Where Can You Buy the Ivy Park Fall 2016 Collection?

Beyoncé has followed up her debut Ivy Park activewear collection with a colorful range suited for cool weather.  While the Ivy Park Fall 2016 collection offers various styles, very recent additions include a futuristic puffer jacket, slimming leggings, and a bright sports bra.  The full collection is currently available both online and in stores at Topshop, Nordstrom, Six:02, and Hudson's Bay, with prices ranging from $6 to $265.

Look ahead for pictures of the new items, as well as some gorgeous campaign shots.

 

Oversized Bonded Puffer Jacket ($200)

 

Color Block Ankle Leggings ($82)

 

Color Block Ankle Leggings ($82)

 

Color Block Bra ($58)

 

Color Block Bra ($58)

Posted by Richard J. Wood on Tuesday 27 December 2016
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Strength Training For Belly Fat

While we know that cardio is an excellent way to burn fat, we wanted to know how working with weights can contribute to a whittled middle and washboard abs.  So how can we blast belly fat with strength training?

Nicole Aurigemma, physiologist at the Penn State Muscle Biology Lab, told us not only how to burn more calories during a workout (in part by doing some weight training first), but she also gave us insight into how we can flatten our stomachs with some deadlifting, leg presses (crazy, right?), and general resistance training.

Here are four major benefits that come with working with weights and training with some resistance!

  • More resistance training, more fat burning.  "It has been shown that energy expenditure, as well as fat oxidation, increases after multiple sets of resistance exercise, particularly when larger muscle masses are exercised," said Nicole (larger muscle groups are located in the legs — think glutes, quads, etc!).  "Think leg press versus chest press," she said.  Who knew that a flat belly starts with the legs?
  • Your body is burning more calories.  "Post-exercise, your body is using up more of its fuel stores, therefore burning more calories," she explained.  So even after you're done with a sweat-sesh in the weight room, your body is burning, burning, burning up the calories!
  • Your body uses fat while you're resting, too.  "Since resistance exercise increases post-exercise fat oxidation," (fat oxidation = your body breaking down fat into energy) "your body is using more fat.  This is very favorable for weight loss."  Because, when you say you want to lose weight, you really want to be losing fat and gaining metabolism-boosting muscles.
  • You'll see results quickly.  Nicole noted that the fat oxidation and fat loss happen quickly, "even after just one gym session."  She told us that "increased energy expenditure [burning calories] and fat oxidation [burning fat] last at least 24 hours after [even one session of] exercise, so imagine how much fat you could be using and calories you'll be burning if you have regimented resistance training!"

 

So let's get this straight, more fat burning, more calorie burning, burning even when you're resting ... and fast results?  Let's grab those weights!

Before you get burnin', a couple things to keep in mind: "You could actually gain a little muscle mass before you start to lose weight," said Nicole, "but this doesn't mean you aren't losing fat mass."  She also said it's important to note that "You could lift all you want, but if you eat crap, you won't see results."  So while a flat belly is made in the weight room, it's also made in the kitchen.  Need some inspiration?  Try our flat-belly salad and flat-belly smoothie.

Posted by Richard J. Wood on Tuesday 27 December 2016
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Quick Butt Workout

No time to fit a workout into your busy, over-scheduled life?  No problem.  This tush-toning, three-move workout takes just three minutes.  Complete this three times a day, whenever you have a few minutes to spare.

 

Single-Leg Forward Reach

  • Stand with all your weight on your left foot, abs engaged and chest lifted.
  • Reach your torso forward as you lift your right leg behind you.  Reach your arms out in front of you for balance as your torso and leg come parallel to the floor.
  • Hold this position for a moment and reach through your right heel to engage the back of the right leg.
  • Moving in one piece, lower your right leg toward the floor as you return to standing upright, resting the right foot lightly on the ground.  This completes one rep.
  • Do 30 seconds of reps on each side.

 

Sumo Squat Jump

  • Stand in a wide sumo squat position with your feet slightly turned out, arms resting on your hips.
  • Jump up explosively, keeping your core engaged.
  • Land with control, lowering your body back into the wide sumo squat position to complete one rep.
  • Do as many reps as you can for 60 seconds.

 

Basic Squat With Side Leg Lift

  • Stand with your feet shoulder-width distance apart, feet parallel.
  • Bend your knees, lowering the hips deeply, so your thighs are parallel with the floor, keeping your weight back in your heels.
  • Rise back up, straighten the legs completely, and lift the right leg out to the side, squeezing the outer glute.
  • As you step the foot back into shoulder-width distance position, squat down again.  Then stand up and do a side leg lift on the left side.  Lower the leg back to the starting position.  This counts as one rep.
  • Complete as many reps as you can for 60 seconds.
Posted by Richard J. Wood on Tuesday 27 December 2016
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Miley Cyrus Does Yoga Pose For Hillary Clinton

Throughout the ongoing presidential election, Miley Cyrus has been outspoken about her support for Hillary Clinton.  In true Miley fashion, however, her latest method of showing that she's "with her" involved one complicated yoga pose.

On Instagram, the yoga enthusiast and judge on The Voice shared a photo of herself doing a tricky Ashtanga pose called Tittibhasana B that involves her bending forward and pulling her upper body in between her inner thighs.

Her cheeky caption reads, "Kiss my ashtanga ass if you aren't voting for Hillary Clinton", which was followed by a hashtag that stated her dream to do yoga with the presidential candidate.  Now that's a yoga class we'd like to attend.

Posted by Richard J. Wood on Tuesday 27 December 2016
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Prenatal Workout | Video

If you're pregnant, we know you're dealing with a lot of changes, physical and otherwise.  But as you work your way through the trimesters, it's important to stay strong so your body can handle the stresses being placed on your joints, spine, and ankles — oh, how we remember those swollen feet.  Here is a quick workout from celebrity trainer Sara Lewis.  Owner of Crossover XO Fitness in LA, Sara has trained Kim and Khloé Kardashian, along with Sofia Vergara. Sara is in her second trimester, but this workout is safe (do check with your doc first) to do throughout your entire pregnancy since we provide easy-to-follow modifications if you're further along.  Grab a mat and press play when you're ready to work.

 

Posted by Richard J. Wood on Tuesday 27 December 2016
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