2014
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- Product Review
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- Workouts
My FAVORITE FITmas Gifts for 2014 – 10 Stocking Stuffers
Looking for STOCKING STUFFERS for the fitness minded person on your Christmas list? Here are 10 great fitness finds!
The Perfect Pushup takes the standard pushup to the next level. With rotating handles, you can use multiple hand positions to create a new challenge to your pushup or you can use the Perfect Pushup during exercises like planks and mountain climbers to help eliminate stress on the wrists.
Gold’s Gym Sliders are a fun addition to your fitness equipment. Sliders remove the impact of exercises like jumping jacks and mountain climbers and add resistance to lunges, pushups and ab exercises.
The Blender Bottle is a must-have for anyone taking any type of liquid nutrition (pre or post-workout). This shake bottle comes with a “BlenderBall” that does the mixing while you shake! Say goodbye to chunky supplement drinks forever!
The Max Flow Sports Cross-Grip Hairband is a great gift for anyone who is tired of having their hairband distract them during their workout. Most hairbands slip off your head as you exercise, but the Max Flow Sport hairband had cross-grip technology that keeps the band securely in place so you can focus on getting your sweat on!
Looking for something to get the foodie on your list? A My Oatmeal Gift Card is perfect!!! My Oatmeal lets you create your own custom blend of oatmeal. Start by choosing your type of oats- steel cut, rolled, gluten free – and from there the options are endless! Add protein powder, nuts, fruit, flavorings, sweeteners, whatever your heart desires. And if you just can’t decide what yummie goodness to create, you can pick from one of their creations.
Want a gift that gives back? Love Your Melon beanies will not only keep your head toasty warm this winter, but they will also keep the head of a child with cancer covered. For each item that is purchased from Love Your Melon, a hat is donated to a child going through cancer treatment. This is a gift that is close to my heart and my melon!
Max Flow Sports Cushioned Low-Show Women’s socks are the best cushioned sock on the market! Max Flow Sports socks are cushioned to keep your feet protected from impact and blisters and yet ventilated in just the right spots to keep your feet cool and dry.
An iTunes gift card is the perfect gift for the person who has everything. The iTunes gift card is the gift that keeps on giving because music is always changing and your playlist needs updating every now and then.
Fierce Forward “Body Armor” Bracelets are a great accessory and a constant reminder of how incredible the person wearing it is. These beautiful statement pieces each tell an amazing story through the unique beads and stamped tag. I have purchased the Sisterhood Armor for the incredible women in my life and I personally wear the Strength Limitless Armor everyday.
Cathe.com now offers Live Streaming of her Thursday morning classes and instant access to all of her 100+ videos. Cathe One Demand is a great gift for the person who likes to workout in the privacy of their own home and loves to be challenged. Cathe is very motivating and keeps you moving with a variety for workouts for beginner and advanced exercisers. Strength training, bootcamps, cycling, circuit training, HIIT, yoga, barre – Cathe offers it all.
My FAVORITE FITmas Gifts for 2014 – Day 5
My Pick for Day 5 is WSI HEATR GEAR! HEATR Gear is THE warmest base layer clothing on the market. And I can attest to that. I hate, hate, hate the cold. I refuse to do much outside in the winter because I always freeze. Now that I have the full HEARTR GEAR line of socks, hooded long sleeve shirt and leggings I can actually enjoy myself out in the cold elements. The HEATR Gear uses your own body heat to generate heat that stays INSIDE the clothing and doesn’t escape through the fabric. And if you happen to get sweaty, the fabric will wick away the sweat to the OUTSIDE of the clothing so you stay dry.
But don’t think that WSI only manufactures cold weather clothing. They also have a great line of wicking clothing for warm weather. So no matter what the season, you can sport WSI clothing. This Holiday Season, support a local business that takes pride in the fact that their quality clothing is made in AMERICA and created with care.
My FAVORITE FITmas Gifts for 2014 – Day 4
My Favorite FITmas Gift for Day 4 is the PRO COMPRESSION sock line! When you think compression socks, what do you think of – hospital socks, am I right? Well the purpose of those ugly, one-size-fits NO ONE socks is to help the blood circulate in your legs and maintain blood flow. So, if those socks do all of that, why wouldn’t you wear them when you are working out? Well, I wouldn’t wear the ones I got while I was in the hospital during my workout, but I would wear a pair from PRO COMPRESSION. They are form fitting, comfortable and fashionable and they are functional. Pro Compression offers a full line of full length, mid length and low cut socks as well as calf and arm sleeves. You can also choose from socks that will keep your feet warm in the winter or cool and dry in the summer. PRO COMPRESSION also sells compression leggings!
