Meet your new at home trainer: a deck of cards (via Splie Fitness)
This isn’t my first time writing (and raving) about Splie Fitness. Although based all the way in South Lake Tahoe, my girl Tara (owner and instructor) still has me sweating to her demands all the way in Texas. Here’s her latest idea, via Instagram.
According to the easy game to get your sweat on all you need is a deck of cards. You can use just your body weight for these exercises, or add weights if you’d prefer. Grab a deck of cards and start flipping them over one at a time.
♠️ = lunges
♦️ = push ups
♥️ = squats
♣️ = plank rows
Whichever number is on the card, you’ll do that many of each exercise. Go through the deck once and then switch the movements to 4 new moves. You should be good after two times through. Be creative the second time through. Exercises you can incorporate in the second round can include: tricep dips, frog jumps, burpees, mountain climbers, ab exercises like bicycles, bridges – the list is endless.
Try this next time you’re at home or at a hotel and a gym and weights aren’t readily available.
What games have you played to help with your fitness routine?
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/photo-1.jpg710640Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2014-08-04 08:50:382020-03-22 16:57:58Hit the Deck
Red, white and blue, in a three-way conjunction are my absolute favorite colors. I often say I’m obsessed with America and it may sound silly, but it’s true. I’m obsessed with our country and our freedom and the overall good people that I like to think exist everywhere that make our country so amazing.
This morning I joined a great group of women in South Lake Tahoe at a local fitness studio, Splie (pronounced SPLEE-AY) for a Freedom Ride. I had no idea what a Freedom Ride was, but I knew I was in need of a good spin class to sweat out the toxins and keep myself in semi-bikini shape.
Tara, the owner, encouraged us to wear red, white and blue on the studio’s Facebook page by saying: “It’s how we roll. Red, White and blue ride this Wednesday.”
Wearing her own TEAM USA tank from the leader bike, Tara told us to “ride for something bigger than us, like the blood shed for our country,” and during rest breaks shouted out U.S.A. trivia and facts to encourage us and remind us just how lucky we are to live in this great country. She reminded us that because of what so many brave men and women have fought so hard for so many years, we have freedom. All while sweating up a storm, no less.
“We have the right to live equally,” Tara shouted from her spinning pulpit. “And to add resistance [to our bikes],” she demanded.
The 60-minute ride was a fierce combo of celebrating our freedom (hence the #FreedomRide) and our heritage and patriotic nature, complete with this playlist of varying genres:
The gals from the #FreedomRide at Splie Fitness
Beastie Boys: Fight for your Right
Bruce Springsteen: Born in the USA
En Vogue: Free Your Mind
Metallica: Nothing Else Matters
John Mellencamp: Pink Houses
Jimi Hendrix: Star Spangled Banner
Alicia Keys: Sleeping In My Bed
Brad Paisley: Camouflage
Foo Fighers: My Hero
Kenny Chesney: Freedom
Xtina: Fighter
Miley Cyrus: Party In the U.S.A.
When Xtina’s Fighter came on, Tara reminded us that sometimes we have to fight for our freedom.
In 1848, in New York, women began the long struggle for the right to vote. In 1920, 72 years later, their voting rights were recognized across the nation.
As Americans we are fighters (just like Xtina said) and we fight for our freedom. Remember those that put their lives on the line for us each and every day.
Needless to say, I got my patriotic butt kicked today. And I loved every minute of it. Thanks to those who have and are fighting for our Independence every day.
Exercise your rights. Or just plain exercise.
[This blog post was part of the 2013 Women’s Health Magazine Action Hero Blog. To see that original blog, click here.]
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-2.jpg629629Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2013-07-03 20:03:492013-07-10 13:22:47Exercise your rights. Or just plain exercise.
Red, White and Blue, look at all my new lulu! (I’m a rhymer too!)
As I started this post and was about to say there’s nothing that screams Team America more than red, white and blue workout gear from lululemon, I retracted that statement, as lulu is based out of Canada.
