ripped-related stories
Train Like Batman - Flaunt Washboard Abs Without Needing a Bat Suit (VIDEO)
Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
If you're a fan of Batman, or simply would like to have the same rippling abdominals the Batsuit provides ... check out this video and then try it at home.
For more innovative training videos, studded with stars ...
The Best Chests in Hollywood
Celebrities and Entertainment, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
According to People magazine's December 1 issue touting the "Sexiest Man Alive," the guys in this gallery have the best chests in Hollywood. I have to admit, they've done a really great job of choosing the winners in this category. The only one I can think of who may have been wrongfully left out is 50 Cent. But a ton of other hottie bodies were included, so we'll forgive the People folks for that oversight.
If you'd like to develop your chest to look like hard, rounded mounds of muscle, try some of the advanced push-ups in this video.
To see even more of the sexiest men in the world ...
Love Your Body Day -- I love my abs
Today is the big day. The day when I can officially shout from the rooftops, or at least from my laptop: "I love my abs!" I'm in the midst of writing my new cookbook, The Everything Flat Abs Cookbook, and I had to prepare for a photo shoot of, yes, my abs. I worked my tail off, ate with great discipline, and now I have proof of my efforts.
I know I'm the fitness expert chic, and I'm "supposed" to have great abs. But honestly, that gift didn't come with my degree. It certainly wasn't a guarantee after having two babies either. So now I have proof. I've taken part in many photo shoots but have never singled out this section of my body. Not only do I think they look pretty decent, but I imagine they'll give people more incentive to believe my advice as well.
Proof is in the pudding, and today my abs are my dessert.
Get cut like your fruit
Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
Many adherents to the low-carb philosophy are firm in their belief that the natural sugars in fruit make them a dietary no-no. But, almost all fruit ranks low on the glycemic index (GI), so most do not cause any significant spike blood glucose or insulin levels. Therefore, they will not overload glycogen stores and promote fat storage.Even if your goal is to get as ripped as Madonna, cutting back on fruit won't play too much of a role in that one way or the other. What cutting back on fruit will do, however, is deny yourself an opportunity to score a great deal of nutrients and a good amount of fiber from a whole food source.
That all said, though, it is worth knowing that some fruit can cause your blood sugar to jump; watermelon, bananas, dates, figs, and dried fruits have high concentrations of sugar. For a closer look at what fruits will have the least impact on blood glucose levels, visit the glycemic index website by clicking here.
Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Get Ripped Quick
Healthy Aging, Healthy Habits, Healthy Places, Healthy Relationships, Stress Reduction, Vegetarian, Womens Health, Healthy Recipes, Healthy Kids, Ask Fitz!, Cellulite, Obesity, Healthy Events, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products, Motivation, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.
Q. Hey Fitz. I blew it! I am going on vacation with a bunch of my college buddies and some hot girls in four weeks. I've totally slacked off on my workouts since school ended and now I'd like to get ripped again before we head to Mexico. What can I do at my gym to shred a bit of fat and get buff quick before the trip? I know I'm a dork for slacking, but I also know you can help me improve. I'm willing to do the work! Jason
A. Familiar story Jason! You're not the only one who's taken some time off from their fitness training only to have it blow up in your face. You're also not the first person to try and undo the damage quickly. Four weeks is a pretty decent amount of time, so if you are really clean with your eating habits and start training intensely ... I think it would be safe to take off at least 10 pounds before you see Mexico, and all of those hot girls see you!
Matthew McConaughey wants you to "go for distance"
Healthy Habits, Womens Health, Cellulite, Obesity, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products, Motivation, Men's Health
When Matthew McConaughey trains, he doesn't need a watch and he doesn't need any sort of mile marker to tell him when he's done exercising. The boy just goes and goes and goes ... until he's drenched and exhausted. He simply just tries to run as far away from his starting point as he can.
This is his argument for doing so: "The return trip is always easier. Think about it. One, you can anticipate the road you've already traveled. Two, when it's time to eat the hay, the horses get home no matter how tired they are. Third, you're past the hump. You're in. Each step gets you closer to sitting down and relaxing." He says the beauty of all this is that the path can be different every single time.
Boxing Champ Floyd Mayweather Jr. wants you to carve flat abs
Healthy Aging, Healthy Habits, Womens Health, Celebrities and Entertainment, Cellulite, Obesity, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
"Pretty Boy Floyd" is not known for mincing words or sugar-coating anything. In fact this elite fighter who has won six world championship belts in five weight classes and has gone undefeated as a professional says it straight. He describes himself as the "greatest athlete ever," and honestly ... has done a lot to back that up.
He's featured in the book, Men's Health Celebrity Diet Secrets 2008, and I think one of his quotes is both poignant and hysterical. I encourage you not to read any further if you're easily offended though. He wasn't vulgar, but his thoughts on maintaining flat abs isn't for children either.
