Top Fitness

By Danielle Schlass Saliman
April 21, 2008

There are plenty of ways to get in shape for a bikini-baring summer—you can exercise, you can diet, you can slather on some cellulite cream and hope for the best—or you can take a little from each column. We say, whatever suits your fancy—or fancies your (swim) suit!

We like the idea of adding to your regimen, whatever it may be, whether with a cool new gadget or a sensible fitness tip. Check these out:

Hearing Aid:

Whether you joined the gym and don’t want to hire a trainer or you work out at home and are bored of your routine, download yourself a trainer with iTrain (itrain.com) Simply put, it’s a workout in your MP3—they offer over 250 programs including treadmill, elliptical, sculpt ballet and circuit, and their newly created iSwim, yes you can actually waterproof your iPod. Simply download all or just one of the sessions available and voila! you spent a ton less then you would on a personal trainer and you updated your MP3 with some cool new moves.

Inhale, Exhale:

What’s the one thing that may keep you from working out? Sure, running can tire you out, Pilates will make you sore and weight training may send you to a masseuse, but no matter what exercise you do, the out of breath feeling, simply put, is the hugest annoyance. But it’s actually possible to strengthen your breathing muscles which will decrease the huff and puff of exercise. A simple schedule of 30 breaths, twice a day with the Powerbreathe from Gaiam.com will help reduce long term  breathlessness, improve sports performance, and make you will feel healthier in just four weeks.

Fancy Feet:
Blisters, calluses, heat rash, Oh My! Working out already has its energy-sapping drawbacks, but it really does suck when you finally get into a groove and have to stop because that blister popped or your heel or your skin got irritated from constant rubbing. Not so much an issue if you slide on a little Footglide. Apply it directly onto your feet or ANY part of your body where annoying irritation occurs during your workout (under your arms, on your feet, between your legs), it’ll protect those, um, sore spots. Get it at Drugstore.com.

Jump for Joy:

Whether it brings back memories from the playground or reminds you of Rocky Balboa, jumping rope is the new strip-tease aerobics. You just know that there will be jump rope classes popping up at Crunch any day now. It may have a retro feel but it’s a full body workout that burns twice as many calories as running on the treadmill for the same time—trouble is, how do you keep track of your progress? But if you are uncoordinated  like we are, the tripping may do you in.

Not with The JumpSnap, a computerized rope-less jump rope which calculates how many calories you are burning while jumping sans the clumsiness factor and you can even add extra weight to the handles for an increased upper body workout.

Order In:

When it comes to fast weight loss, feeling great and balanced, and getting those carb cravings in check, you can’t beat The Zone diet. But, working out those percentages (40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat) for every meal can make your brain explode. There are many (to say the least) delivery service diets out there to right the wrong for you—costly sure, but 3 meals and 3 snacks a day, fresh, delivered daily, can you really complain? We love The Fresh Diet (www.thefreshdiet.com) because of all the myriad companies out there, this one gives you a larger choice per meal so you don’t have to eat tofu when all you really wanted was some London Broil—oh yes, they have it and it’s good. Let’s just say we lost 20 pounds in 2 months—that’s worth every penny.

Getting Ready for Summer Tips:
Denise Austin, queen of morning workout shows, says it's how you use your nighttime that makes the difference in being fit and healthy. A new survey by Listerine shows that more than 60 percent of working Americans admit they lack extra time in the evenings they once enjoyed five years ago, and more than half now feel like the work day never ends. Denise advises small, easy changes to your nighttime routine can actually improve health, help you de-stress, sleep better, lose weight-just in time for summer.

1. Don’t: Assume you must spend hours working out to stay healthy. Do three 10-min sessions throughout day, with one at night. You don’t have to skip the American Idol Results show—exercises can easily be done during commercials.

2. Do: Try a new workout at night—research shows brains are receptive to learning in the evening, so it’s a good time to change your regular routine.

3. Don’t: Give in to nighttime cravings for sweets. Brush your teeth, floss and rinse right after dinner – will be less inclined to snack if you have to do it all again.

4. Do set a bedtime routine that enables you to get a great night’s sleep, try to go to bed at same time so your body “knows” it’s time to sleep. Nighttime is when your body renews, essential to get enough rest.