I was never a fan of compression socks. As a girl, yes I can be a little girlie, I thought they looked silly. I would see runners wearing tall socks and shorts and think, “Wouldn’t it just make more sense to wear pants?” Then I tried a pair. PRO COMPRESSION sent me a pair of pink marathon knee high socks to try. They kind of had me backed into a corner when they sent me pink socks, I mean, they were cute so I had to try them right? So I did. I was shocked how great my legs felt during my runs, so I decided to try them out when I ran a half marathon. Normally, after a long run, my legs would cramp up a lot no matter how hydrated I was, but after the half my legs never cramped once. I WAS A BELIEVER!!!! Now I have close to 10 pairs and I refuse to run long runs without them.
If you are looking for a great gift for a runner, gym rat, someone who has circulation issues or just a sock lover, then the PRO COMPRESSION socks are a great gift choice.
My FAVORITE FITmas Gifts for 2014 – Day 3
My Favorite FITmas Gift of 2014 pick for day 3 is ANY of the APERA BAGS. I got my Apera bag back in January (see my review here) and I use this bag every day.
Apera Bags are the ultimate gift for anyone who carries everything and anything. These bags are roomy and they can keep all of your stuff organized. With compartments and pockets galore, you will never be searching your bag to find what you need. And what really sets these bags apart from the ordinary “gym bag” is the “non-funk-factor”. You know that sweaty smell that radiates every time you open your gym bag, you know what I’m talking about . THE FUNK of a gym bag – ish. Well, you don’t have to worry about being the stinky kid in the gym when you carry Apera Bags. Each bag is designed to be healthier – with built-in antimicrobial product protection to inhibit the growth of bacterial odors, vented compartments, separation of your wet, sweaty gear from your dry stuff, and venting air to keep your bag dry and suppress odor. TA-DA!
Any of the Apera Bags would be a great gift for anyone: gym rat, student, traveler, new mom (yep a client of mine uses it as a diaper bag) or just for someone who like to carry everything plus the kitchen sink, cause that will fit in the bag too!
Unfortunately the Performance Duffel is on back order, BUT all of the other fabulous bags are 20% off right now and Apera is also offering FREE SHIPPING!!!
My FAVORITE FITmas Gifts for 2014 – Day 2
Another one of my favorite FITmas Gifts for 2014 is the 6 Pack Bag. This is the MUST have gift for anyone who is trying to stay on track with healthy eating. With BPA-free containers, ice packs that keep food cold, insulated pockets that keep food warm and extra storage for drinks, vitamins or utensils, these bags have it all.
I personally have 2 of the 6 Pack Bags.
The Expert Innovator: $69.99 – $99.99
And the Expert Plyo Sling: $129.99
I use the Innovator for days when I need all of my meals, drinks and snacks for the day and the Plyo sling for the days when I don’t want to be the crazy lady carrying the chicken and broccoli around in my purse. No matter which 6 Pack Cooler or Tote you choose, know that you will have meals that will last and quality bag that will last even longer!
My FAVORITE FITmas Gifts for 2014 – Day 1
One of my favorite FITmas gifts of 2014 is the GYMBOSS Interval Timer. This timer has changed my workouts and my clients workouts for the better. I no longer have to stare down the clock waiting for my next interval to start or end. Now I can just set my timer, clip it to my shirt and wait for the beep. It allows me to put 100% of my focus on the workout. Because the GYMBOSS is so small I can’t even tell that I am wearing it. And, unlike a cell phone, the clip keeps my hands free, I don’t have to worry about it falling off the equipment and I don’t have to set it down on the dirty gym floor. The GYMBOSS is less than $20, offers a HUGE selection of colors and takes the “timing” out of your workout – what more could you ask for? The GYMBOSS is THE perfect gift for any fitness finatic on your list this year.
Must Try Fitness Classes
This post was recently posted on Health Your Way Online
Are you feeling bored in your current exercise plan? Are you doing the same thing day after day? Unless you are training for a specific event, adding variety to your workouts is the best way to keep your body from hitting a plateau. Adding in different movements, intensity levels and new exercises is just what your body and mind needs to be challenged to keep making progress. Many gyms offer some great classes that can spice up your routine and may also be covered in the cost of your gym membership. Here are a few classes that you may want to check out.
Suspension Training Class
Have you ever seen those straps that are hanging from the ceiling? That is the Suspension Training System. Suspension training uses your own body weight to develops strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously. By using different angles during movements, suspension training can challenge all fitness levels . You chose your intensity and make the workout work for you.
