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Show Me the US Open Money!

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0700

The US Open drew to a close yesterday afternoon, as Roger Federer beat Andy Murray in three sets. Federer claimed his 13th grand slam victory and vowed to try to win another one, because staying at 13 would be so unlucky. On the women's side of things, Serena Williams rallied through two sets to beat Jelena Jankovic.

Along with gaining another grand slam title and the silver chalice, how much did these folks win in prize money? Take this quiz and see if you can show me the US Open Money.

Source

Will You Be Watching the US Open?

FitSugar — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

While I am loving the fashion of the US Open, it is the exciting tennis that keeps me watching — like the amazing quarterfinal battle between Venus and Serena. The women's final airs today at 8:00 p.m. EST, and the men's final will be Sunday at 4:00 p.m. EST. Both finals will air on CBS. I want to know . . .Source

Will You Be Watching the US Open?

Yes! I have been watching all along.

Yes. I always manage to catch the finals.

Nope, but I am curious who will win.

No. Tennis is not my thing.

US Open Is a Fashion Grand Slam

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:30:00 -0700

As always, I am really enjoying the US Open right now. I love watching all the strong players battle it out on the court, but this year I am noticing an added element to the game: fashion.

Maybe it was because Anna Wintour has been frequenting the stands or because fashion week is just around the corner, but the tennis outfits are awesome this year. The colors are bright and the dresses and skirts are cute. Most of you loved Maria Sharapova's red dress last year, so I am guessing you're digging the fashion, too.

Check out all the cool looks at this year's Open and if you're feeling inspired, do a little shopping for your own cute little tennis dress.

There's a lot more after the break so

Get Your Butt in Gear: Trendy Tennis Clothes

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Have you heard? Tennis is trendy. Ticket sales are up for the US Open, and participation in the sport increased 18.7 percent last year. As a result, sales of tennis clothes are also on the rise. In the US, tennis apparel rung up $294.6 million in sales last year; Reebok's US tennis revenue alone is up 62 percent!

I certainly can't blame shoppers for snatching up cute clothes for one of the most fashionable sports. If you play tennis, or even if you don't, you're in luck, because there's more choice now than ever. Of course, I love an excuse to wear cute tennis dresses and skirts. Nike and Adidas are churning out especially stylish styles lately; right now I'm eying this Nike Paris Tennis Dress ($100). Inspired by Maria Sharapova, it's a fashionable blend of feminine and sporty. See the rest of my picks when you

Words That Move You . . .

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:00:00 -0700

"What defines a person's character is not how you are when you're on top. It's how you are when you're on the bottom and working your way back." — Serena Williams, in the August 2008 issue of Glamour

After taking home a gold medal in women's doubles at the Olympics, Serena Williams is moving on to the US Open this week.

For even more motivation, check out these quotes.

Source

Goodbye Olympics, Hello US Open!

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Whether you're relieved or disappointed that the Olympics are over, you can now channel your sports watching elsewhere. The US Open kicks off today in New York!

I always love watching the Open: It's the only Grand Slam tournament held in the US, which makes it feel more familiar even if I can't sit courtside. This year, the Open is celebrating its 40th anniversary, so there'll be some extra nostalgia, including an opening ceremony (tonight at 7 p.m. EDT) highlighting the tournament's singles champs over the past four decades.

The Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal rivalry will be in full force. Though Federer ceded his number one ranking to Nadal, he has won the past four US Opens, so a potential final against Nadal would be a must-see. Other big names to watch will be Lindsay Davenport, who is back after battling injuries, and Elena Dementieva, who just won the gold medal in women's singles Beijing. The way the matches shake out, there's no way that the Williams sisters, who scored Olympic gold in doubles, could face each other in the final match, but here's hoping they come back strong after Beijing.

Check out the schedule here to find out when all the good matches air. Will you be watching the US Open? Who are you most excited to see?

Source

Crave Worthy: Golf and Tennis Wear by Stella McCartney

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0700

Stella McCartney paired up with Adidas a few years back, and her feminine yet sporty clothes do not disappoint. The design are always fresh and lovely, not to mention expensive, but a girl can dream can't she. Her Fall sports collection includes dance and ski wear, but it is the golf and tennis outfits that really inspire.

New York magazine recently shared a few sneak peeks at these new designs.
I, for one, would love to hit the links in these clothes. I know they wouldn't help my game, but at least I would lose fashionably.

