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home workout

Fitness

Obé Fitness Review (From A Former Home Workout Hater)

August 30, 2020
Obe-Fitness-Review

As I mentioned, I used to be a home workout hater and I would never have imagined that I could grow to like doing home workouts. But that’s what a pandemic will do to you I suppose! I officially quit my gym membership a few weeks ago (*tear*) because I just didn’t know when it was realistic to safely go back.

Over the past couple of months, I’ve tried a range of home workout programs (read about my favorites here). I’ve heard about Obé Fitness for a while but it wasn’t really until the pandemic hit that I started using it regularly. I am really excited to share my honest thoughts with you and potentially convince any former home workout haters to try them out!

Continue Reading…
Fitness

7 of The Best At Home Workout Programs

March 25, 2020
best-5-home-workout-programs

Updated July 5th, 2020

With most of the world staying at home, and actively practicing social distancing, I thought it would be helpful to compile a guide of my favorite home workout programs. I prefer working out at the gym and workout studios but sadly, my gym and the majority of my local workout studios have closed, forcing me to turn to home workout alternatives and particularly home workouts without equipment.

I’m pleased to report that I’ve actually been enjoying my home workouts a lot more than expected! For me, exercise doesn’t just provide physical benefits, but mental benefits as well so I’m glad I’ve found programs I’ve enjoyed. I’ve been experimenting with a whole range of them, some of which I’ve tried before (but at my gym) and quite a few new ones. There’s no shortage of high-quality workout programs you can do at home and I will try and give as much information as possible (cost, if it’s an app or a streaming service, whether you need equipment, etc). And, as always, please know that I would never recommend a service or a product if I didn’t use it myself and truly enjoy it. Continue Reading…

Fitness

Making your own home gym

March 2, 2014

own home gym

Source: Background image from http://www.domundee.com/Condo-Pattaya-Luxury-Jomtien-Beachfront-Aeras-Condominium.html

Okay, so I know that not all of us are part of a gym. But that doesn’t mean you can’t work out and do all the same things that you could do at a gym (minus a few unless you’re willing to shell out some big bucks)! This post will give you a run through of some ‘must have’ pieces of equipment if you want to successfully workout at home.

1. A pair of dumbbells and/or a kettlebell
Dumbbells are imperative because lifting weights is one of the best ways to burn fat and shape your body. A good weight to start with is 5 pounds, preferably working up to 10 or 12 pounds. If you can also afford to get a kettlebell then I suggest you get one, preferably at a weight of 20 pounds or higher. Kettlebells differ from dumbbells because you activate more muscles when using them when you use them to do certain variations of exercises.

 

  kettlebell

2. Resistance Band
Resistance bands are a MUST HAVE especially if you are always on the move! These can also be used for strength training and will help tone your muscles. Resistance bands offer a fun way to change up your routine so you don’t get bored, and a new way to challenge your muscles. There are also certain exercises you can only do with resistance bands which are faaaantastic for toning up the butt.

3. Exercise ball and/or bosu ball 
I say exercise ball and/or exercise ball because unfortunately bosu balls are quite expensive. I recommend getting either an exercise ball or a bosu ball (or both!) because they can both be used for stabilization movements and again, as a new way to challenge your muscles.

4. Jump rope
Ahh the jump rope, once thought to only be used by school girls and boxers. The jump rope is an amazing and portable piece of equipment which offers a fantastic form of cardio and also a way to tone your arms and legs. I am a big fan of Michael Olajide Jr, who is the personal trainer of Adriana Lima, and the key component of their training is the jump rope. There are many Youtube videos that coach you on how to do jump rope variations, and jump rope workouts.

5. Super sliders
Hehe, okay so I am a little biased here but super sliders are AWESOME! Super sliders help you mimic moves from the pilates reformer and can be used in a variety of ways that really challenge your muscle in a new way. Anyone who has bought one and tried some of the moves from my super sliders video can certainly attest to that.

6. Foam Roller
If you are working out regularly, I seriously advise you to invest in a foam roller. Not only is it affordable (about $20), using a foam roller is like having a massage. The foam roller is a form of self myofascial release , which essentially means that you are rolling out the knots in your muscles which can become very tight with exercise and can cause your limbs to look slightly bulky.

So there you have it! I believe that if you have all the equipment I listed above, then there is no way you cannot achieve your fitness goals. Look online, read magazines and buy workout DVDs so that you can get ideas for what moves to do using these fitness pieces. An at-home pull up bar is also a great piece of equipment but probably not a necessity unless you are like me and desperate to build some upper body strength hehe.

Honestly yours,
Alice