Thursday, December 20, 2018
Friday, December 7, 2018
Try This 6-Move Holiday Barre Workout
This at-home workout is a fun, easy way to get in a strength-based sweat session—no matter how busy you are.
Alicia Archer, a dancer and an Equinox fitness instructor in New York City, created this workout specifically for this time of year. “You’re pulled in so many different directions during the holidays,” she says. “Barre won’t add more stress to your life.” The ballet-inspired moves focus on small motions and high reps, to help sculpt and strengthen.
Single-Leg Push-Up
Start on all fours with your right leg lifted and extended out behind you. Point your toes and bend your elbows, lowering your chest to the ground while raising your right leg even higher. Push back up and then repeat, maintaining a straight line from shoulder to heel.
Side Plank with Dip & Leg Lift
Lie on your left side with your legs stacked. Bend your left leg back, prop yourself up on your left forearm, and raise your right arm straight up in a slow, controlled manner. Pull your abs in and lift your hips, then raise your left knee up toward your chest. Hold for 2 seconds, then lower back down and repeat.
Plié with Front Arm Lift & Pull
Stand with your feet about 3 feet apart and turned out. Hold your palms in front of your thighs with a 3-lb. dumbbell in each hand. Bend your knees, push your hips back, and lower down as you raise your arms up to shoulder height. Bend your arms, pulling the weights back as you rise onto tiptoes. Lower back down and repeat, keeping your abs engaged.
Plié with High Arm Biceps Curl
Stand with your heels together and feet turned out, knees bent slightly. With a 3-lb. weight in each hand, raise your arms out to the sides, palms face-up. Keeping your back flat, rise onto your tiptoes, pulling your elbows into your sides. Return your arms out to your sides, bend your elbows and curl the weights toward your shoulders. Return your arms to your sides again and repeat the sequence.
Triceps Lift & Extension
Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Holding a 3-lb. weight in each hand with palms facing forward, hinge at the hips and lower your torso slightly, allowing your arms to naturally fall forward. Lift your arms back and up and bend your elbows, curling weights toward shoulders. Extend your arms back out, and then lower and repeat. Make sure you crunch those abs.
Curtsy Lunge with Front Leg Extension
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your arms at your sides with a 3-lb. weight in each hand. Take a giant step back with your left foot, crossing it behind your right. Bend your knees, lower hips and torso, and extend your right arm diagonally back and up. Bring your left elbow to your right knee, and curl the weight toward your shoulder. Transferring the weight to the right foot, come to balance on the right foot as you kick your left leg up and extend your arms out, palms face down. Maintaining this position, bend your left knee and bring your left foot to right thigh. Lower your left leg, step back to the starting position, and repeat.
Do 15-20 reps of each move for 2-3 sets, 2-3 days a week.
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Monday, August 27, 2018
The Best Sports Bras for Big Breasts
These amazing sports bras that are easy to get on, offer stellar support and, most importantly, are still cute!
Unfortunately, the bounce factor for bustier women can be an exercise deterrent. Who wants to go for a run or knock out burpees when every hop, skip, and jump leads to pure pain? In fact, we’re pretty sure we all have that friend who’s had to double up on support. What’s more, a larger-breasted woman in the wrong bra can have serious health implications.
“If a sports bra has not been specifically designed and built to carry the weight of larger, heavier breasts, the bra straps may be too narrow and exert extra pressure on your shoulders,” explains LaJean Lawson, PhD, a sports bra researcher at Oregon State University and consultant to the sports bra industry. “If the amount and location of the pressure crosses over an area in the shoulders where nerves and blood vessels exit into the upper arms, a medical condition known as thoracic outlet syndrome can result.” Symptoms of TOS include numbness or tingling in the arms or hands, pain in the neck, shoulder, or hands, and even a weaker grip.)
So what do the well-endowed need to look for when shopping for a sports bra? Lawson says, there are three key things:
1. Look for minimal (controlled) stretch throughout the bra in areas like the cups, straps, and band.
2. Forgo the traditional sports bra, which has a single flat panel across the front, and opt for one with two separate cups that will control each breast instead.
3. Choose athletic supporters with more coverage such as a higher neckline, wider straps, and a substantial bottom band.
Armed with Lawson’s tips, we did the leg work for you and found these 10 amazing sports bras perfect for big breasts. They’re easy to get on, offer stellar support and, most importantly, are still cute!
Athleta Front Zip Stealth Bra
This wireless, high support bra is ideal for cups up to DD. Convertible straps and the front zipper closure allow for a more customized fit.
Sizes: XS-XL
To buy: $72; athleta.gap.com
Panache Underwire Sports Bra
With the click of a hook, this bra takes you from regular to racerback. It also has flexible underwire and three-part-foam-lined cups.
Sizes: 30-42, C-DDD
To buy: Starting at $40; amazon.com
Freya Active Underwire Molded Sports Bra
This supporter’s molded cups play up your curves (and provides each breast with individualized support!) instead of smashing your girls into one unflattering lump.
Sizes: 28-40, B-G
To buy: $62; amazon.com
Enell High Impact Sports Bra
A high neckline not only ensures that your breasts won’t play peekaboo, but also reins the girls in from unwanted surge.
Sizes: 00-8
To buy: Starting at $59; amazon.com
Nike Pro Rival
Sick of the chafing caused by stitched straps? The bonded seams on this bra help put an end to skin irritation.
Sizes: 30-38, B-E
To buy: $70; nike.com
Nike Impact Strappy
This high support bra is great for all types of exercise including running and cross training. With a strappy design for a custom fit, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your girls.
Sizes: XS-XL
To buy: $55; nike.com
Sweaty Betty Ultra Run Bra
This running-specific bra combines compression and encapsulation technology that cuts down breast movement in all directions. Also good: The mesh lining puts the kibosh on in-between-breast sweat (yay!).
Sizes: 32-38, A-F
To buy: $65; sweatybetty.com
Anita Maximum Control Wire-Free Sports Bra
If you’re looking for high-impact support without wires, this is your sports bra. Molded double-layer cups keep you covered with a three-column, three-row hook and back closure to keep the girls supported.
Sizes: 30-46, C-H
To buy: $69; barenecessities.com
Moving Comfort Jubralee Bra
The Velcro straps are surprisingly secure and make it super easy to adjust this supporter on the fly.
Sizes 34-44, B-E
To buy: $55; amazon.com
New Balance The Shockingly Unshocking
There are few things more embarrassing than showing off your nipples when you sweat—built-in modesty cups ensure your “headlights” stay hidden.
Sizes: 32-42, C-DD
To buy: $25-48; amazon.com