To see the tennis fashions,

Ashley Harkleroad: First Female Tennis Player on Playboy

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

It's nothing new for female athletes to pose for Playboy (Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard and former volleyball player Gabrielle Reece have both posed), but Ashley Harkleroad is the first pro female tennis player to appear on the cover. Although she may not be well-known, she does rank in the top 100 in the world and recently moved up to 72. Harkleroad decided to pose for Playboy to show that athletic women could be sexy. Um, I'm not sure where she heard that they weren't, but I guess there are worse reasons to pose nude.

Her eight-page spread in the August 2008 issue is causing quite a stir on the tennis scene. She said:

"For me, I have a very natural body. I'm an athlete who is fit and not very big-busted at all. I'm proud of that. I wanted to show that female athletes, who are fit and muscular, can have very beautiful bodies just like regular models. l'll be the first tennis player ever. That's kind of cool."

I think it's great to be proud of your body, especially when Playboy's definition of sexy has traditionally been thin and big-busted ladies. To hear what Serena Williams said in response to Harkleroad's photos and to see the first page of her layout

Venus Williams Is in Shape

FitSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700

2008 Wimbledon champ, Venus Williams turned pro at age 14. She won her first grand slam title at 20. Now at 28, she is still winning and she shared some of her secrets of success with Shape and here are some highlights.

On Motivation: As far as motivation goes, Venus tells us who has inspired her the most. It's Serena, no question. "Without her, I couldn't have achieved anything. She's helped me believe in myself." Serena loves to give Venus little sayings to remember, such as, 'If you take your opportunities, more opportunities will come.' "That got me through one final at Wimbledon," recalls Venus. "It was a ridiculously difficult match and I was behind until the last three minutes. I kept saying that line over and over in my head: 'If I take the opportunities on the court, more will come.' I was also thinking, 'I want to be like Serena; I want to win like Serena.' And I did."

To see what Venus thinks is the key to confidence,

Are You Going to Watch Wimbledon?

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:30:00 -0700

The 2008 Wimbledon Championships starts today and I, for one, am very excited. I love the game and I love watching strong men and women duke it out on the grass courts. I know that not everyone is a tennis fan, so will you be watching?Source

Are You Going to Watch Wimbledon?

Yes, from day one

Yes, but just the final matches

No, not a tennis fan

Other - share below

Spring Sports: Burn It Up Outside

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:30:00 -0700

It finally feels like Spring has arrived and we can all finally exercise outside. Spring weather inspires so many outdoor activities and lucky for us they are calorie burners too. Check out how many calories my favorite Spring activities burn. The amounts are based on a 130-pound woman.

Source

Get in Gear: Bolle Tennis Sunglasses

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:30:00 -0700

Most of you agreed with me that blue-tinted "weight-loss" sunglasses seem ridiculous. But colored lenses can be beneficial, and I'm not just talking about rose-colored glasses. Bolle makes a very cool line of Competivision Sunglasses for tennis, which use blue-tinted lenses to mute every color but yellow. That way, everything looks somewhat duller except the bright yellow of the tennis ball, allowing you to keep your eye on it better.

I don't personally own a pair of these, but I have tried out a friend's pair, and I can say that they really work, especially when it's really bright or sort of hazy outside. The lenses are available for a number of different frame styles, which range in price from about $55 to $90. Bolle also makes a similar product for golfing. If you've tried either of these, I'd love to know what you thought.

How to Choose a Tennis Racquet

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:00:00 -0700

After my post last week on five tennis form fundamentals, TeamSugar user PeachyKeen19 asked for a few tips on how to choose a tennis racquet. So I've rounded up the major factors you should consider when buying a racquet, whether it's your first-ever paddle or the latest in a long line.

Power vs. control: The first question to ask is whether you need more power or more control. Beginners typically need power or game-improvement racquets because they don't yet have the strength of veterans, who use more control-focused racquets. If you're an intermediate player, choose a "tweener" racquet that's a mix between the two.

For the rest of my tips and thoughts,

5 Things: Tennis Form Fundamentals

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:30:00 -0700

With Spring almost here and the days getting longer, I can't wait to hit the courts for some after-work tennis action. Tennis is definitely one of those sports (like golf) that you can play for years and still learn new things every time you take a lesson. In fact, veteran tennis players continue to take lessons to maximize their games and perfect their form.

I've already given you some tips for novices, but even experts can use reminders from time to time about some of the basic fundamentals of tennis form. To see my five tennis essentials,

Get in Gear: Cute Tennis Racquet Case

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:30:00 -0800

When it comes to tennis accessories, there is not a whole lot of flare. Leave it to my girl FabSugar to tip me off on some tennis gear with something to say.

