Prior to Strength Training Session:
Just 5 minutes of cardio before lifting weights will increase blood flow to your muscles by about 55 percent and this makes your muscles contract better.
Added bonus: Warming your body up also lowers your body's perceived exertion of how hard your exercise session is, making you feel less taxed.

Work the Circuit:
Keep your workouts exciting and varied by creating a circuit for yourself by performing 3 to 5 several strengthening exercises, followed by short 3 minutes cardio segments. Pick 3 weight machines that work different parts of your body and intersperse with sets of abdominals, then cycle for 3 minutes. Next work your arms with free weights, sprinkle in lunges and squats then jump on the elliptical.
Added Bonus: Since circuit training is so fast paced and varied the chances of getting bored and stopping are much lower. Plus it is an efficient calorie burner that increases muscular strength and decreases body fat.

Mix Up The Cardio:
Cross train with at least two types of cardio. Try mixing running with swimming, or mix cycling with step aerobics. By incorporating different types of cardio you will increase your fitness level and work your body in different ways.
Added Bonus: Varying the type of cardio you do greatly decreases your risk for injury because you won't be over using just one muscle group.

Source

Maker Faire: Sparklab's Make Your Own Soft Circuit Kit

GeekSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 07:00:43 PDT

Media designer Syuzi Pakhchyan embodies geek chic. Pakhchyan's studio Sparklab mixes culture, craft and technology by weaving circuitry into bags, jewelry, wristbands or bicycle safety jackets.

She displayed her tote bags decorated with circuits at this weekend's Maker Faire and drew a huge crowd of geeky girls (and guys!) intrigued by the totes as well as Pakhchyan's Do It Yourself kits which included a circuit which you can sew on to any fabric. "Do It Yourself" is the primary theme of the Maker Faire in general, so they were naturally a hit, but Pakhchyan's style and ingenuity were still standouts from the crowd.

To check out additional images of Sparklab's booth, read more

View 8 Photos ›

David Kirsch's Boot Camp Circuit Workout

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:54:27 PST

He helped Heidi Klum bounce back post baby, and now David Kirsch is here to help you revamp your exercise routine. He created this fun and challenging workout to help FitSugar readers stay on track through the Winter months! Tone your entire bod with these moves while burning some serious 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 a printable PDF of the workout. After printing it, hang the workout on your fridge to remind you to get your sweat on!

Source: WireImage

From the Community: a Total-Body Toning Circuit

Fit Community — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:57:49 PST

FitSugar reader FitFabCities has a circuit workout that works your entire body. She shared the video with us in our Fit Community.

Grab a resistance band and a pair of dumbbells, and you're good to go for this full-body circuit-training workout . . . and the best part is you don't even have to leave your living room to do it. That said, this is also a great workout to try at the gym if you're looking to switch up your regular routine.

Circuit training means you move from exercise to exercise and take minimal breaks between the moves so you keep your heart rate up the entire time. This helps to burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time, something I love. There are eight exercises total in this workout, and we are going for about 15 reps per exercise. You'll notice there are a lot of multimuscle group exercises meaning you'll work more than one muscle at once, which is perfect if you're short on time. Let's be honest, who's isn't?

Strength training is so important since it helps to prevent injury, increase bone density, increase muscle mass (meaning you burn more calories just doing things like driving your car or watching Bravo) and, of course, it helps you feel fab in your jeans.

You might want to watch this workout video once to preview the exercises then follow along for a kick-butt, total body workout sure to burn lots of calories and tighten and tone every muscle in your body!

Keep reading for the video and workout breakdown.

Gay Marriage Supporters Cheer as Appeals Court Rules Prop 8 Is Unconstitutional

Annie Scudder — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:05:05 PST

A federal appeals court has reaffirmed that California's gay-marriage ban is unconstitutional. Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found that voter-passed Proposition 8 violates the 14th Amendment of the US constitution. Gay marriage supporters outside the courthouse in San Francisco cheered the decision, but the fight isn't over yet. The case will likely make it to the US Supreme Court as early as next year.

