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Gyms have their positive points: they are convenient, house lots of equipment, and often have childcare available to parents who need to tote their tots to the gym (this includes yours truly). Gyms also can offer a range of fitness classes and most  have personal trainers on staff. If you're not a huge fan of going to the gym however, and would like to try something different, check out these fun alternatives... Stroller Fit® SF targets the  “mommy muscles” – those muscles used during  labor and delivery, and post-partum, and basically every day thereafter. Moms have a chance to get ......
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Maybe you've been on a workout train for some time, diligently going to the gym and happily taking your dose of cardio and weight training, maybe even a few classes too just to challenge yourself. Perhaps you've been on this train, per se, for years, then all of a sudden, you're okay with missing a workout, then two. The idea of going to the gym or out the door for a jog becomes a chore, when it was once something you enjoyed. Have you been there? Are you there now? If so, read on... I think I can help. True, I am a trainer, but at heart, I'm really a fitness buff and have been since college. ......
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Because I love yoga, and Pilates, but am by no means a guru of either practice, I felt compelled to pass along some helpful resources so that you can learn more. Yoga is one of those activities that evolves as you evolve. The yoga you do today will not be the same yoga you do a year from now, and your body won't likely be the same body either (note: this is a good thing - Yoga evens 'things' out, balances muscles, massages the joints, just all-around good stuff ;0). I've learned through my own yoga/Pilates journey that there is always something new to learn.  That said, here are some fabulous......
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Even though I have addressed this topic before (a-hem, at least twice before), I'm circling back because A) I keep getting asked, "I did strength training today, what should I do tomorrow?" and B) I keep getting asked, "Is it okay to do both strength training and cardio on the same day?" If you want to cut to the chase, check out: "Cardiovascular or Weight Training: Which should come first?" Otherwise, stay right here, 'cause I'm about to WOW you with...pretty much the same thing I said before. ;0) Here's the thing - you need to know what it is you want to get out of your workouts. Are you try......
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You have probably heard about Pilates, or possibly know someone who talks of "reformers, chairs, straps, pulleys" (and other contraptions), and silently wonder, "what the heck is Pilates anyway?" The Pilates Method (or simply Pilates) was developed in Germany in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates. The core-strengthening and posture-improving benefits of regular practice have helped the Pilates Method develop a loyal following of faithful participants in recent years. The aesthetic benefits of regular practice can be seen on the physiques of famous devotees, such as Madonna and Gwyneth Pa......
May

26

I peeked at the calendar and realized summer is one month away. Eeeek! I’m not ready to bare all in my bathing suit! Are you? Luckily, I found some super good deals this week to, um, shall we say, help us me “prepare” for hotter weather and, inevitably, wearing fewer clothes. Yikes!

Deal #1: If you don’t already own a stability ball (also called a resistance ball, or Swiss ball), never was there a better time to own one than now. Stability balls are my #1 tool/toy (see: 5 Low-Cost Items Every Home Gym Needs). They are great for core work and a myriad other exercises. SPRI is offering a pink (yeah!) Xercise Ball and Xertube for only $24.98 (reg. $39.98). The kit also includes a pump for the ball and exercise instructions for both the stability ball and resistance tube.

Deal #2
:Shipping is still FREE until May 31st on all fitness products from Perform Better. Seriously, stock…up….now! Shipping for a 10lb medicine ball, for example, would normally run you $12 to $20! Think of all the other stuff you can buy (tubes, mats, dumbbells) with the money you save on shipping.

Deal #3:$1.00 Coupon for Pamela’s Baking Mixes. Pamela’s baking mixes are spectacular. Of the assortment, I have tried the pancake mixes (delicious) and the Chocolate Chunk (notice, no “chip” here, but CHUNK) Cookie mix. The pancakes are great. The Choc. Chunk Cookies – OMG! The best I’ve ever had. And – they are gluten free, GMO free, and organic. Whoopie! Visit Mambo Sprouts to print a $1.00 coupon ($1.00 off of two Pamela’s Baking Mixes)

Free:
Recipes from EatingWell! This week, EatingWell posted “light” versions of your picnic standby’s (potato and pasta salad, deviled eggs, summer cocktails…even cookies and brownies), so that you can still throw or attend a party, and stay on track with healthy eating.



Nov

16

stability ball crunch

stability ball crunch

The stack of coupons and store sale fliers next to my computer is growing rather tall. I love a deal, and when I finally do my holiday shopping (90% of which I do online), I get giddy just thinking about entering the coupon codes and watching the final dollar figure shrink. Who doesn’t love to save money?

Because I train most of my clients in their homes and outdoors, I have gobs of equipment, and most of it is inexpensive. It occurred to me that my faithful followers (who also love a good deal) may not realize how easy it is to equip a home gym on a very small budget. For under $200, you can have all of the equipment you need to get fit.

5 home-gym essentials that cost less than $100

1) Jump rope

Simple to store and use, and for $10, you can have one too. They come in varying lengths, and some are even weighted – making them a touch more difficult (insert “mean trainer” grin here). If you haven’t jumped in some time, you will definitely feel your calf muscles talking back to you. Don’t listen – they’ll become accustomed to this form of cardio in no time.
Cost: $5-$20

2) Resistance tubing

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve praised resistance tubing, but no matter, my point is…tubing is versatile, portable, challenging, and cheap. I even recommend to clients that when they are purchasing tubing, buy two or three: one for home, one for the car (you never know when you’ll be at the playground with the kids and looking for something to do), and one for your suitcase. That’s right, just stick one in your suitcase and leave it there. Next time you travel, you’ll have no excuse (insert “mean trainer” raised eyebrow here.) ANY exercise you do at the gym with either dumbbells, cables, or fixed machines…you can do with tubing. I’m not pulling your leg. NFL football players use tubing, so trust me on that one.
Cost: $8 will get you a nice quality tube. Economy Exercise Tubing with Handles

3) TRX suspension trainer

This could be the best $100 you’ll ever spend. Suspension training is quickly becoming the “hot” new tool among trainers, and for good reasons: you can achieve a total body workout with one piece of equipment; it is easy to set up (in 2 minutes, you can have the contraption up and ready to go); it is lightweight; portable (great for hotel workouts); and anyone can learn how to use it with practice. Elite athletes and novice exercisers alike get a fantastic workout, using only body weight.
Cost: $100

4) Stability ball

It looks so simple, yet it can do so much. Every home needs a stability ball. Use the ball in the same way you would a weight bench. Since balls have a tendency to roll, you will be forced to engage your core and improve your balance – or fall off. Use the ball alone, or with weighted resistance (BodyBars, dumbbells, resistance tubing, cables…you get the picture.)
I recommend Resist-A-Ball for their superior quality and price
Cost: $20-$50

5) Kettlebell

You may have heard – kettlebells are all the rage. If you decide to buy one for home use, I recommend taking a few classes, or spending one-on-one time with an experienced kettlebell trainer. There is a technique to using kettlebells effectively, but once you nail that, the results will be amazing. Kettlebell training improves strength, endurance, agility, and joint stability. They’re a hoot to use too!
Cost: $20 for an 8.8lb kettlebell, up to $96for a 70lb kb. I think learning with a 10 or 12lb kb, then switching to a 16 or 18lb kb for regular use is a good place to start.
Perform Better also has a great DVD and manual to get you started. Kettlebells from the Ground Up

There you have it. For a grand total of around $200, you can have everything you need to work out at home, and enough variety that you won’t get bored – at least not right away.



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