This is why I am loving this tongue-and-cheek tennis racquet carrying case ($30). This adorable green case with white lettering will fit all standard rackets. Buy it here.

Now if I can only get that song out of my head . . .

Love Means Nothing in Tennis

FitSugar — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 03:00:00 -0700

I am fired up about Fall, not only because the leaves are changing but also because it is my favorite time to hit the tennis courts. If you're thinking about playing and are not quite clear on the scoring (like my hubbie), here are the basics to playing tennis.

It takes:

Four points to win a game, with at least two points more than your opponent.
Six games to win a set with at least two games more than your opponent.
If the set is tied at six games each a tiebreaker game is played and the player who wins that game wins the set with a score of 7-6 for the set (for scoring on this please see Experts: Tennis since it is fairly complicated).
Two sets to win a match for women and three sets to win a match for men.

To find out the basics of individual scoring, just

Fittingly Mad: Sore Losers

FitSugar — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 02:30:00 -0700

She has been railed on by the sports media. They have called her "classless" and "graceless," "sullen" and "sulking." Yep, I am talking about one of my fave tennis stars, Serena Williams and her sorry press conference after losing her quarterfinal match at the US Open.

If you have played competitive sports, or even a wicked game of backgammon, and lost (which inevitably happens if you play games), then you know it is hard to lose. You give it your all, you play the best you can and some days it just isn't enough. Losing with grace, though, is still part of the game. Serena even told reporters:

I really don't feel like talking about it [the match]. It's like I don't want to get fined. That's the only reason I came [to the press conference]. I can't afford to pay the fines because I keep losing.

Not really a stellar postmortem on the match, would you say? Serena lost the match to Justine Henin who just so happens to be ranked #1 in women's tennis right now. So when you lose, and lose to the best, you just need to admit you played your best and your opponent unfortunately played even better. Fans forgive losses quickly, but bad attitudes linger. We love players that show their emotions and get fired up on the court or field, but bad sportsmanship just has a bad aftertaste.

It doesn't matter if you win or lose. It is how you played the game...and how you act afterward!

Source

Venus' Short Shorts: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 11:25:00 -0700

Tennis fashions have certainly evolved and come a long way from the pastels and "skirts only rules" for the ladies. You all loved Sharapova's red tennis dress, but tell me how you feel about the SHORT shorts Venus Williams wore during her last match at the US Open. No doubt she looks amazing, and by making it all the way to the semi-finals being seeded 12th in the tournament, we know Venus is one fierce competitor. Today in the semi-finals, Venus takes on top ranked Justine Henin, who defeated sister Serena just two days ago!!! Should be a great game and she will probably be wearing some fashion forward tennis wear too.Source

Venus' Short Shorts: Cool or Not?

Cool!

Not Cool!

Undecided

Other - Tell me below!

Are You Watching the U.S. Open?

FitSugar — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Even though the finals are not until next weekend, Labor Day weekend is when I start to get fired up about the U.S. Open. This year the fashions might even rival the tennis with some of the top seeded players sporting some personal and stylish designs. The competition is fierce and these women are strong, making the matches very exciting to watch.So I want to know...Source

Are You Watching the U.S. Open?

Yes - I love the game and the clothes!

Not right now, but I will watch the finals next weekend.

No - I am not interested in tennis!

Other - Tell me below!

Maria Sharapova is in Shape

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:15:00 -0700

I'm following Maria Sharapova religiously right now for the US Open, so I was thrilled to see her on the cover of Shape.

The debate's still up on whether or not we're loving Maria's bright red tennis dress, but here's what she had to say on dieting and working out:

Banish the word “diet” from your vocabulary: To say Maria enjoys eating is like saying she’s a pretty good tennis player. “Nothing makes me happier than having an amazing meal,” she says. “But I never diet because I need to be strong.” Maria eats three big meals a day, always making sure to have a balance of both carbs and proteins, and she snacks on fresh fruit along with a slice of ham or some other protein. And she never denies herself a sweet if she wants it. “The moment someone says I can’t have something, forget it. I want it even more,” she says. “If I crave a cookie, I eat it.”
Shake up your exercise routine: Playing tennis nearly every day can get boring, so Maria makes it a point to switch up her activities whenever she can. “I bike and do yoga. But my new favorite thing is a salsa dance class called Video-sync,” she says. The program, developed by J. Marcos at Sports Club/LA in Miami, combines dance and fitness with a focus on core work to build strong abs. The classes aren’t highly choreographed, so Maria can let loose without stressing about getting the steps right. “I love it,” she says. “It’s so energetic and fun!”