But nothing says you love the home team like sporting the patriotic colors red, white and blue, especially with the 4th of July fast approaching.
Items pictured to the left and why I love them:
In the Flow Crop: I’ll be the first to admit it – these pants look weird before you put them on. Because they’re made without leg seams (to avoid chaffing), the bottom of the pants bell out, but it creates the perfect fit once you put them on. They are considered “no fuss crops,” and I couldn’t agree more. They are basically an extension of your skin, and so comfortable. They also have the gusset to prevent cameltoes and that’s a huge win for mankind.
Price tag: $78
Forme Jacket: Made out of lulu’s signature fabric, luon, this jacket has a four-way stretch and is great for running or yoga and it super easy to layer, thanks to the thumbholes. There are vents under the armpits to help air those bad boys out and it’s a great all around jacket for pretty much any activity. #formejacket
Price tag: $108
red, white and blue lulu
RUN: Featherweight Singlet (in red): Perhaps one of the cutest/most flattering lululemon tanks I’ve ever put on. Not yet online (at least not that I can find), this loose tank is perfect for a hot run or even a night out. Seriously, it’s that cute, and I’ve been known to wear workout gear to a bar or dinner with friends. The tank has mesh panels for ventilation which is perfect for that Houston summer heat I live in. And the slit up the back middle is super sexy, whether running or just hanging out.
Price tag: $68
Items pictured to the right and why I love them:
RUN: Speed Short (in white): If you’ve ever seen my Instagram photos, you know how much I love these shorts and how often I wear them. If these shorts weren’t so great, I’d almost be embarrassed to wear them so often. To note, these shorts are great for us gals with bigger thighs full of muscle. Thanks to the “inherently wicking liner,” the shorts stay comfortably in place, which is great for running and other activities. Also, the white color looks great on tanned legs and perfect for the summer!
Price tag: $54
RUN: Swiftly Scoop SS Tech (in purple/blue): I couldn’t find the exact shirt online (the Swiftly Scoop is a popular shirt for lulu), but this is the new scoop neck in a short sleeve version. Here’s the kicker for this amazing shirt: it is anti-stink. Yup, you heard me. So next time you see me wearing this shirt two days in a row, it’s because of the X-STATIC fibers that actually inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria in the shirt. WINNING | NOT STINKING.
Price tag: $58
Energy Bra (in red): This is a light support bra for yoga, that is designed for the C and D cup yogis out there with medium coverage. For me, it’s a great sports bra for running, because my girls don’t move too much, if you know what I mean. There are also removable pads in the bra. Note, most sports bras at lululemon seem to run small, so be sure to go in and try them on.
Price tag: $48
Cool Rackerback (in red): I have this tank in about every color, but the red is definitely my favorite for the upcoming 4th of July! This is a versatile, multisport racerback made with a four-way stretch fabric that is breathable (luon). The tank features flat seems for chafe-resistance and comfort. Good for just about anything and comes in just about every color.
Price tag: $42
*Note, not all red, white and blues will be available online, you may have to check the awesome store near you.
Talk about the overstatement of the year, especially when fitness and losing weight seems to be on everyone’s mind. There truly is an app for everything, including my favorite: “I travel a lot and love to eat cupcakes and drink Veuve Rose six nights a week and it’s making me fat.”
Technically, that’s not the real name of the app, but the one I’m referring to and have considered my mobile BFF throughout the country for over six months now is the Nike Training Club App (NTC). It’s a free app you can download directly from the iTunes store and has been a lifesaver during my crazy travel times.
We have enough excuses for skipping the gym, travel doesn’t need to be one anymore.
All the workouts can be done in small quarters (i.e., your hotel room) and more than half don’t need any additional equipment like mats or weights. While most hotels have gyms, not all do (or like the ones in Vegas, it’s an additional $23/day for a one-time use). We have enough excuses for skipping the gym, travel doesn’t need to be one anymore.
