That's Fit

Foam Roller Exercises: Reduce Cellulite, Strengthen Your Core and More

Nicole Dorsey-Straff — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Reviews & Products, Stay fit, Fit at Home, All Workouts

Photo: Ryan Forbes Photography

Foam roller classes are appearing on health club schedules, and personal trainers are toting them to client's homes to use as an integral part of training and stretching. If you've ever rolled an achy back over a tennis ball, you're familiar with the intense feeling, but this exercise tool has a wider, more comfortable surface with give.

"Rolling your legs, back and other large muscle groups before biking or running is a great warm-up prior to cardio because you increase oxygen flow to working muscles," said Hollywood trainer Ashley Borden, who has trained Natasha Bedingfield and Mandy Moore, among other A-listers. Borden recommends all her clients roll out for 15 to 20 minutes three days a week in addition to performing consistent cardio and strength training. Here are three ways that using the foam roller boosts your body:

Anti-Cellulite Fix. The foam roller minimizes the appearance of cellulite because it works like endermologie, a very deep massage that breaks up interwoven fat fibers and rushes oxygenated blood to afflicted areas, said Borden. "Rolling out loosens and opens your muscle fascia and causes more nutrient-rich blood to move through those fibers, which breaks up fatty tissues," Borden said. "As connective tissues are stretched, circulation improves and the body expels toxins and abnormal fluid retention."
What to Roll: Lie sideways to roll inner and outer thighs, hips and buttocks.

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10 Minute Solution Hip Hop Dance Mix: DVD Review

Kristen Seymour — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Reviews & Products, Fit at Home

Photo: amazon.com

You know the cardio dance class at your gym that you love going to, but never feel like you can really get into it because there are people watching? You know what I mean -- you don't shake your booty as much as you could, or you feel foolish when you don't get the steps down after the first try.

10 Minute Solution: Hip Hop Dance Mix is a way to get that sort of workout in the comfort (and privacy) of your own home. The moves are fun, and not cheesy, and in the 50-minute workout, you learn loads of different moves and routines.

Kristin Jacobs, the video's instructor, is fit and fun to follow -- you can tell she's having a good time, but even she gets a little out of breath at times. And hey, if the instructor is getting a workout, you'd better believe that the five segments (Hip Hop Basics, Fat Burning Funk, Edgy Grooves, Body Re-Mix and Cardio Street Heat) will work you out, too!

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Fit By Tracey Walking Strong: DVD Review

Kristen Seymour — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fit at Home

Photo: amazon.com

I'm going to go out on a limb and bet that you know how to walk. Chances are, you even know how to walk on a treadmill. So why on earth would you need a fitness DVD devoted to walking?

Well, as the temperatures dip toward freezing, plenty of folks take their outdoor workouts indoors, and that includes those long, nightly walks that helped you stay so slim. But let's face it -- spending an hour walking on your home treadmill (or the one at the gym) isn't exactly the most exciting way to spend your time.

Fit By Tracey Walking Strong is designed to break up the monotony, bump up your heart rate and help you achieve a full-body workout, all on the treadmill. But, if you don't have a treadmill at home (like me), there's someone showing you how to do the workout on the floor, too.

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