And does Maria ever give her body an exercise break? To find out, just

Venus Williams Launches EleVen Clothing Line

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:00:00 -0700

My girl, Venus Williams, has recently launched her new clothing line, EleVen in collaboration with Steve & Barry's.

While Williams is only wearing the V-Court pro sneaker at the U.S. Open, which is going on now, EleVen's launch collection will have more than 120 pieces. The collection will cover a wide spectrum, from performance apparel to lounge wear, accessories and footwear. Sneaker styles are appropriately named after tennis terms such as Ace, Deuce and Swing. Many of the items are versatile in nature and can be worn to workout and then go out!

Venus has been working at getting her degree in fashion design at the Art Institute of Florida, so I am thrilled at the prospect of fashionable workout gear. What's more? It's affordable too since everything in the collection is rumored to be priced at $19.98 or less. Unfortunately, you won't be able to buy the gear until November, but you can sign up for email updates at EleVenByVenus.com. I've also heard that a couple of hundred pairs of the V-Court will be sold this Friday at the Steve & Barry's Manhattan flagship store -- So all you New Yorkers can get an early peek...

Source and Source.

Sharapova's Red Nike Tennis Dress: Cool or NOT?

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Maria Sharapova, defending U.S. Open champion, is one sharp dresser. Her red tennis dress for nighttime play (she has a different outfit dedicated for daytime play) seems more evening gown than tennis dress, to me. OK, so the tennis dress, designed by Nike, is a celebration of New York in functional fashion form. The bright red-flame color represents the Big Apple and the 600 Swarovski crystals are reminiscent of the Manhattan skyline. The back has three crystal buttons down the back, creating a keyhole effect - I don't think that has anything to do directly with NYC, it just looks cool. The functional element is the fabric and construction. The material is breathable wicking jersey constructed with a no-sew technique where seams bonded with heat and silicone instead of thread.Sharapova described the dress as simple and classy, which suits her taste since she doesn't like things that are "tacky." I am not sure I am convinced on the crystals and the color though. I don't know about you, but I think the over all look is a little more ice skating costume then tennis dress. What do you think?Source

Sharapova's Red Nike Tennis Dress: Cool or NOT?

Cool

Not Cool

Undecided

Other - Tell me below

US Open, Opens Today!

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Today is opening day of the US Open, the final event of Grand Slam tennis tournament season. The courts at Flushing Meadows have been busy over the weekend with qualifying rounds. Both of the Williams sisters will play today, which is beyond appropriate since it is the 50th anniversary of Althea Gibson’s first U.S. Open tournament title.

Gibson in considered the Jackie Robinson of tennis since she was the first black athlete - male or female - to win a Grand Slam event. Tonight's tribute to Althea Gibson in Arthur Ashe Stadium is titled "Breaking Barriers" and will salute black women pioneers in sports, entertainment, politics and the arts and will include a performance by Aretha Franklin. Sounds like a rocking good time!

Both Serena and Venus dominated the U.S. Open early in the decade, but returning champion Maria Sharapova will definitely give them a run for the money. Look for cutting edge tennis fashion from all three champions.

I will be watching, will you? Let me know in the comments section below.

Source

Summer Exercises Calorie by Calorie

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:15:00 -0700

If you're like me, when summer is nearing to an end, I get a little sad thinking about all the fun outdoor activities I won't be able to do once the weather cools down. So here's a little kick in the pants to motivate you to get out and enjoy (or try) these sunshiny weather workouts before it's too late.

Summer sports and activities are some of my favorites because even though you're working every inch of your body, you may not even realize it because you're having so much fun. Just be sure to take precautions so you don't get a sunburn (which can lead to skin cancer), become dehydrated, or get heat stroke.

Want to see how many calories a person burns doing 30 minutes of each? Then

Back to Basics: Benefits of Sports

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 09:30:00 -0700

As kids we are encouraged to get involved in sports because not only are they great physical motivators, they are also great mentally and for team building. As adults, we may have our team building skills under control, but still would love to get the physical benefits of playing sports.

