rd.com Blog: The Lineup

5 New Fitness Trends to Try

Liz Kennedy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:46:00 EST

If you're like me, 45 minutes on the treadmill sounds like pure torture. But give me the latest fitness craze, and I'm raring to go. To help you navigate your gym's exercise classes, I tested and reviewed five of the latest gym trends so you don't have to.

1. Zumba

If you like to dance, you'll love Zumba! The class feels more like a party than it does a workout. Set to Latin music, Zumba will take you through both fast and slow dance moves that will burn fat and tone problem areas.

Verdict:

Not only was I hooked on the beats and dance moves after my first class, but I was also drenched in sweat. If the elliptical is getting too boring for you, Zumba is a great cardio alternative. If you like the bench press, however, this may not be the class for you.

Enter our sweepstakes to win the Zumba DVD collection

Learn more about the man behind Zumba

2. TRX

From afar, TRX looks like some sort of torture device, but once you figure out all the straps, you'll be suspending your body weight in no time. Designed by a Navy SEAL, the TRX program will tone your whole body without you having to pick up a single weight. The nylon straps create two forms of resistance during your exercises -- your own body weight and gravity.

Verdict:

I could feel TRX literally working every muscle. Because many of the moves require you to use your core to balance, my abs were sore for 4 days after doing the workout -- a new record for me! If you are a very unbalanced person, you might want to avoid TRX, but for me, I will definitely be adding this to my gym routine.

Watch a video of TRX in action

3. Kettlebells

If you are looking for a cardio and weight lifting workout in one, kettlebells are the way to go. Invented by Russians in the 1700s, these cast iron weights are used by the Russian Secret Forces and U.S. Military. Through different variations of swings and lifts, kettlebells are meant to be an all-inclusive exercise regime.

Verdict:

Kettlebells are hardcore. You're heart rate will sky rocket and your muscles will burn. This may be one of my new favorite workouts because I feel like I am doing cardio and weightlifting in one. Thirty minutes of kettlebells and you are done.

Learn more about kettlebells

4. The Bar Method

Using isometrics, The Bar Method creates long, lean sculpted muscles. By simply using a ballet bar, the class takes you through interval training that focuses on one major muscle group at a time. By contracting and stretching muscles, The Bar Method targets those hard to reach places like buns, thighs, triceps, and abs, with zero impact.

Verdict:

It looks easy, but let me tell you, it's not. I was shaking. Literally. The Bar Method is a fun alternative to a ballet class and I can see how it would get your glutes in shape if done routinely. The same movements are done every single class, however, and that gets plain old boring to me.

Watch how The Bar Method works

5. Hot Yoga

Turn the heat up on your regular yoga practice with hot yoga. With temperatures around 105 degrees and humidity between 30-40 percent, hot yoga is meant to add intensity to your normal practice. Because of the heat, your body will work harder and therefore get stronger. Toxins in your body will also be released as you drip sweat.

Verdict:

If you can't take the heat, get out of the yoga studio. Hot yoga is definitely not for everyone, especially if you don’t like to profusely sweat. I personally love a good sweat, so I really enjoyed the class. It took me a few sessions before I felt fully comfortable in the hot room, but after awhile I saw the added flexibility benefit. Though you are sweating and your heart rate is elevated, if you are looking for cardio or strength training, this isn't the class for you.

Find a yoga class near you

5 Steps to Your Next Flea Market Bargain

Angela Miata — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:23:00 EST

Calling all those who love the idea of scoring a flea market or yard sale deal but are too timid to fight for the price – follow these steps to help you master the art of haggling:

1. The Prep Work

Prepare yourself mentally to do a little “acting.” You have to convince yourself and the seller that you are just a casual shopper.

2. The Stash

Have cash stashed in an easy-to-access (for you) pocket. It should be the maximum amount that you are willing to spend on the target.

3. The Approach

Ask the seller to give you the lowest price that they are willing to offer. If it is lower than your anticipated price, then go ahead and make the deal. Done!

If it is higher than you are willing to go, this is where that stash comes in handy. Offer the seller 20% less than the amount you have in your pocket for the item.

You should receive a counter offer that is closer to your price. If it has not matched your stash amount, continue with the back-and -forth until you come to an agreement or are ready for the next step.

3. The Final Offer

Pull the cash out from your pocket and say “THIS IS ALL THAT I HAVE TO SPEND. It is <insert amount here> and it is my final offer.” A smart seller will bag the item for you immediately. Their logic is: Why turn down cash within inches of my hand? Done!

Hopefully that worked and you do not have to employ other methods. If not, read on…

4. The Hard Part

Stubborn sellers may not bite. To this person who will not meet your cash offer, you say. “Thank you, but I don’t really need this anyway,” and WALK AWAY!

