Lately, study after study has come out showing that interval training, or burst training, is the most effective way to get in shape, stay in shape and increase endurance. So what is burst training? In this high-intensity interval training, you do a full body exercise for 30-60 seconds, rest for the same amount of time, and repeat until you’ve been going for about 4-12 minutes. The most important aspect of this training style is that, during the intervals, you are pushing yourself absolutely as hard as you can go.

Interval training is perfect for days when you don’t have much time or space to exercise. This video, made by fitness and nutrition expert JJ Virgin, is the best explanation of interval training I’ve seen. I interviewed JJ back in December, and this lady knows her stuff. She explains everything you need to know about how to burst train safely and effectively. Check it out! Read More »

Today, I invented a new exercise! Ok, not really. I basically smushed together a bunch of different moves into one awesome total body exercise. It works all your major muscle groups – arms, abs, back and legs. This is what happens when you live in a way-too-tiny space. You get weirdly resourceful. Read on for step by step instructions and try out my new move! Read More »

Is it just me, or is this week crazy? Oh, just me? Awkward. Well, as college students, it’s inevitable that we’ll all have some weeks where everything is just a bit too much. Maybe it’s because you have three midterms and a paper due, or maybe it’s because you had a few too many margaritas…every night last weekend. (Who, me? No!)

So here’s your workout for the week when you have way too much work to get done and can’t even think about going to the gym. Try out this quick cardio blast to get in a good workout and relieve some stress. Read More »

It’s getting to that time of the year again. The stress over New Year’s plans, the mad hunt for sparkly dresses and the awkward conversation when you have to ask your aunt for a gift receipt. . In between singing the lyrics to Christmas songs you’ve heard too many times and deciding which sparkly dress is sparklier, it’s quite difficult to squeeze in any workout time. Well, you are just in luck. For the past year and some months, I’ve been bringing you my favorite moves to do in home and on the go.

As you begin to scribble down “go to the gym everyday” on your New Year’s Resolutions list, let me help you with my list of favorite Body Blog workouts of all time – ease into the program and let’s get ready for that summer time bikini body! What? Too early for summer? Okay fine… Read More »

December has arrived, which means that one very exciting thing is on its way: winter break! Unfortunately, finals, papers and projects stand in the way of that glorious freedom. Unless you go to a school with no final exams or homework (and please, let me know if there is such a place), you’re about to spend a lot of time sitting down to study.

When you’ve been sitting for a long time, it’s easy to get sleepy and distracted. So why not get up and do a little quickie workout? Working a little exercise into your study routine will get your blood flowing and help you concentrate. It’s a win-win. Read More »

What’s that, you say? Cardio? In my dorm? But I don’t have a treadmill…or an elliptical…or any space to run!

Ladies, I’m here to tell you that it is totally possible to get a great cardio workout without ever leaving your dorm. So put down your books and take a heart-healthy study break.

1. Run Up the Stairs

This is a simple, easy and effective workout. You know that running will get your heart rate up, and running up stairs will also tone your hamstrings and butt. So not only will you build endurance and burn fat, you’ll also look great in your jeans all winter. You should run for about 10 minutes, as running up the stairs is a little more intense than running on level ground.

2. Body Builders

Also known as burpees, these are great for cardio as well as for full body strengthening. Start standing with your feet hip width apart. Bend down and place your hands on the floor by your feet. Jump out into plank position. Then jump your feet back in to your hands, and finish by jumping up into the air and reaching your arms over your head. Remember to engage your abdominals to support your back in plank position. Repeat four more times.

3. High Knee Runs

To keep your heart rate up, try this move. Run in place, but bring your knees as high up toward your chest as you can with each step. Try to keep your spine straight, and don’t hunch down toward your knees. Do this for 30 seconds.

To complete your workout, repeat the sequence of five body builders and 30 seconds of high knee runs three times.

If you take a stroll around my city, you’ll see girls and guys alike donning short shorts and track jackets, music a-blastin’ from their iPods. They’re only participating in the latest craze we like to call running. If you haven’t joined the club, now is the best time to do so! Why?

1. Nothing feels better than setting a goal of 5K, 10K, half or even a full marathon…and actually finishing it. Talk about extreme motivation.

2. Trying to get that 6-pack to peek through? Running has amazing cardio benefits that’ll shed an extra layer of fat.

3. You don’t need equipment. Just your fave pair of running shoes and you’re good to go.

4. The running community is extremely supportive. There are fun runs almost everywhere! Check out places like Sports Basement, Lululemon Athletica or Nike.

5. Runner’s high! It exists, trust me. Read More »

Have you ever stayed up all night studying for a final? Blood shot eyes, empty coffee cups, pages and pages of notes…you know, the works. Do you remember sitting there wishing you had diligently studied all semester long, gone to class or stayed awake during the Powerpoint presentation?

Yeah, me too.
Every. damn. semester.

Well, I’m here to let you know that just like studying, the same goes for good health and fitness. We can’t expect to do crash diets or spend 3 hours at the gym on one day to achieve our goal body. There’s no way that’s healthy or realistic. Just like school, it takes a little effort every single day in order to see maximum results. And with Spring Break and summer just a few months away, if you want to feel beach body confident by semester’s end you have to start now.

The secret to having the body you want is actually pretty simple. If you know and understand these three key factors in exercising, you’re off to a very good start. Read More »

Between classes, clubs, and work, my days start early and end really, really late. My stress levels are so high it’s no surprise I often choose ice cream over vegetables and Degrassi (shh, don’t tell!) over gymming it up.

So when I do finally muster up the energy to make it to the gym I know I have to make it count. I don’t want to waste any time so I’ve started streamlining my workout by doing exercises that combine cardio and weight training. The cardio aspect gets my heart rate up, allowing the strength training exercises to burn more calories and be even more effective.

I’m all about the multi-tasking and after this workout I feel stronger and skinnier and happy. In fact, I can feel the endorphins kicking in already…

Jumping Lunges
Don’t settle for typical lunges if you want a great butt! Speed up the process by doing jumping lunges. These will spike your heart rate while also toning, so you’ll see results a lot faster. I usually do these in one-minute intervals with a 30 second break between.

How to:
1. With your hands on your waist, lunge forward with one leg.
2. Jump, pushing off both feet and switching your legs in mid-air.
3. Land in a lunge with the opposite leg forward.
4. Repeat. Read More »

Sometimes just the thought of working out at the campus gym was enough to give me a near-panic attack. When I wanted to have a solid sweat session (usually donning sweatpants, no makeup and a worn out sorority event t-shirt), the last place I wanted to be was on display in front of the whole campus. Where, let’s be honest, I would inevitably run into my uber-attractive grad student TA, that boy I may or may not have made out with Friday night or my ex-boyfriend’s new annoying girlfriend who seemed to think it was a good idea to get fully made up before the gym so that she resembled a melting troll on the treadmill.

All of those reasons are why the idea of working out in the privacy of my own apartment or dorm, was much more appealing from time to time. When I lived in my sorority house, my roommate turned me onto Denise Austin and her DVDs. Unfortunately, our floor space was limited so we couldn’t easily exercise at the same time, but somehow we each managed to squeeze in quite a few workout sessions in that tiny room.

Luckily, that experience prepared me for living (and working out) in a tiny NYC apartment post-college. However, funds are limited to say the least, so I can’t afford to buy DVDs extraneously. That’s why, in the time since I’ve been out of college to now, I have discovered a number of great, FREE workout options that you can follow to get fit, toned and best of all, do them in your underwear at home!

Here are some of my favs:
Read More »