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Reach Your Beach Body Goals*

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| Eight weeks
to a beach-ready body |
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| The
best exercises for trouble spots |
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With spring in the air, summer's right around the corner.
That means it's time to get off the couch and get ready for bikini season! But why the horrified look? "Lots of women dread
the thought of putting on a swimsuit after a long winter," says Michael Wood, a certified personal trainer and assistant coach
of athletic strength and conditioning at the University of Connecticut. "If you haven't been working out, you're probably
self-conscious about showing your body. Even when you're in good shape, you feel better about some spots than others." But
don't fret: By performing the following exercises three days a week, and doing some aerobic exercise -- such as walking, hiking,
or cycling -- on the other days, you can build a beach-bound body in just eight weeks:
Winter body woe: My arms are jiggly!
Arm-slimming exercise #1:
Push-ups Use an inflatable exercise ball to seriously work the upper body, says Bonne Marano, a certified trainer
in New York City. Lay face down on the floor, positioning a 55-centimeter ball beneath your thighs. Get into push-up position,
hands under shoulders and elbows bent. Raise, and then lower body until your nose almost reaches the floor, keeping your spine
in one straight line, then push back up. (12-15 reps)
| Arm-slimming exercise #2: Dumbbell pullovers
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This exercise tones the triceps at the back of the upper arms. Sit or stand, working one arm
at a time. Hold a five-pound dumbbell behind your head, bent elbow pointing toward the sky and beside your ear, palm facing
your head. Extend the weight straight up, keeping upper arm in line with body. Bend elbow and slowly lower weight back down
to shoulder. (12-15 times each arm)
Winter body woe: My bottom is unbearable!
Bum-busting exercise #1: Traveling lunges Teale Dotson,
a personal trainer at the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, recommends this bum-buffing exercise. Stand with feet shoulder-width
apart and take a big step forward with your right leg, making sure your knee stops above your ankle and doesn't bend more
than 90 degrees. Foot planted, shift your weight onto your right leg and bring your left foot beside the right. Alternate
lead legs. (10-12 reps each leg)
Bum-busting exercise #2: Lateral hops Bust your
bottom with explosive movements. Pick two points on the floor about two feet apart to serve as markers (floor tiles or pieces
of tape will work). Stand at one marker, with your arms at your sides, knees slightly bent. Hop sideways, to land at the second
marker. Jump back again quickly. (Set of five to 10)
Winter body woe: My midriff is miserable!
Tummy-tucking exercise #1: Reverse crunches. The
secret to a sleek stomach is toned abdominals. Lie on your back, knees bent, with an inflatable exercise ball between your
ankles. Contract your abs, point your legs skyward and lift your hips an inch. Reach skyward with your arms and take the ball
from between your ankles, then slowly lower your hips. Repeat, this time putting the ball back between your ankles. (10-12
reps)
Tummy-tucking exercise #2: Roll up, roll down. Adapted from Pilates, this
exercise uses an elastic band. Sit up tall with your legs extended in front of you, knees together. Position the band so its
middle section is across the soles of your feet. Wrap the ends around each hand enough to create tension in the band with
arms extended. Contract your abdominals and pull your torso down toward your hips. Keeping both your abs and the band taut,
roll very slowly backward until your shoulder blades touch the floor. Return to starting position. (10-12 reps)
Winter body woe: My thighs are thunderous!
Thigh-toning exercise #1: Plie squats. This move
is borrowed from ballerinas. Stand up straight, feet apart a few inches wider than your shoulders, toes pointed out at a 45-degree
angle. Keep your head up, knees slightly bent, hips and lower back relaxed. Move hips and buttocks back and down, as if sitting
in a chair, until thighs are parallel to floor. Hold for a few seconds, then return to starting position. (Repeat 12-15 times)
Thigh-toning exercise #2: Crescent kicks. Straight from the boxing ring, this
move will tone your gams. Start in fighter's stance, left foot a few inches in front of the right (and bearing most of the
weight), knees and elbows bent and hands in front of face. Lift your right leg and kick it around in a half-circle, from left
to right, keeping your foot flexed and toes toward the ceiling. (15-20 reps each leg) |
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WORK OUT WITHOUT WORRY WITH THESE SPORTS BRAS FOR EVERY SIZE AND ACTIVITY.
It's a topic close to many women's hearts: finding a sports bra that
offers support and stability yet doesn't feel like a vise. There's been a lot of progress since 1977, the year the
sports bra was invented by two female joggers who craftily sewed two jockstraps together. Today's bras are designed
to prevent pain caused by the impact of exercise and to keep you secure during everything from a yoga class to a marathon.
Real Simple staffers worked out with dozens of bras to find the best. You can determine which will work for you based
on your cup size and your exercise-impact level.
SPORTS-BRA STYLES There are two main
types of sports bras: the compression bra, usually a pullover style that presses the breasts close to the body; and the
encapsulation bra, which has cups to separate the breasts and often comes with an adjustable closure and underwires.
In general, pullover bras work best for smaller-busted women, and encapsulation bras are for the larger-busted. But
it helps to try on different styles and brands. Just because one compression bra didn't work for you doesn't mean
they all won't. "Something as discreet as the angle of a seam can make a world of difference in fit," says Beth Brewster,