My favorite part about this app? The Get Focused program, which offers 14 different body-focused workouts, each lasting only 15 minutes. Even if a scheduled workout isn’t on your agenda for the day, for whatever reason, we almost always have 15 minutes to spare and NTC makes it too easy to skip.
Workout scenario
Imagine this scenario: You’ve finished your day of meetings and you have about an hour to get ready for dinner with a few co-workers. You know it takes only 40 minutes to get ready, including shaving your legs and drying your hair. Instead of logging onto Facebook or Pinterest, open your iPhone or iPad and turn on the 15 minute “Cardio Killer” app, set it to your favorite playlist or Pandora station, and get your sweat on.
Don’t worry if phrases like “alternating froggers” confuse you, there is a quick video that shows exactly how to conduct the movement in a safe and efficient manner.
No equipment is required for this workout, and in just 15 minutes (albeit hard and sweaty ones), you’ll do a minute of alternating froggers, a minute of burpees, 30 seconds of squat holds, 30 seconds of squat jumps, a minute of 2 -feet plank side hops, 30 seconds of tuck jumps, 30 seconds to recover and repeat the sequence twice.
That’s less time than two entire Dave Matthews songs, trust me. It goes by fast. And don’t worry if phrases like “alternating froggers” confuse you, there is a quick video that shows exactly how to conduct the movement in a safe and efficient manner.
Once you’re finished, you can track and save your workouts, track progress and even get bonuses and rewards.
Custom-built workouts
NTC has more than 60 full-body custom-built workouts with 90+ multi-dimensional drills exclusively created by Rihanna’s personal trainer Ary Nunez and followed by some of the world’s best athletes, including Paula Radcliffe, Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, Kara Goucher, Shawn Johnson and many others. All of the workouts are set up interval style and can be completed in 15-, 30- and 45-minute increments.
The other great thing about NTC is that once it’s downloaded, you don’t need an Internet connection to work out (again, don’t let that additional hotel fee keep you from working out). Users can share workouts, and unlock reward content throughout milestone workouts.
For every minute of training, you get closer to exclusive rewards like personal training advice (again, this is free!) where your hard work unlocks embedded reward content as you reach training milestones and earn badges.
You can opt for a workout in one of the following categories:
Get Lean: High interval cardio drills to slim down
Get Toned: Light weights and intervals to add definition
Get Strong: Increased weights and reps to build strength
Get Focused: 15-minute workouts to target specific areas (like butts, arms, legs, back, abs and more)
The different workouts range from beginners to advanced, so the app developers (and I) firmly believe there are programs to suit every individual’s needs. According to the Nike website:
The app descriptions make workout selection an easy and intuitive process. Make sure you preview the drills for each workout before you start, so you know what to expect and what equipment you might need. Detailed instructions and videos ensure you know how to perform each drill.”
It’s literally a technological advancement that allows you to have a personal trainer in your room for free. With no invasion of your privacy.
Successful workout and fitness goals rely heavily on setting and meeting goals and NTC can help there as well. Say for the month of March you set a goal of working out 900 minutes the entire month. Sounds lofty and difficult to calculate, but not with NTC where you can set goals and track your progress each day. It’s a great way to keep yourself accountable and on track, even while out of town.
So next time you want to complain your hotel room is making you fat, just remember: There’s An App For That.
This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the “No Excuses/Fitness” section.
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/868b4793a96aae2aadb7aa645265e25b.jpg600800Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2013-02-25 20:39:412013-03-19 20:43:17Don’t Let That Hotel Room Make You Fat
If I cancel last minute I’ll get charged? If I don’t sign up quick enough, will there be a spot for me? The woman twice my age looks five times better in her Lululemon pants than I do? This costs how much?
These are the workout questions.
I’ve found that if I’m charged a fee to cancel, I won’t (we’re more prone to bail on workouts last minute). I’ve found that if I wait too long, my favorite class and time will be full and I’ll miss a great workout. I’ve found that a 45-year-old woman who looks better in her Wunder Unders than I do can be the exact motivation I need. I’ve found that if I spend more money at the gym, I’m more likely to work harder and faster and turn on BEAST MODE the entire hour I’m there to get my full money’s worth.
