The Top 5 Exercises You're Doing Wrong

For some people, safety and form during a workout is a huge priority. For others, it's an afterthought. If you work out without the careful eyes of a trainer or instructor watching your every move, it can be difficult to know if you are exercising with proper form—even when you're really trying to.
 
Learning how to move with correct alignment isn't just about looking good; it can mean the difference between muscle activation and joint strain—or even injury.
 
Here are five exercises that are common—and may even seem simple—but are most often performed incorrectly by people of all fitness levels. Read More ›

10 Exercises That Target the Triceps

Spring is around the corner, which means you'll be bringing your short sleeved and sleeveless tops out of storage in no time. Speaking of baring your arms: Are yours in tip-top shape? If not, you could help build strength and muscle tone in the most common problem area of the arms—the triceps—by adding some additional triceps exercises to your workout plan. Read More ›

3 Tips to Deal with Exercise ADD

I see it happen all the time on exercise forums or via my friend Facebook: Exercisers (from enthusiasts to newbies) get so pumped up about a particular workout that it's all they can do, talk about or think about...for a while anyway.

After a few days (or a couple weeks if they're lucky), these people are already gung ho for something else. While their enthusiasm and consistency for working out is a very good thing, they ultimately end up complaining for not getting results.

But wait: Isn't a good thing to try new workouts to create that "muscle confusion" or get better results? Read More ›

The 'Lose Your Love Handles' Workout

Love handles, the spare tire, the middle age spread: Call it what you will, but nobody likes having excess flab around the waistline (not even when we name it cute things like "muffin" top). And while you can target the oblique muscles located on the sides of your waist by doing specific toning exercises, doing tons of abs moves alone isn’t enough to shrink your waistline. Your best love handle melting strategy involves the same principles for losing weight anywhere on the body: eating better foods (and less in general), and performing both fat-burning cardio along with muscle-toning strength training.
 
But like any exercise program, you should cater your exercises to your specific goals. And if whittling your waistline is one of your goals, you should be doing exercises to help you reach it.
 
I designed this workout circuit to help you target your waistline in a smart way: by keeping your heart rate elevated to burn more calories than you would simply lying on the floor and doing crunches. You’ll alternate a cardio move that also targets your core with a traditional oblique toner for maximum benefit. Read More ›

5 Things No One Ever Tells You about Working Out

Exercising isn’t always pretty—the sweat, the matted down hair, the locker rooms—but it’s definitely worthwhile! Whether you are just starting out or returning after a long break, there are a few things no one ever really tells you about exercise. Even you regular gym bunnies might learn a thing or two from this list—oh how I wish someone had told me these when I started working out!
 
When you can expect them, and know what to do about them, you'll have fewer barriers and hiccups along your exercise journey. Read More ›

6 Essentials for Your Home Workouts

If you’ve seen enough infomercials in your time, it’s easy to get convinced that you need to buy the latest and greatest in exercise gadgets or gizmos in order to reach your fitness goals.
 
The truth is, there’s no need to spend a ton of money on fancy equipment or even a gym membership to get in a good workout. In fact, many great workout routines don’t need any equipment at all. But if you are looking to invest in a few pieces to help you get fit in 2013, there are a few, inexpensive items I’d recommend.
 
As a personal trainer, I actually train all of my clients at home using these six essential items (and they’re each cost less than $20). Read More ›

Your Excuse-Proof Workout Plan

We’re officially into the busy holiday season, but that’s no reason to let your workouts get away from you. Next time you feel like skimping on exercise to hit the mall or bake another batch of cookies remember this: It doesn't take much to get a great workout.
 
That's why I designed this excuse-proof workout. You can do this simple, 6-minute circuit anytime (it's whisper quiet), anywhere (no gym required) and without any equipment.  All that and it'll sculpt your body from head to toe, too. Read More ›

3 Real Reasons You Aren't Exercising

Do you ever get tired of hearing people say that no excuse is a good excuse? If you aren’t exercising on as consistently as you'd like to, it could be because you have some real obstacles—not just excuses—holding you back.
 
So what should you do when you really can’t exercise?
 
Here are three, get-started-now action steps to help you overcome some serious fitness obstacles. Read More ›

10 Ten-Minute Workout Ideas

I know you are busy (that's the number one excuse I hear from people who aren't exercising regularly), but everyone's got at least 10 minutes to spare at some point during the day! And, even if you are managing several longer workouts each week, adding in 10-minute bouts of activity can help combat the dangerous effects of sitting for too long during the remaining hours of your day.
 
Print, "pin" or post this list somewhere you'll see it every day, and next time you find yourself with 10 extra minutes, fit in a little extra fitness—your body (and mind!) will thank you. Read More ›