Even better, if you are at a multi-vendor sale, walk toward another booth that has similar wares.

Watching you go to a competitor is a killer for a true salesperson and more than likely, that they will promptly call you back to make the deal.

5. The Not-So-Satisfying Deal

Of course, if you really want the item, you always have some less attractive options. For example, you can:

a) Pay the seller’s asking price (least favorable)

b) Come back at the end of the day before pack-up time — if the item is still there, you’ll likely be able to get an even better price.

c) Keep hammering away until you finally get the seller to crack. Sometimes you will annoy them so much, they’ll make the deal just to get rid of you. Hey, it’s not glorious, but it helps you achieve your objective.

Here are some more tips to get you closer to your deal:

> Be realistic about your “pocket” price. If you come in too low for something that is clearly worth more, the seller will likely be insulted or perceive you as a waste of his/her time and be unwilling to engage in negotiation. Suggested Reading: Buy, Keep or Sell?

> Don’t over-express your interest in the target. Gushing over the item adds perceived value to it, and the seller will feel like they can sell it to anyone at the asking price and less willing to bend for you.

> Never dress-up to go to a yard sale. Leave your nice jewelry at home. Don’t be a show-off. If you look like you can afford the item at cost, then you make a weaker argument for yourself.

And some final words of encouragement: At the end of the day there will be one winner — the seller or the buyer — as the buyer, why shouldn’t it be you?

Remember, you are shopping to score a deal, so stick to your guns and get your price. It is much more rewarding that way.

Happy Haggling!

6 Easy Cooking Shortcuts

Lisa Schneider — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:52:00 EST

Let's face it, even if you like to cook (and I do), most of us just don't have as much time as we'd like. These cooking shortcuts will help:

1. Microwave sliced onions before sauteing to speed browning/caramelizing time (this also works for baking or roasting potatoes).

2. When you are caramelizing onions, make double - or triple! - what you need and freeze the rest. (Making extra and freezing is a "duh" tip, but people usually think of making double portions of the actual meal. Freezing sauteed onions works great and saves tons of time from "fresh" cooking later.)

3. There really is no need to start melting chocolate in a double boiler when Duncan Hines brownie mix simply rocks.

4. There is also no need to cut, bake or boil, and then mash or puree squash for soups or puddings when frozen pureed squash is so conveniently located in your grocer's freezer.

5. Other frozen favorites: Trader Joe's pizza crust dough and Pepperidge Farm pastry sheets. They'll pass for home-made, it's up to you if you want to tell.

6. Couscous is an awesome last-minute starch: it takes a good 5 minutes to cook and presents as much more "gourmet" than minute rice (although I'll admit to having used that in a pinch too).

And as an aside, here is my favorite recipe of the season:

Berry Nice Brisket Recipe

(Tip: I add sliced Portobello mushrooms too -- yum!)

Have more tips? Please share!

13 Things People Won't Tell You About China

Peggy Northrop — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:53:00 EDT

1. In the night market in Beijing, there are snakes, mice, centipedes, and scorpions on sticks, ready for barbecuing, some still moving.

2. When the president of China enters the Great Hall of the People, the martial music that accompanies him is eerily reminiscent of the tune that greeted Groucho Marx as president of Freedonia in "Duck Soup." (I didn't dare laugh.)

3. There are lots of gay bars in Beijing, and at least one reggae bar that I saw, complete with marijuana leaf flag.

4. The Great Wall is the Stairmaster from hell.

5. People really do believe that stuff about lucky numbers and auspicious years. The editor in chief of Reader's Digest China delayed her son's birth by seven days--hanging on in her hospital bed--so that he would be born in the year of the lucky pig. Her staff is in awe.

6. Journalists there will interview you in a group, and then let you check the story before it is released.

7. Beijing traffic is even worse than Tehran's. I saw no blue sky until I got to Singapore.

8. All the stuff I'd read about Chinese women dressing conservatively and in neutral colors was baloney. At both business lunches I attended with ad clients, at least two women showed up in jeans, heels, and funky tops. And one (female) journalist who interviewed me in Beijing wore motorcycle boots--and a tie.

9. American tourists at the Great Wall are often asked to pose in pictures with Chinese families. And if you're black, expect crowds.

10. Chinese under 35 often say, "We can now look at Chairman Mao with a balanced view."

11. To work for the state news agency, you go to college and study "how to persuade people and promote harmony."

12. There are 10,000 magazines in China. A medium-sized title has 3 million circulation. Fashion magazines rule, but local weekly news summaries and business magazines are very popular.

13. Turning 60 is cause for a big celebration (lucky number). The People's Republic of China turned 60 this year. They are investing in their country's infrastructure big time. It would be a good idea to learn Chinese--or at least make sure our kids do.