“I didn’t want to be just another gym where you pay your $40 and jump on a treadmill and move on.”
I’ve found my fitness home, at least for right now.
Boot camps are fun and intense, and usually yield the results you want — if done consistently. But one thing Heather Garrigus, founder of Sculpt and Sculpt Fusion, noticed was that boot camp was usually dictated by the weather, and here in Houston, that can be a tough cookie to swallow.
Immediately following law school, Garrigus, came to Houston. Using her fitness acumen to teach group classes was not only how she made extra money to pay for law school, it was also her stress relief. Soon, she found her love for the fitness world fast outgrew her love of law and she applied her hard work and study ethics from her recent law school days directly to gyms, classes and their increasing trends.
Traveling to Los Angeles, New York and Miami, Garrigus scouted what was hot in those big cities, the industry trends and what people actually wanted.
“I gathered all that together because I knew eventually I wanted to open my own place,” she says. “I took all the stuff I liked from around the country and put it into one thing. I didn’t want to be just another gym where you pay your $40 and jump on a treadmill and move on.”
The gathering all of that into one thing? Garrigus wasn’t kidding.
The only other studio in Texas that uses these newer machines is in Dallas.
In any given class, you could be sprinting intervals on the top of the line treadmills, doing wall-sits, dangling from TRX
Photo courtesy of Facebook
ropes, pushing sand bags, doing spider-pushups, slinging ropes, jogging backwards, using step boxes — among a multitude of infinite possibilities.
Sculpt and Sculpt Fusion are what Garrigus classifies a boutique studio, where you pay for what you use. Her team focuses on more personal attention with classes ranging from two to 16 people max.
“Think of it like group personal training,” she says.
If you need that extra kick in the butt after a stagnant workout at your chain gym, you might consider trying one of her three locations. With classes named Shredded, Haute Hiney, Hip Hop Friday, Full Throttle and more, you know it’s pretty unique on the Houston fitness landscape.
Even if you already belong to a gym, Sculpt is a chance to add-on without the commitment. If you’re looking for extra intensity to start the new year off with or to avoid the rookies at your regular gym, it’s an option.
Sculpt Fusion
“I wanted something that got the intensity of a boot camp, but was indoors. There are so many limitations outside. I saw how popular and effective they were in Los Angeles and New York City — you got your cardio and weights all in an hour and then you’re done. You don’t have to leave class and say ‘Now I have to go do cardio.’ These classes are efficient and effective.
“We waned to add the cardio and intensity component because a lot of people want that intensity level — that’s the way people are going now and it’s the most effective way to burn fat and change your body. We added the spinning to the studio too and have fused half spin and half weights,” Garrigus says of her spot right off Kirby.
Sculpt
“The machines [ProFormers] at our Tanglewood location were developed from a guy from LA. Some people call it ‘Pilates on steroid.’ It’s a bigger machine, and you can do a lot more things on it, especially a lot more standing work and the intensity level is much higher than traditional Pilates.
“Again, you kind of fuse the flexibility training, cardio and weight training all into one workout. A lot of people like it because they found they’ve reached a plateau in their traditional Pilates classes and stopped seeing results. We want people to keep seeing results,” Garrigus says.
Sculpt is the only studio in Houston that has these ProFormers. The only other studio in Texas that uses these newer machines is in Dallas.
The instructors are also kind of a big deal. Not only have they all been in and around the industry for 10-plus years (almost all with Garrigus in some capacity), they’re all skilled in many areas, making these fusion workouts actually work. They’re all skilled at some level in Pilates, running, personal training, spinning, stretching and more, making them a versatile teach pool for almost any kind of client.
“My trainers continue to learn about new things and stay on the edge of what’s hot and what’s new keeping things fresh,” Garrigus says.
“A lot of gyms/clubs are so stagnant and we try to be anything but.”
This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the “No Excuses/Fitness” section.