Just in case you forgot, here are some basic sports that you may want to get involved in:

Soccer is great for the sticks. All that sprinting gives your legs and glutes a workout, which is also a great workout for the heart. Kicking and throwing the ball works your arms and abs to help you keep balance. You'll also use some smaller muscles in the ankle, knee and hip.
Water Polo is not for beginner swimmers, but is a great full body workout. This tough sport is one where your legs never touch the pool floor. Swimming builds strength in your legs and shoulders, and passing and shooting the ball works the back and chest. Water polo also can get your heart pumping for a great cardio workout as well. Despite the fact that the game never really stops until it's over, it is considered a low-impact sport and it has a low rate of injury (minus the occasional elbow to the face). It could even be a great place to meet someone too -- My brother met his wife during an intense game of water polo.
Basketball is not just for tall all stars. Shooting baskets and passing and dribbling the ball will help strengthen arm muscles. It's great for toning up the lower body too -- Think of all the running, jumping and fancy footwork involved. Running back and forth across the court also provides a good cardio workout, this is why you probably had to do basketball drills in gym class as a kid.
Tennis is a fabulous method of burning serious calories due to the high intensity bursts that typically occur during a good tennis match. Beginners may need some practice before seeing this benefit. Swinging, smashing and hitting the ball are fabulous for strengthening your upper body as well as your legs.
Golf is a great way to get in a good dose of walking (considering you ditch the cart). Swinging helps strengthen legs and hips and can increase flexibility in your shoulders, arms, wrists and hands. As long as you can keep your temper under control, golf can also be a major stress reliever.

Get Physical: Tennis Anyone?

FitSugar — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Tennis is a great game to play with your sweetheart or best friend because even when you have nothing, you still have love. Awww. One of the reasons I like tennis so much is it takes only 2 people to play, but you can always go for doubles and play a match with 4 people on the court.

You also don't have to play a "match" - you have other options too. Since serving can be so tedious some days, you can just volley and practice your shots. Plus without having to stop and wait for your partner to serve, you both will stay in motion more for longer periods of time. And that means more exercise!

I also like playing using the no "out-of-bounds" rule and "play with multiple bounce" rule. These two slight modifications will keep you moving as well. It can be hard to keep the little ball in court if you haven't quite figured out how to control the strength of your hit with a little spin. It can be hard to get to those little balls on just one bounce. When you do run out of tennis balls to hit, don't walk - run to gather up all your stray balls. Again, more calories burned.

Many cities and towns have public courts, so you shouldn't be too hard pressed to find a place to play. If you'd like a few more tips check out my tips for the Novice Tennis Player. They should help you find the love of the game.

Source

Fitness Widget Heaven: Great Gear

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:30:00 -0700

I am loving the new widget feature on TeamSugar. I also love that you all love it too. Yes, I am having a veritable widget love fest, right here in this post.

The widgets made for the recent Team Challenge were great. The gear Sugar users bookmarked as Fit Finds are so great I had to share them with you. Super cool gear for fun activities.

The amount of hydrating products that montaglookalike bookmarked leads me to believe her tennis matches are long ones. The tennis outfit she bookmarked would surely make anyone feel like a pro!

SU3 found more than just the essentials for a great swimming workout. Her widget includes not only a swimsuit, but also a water bottle, as well as a sports bag to carry all your goodies.

When it comes to biking with the entire family hvnly34 knows her stuff. She bookmarked a bike trailer that converts into a stroller. Talk about smart gear.

Stay tuned for more Team and Fit challenges!!!

Tips for Novice Tennis Players

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Tennis is a great way to get moving this summer. However, if you're new to the sport then you know first hand that not knowing how to play very well can make for a frustrating afternoon. Everyone has to start somewhere, so here are a few tips that will hopefully ease the frustration and help you stick with it.

Take lessons, even if you're not a first time player. Aside from learning a few tips and tricks, one of the best things about taking a lesson is that the coach can help you break the bad habits you may have picked up (bad grip, bad swing, etc) along the way.
Play "no out-of-bounds". This may seem crazy to tennis pros, but the game can get a little frustrating when a newbie hits the ball out-of-bounds every time she swings, which means the game never really gets going. So in the beginning, play with a "no out-of-bounds" rule to actually get some volley time in. Still not going smoothly? Then until you get the hang of it, think about allowing the ball to bounce more than once.
Practice makes good, not perfect. Tennis is one of those games where, unless you're André Agassi, you'll have good times and then you'll have times where you're embarrassed to be on the court. This is normal. It happens to everyone. Keep on practicing.
Get good equipment, but not the most pricey. All you really need to play tennis is a decent all around racket and some average tennis balls. Tennis gear can get quite expensive and there is no need to splurge before you've even decided if you like the sport. If you find that you love tennis, then you can splurge on the convenient bag, pink tennis balls and cute tennis dress.
Bring a lot of balls. If there is one thing I can tell you before heading to the court on your new tennis endeavors it is to bring a lot of balls along. Nothing is more frustrating than only having one or two balls that you have to retrieve every one or two minutes.