Before I go there, I just want you to know that Floyd not only walks the walk, but he has made it possible for his team (those who bust their butt to keep in at the top of his game) to get and stay fit as well. He's purchased memberships to 24-Hour Fitness for all of his employees. "I want to keep everyone around me healthy and in shape," he says.
Bear Grylls was a chubby bear
Healthy Habits, Womens Health, Celebrities and Entertainment, Cellulite, Celebrity Fitzness Report, Obesity, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
Bear Grylls (at right) used to be a more cuddly bear. The athletic star of Discovery Channel's Man vs. Wild recently revealed to me that he used to be quite overweight. After completing his service to the British Special Forces and getting married, Bear gained two and half stone! Not familiar with stones? Well, each of the British survival expert's extra stones equal a whopping 14 pounds! That's quite a lot. 35 pounds to be exact.
Bear is ripped now. How did he make the transformation? He decided to! Bear says that he just was sick of being a loaf and changed his ways. He also was suffering from back pain. (He broke his back during a free-falling parachuting accident). To stay in shape for his adventures and remain pain free, Bear trains three hours a day. He varies his workouts with: martial arts, running, climbing, yoga, swimming, pull-ups, push-ups and more. When he's not eating all sorts of disgusting live and dead animals to demonstrate survival skills, Bear avoids meat and dairy. He feasts on fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
The guy knows what it's like to be out of shape, and has decided that's not the way he wants his life to be. His training is not 'easy' for him, but it's something he feels passionate about. Bear is not chubby at all anymore. In fact, his ripped. What a lucky lady his wife is to get to cuddle up with that Bear.
Earn sexy abs like Usher's
Womens Health, Celebrities and Entertainment, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
One of the most popular questions I'm asked as a fitness trainer is "how do I get abs like Usher's? You know.....I want the grooves inside his hip bones!" Ahhhhhhh yes. I know exactly what they're talking about, and yes.....I too love those abs. In fact, the particular body parts folks are truly desperate for are his hip flexors and psoas. Mmmmm yummy psoas.
Usher is the role model for a sexy midsection, and if you're eager to have yours look like his......you're going to have to earn it. Truly earn it. Just being skinny isn't enough. Just doing crunches isn't enough. You're going to have to work! This is a two factor type accomplishment. First of all, you'll have to be pretty lean. If you're not lean, we probably won't be able to see any of your muscles with such great definition. So dropping pounds and body fat may be in your future.
The second component to earning abs like Usher's is working the proper muscles. Crunches will never ever give you such provocative hips. You're going to have to do more. Those interior hip muscles are responsible for lifting your legs, so that's what you are going to have to do. But, simple leg lifts are not enough. You are going to have to strain the hip flexors and psoas severely. Not in a dangerous way, just in a "ahhhh! this is tough" way. I recommend doing double leg lifts on the roman chair or while hanging from a pull-up bar. To do this, hang from a bar and lift both legs to at least a 90 degree angle at the same time. Hold that lift as long as possible and lift. If this is too difficult at first (which it probably will be) do a double knee lift instead.
Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Butts & Guts Edition
Womens Health, Ask Fitz!, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Men's Health
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.
Q. Dear Fitz. I'm trying so hard to shrink my tummy and I do tons of crunches. My friend says I'm doing no good. What's the truth? Katie
A. Very good questions Katie. It reminds me of a funny story my husband, who's in law enforcement just told me. The Chief of his department is a cool guy who also has been a certified fitness trainer. Very knowledgeable on two cool topics I think. My hubby's' Captain is also a really neat guy who I consider to be in pretty good shape. Looks good to me, you know? So anyway, one day in the department gym the Captain is on the floor doing crunches and the Chief comes along and tells him to stop wasting his time, because he's just "pushing the fat out". Makes me laugh every time I think about it. Poor Captain.
Here's the truth. If you're trying to shrink your tummy, crunches aren't the way to go. Crunches will absolutely strengthen and harden your abdominal muscles, but they will not shrink your tummy the way you'd like. Strong abs are great, but if you have a layer of fat over them.....you'll still look like a girl with a big belly.
What to do? Lose weight. Burn more calories than you consume. Eat foods that are low in calories and high in nutrition. Burn many extra calories with great workouts. When the fat disappears, we'll all be able to "Ooh and Ahh" over the sturdy abs you've been earning. Fitz.
Q. Hey Fitz. My butt is super saggy and it drives me nuts. My profile from the waste-down is flat wihich is not hot. Can you guide me on what to do? Erika.
Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered
Womens Health, Celebrities and Entertainment, Ask Fitz!, Cellulite, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.
Q. Hey Fitz, I have a question. How come Hollywood celebrities lose weight with such ease? There has to be some secret. I can't figure out why Renee Zellweger can gain and lose 20 pounds with ease, yet I can't get eight pounds off once! What's the deal? Elaine.
A. Good question Elaine. It does seem easy for the celebs to shed pounds quickly doesn't it? I can tell you for the most part, that besides the few that are blessed with oddly high metabolisms......the other popular hot bodies stay hot due to discipline and hard work..