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/f6dfd010c6498db202732d370b1f7723.jpg600800Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2013-01-28 14:49:222013-09-20 11:45:39Hot boutique exercise studio looks to change the gym game: Pilates on steroids, anyone?
The Mat, $68 at Lululemon (photo courtesy of Lululemon)
Lululemon designer looks to Houston workouts to figure out what customers really want
I was all set to interview Katie Douglas, lead accessory designer for Lululemon, the yoga-inspired athletic apparel company. But I quickly learned that a meetingwith any Lululemon employee most certainly requires some degree of sweat. As it should.
Douglas and Lululemon accessories design assistant Kathleen Westerhout invited me to Sculpt Fitness for an early morning workout (which began with the instructor saying, “If you feel you need to throw up, please step away from the machines”), followed by coffee and breakfast at Tiny Boxwoods.
Based out of Vancouver, where the brand originated, Douglas and Westerhout came here to check out the chains’ three Houston locations (Galleria, Highland Village and most recently CityCentre), partake in a detailed and grueling fitness circuit and go on a “four-day taco bender.”
I quickly learned that a meeting with any Lululemon employee most certainly requires some degree of sweat. As it should.
Having been with the company for a little more than three years, Douglas is the ideal person to chat with about the brand and its loyal following, who are known as “luluheads.” During our conversation, she talked about the brand that both men and women are increasingly going gaga over, her favorite things about Houston and what’s in store (literally).
CultureMap: I’m not hungry. I’m still trying not to throw up from that workout. It was intense, right?
Katie Douglas: Yes, it was great. We’ve had quite a few good workouts since we got in town.
CM: Where have you been?
KD: West End Run Club, Yoga One in Midtown, Big Yoga, Sculpt and Yoga Collective. I think that’s it.
CM:You’ve only been here four days – if my math is correct, some of those days included more than one workout?
The Blonde Side and Lululemon girls after a hard workout at Sculpt Fusion in Houston
KD: [laughing]: Working out is not only part of the job, but it’s all something we love. One of the best things about our company is that the first focus is our people – we’re all about having well-rounded lives. Plus, if I didn’t actually use my gym bag or wear scarves, I wouldn’t know how to improve on them and if I didn’t actually do the sports, I wouldn’t know how the apparel needs to function for the sport, like yoga mats.
CM: So what have you noticed about the fitness scene here in Houston?
KD: The classes offered here are great – more options than most. In Houston we see a lot of fusion exercises – Austin too. Like yoga with weights. Vancouver is a bit more pure when it comes to working out, like just run clubs or just spin classes. We (Vancouver) just got our first spin studio about a year ago and CrossFit is getting bigger, but we do a lot of outdoor running and biking – Vancouver is beautiful. We’re a bit slower on the fitness scene, but everybody’s still very active.
If I didn’t actually use my gym bag or wear scarves, I wouldn’t know how to improve on them and if I didn’t actually do the sports, I wouldn’t know how the apparel needs to function for the sport, like yoga mats.
CM: Is Houston more fast-paced than you imagined?
KD: Yes and no. It’s the city so it’s definitely got that city-vibe where everyone’s got to get from point A to point B, but at the same time it’s the South. What amazes me is that you guys get up at 4:30 to go to a 5 a.m. workout and your day keeps going — we don’t get up so early.
CM: Are there certain pieces that do better in Houston?
Sink/Shower Kit, $68 at Lululemon (photo via Lululemon)
KD: It’s all about shorts: year round. It’s so hot you don’t need to wear pants very often. It’s great for us to experience your weather – it’s sunny and 80 but chilly in the morning, whereas it’s 50 and rainy in Vancouver.
CM: Yeah, we’re definitely all about the layers here. What do you recommend?
KD: There are some great lightweight down puffy jackets that are so lightweight you can throw them on in the morning and then stuff them in your bag – they’re not super heavy – so you’re covered morning and night. Back to the whole fast-paced lifestyle, we’ve also discovered you don’t go home and change a lot so being versatile and having layers is a must.