The court's ruling stated: “Proposition 8 served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California." The court also refused to throw out the decision of lower court judge, retired Chief US District Judge Vaughn R. Walker, on the basis of his sexual orientation. After the trial, Judge Walker, who is openly gay, revealed that he has been in a same-sex relationship for 10 years. See photos of the celebrations now.

Kristen Bell Compares a Man's Backsides to Cupcakes

Annie Scudder — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:45:30 PST

Kristen Bell has been killing it on the talk-show circuit recently. Following her adorable sloth story on Ellen, last night on Conan, the actress outlined her philosophy on a man's butt, or like she likes to call it, his cupcakes. In fact, according to Kristen, men and their butts fall into various categories. If you don't have cupcakes, you might have "flap-jack buns." Conan then made up his own classification for himself. Watch the two discuss this special part of the male anatomy - as Kristen explains, "behind is where you want to be."

CelebStyle Smarts - How Well Do You Know Your Celebrity Style?

Hannah Weil — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:00:08 PST

This week's fashion inspiration comes from five perfectly attired celebs on the party and premiere circuit. We gave you the daily breakdown on each look with our editors' styling tricks and must-shop pieces, but now we're turning the tables and asking you for the answers. How well do you remember who they were and what they were all wearing - we're about to find out. Quiz time!

Question 1 of 5

We spotted Rooney Mara sporting a chic black and white look in Tokyo. Who makes her top?

Fab's Top 10 Celebrity Looks of the Week - Lauren, Minka, Emmy, and More!

Hannah Weil — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:27:14 PST

Our favorite celebs outfitted the week in a smart mix of cocktail sheaths and street-ready styles. The party circuit was dotted with pretty party confections from the likes of Emmy Rossum (in a Valentine's-perfect dress), while style setters like Lauren Conrad and Minka Kelly headed out and about in a cool crop of separates. Inside, we're taking a closer look at the rest of this week's top 10. Just click on to get a few noteworthy cues from this fashionable crew.

Sneak Peek: ASOS Reveals Its Spring Lookbook

Chi Diem Chau — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:52:39 PST

Here to bring us a little cheer on this rainy day is ASOS and its newly revealed Spring lookbook. The brand, known for its affordable, stylish wares, showed off four main themes: Mex Tex, highlighting bold embroidery and Aztec-inspired looks; Neo Circuit, think bold neons and pastels splashed on body-con neoprene; Waikiki, showing modern Hawaiian and tie-dye prints; and Darling Buds, a '50s- and '60s-inspired theme highlighting feminine silhouettes along with pretty lace, organza, and chiffon textiles. Safe to say, we can't wait to slip into one of these cool looks come warmer weather. Check out our top three looks below, then start clicking to see the rest of the covetable collection.

This structured yellow skirt and gray sweatshirt combo is the perfect juxtaposition between casual and chic.
This sweet lace jumper is begging to be worn at Coachella - yes, we like to plan ahead.
Add a floral touch to your office attire with this collage print sheath dress. The pretty patterns are irresistibly fashion-forward - without the heavy price tag.

Blast Your Belly Fat Workout by Jeanette Jenkins

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:43:10 PDT

This workout, created by Jeanette Jenkins, is a heart-pumping, calorie-burning circuit that combines core cardio, core sculpting, and total-body core sculpting to blast away the belly fat! All of these exercises can be found in Jeanette's Blast The Belly Fat DVD, voted "Best Fat Melter" by Fitness Magazine.

Instructions: warm up with light cardio for three to five minutes, then work through the circuit three times. Props needed: a set of dumbbells (five to 10 pounds) and an exercise ball.

Click here for the printable PDF of this workout. Tape it to the fridge or throw it in your gym bag - whatever it takes to get the job done. Hope you enjoy getting your sweat on!