Celebs do have certain benefits that make their efforts easier. First, they have budgets that can afford them personal trainers and chefs. Having a team of fitness professionals to guide and harass you would make one more likely to stick with a healthy eating and workout plan. Second. They have extra motivation to stay in great shape knowing their next job relies heavily upon their appearance. Imagine if you had to maintain a certain weight to keep your job! It may be half great and half crappie, but if you wanted to work ... you'd probably maintain your ideal weight.
Besides the benefits of celebrity and wealth, the bodies don't stay 'hot' without the same old fashioned exercise and conscious eating habits that I recommend to you non-celebs. The "Rich and Famous" may have trainers standing over their shoulders, but they still have to put in hours on the treadmill and do endless amounts of squats, push-ups crunches. Chefs may provide perfect meals, but the celebs still need to avoid the ice cream shops, candy, and fast food.
It's easy to feel inadequate and frustrated in a society where most of the folks we see on screens and in magazines are physically fabulous.Since you seem interested in celebrities, I encourage you to accept your different roles in life and try to find someone you can be inspired by. Pick a person with a similar body type and find an article on their fitness habits. Maybe you can learn from the advice given to them by their celebrity fitness staff! Fitz
Q. What's up Fitz? I see Matthew McConaughey splashed all over the magazines and that guy is definitely ripped. I think he's on steroids though. What do you think? Jason
Fit Factor: Super snazzy fitness DVDs
This week, I decided to put together a list of awesome Fitness DVDs that will get your muscles toned and help you burn calories. Feel free to add your won favourites in the comments section. In no particular order:
Innovative abdominal training
Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Men's Health
Yes, we all do crunches. Crunches, crunches and more crunches. I do them myself, and think very highly of them. But! If you'd like to change things up and work on sculpting your fancy torso in new way, give these skills a try.
-
Prone pikes. Place your feet on a stability ball or on some Gliding Disks, with your hands on the floor in push-up position. Back flat. Lift your hips straight up to the sky while keeping your legs straight. Once you've elevated your hips as high as they'll go ... lower back to push-up position. Repeat at least eight times. Add one rep each day you do these. Very advanced!
-
Front kicks. Stand with one foot in front of the other with feet shoulder width apart. Lift the front leg by the knee first, and follow to extend your foot up high. You'll engage your hip-flexors and rectus abdominus as you raise that leg up high. Kick within your comfortable range at first, but challenge yourself to kick higher along the way. The higher you lift your knee, the more you'll work your abs. Switch your stance and repeat on the other leg. Kick at least 20 times per leg. Beginner to advanced level exercise, depending on how high you kick.
Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered
Womens Health, Ask Fitz!, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Men's Health
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.
Q. Hello Fitz. I am 29 years old. I exercise 3-4 times a week (running, biking, and pilates), which has been my routine for many years. No matter how hard I exercise though, my legs don't seem to get sculpted or gain definition (especially around my knees and lower). The rest of my body: abs, back and arms are in great shape and I am very happy with. This is very frustrating. Is there any particular exercises you would recommend? Maria
A. Ugh! Frustrating situation Maria, but probably not unsolvable. Oddly enough, you may simply be prone to storing fat in your lower legs. Some people get it in their tummy, bum, or thighs. Isn't it strange how we all have these crazy spots of aggravation with our bodies? Grrrrrrr! Doesn't mean you can't improve though, so have hope!
Few suggestions. First make sure your eating well. Any extra fat you gain or lose probably goes to or from your lower legs first, so that could start your journey to look leaner. As far as exercise goes I would definitely change things up. I adore running and cycling, but they're definitely more strenuous for the glutes and thighs. When someone asks to accentuate a body part I try to think of which athletes tend to have the best. Kickboxers and ballerinas come to mind when I think long lean legs, so give those a try. Both activities require lots of time up on the balls of the feet or toes, and lots of kicks. Sounds exactly like what you need. Jump roping also puts major stress on your calves and anterior tibialis, and burns about the same amount of calories as running. Jump for the same amount of time as you usually run. You'll feel it the next day for sure!
Add some strength training with weights too. Try squats, lunges, leg extensions, and hamstring curls; use weight that feels extremely hard to lift by the tenth rep and go for a few sets. Most women aren't capable of bulking up, but we are capable of gaining strength, firmness, and definition. Weights will help you build bone density as well.
Change things up and see what happens Maria. I'm glad you wrote and look forward to hearing how things go.
Q. Dear Fitz, I am a 22 year old male and love to run and push myself beyond my limits. Last year I had shin splints and it seems to be a reoccurring thing now. I am not very flexible which doesn't help my case. I was wondering if with some daily stretching this could possibly go away or at least reduce the risk of it getting more serious. Thanks, Jean-Robert.
























