Workouts

Music Monday: Top Tunes From Your Favorite Artists

January 7, 2013 at 5:30 pm
By Samantha Shelton

Last Monday, we presented you with the most-searched songs of 2012. But that’s not enough for your music-loving ears, is it? Although 2012 may be fading away, the hottest artists are still dominating our playlists. So with a little more help from our friends over at Yahoo!, we dug up the top searched artists of the year. With that as our inspiration, how could we not have a new playlist just begging for a new dose of sweat? Check it out below, then let us know which of these artists songs you love the most!

Now you tell us: Who was your favorite artist of 2012?

---

Fit Blogger We Love: Sweet Tater

January 4, 2013 at 9:18 am
By Samantha Shelton

If we ever got the chance to meet Katie Levans, or should we say Tater, from Sweet Tater in person, we can only imagine it would be full of smiles, laughs and quickly segue into a blissful hot yoga session. The instructor and nutritionist draws us in with her yummy meal posts and makes us laugh with her weekly “Caturday” blurbs.

Since we likely won’t get to hang anytime soon though (darn!), we’ll take the next best thing: Katie is starring on one of our favorite guilty-pleasure TV shows: season 17 of The Bachelor. Gunning for Sean Lowe’s heart, we’ll cozy up on the couch while she tries to win the coveted rose week after week from the blonde heartthrob. If he doesn’t immediately fall in love with her beautiful curly hair like we did, then the bachelor definitely will once he sees her bust out some yoga poses, right?

Regardless, we wanted to get to know a bit more about the yogi with great taste. Check out some of her favorite things, and keep reading for a super yummy recipe!

My favorite way to work out: I practice hot yoga every day, but prefer to separate that from the concept of “working out” because it’s so much more than that. When I strictly want to work my body, I head to FlyBarre. It’s 60 minutes of low-weight, high-rep intervals that tone and tighten all over. If you’re looking to shed inches (not necessarily pounds), this is hands-down the most effective workout I’ve ever done.

I’m happiest when I’m: Cooking. I guess when most people are stressed out or short on time, they order takeout. I crack open a cookbook and all of my cares seem to melt away. There’s something so therapeutic about chopping, dicing and dreaming up new dishes.

My fave fit snack: If I could buy Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds by the barrel, I would. I usually prefer not to eat immediately before or after a hot yoga class, but almonds fuel me with healthy fat and protein without leaving me feeling full or unsettled.

My “I Did It” moment: When I finished my 200-hour yoga teacher training and Master of Science in Nutrition in the same week. In hindsight, it probably wasn’t wise to work on both simultaneously. I was mentally and physically burned out and, by the end, had hit a major breaking point. Once I was done, the sense of accomplishment overshadowed anything else, but I can’t say I’d do it all again.

My gym bag must-have: Suave Dry Shampoo. When I’m teaching back-to-back classes or have to run straight from the studio to an appointment, dry shampoo saves me the hassle of washing and air-drying my long, unruly curly hair. People are always telling me I smell so clean. But oh, if only they knew!

For a fun, hearty recipe sure to warm you up during these cold winter months, check out Katie’s Vegan Chili below – the dish comes straight from mom!

Read more

---

Music Monday: The Top Tunes of 2012

December 31, 2012 at 9:44 am
By Samantha Shelton

Here at FITNESS, we like to play music. A lot. It’s not uncommon to see editors working away at their desks with headphones plugged in, jamming to the latest beats. And every Monday, you know you’ll find a new playlist on The Fit Stop.

So for the last Monday in 2012, let’s have a final jam session to launch us into the new year on a high note. With a little help from our friends at Yahoo!, we present to you the most-searched songs of the year -  we gotta admit, you guys have great taste.

Now you tell us: What was your favorite song of the year?

---

Meet The Trainer: Nedra Lopez

December 28, 2012 at 11:40 am
By Jenna Autuori

Less than a decade ago, Nedra Lopez moved to the Big Apple to work at the UN by day and wait tables at night. Things have drastically changed since then and our fit bods are thankful for it! After being recruited by Equinox, Nedra became one of their top trainers. Now, as the co-owner of The Studio at Remorca Fitness, Nedra implements a variety of disciplines in her unique class design. It’s no surprise there’s been a lot of client buzz raving about her holistic approach. “I am the type of person who loves what I do for a living because I love to help people and love to help them find balance,” she told us.