CM: You’re an accessories designer – what all does that mean for lulu?
KD: Scarves, socks, bags, yoga mats, yoga props, water bottles and headbands.
CM: The holidays are coming up. What are some must-have items this season?
KD: Definitely bags, scarves, or anything puffy. Or socks. I believe socks should be in every stocking.
In Houston, it’s all about shorts: year round. It’s so hot you don’t need to wear pants very often.
Kathleen Westerhout: OurToiletry Kit – I’m excited about that one. It’s a great gift because of the price point and everyone needs one.
CM: Any final words on our city or what we can look forward to in your stores?
KD: If Houston likes their color as much as I think they do, they’re going to be really excited about the next few seasons – winter is going to be amazing. As for the January, color palette – your mind is going to be blown. It’s so fun and happy. It’s really awesome.
KW: I can’t wait to plan my return – I want to come back for vacation – I want to see more of Texas.
KD: Me too.
Once upon a time (as in just a few months ago), I felt Lululemon was entirely too overpriced for apparel that I’d literally sweat in, especially someone like me who sweats like a man. The more I wear and learn about the product (i.e. the gusset, which prevents cameltoe) and become acclimated with their culture, the bigger a fan I become.
The recognizable logo not only symbolizes a commitment to living a healthy life, but also a well-rounded and happy one. That my friends, is well worth the extra pennies. And of course, plenty of motivation to get your sweat on.
This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the fashion/style section.
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/d076b177ab83bc8d3a6df45d33ca572b.jpg700525Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2012-12-09 18:50:102013-01-07 18:56:39The Blonde Side Interview’s Lululemon Lead Accessory Designer
I’m a firm believer in dinner by candlelight. I’m also that girl who prefers the lights off during those special-between-the-sheets moments with my man. So working out with the lights off, yeah why not? I don’t want to be judged by the mass amount of boob sweat turning my pastel pink sports bra into a deep shade of magenta or my ugly “push it harder” beast mode face I’ve somehow perfected over the years. I want to work out, I want to sweat, I want to be pushed, I want the time to fly, and most of all I want to feel DEFINED.
DEFINErev is a full-body, rhythm-based indoor cycling class which incorporates isometrics, an exercise ball and hand weights (sadly, even my strong pushup arms can only handle 2lb weights) for 45minutes.
Henry “Hank” Richardson just opened his 4th location in West U (2518 Bissonnet) with blonde bombshell co-founder Erin Stewart. For the past month this place became my second home. The two, along with their lululemon-clad instructors and strategically digitized playlists have motivated me and made me sweat from places I didn’t know contained sweat glands like each and every blonde hair follicle. If at one time Hank was responsible for the all the curves and beauty of Julia Robert’s body, then surely I’d let him take mine over for a month and see what he could do.
Hank brought his raging workout idea back from a class he attended in NYC and after adding his own flair, decided to open up the exercise studios providing one of the first true “body and mind” workouts around Houston.
Founder and Co-Owner, Henry "Hank" Richardson
As someone who considers herself a truly hardcore college athlete, for the first time, I can admit that mind does play a huge role in meeting goals and pushing harder – whether in a fitness class or in the middle of a State Championship Final’s Game. When the spin instructors scream, “dig deeper” through their headsets with Ellie Goulding’s Lights blaring in the darkest moment of class (both literally and figuratively), the ability to dig deeper comes from the mind; not the legs and core I originally thought. Those muscles were exhausted and had long given out, but my head? Nope, that was ready to keep pushing through.
I asked Brian Vanas, one of the lone males in our nightly 5:15 REV class how this class compares to his typical workout. “It’s kind of funny but when I am there I feel like I am in a ‘cage’ and I can’t leave so I have to finish right to the end as opposed to when I am tired to just stop. I definitely burn more calories and sweat more in this class,” he said. His workout partner Jennifer Ban shares the same sweaty sentiments. “I think DEFINE classes push you more. The rooms are crowded and even though the instructors reiterate that your only competition is yourself, I can’t help but push myself a little harder when I see my neighbor doing more than me!” And it’s true – even though the room is virtually pitch black and the bikes are stationary, you still feel that sense of pride and competition and want to beat your neighbor both climbing up that hill and then again minutes later sprinting back down it.