Source

Looking to Improve Your Strokes: Expert-Tennis-Tips.com

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 08:45:00 -0700

If you're spending time on the tennis court this summer and looking for some tips on how to get your game ON, you should check out the Expert Tennis Tips website. They have a series of tips on all of the different strokes that can really help your game. Some of the tip pages have videos - I found slow motion video of the forehand mesmerizing, while other pages have great photos of tennis stars showing off their strokes.

The website details many different ways to approach not only the classic strokes of tennis but the entire game. My favorite quote is:

When learning all the tennis strokes, bear in mind that there is no single "correct" way to play . Tennis is a game of options. There are no hard and fast rules for playing and developing your game. There is no one style that leads to the "perfect" game.

I truly agree especially since my love of the game definitely tops my technique.

I found this website inspirational and their helpful tips are for every level of player. My hands are itching to grab my racquet and get out on the court. Does anyone out there remember the days of the single handed backhand?

Tennis anyone?

Source

Looks for Your Spring Workout - Compliments of ADC Group

FitSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Working out in new gear always makes me feel special. It makes me work a little harder, the same way a new play list does. If you are short on time, but want some new duds so your workout will not be a dud, shopping for gear just became a little easier. redegg's group A Devilish Challenge (ADC) has been busy putting together excellent outfits for all types of workouts.

Here are a few of the highlights:

DesignRchic is all about weight lifting. Check out these bad ass gloves. I think the entire look would make power lifting more enjoyable.

redegg herself is all over the yoga look by Stella McCartney. I think the diamond studs will make her yoga poses rock solid. My favorite item is, of course, the the FabSugar tee shirt.

There are plenty more looks, so if you are shopping for some new gear, check them all out. This might just be the motivation we have all been looking for. So do go to this post to see the top 5 looks, because there is swimming and tennis attire too!

Get Your Butt in Gear: Ace Tennis Shorts by Athleta

FitSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 03:00:00 -0700

There are so many cute tennis dresses out there, but you need something to wear under them, preferably with pockets. Where are going to keep the balls?

The Ace Shorts by Athleta are one of the best options out there. The sleek waistband is not only comfortable, but it sits flat under your tennis dress. The fitted shorts also have 2 handy pockets for balls. Made from spandex and polyester, the shorts have a gusseted crotch so you can run full stride to get those passing shots as well.

Buy them for $34 directly from Athleta, and play tennis in style.

What's Your Favorite Spring Outdoor Activity?

FitSugar — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 04:00:00 -0700

For most of us the warmer, longer days mean more of an opportunity to get outside and do something. So what's your favorite Spring activity to do outdoors? Source

Wii and Weight Loss - It's Official

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 02:00:00 -0800

Well, the research is in. Kids who regularly play Wii games burn up a significantly larger amount of calories than kids who play other game consoles, or spend their time passively watching TV.

Not really surprising news for anyone who has ever played Wii Sports. After a night of Wii bowling, the next day my arm was really sore and I knew that I had worked it!!!

Professor Tim Cable headed the study at Liverpool John Moores University, where they measured the impact of playing Wii versus playing a traditional non-motion-controlled console on 5 girls and 7 boys, between the ages of 13 and 15 years.

15 minutes of gaming using a traditional controller increased the subject’s energy expenditure above resting values by an average of 60%. With a Wii controller this was increased to a whopping 156%.

Heart rates also increased to 130 beats per minute while playing Wii, compared with 85 beats per minute with a traditional console.

Most kids who are serious gamers, average about 12.2 hours of playing video games a week. At 150 calories an hour, in a week they'll burn 1,830 using the Wii, which works out to be 40% more than your average video game.

Wow that's great news, but too bad it's next to impossible to get your hands on a Wii right now.

Serena vs. Conan - Wii Tennis

FitSugar — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 03:00:00 -0800

We all know there's no way Conan could ever compete against Serena in a real tennis match. Taking his clothes off sure won't help, but maybe there's some mojo in those black socks of his. Check out their game of Wii tennis. It looks like a lot of fun and we know that Wii Sports does the body good.