Nedra helped target all-over trouble zones (yes, more than just your core!) with the stability ball in October’s issue. Between butt burners and dolphins, Nedra revealed her workout trend do’s and don’ts, the celeb she’d love to shape up and even shared her fave, must-do move. Read on to learn more about Nedra.

Most of us are New York City transplants, so tell me how you made your way and landed in the Big Apple?
My Mom is originally from New York so I spent a lot of time growing up visiting New York and fell in love. I always said I would live here some day so after college I made it happen!

Did you always want to be a personal trainer? How long have you been a fitness instructor?
Fitness has been a part of my life for 15 years. My Dad was an avid workout-fanatic. He had a no-nonsense approach to health and fitness: “You either start young and make it a part of your life or wait until you are older and struggle to find balance.” I started taking fitness classes and certifications in college at the University of Colorado in an attempt to always stay active. I never thought anyone would ever take me seriously as a fitness expert since I spent my time in the gym surrounded by men in the weight room and moms in classes. Teaching fitness was something I did on the side for fun and I loved every second of it! I was told to be a “professional” like a lawyer or doctor. A “personal trainer” was not something my family would ever accept…so I thought! Once I moved to NYC, I worked at the UN during the day and at night at a restaurant waiting tables. NYC is so much more expensive than CO so I did what was needed to survive! Though given my hectic work schedule, I still found time to hit the gym and apparently people noticed! I was recruited by Equinox to become a trainer and still remember breaking the news to my boss at the UN, who said I was making a big mistake. I never looked back and never worked so hard in my life! I became one of the top trainers at Equinox in only three months and maintained that status all three years I was there! I have been an instructor and trainer going on six years now. Read more

---

Music Monday: The Grammy Edition

December 17, 2012 at 8:30 am
By FITNESS Intern

Written by Jennifer Fiorentino, editorial intern

The Grammy Award nominations have been announced, leaving us inspired to take a trip down memory lane and relive some of the year’s hottest playlist picks. The problem with so many fab finds? There are too many to choose from!

But in honor of music’s biggest night, we gathered our top tunes from the hottest artists dominating the music scene right now. Make sure they’re on repeat during your workouts, then find out who wins top honors in February.

Now you tell us: Who are your favorite nominees?

---

The Scoop on Jane Fonda’s Latest Workout DVD and Her Stay-Fit Secrets

December 13, 2012 at 1:54 pm
By FITNESS Intern

Written by Jennifer Fiorentino, editorial intern

When Jane Fonda released her debut exercise video in 1982, Jane Fonda’s Workout, it became its own genre, leading her to create 20 additional fitness videos and selling over 17 million copies combined, more than any other workout series. Now at 74, she’s looking great and feeling better than ever with her latest DVD Jane Fonda’s AM/PM Yoga for Beginners, which breaks up yoga into a rejuvenating morning session and an unwinding evening one.

We got the chance to chat with Fonda, who is one of our fitness icons about her latest workout routine and how she’s staying in shape these days.
What made you decide to create this new routine?
I started my new brand Prime Time three years ago aimed it at the baby boomer generation and older. I realized that there was a hole the series and yoga was that missing link.

Describe this new workout in one sentence.
It is yoga that has been marinating in Pilates. But it’s not pure yoga; I didn’t want it to be intimidating. Read more

---

Music Monday: Power Through Anything Playlist

December 10, 2012 at 9:29 am
By FITNESS Intern

Written by Deanna Cioppa, editorial intern

Long-term home workouts like Insanity and P90X have been around for a few years now, but their appeal hasn’t faded since they hit shelves. Interested in giving one a whirl? In Insanity, a fun, fast-paced diagnostic test is recommended to help determine your starting level so you can watch your progress soar over the next 60 days. And yes, you’ll be repeating the test periodically to gauge how quickly your fitness level reaches rock star status. The test is plyometric madness (they call it Insanity for a reason!), but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Various studies prove that music can boost performance, so we’ve rounded up six of the strongest tunes to help you muscle through that 25-minute diagnostic test, ready for anything Shaun T throws at you. But if six just isn’t enough, we’ve added four bonus tracks to keep you working hard for 40 sweat-dripping minutes. Now punch play and crank out those reps!