Interval Class
Want a fast workout that continues to burn calories LONG after you finish the class? Give an interval class a try. Interval classes alternate between bouts of high intensity exercises with periods of low intensity exercises or complete rest. These classes will challenge you to push your limits so the classes are shorter in duration, but HIGH in intensity.
Cycling Class
Cycling is a great way to get away from the high impact exercises but still get a great workout. This type of class is a welcome change if you are used to workouts that are centered around running or jumping. During this class your “ride” will simulate pedaling along the flats and up and down hills by varying the wheel resistance and the position of your body.
Defining STRONG
STRONG isn’t what a woman wants to be, it’s WHO she wants to be. -Paul Buceta, Minneapolis STRONGCAMP
When I signed up for STRONGCAMP Minneapolis, I knew 2 things:
-The camp was hosted by IFBB Figure Pro Jessie Hilgenberg and STRONG Fitness Magazine
-We would be working out at some point
And that’s it. But what I didn’t know was that those 2 days would change my life.
Being a fitness freak and a huge fan of Jessie Hilgenberg, I jumped at the change to attend STRONGCAMP when it came to my area. I was way out of my comfort zone going into the weekend. I would be rooming with someone I had never met and I didn’t know anyone who would be there. But the excitement for the workout was the only thing that stopped me from backing out. From the minute I met Jessie and all of the other women, I felt right at “home”. Aside from the nervousness that I think everyone had a little of, the room was alive with excitement. We were all so different – different walks of life, different fitness levels, different stories – but yet all the same. We were all there to answer a question that we should later be asked “What does STRONG mean to me?”
STRONGCAMP started with a killer workout at Allegiance Fitness led by Jessie and Nichelle Laus. Jessie took us through a bootcamp style workout and Nichelle (who is also a competitor and Professional Kickboxer) led us through Kickboxing drills. To say that the workouts were incredible is a HUGE understatement, but I was still in that familiar comfort zone of doing what I love.
Later in the day Jessie spoke to us about her philosophy on training and nutrition. Her main theme of all of it was balance. Finding balance in your training, balance in your physique and trying to balance all of this while still having time for friends, family and real life. In her words “No one wants to always be that girl who pulls chicken and broccoli out of her purse at weddings”. LOL!
Before we broke for the day, Jessie talked about her STRONG moment and what STRONG meant to her. I won’t go into detail about what she said because that is her story to tell, but it was something that made her STRONG, said from the heart and I was honored to hear her tell it. After, she asked us all to write down what STRONG meant to us. We were given the opportunity to share what we wrote and as I listened to the other women share what they wrote, I was inspired to share. And that was when everything started to change. I was stepping out of my comfort zone. As I started talking, my voice cracked and the tears came. I DON’T show emotion in public and I DO NOT cry in front of others, but at that moment I let myself FEEL what I needed to feel. I felt safe to be myself, all of myself, and I spoke. As I took my seat, I felt lighter, like a small weight had been lifted.
The next morning we met at for yoga at Anytime Fitness. After yoga ended, Nichelle shared her STRONG moment. Again, her STRONG moment was one that made her the powerful and amazing woman that she is today and I was grateful that she shared it with us. Jessie then asked if anyone would like to share their STRONG moment and after what seemed like hours of silence, one brave woman started talking. We heard stories of heartbreak, tremendous sadness, loss of life, splitting of families and unimaginable grief. But throughout all of these stories, we also heard how each one of these courageous women overcame these obstacles to become stronger. To everyone in that room, strong wasn’t just a feeling we had in the gym, it was something we felt with our hearts.
As we closed the weekend, we joined in a circle and interlocked arms. Jessie and Nichelle acknowledged each of us with a hug and a heartfelt thank you. And let me tell you, these girls don’t give you the soft, one armed hug. They hug you and they meant it.
When I was driving home, I reflected on my weekend. Not only was I inspired by EVERY woman I met there, but I was happier than I had been in years. I knew that I was right where I was meant to be that weekend. Surrounded by STRONG, supportive women who were just like me. But I was also left with a sense of “when will be my STRONG moment”. I had been battling a few “messes” (see that post here) and it was time to be STRONG and get my life back. I made the choice to be STRONG and face my fears and start living again.
I can’t thank Jessie, Nichelle, Kirstyn (editor in chief of STRONG Fitness Magazine) and Paul Buceta for putting together STRONGCAMP. It is an incredible experience where women can come together without competition to be their fit, fun, silly, emotional, cackling (**inside joke**), amazing selves. THANK YOU!