product specialist at Athleta, a women's sports-apparel catalog.
tip Prolong
the life of a sports bra by washing it in cool water, then letting it air-dry. A sports bra becomes a "dead bra" and needs
to be thrown out when it feels like a stretched-out bathing suit, the fabric thins or pills, or it doesn't strand
up to the jumping jacks test.
the winners
BEST
ALL-AROUND New Balance Drylast Stretch Bra, $24 impact level: Can withstand high impact in sizes A to C; medium
to low impact in D and DD. notes: This bra ranked high in support, comfort, fit, and versatility with testers sizes
A through D. Made of nylon and spandex and lined with moisture-wicking CoolMax, this bra provides superior strength and
comfort. to buy: 800-253-7463 for store locations.
BEST FOR THE SMALL-BREASTED(A and B Cups) Moving
Comfort Grace Bra, $35 impact level: High for sizes A and B, medium to low for size C. notes: The zip front makes this
bra easy to slip off after a sweaty workout. The high sides hold in flesh, and the zipper separates the breasts without
underwires. The Coolmax lining doubles as a pocket for a prosthesis. to buy:
http://www.movingcomfort.com for store locations.
Danskin TXM bra top, $31 impact level: High for sizes A and
B, medium for larger-size B's and C's, low for D. notes: The high neckline makes this bra an appropriate choice for
biking, yoga, and other activities where bending over can leave a woman exposed. It has the soft feel of cotton, the
wicking qualities of CoolMax, and mesh inserts for ventilation. to buy:
http://www.danskin.com for store locations.
Patagonia Mesh Sport Top bra, $32impact level: High for sizes
A and B, medium to low for larger-size B's and C's. notes: Made of extra-lightweight mesh that fits and moves with
you like a second skin, this bra is ideal for hot, sticky days. It's lined in a discreet crossover pattern for breast
separation and sweat- free, chafe-free support. to buy:
http://www.patagonia.com
BEST FOR THE MEDIUM-BREASTED(B and C Cups) Donna Karan Intimates Signature Active Sport
bra, $54 impact level: High for sizes B and C, medium for sizes D and DD. notes: Designed inside out, this encapsulation
bra keeps underwires and seams away from skin. Adjustable straps and a back clasp offer a customized fit-ideal for
a woman with an ample bosom but a small rib cage.to buy:
Saks Fifth Avenue, 800-347-9177.
Hot
Chillys System 2 bra, $44 impact level: High for sizes B and C. notes: Engineered for medium-breasted women who
engage in high-impact activities, this bra is a marriage of compression and encapsulation features: The cup linings
separate and support each breast but keep them close to the chest. Odor-resistant wicking fibers keep sweat and smell
in check. to buy:
http://www.mysportsbra.com
Columbia Rugged Trail Bra, $25 impact level: High for sizes A to C; medium for larger-size
C's. notes: This comfortable bra is constructed of strong, smooth fabric to prevent chafing. A skinny racer back gives
the arms full range of motion for activities like running and weight training. The fit is narrow, so it works best
on smaller frames. to buy: 800-622-6953 for store locations.
BEST FOR THE LARGE-BREASTED(C
to DDD Cups) Title 9 Sports Frog bra, $29 impact level: High for sizes B to D, medium for size DD. notes:
This was the only compression bra that limited bouncing for our larger-breasted testers during a high-impact workout.
It's made with 32 percent spandex (about three times the content of the average sports bra), with a wider band under
the breasts for extra support. to buy:
http://www.title9sports.com
Enell sports bra, $54 impact level: High for sizes C to DDD. notes: It looks like
a straitjacket or something out of Madonna's closet, but this bra keeps breasts completely secure and surprisingly comfortable.
The wide, nonstretchy straps won't dig into the shoulders, and they inhibit bouncing. One DD-size tester reported that
this is the only bra she's been able to do jumping jacks in. to buy:
http://www.enell.com
Champion Full Support sports bra, $37 impact level: High for sizes B to D. notes:
This pairs the control of underwire with the look of a compression bra. It's made of cotton, polyester, and spandex, rather
than a high-tech fiber, but the mesh lining keeps you dry. Styled like a pullover bra, it also has a back closure,
so you won't throw out your back taking it off. to buy:
http://www.championforwomen.com for store locations.
WHAT LEVEL OF IMPACT IS YOUR EXCERCISE? Low: Walking, weight training, yoga, biking, rock
climbing. Medium: Spinning, skiing, StairMaster, fast walking, tennis, martial arts. High: Running, mountain biking,
aerobics, softball, soccer,horseback riding.
why unsupportive is unhealthy
Embarrassment is not the only consequence of wearing an unsupportive
sports bra. "Without a proper bra, 70 to 80 pounds of force can impact the breast tissue with every step- even more
so for larger- breasted women," says Carol Stillman, a physical therapist and the owner of Sutton Place Physical Therapy,
in New York City. Repetitive bouncing leads to overstretching of the Cooper's ligaments- the fragile, nonelastic connective
tissue that supports the breasts-which in turn can cause sagging and soreness. Without adequate support, larger-breasted
women may also develop poor posture or experience neck, back, and shoulder pain.
if
the bra fits
 Sizes vary by manufacturer, and only you can judge what
will work for your body and your workout, so test sports bras in the dressing room before you buy.
Do jumping
jacks. Your entire upper body should move as a unit. Clap your hands over your head. The elastic band under the breasts
should not creep up. Take deep breaths. The bra should be snug but not so tight that it restricts breathing. Examine
the craftsmanship. Check for covered hardware, covered or plush elastic, and covered or flat seams.
And
Remember There Is Never a Reason Not To Exercise:)


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West 3rd Street Corning NY 14830 607 - 684-0228


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