10 Great Gift Book Ideas

Maureen Mackey — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:29:00 EDT

Looking over your list, checking it twice? Here, some suggestions for making the hurdle of holiday gift-giving a little easier to overcome.

1. HIGHEST DUTY: My Search for What Really Matters by Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger with Jeffrey Zaslow (William Morrow, $25.99). Strong storytelling; great story.

2. CHERRIES IN WINTER: My Family's Recipe for Hope in Hard Times by Suzan Colon (Doubleday, $21.95). Reinvention memoir. Uplifting.

3. FAMILY MEALS: Coming Together to Care for an Aging Parent by Michael Tucker (Atlantic Monthly Press, $24). In warm, easy prose, the author and actor shares personal dramas.

4. U IS FOR UNDERTOW by Sue Grafton (Putnam, $27.95). Her latest Kinsey Millhone detective novel. Compelling.

5. BORN ROUND: The Secret History of a Full-Time Eater by Frank Bruni (The Penguin Press, $25.95). Inside a food critic's life. You won't soon forget it.

6. GLIMMER: How Design Can Transform Your Life, and Maybe Even the World by Warren Berger (featuring the ideas of Bruce Mau) (The Penguin Press, $27.95). Accomplished take on design and those who create it.

7. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD-GRADE KIND: Thoughts on Teacherhood by Phillip Done (Center Street/Hachette Book Group, $22.99). Lively; insightful.

8. THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer (William Morrow, $25.99). A young African's brave adventures.

9. COME BACK, COMO: Winning the Heart of a Reluctant Dog by Steven Winn (Harper, $23.99). A dog's life, entertainingly told.

10. WISDOM OF THE LAST FARMER: Harvesting Legacies from the Land by Davis Mas Masumoto (Free Press, $25). Personal history, from the ground up.

My 10 Thoughts on Those “Toning” Sneakers

Janice Lieberman — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:53:00 EDT

I know you have seen them and have wondered do they really work? It’s those sneakers that promise to tone you up and perhaps shed a few pounds just by wearing them. For a recent story on the “Today” show we had 3 women try out: Reeboks, MBT’s and Sketchers to see how the ladies liked them.

1. All the women gave the sneakers a good rating for comfort and thought they had to work a little harder while wearing them.

2. They did not find them to be fashionable.

3. They are not cheap. They range from $100-$250.

4. A former NASA scientist helped to design the Reeboks!

5. You need to read the instructions or watch the DVD to get the full benefit of the sneakers.

6. I tried the Reeboks. They are very cushy.

7. The sneakers are not meant to be worn to the gym just to be used walking or doing your daily chores.

8. The Sketchers and MBT’s have a wedge on the bottom of the shoe meant to simulate walking on sand.

9. The Reeboks uses technology that mimics the Bosu used in many gyms.

10. The women all said they would continue to wear their toning sneakers. Including me!

You can watch my full report on www.msnbc.com

8 Travel Packing Tips

Lisa Schneider — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:57:00 EDT

I was traveling overseas before I could walk, courtesy of a father in academic medicine who job-hopped between Australia and the U.S., so after a lifetime of long-haul trips I consider myself an expert packer. Here are my top 8 packing tips:

Roll, roll, roll. I thought this was my trade secret until I did an unofficial crowdsourcing experiment (aka asking my friends on Facebook), and 3 out of 4 suggested rolling your clothes (vs. folding) as well. Perfect for anything that creases easily or is a bit delicate, rolling ensures wrinkle free clothes right out of the suitcase.

Military corners. You don't really roll everything. T-shirts, jeans, sweaters, etc. should be folded to the exact same size and neatly stacked. Otherwise all those unmatched edges add up to a lot of wasted space. Yes, I'm serious.

Bag your bottles. Just because the FAA makes you do it now doesn't mean it's not a good idea. Even if you're going by car, if it can leak, spill or stain, sock it in a sealed baggie.

Garanimals. If you want to pack light, everything you take should match everything else. No, you don't "have to have" that one extra dress. And the shoes to match . . .

Do-overs. You can wear the same pair of jeans several times in one trip. Ditto for sweaters you wear over shirts. (You cannot do the same with underwear. Take enough or get thee to a local laundry!)

Abhor a vacuum. Or at least an unused space: socks get tucked inside shoes. Bathing suits slide into the crevices between piles. You get the idea.

The right bag. I used to be a huge fan of Tumi luggage. It's expensive, but also rugged and had a lifetime warranty - which I thought made it worth it - until now. Tumi's discontinued their warranty, and I found several reviews that raved about the Eagle Creek Tarmac 22. Reports say it's lightweight, expandable, costs less than the comparable Tumi and has . . . a lifetime warranty!

Don't pack: anything you must have or can't afford to lose. Prescription medication, eyeglasses, jewelry, passport should all go in your carry-on bag.

Happy trails!