The studio also offers a DEFINEbody class, which Hank refers to as their main class (REV is the cardio version and should supplement the body class). While cardio is usually my thing, I gave the body class a go – basically 45minutes making your legs do things they’ve never done (which for me, says a lot…) and hold onto a ballet bar while on your tippy-toes for virtually the entire class. I’m pretty sure my legs were shaking just like Anastasia’s did throughout the entire first Fifty Shades of Grey. Well, it worked for her and it seems to have worked for me, so we’re both happy girls.
Even Julia Roberts is a fan of DEFINE
I’m starting a fitness column where I partake in classes (both private and group settings) just like this one for at least 2+ weeks at a time. While these classes are putting my muscles to the test, I’m going to be putting them to the same test – was it worth it? Below is the scale I’ll be using to evaluate. This scale not only allows me to determine if this workout was worth it and beneficial for me, but it also gives you an inside look before heading in and checking it out yourself.
The Blonde Side’s Fitness Scale
Convenient (scale 1-10): 9 – with 4 locations and classes every few hours, it’s pretty convenient for the 9-5’er, the stay at home mom, or the freelance sports writer taking over Houston.
Price (scale $ – $$$$$): $$$$ (classes are pretty pricey, but there are deals for monthly memberships both based on number of times used or unlimited anywhere from $120 – $250/month)
Did boys notice a difference in my body (scale Y or N): YES
Did I notice a difference in my body (scale Y or N): YES
Would I consider a membership here? Unfortunately the classes/memberships are a little too rich for my freelance blood, but if I was in town more and had a bigger budget, I most definitely would.
The Blonde Side April Pushup Challenge (photo: Sunshine Winters)
Last month, in honor of Lent and trying to get back into better bikini body shape, I started a ridiculous monthly challenge. As you may or may not remember, I failed last month’s challenge by just one measly day. So it should come as no surprise whatsoever, that I once again failed.
Enter the month of April. Last month I ran at least 2 miles/day for 40 days (well 39 to be exact) and my legs were tired. I suffered a number of stress fractures, pains in my knees, legs, and feet that I’ve never before felt, but I did have an amazing ass. So it worked. And it gave me motivation to work out even on those days I didn’t feel so motivated.
For April I was going to devote myself to pushups. I already have pretty strong arms, but having had multiple shoulder surgeries and two complete replacements, my left arm wasn’t in the best shape. As a matter of fact, my left arm weaker than Lindsay Lohan’s vocal cords.
I vowed to do 50 pushups (or more) everyday in May. (There’s also this one hundred pushups program you can try.)
Get ready to judge me, once you see how far I didn’t get (I tally all these in my iPhone notes):
April 1: 55
April 2: 60
April 3: 50
April 4: 50
April 5: 55 (Literally by this day, multiple people, both girls and guys, made comments on my fit arms. It was working!)
April 6: 50
April 7: 60
April 8: 55 (On this day I had 2 different guys tell me to stop with the pushups as my arms were “too big” for a girl.)
April 9: 52 (Random, I know)
April 10: 50
April 11: 60
April 12: 50
April 13: 55
April 15: 100 (notice I missed the 14th, so this was my way of making it up)
April 16: 32 (What’s that? not even to 50!? I. Am. A. Slackass.)
April 18: 55
April 19: 30
April 20: 50
April 21: 60
April 22: 55
And that marks the end of April. I know what you’re thinking: April has 30 days, why did you stop? I wish I had the answer to your question, but all I got is this: I’m lazy. And I need motivation. And I noticed that I barely ran this month because I burnt myself out so much last month.
I need a better plan of attack for these monthly fitness and workout goals. Any suggestions? Keep in mind with all my travel, I need something fairly low-maintenance (as gyms aren’t always an option at my hotels).