Now you tell us: How do you get pumped for a tough workout?

---

Music Monday: Hot for the Holidays

December 3, 2012 at 9:32 am
By FITNESS Intern

Written by Deanna Cioppa, editorial intern

The weather may be colder and the days shorter, but that’s no excuse for skipped workouts and poor nutrition! Our workout plans are great season-round, and to help you stay hot while the temperature drops, we’ve crafted a playlist stocked full of wintry tunes to get you holiday party-ready. Go ahead and enjoy that cocktail, guilt-free.

Now you tell us: Do holiday tunes sneak into your workout this time of year?

 

---

Friday Fashion Favs: Gettin’ Techy

November 23, 2012 at 10:00 am
By Marla Horenbein

We’ve eaten our turkey, devoured our pumpkin pie, and slept it all off , so what’s there left to do? Shopping of course! If the Black Friday madness isn’t your thing (don’t worry its not ours either!), you can still get your shop on from the comfort of your own home! All it takes is a few clicks, and voila! You’ve got holiday goodies for your friends and family, and maybe even for yourself too!

Now the question is, what to buy? The staffers here at FITNESS are all hoping to find something techy under the tree (or menorah!) this year. Here’s what’s on their wish lists:

• Nutrition Editor Juno DeMelo, Senior Editor Bethany Gumper and Editorial Assistant Lauren Cardarelli are all wanting a Garmin watch, like the Forerunner 10, to track their miles, burned calories, and speed/pace, while they train for their next big races. We love that it comes in fun colors, and the best part is, it’s super easy to use!

 

• Having trouble sleeping at night? This awesome Renew Sleepclock monitors your breathing and sleeping patterns using a non-contact sensor while you sleep. Pretty cool huh? All you have to do is download the app to your iOS device, pop it in the docking station, and sleep. When you wake up you’ll have you’re sleep stats! Our Senior Editor Lisa Haney already owns one and can’t wait to get one for a certain sleepyhead on her Christmas list!

 

Read more

---

Shop Till You Drop (The Weight!) on Black Friday

November 23, 2012 at 7:00 am
By FITNESS Intern

Written by Deanna Cioppa, editorial intern

Ah, Black Friday – the magical day when shoppers all over the country flood the stores for 24 hours, desperate for the perfect gift for a loved one. Carb-loaded on turkey and pie, they hit the stores, ready to brace themselves for retail madness and nab deep discounts. Why not make the most of the craziness and start working off some of that stuffing?

Celebrity trainer Ilyse Baker works with FitOrbit, an online lifestyle, nutrition and fitness program, to help clients get into shape from the comfort of their own home. She’s given us some of her top tips to help you shop till you drop – the weight, that is! Try these simple moves while you’re waiting in line to check out, in the dressing room, or waiting for your family in the parking lot. Sales and fitness? Sounds like heaven!

Shopping Squats

Stuck outside the dressing room? Take a moment to strengthen your lower body.

• Start with legs hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, toes facing forward.
• Push butt back and slowly bend knees to lower toward floor, like sitting in a chair. Keep weight on heels and make sure knees don’t go over toes.
• Slowly return to starting position, squeezing glutes as you rise. Repeat.
• Perform 3 sets of 12.

Bag Buff Arms

Chisel those biceps with all of your new goodies!

• Start with arms by sides with 1 bag in each hand, palms facing up.
• Bend elbows to curl bag toward shoulders, counting to two while lifting and two while lowering.
• Repeat 2 times, then lift for one count and lower for one count.
• Repeat 2 times.

Carve Sexy Calves

The turkey isn’t the only thing you can carve this holiday! Work on sculpting awesome calves while waiting in the check-out line.

• Stand straight with feet hip-width apart.
• Rise on the balls of feet, lifting heels off the floor.
• Lower heels back to floor.  Repeat.
• Perform 3 sets of 10. On the 10th rep, hold heels off floor for 8 counts for a balance challenge, then slowly lower back to floor.

Now you tell us: How do you stay fit during the holidays?

---