Supernatural Botanicals

Two things I adore in the gym are the Bosu balls and the steps (for aerobics), so my excitement level advanced to a full DEFCON 1 when I found out about this new hybrid called the Step 360.  It’s a hybrid of the step and the Bosu ball.

Excellent for cardio and strength workouts, and because the platform is supported by two air chambers, and you’ll get a tough balance challenge as well.  It features platform anchors that allows you to loop in a resistance band for strength moves and its grips make planks and push-ups doable.

Be one of the first to snag a Step 360 for yourself.  Jump over to Shape for your chance to win one.

Here’s a great lower body workout by our friend Zuzanna across the pond.  It’s hardcore, but only three minutes long.  Push yourself, push through the pain.  Yes, your muscles will be screaming tomorrow.  But the up side is that your glutes, thighs, and quads will feel sexy and lean.  It’s worth it!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDddazp5f4M

If you do a moderately strenuous workout for at least 30 minutes a day (and by moderately strenuous, that means sweating most of that 30 minutes), you can reduce your risk of developing breast, colon and endometrial cancers by 20% – 30%.  Sweet!

Did you know that anxiety causes an upsurge in stress hormones that can worsen acne or other skin conditions?

If you skin is prone to breakouts and rashes, it’s time to check your body/mind/soul meter.

It’s scientifically proven that stress can cause skin eruptions and even make you susceptible to deadly  diseases.

If this is happening to you, put yourself on your to-do list and get serious about about having some downtime doing something that relaxes you (yoga or Pilates is so good for this.)  After all, your beauty is at risk here, girlfriend.

Shape magazine features the adorbs, LeAnn Rimes this month.  Want to know how LeAnn gets those killer abs?  It’s all about boxing for her.  Check out her step by step workout here.

LeAnn and her trainer box for about 20 minutes—after doing 40 minutes of resistance training interspersed with cardio intervals.  The result is an intense hour-long workout.

Her body is the result of hour long intense workouts.  It can be achieved with that simple addition to your life, hour long intense cardio workouts.  …how bad do you want it?

  “I noticed dramatic changes in my body after I started doing yoga, but I also think you have to shake things up.  I have a Spin bike, an elliptical, and a treadmill, and I do some cardio for at least 20 minutes a day. ”

Wow, talk about a workout, check out the ElliptiGo bike.  It’s a cross between a bicycle and an elliptical machine.  It’s a great alternative for runners because it’s far more knee-friendly than hitting the pavement.  A good workout will burn 600+ calories an hour.  

Bike demos are available in the following cities (see website www.ellipitgo.com for more details)

• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco Bay Area, CA
• Colorado Springs, CO
• Boulder, CO
• New York City, NY
• Seattle, WA
• Spokane, WA

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67i6d9Hxjgg

Believe it or not, this simple yoga pose has major benefits for your body.  Something that’s easy to do, yet good for you?…..that’s something we can all be on board with. 

To do a leg drain, also known in yoga as viparita karani (inverted action), simply find a wall, lay on your back and rest your legs straight up against the wall.  You can use a folded blanket or towel under your lower back to take strain off of your lower back area.  Stay in the position as long as is comfortable to you. 

Lymph and other fluids flow away from the legs and into the lower belly.  It provides a gentle stretch to the calves, back and neck.  According to the Yoga Journal, the pose also gives blood circulation a gentle boost toward the upper body and head, which creates re-balancing after standing for a long time.

This move is ultra-relaxing to the central nervous system and completely clears your mind, calms the body, and improves your flexibility.  It’s a perfect move to get your day started, or after a long day or work. 

If you want to literally carve an inch (or more!) off of each side of your waist, the Woodchop move will be your new best friend.  The Woodchop, as demonstrated in the video below, targets all of your abdominal muscles.  With slow, controlled movement, the woodchop is one of the most effective abdominal moves of all time.  Not only does the Woodchop target abdominal muscles, but it also works the glutes, hamstrings, calves, arms, shoulders, and tops it off with a good cardio burn.  In short, it’s a total body move that burns fat, sculpts muscles, and turns you into the brick house you’ve always wanted to be. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J3NZEYP1Es

If you have access to sand, kick off your shoes and go walking in it.  Walking in sand is a great way to exfoliate the skin on your feet, making them baby soft (use a great moisturizer afterwards).  Walking in sand also helps strengthen your ankles and calves, making you super-sexy from the knees down.  What’s not to love about that?