It’s no secret that these are some of my favorite pieces of gym equipment.
And for so many reasons! One of which being that you can take them and use them anywhere! But mostly because by using these in a standard move, like the squat? You are activating so many more muscles than you are without them. These days people don’t have an hour to work out ever day! Sometimes it’s 20 minutes, and sometimes it just as long as the kiddos don’t wake up 😛
This is an awesome work out to get your heart rate up, activate the the legs and obliques, and doable in 15-20 minutes! All of these moves are designed to hit more than just your legs, your glutes, or whatever the fitness trend is now days. I want my moves to be functional, and efficient!! And voila!
Let’s break it down!
PLANK LEG LIFT + KICK
This move is great because it takes the standard plank, and kicks it up a notch! It also is a great way to warm up your abs, your gluten and the backs of your legs that occasionally are missed!
*Keep your lower back tight and the plank form CORRECT!! After you do a few your gluteus maximus and biceps femoris are going to start to fatigue, but keep your form strong!! That was just a fancy way of saying butt and hamstrings 😀
SIDE STEP SQUAT
You add the side step because it activates your IT band and your gluteus medus more so than in a regular squat! Make the squat slightly lighter of a stance than your regular squat. So as you take your side step out, don’t be shy on the kick out, and keep your squat form strong! Butt back, chest up, knees over heels! BAM!
IN-N-OUT SQUAT JUMP
I know, people usually prefer it when ‘in-n-out’ is followed by “burgers” 🙂 But this is a great move to follow the side-step squat! Your side body is warmed up, your squats have been perfected, now to add a bit of a cardio component and getting your heart rate up!
STANDING LEG LIFT
Now, let’s hone in on that side body! We warmed it up with the workout leading into it, but now we’re going to isolate those muscles I mentioned before: your IT band, gluteus medus, and even your performis a bit as well!
SQUAT SIDE STEP
Staying in a low squat, you’re going to combine all of these moves and muscles that you have used so far for the final kicker!! Try to use your reflection to make sure that you aren’t leaning to far into the static leg; to the side or forward! You can also use a couch/bench/chair behind you to have as a reminder for how low to keep your butt! It’s easy to come out of this squat as you get tired
LADDER TOE TOUCHES!
Last chance to get your heart rate up and remind those hammies what’s up!
Now, go rock it!
Hope you enjoyed this workout as much as I did! Leave your thoughts and comments below!!
And keep an eye out for more mini bands work outs to come!
I mean, who doesn’t live in leggings these days!? And who doesn’t get excited when they find a new favorite style and brand?
And if only we bought our leggings only out of necessity. If we did, then I wouldn’t have 25 pairs of black leggings in my closet right now. But, nonetheless I do! And thank goodness!
A few years ago I first saw the ad for Kate Hudson’s Fabletics, and, well, it’s Kate Hudson! I think that was probably 80% of the reason that I made my first purchase from Fabletics. But now? I go back for the style and the quality.
And believe it or not, the styles just keep getting better! And the quality? It’s still amazing! But these days people are very aware of prices and very stunned when they see some of these athletic brands sticker numbers! Because variety in your closet is everything, people want to be able to afford several different styles without breaking the bank. And Fabletics is the perfect place for that. Scroll to the end to learn about the VIP pricing structure.
The quality is similar to some of the most high end athletic brands out there, and the prices are ones you will want to keep coming back for. And the styles? If you’re looking for simple, blacks and grays but cute? This is your place. If you’re looking for adorable prints and colors in a great fit? Yup! Still here.
I wrote another article about how to layer in the winter and stay stylish to and from the gym. It’s that horrible time of year where you need a sweatshirt a jacket and a parka just for your walk from the car into the gym, and then a machine to take those layers off before you start to sweat. I love the jackets and pieces at Fabletics because (again, the prices) the styles and weight are just right to layer underneath a coat for this weather, and will be excellent for the spring when you need just a little something to go outside.
This jacket has an adorable longline style with an added sporty factor with the mesh detail. It is something you can wear to and from the gym, but also after yoga on the weekends to bruch with your girlfriends. Check out this jacket in the shopping list below as well as some of my other top picks available at Fabletics right now.
As a heads up, pastels are going to be huge this Spring, as well as haute performance! So you’re going to see a lot of stylish gym gear all over! Not only are these styles perfect for that trend, but they are beautiful shades of pastel blush that will lead you into Spring in the most stylish of ways.
Interested in the VIP program? YOU SHOULD! At first I was skeptical because you do have to pay a monthly membership, but that is ONLY if you don’t buy anything that month! And even better? Every time you do buy something, you get credit points, which you can put towards future products. Just the other day I went to check out, the original total would have been $214… but with my VIP credit from previous purchases? It was only $79! And VIP members get special discounts on full outfits and other products too. Just check out the VIP price on all the products and you’ll totally understand why VIP savings are worth it.
If you’ve had your holiday shopping done for weeks… well, good for you!
For the rest of us, we’re still thinking. And sometimes it’s harder for certain people. For me, I have the hardest time shopping for my sister. She and I are very similar in that we don’t want anything that we aren’t going to use. We don’t like excess. And I think that’s probably true for everyone in a way! You want to give someone a gift that they are actually going to use!
So what do you get your fit friend that’s always at the gym? Ii’ve made a gift guide for you to brainstorm some ideas!
First off, beauty products. I know, sounds weird when we’re talking about the gym, right? WRONG!
I find that the beauty products are some of the most important pieces in my gym bag. During the summer, in particular, if I don’t clean my face after a long work out, I tend to break out, and my work to get rid of any of my blackheads? Oye, forget about it.
Facial Towlettes – these are the quickest and easiest way to wash your face after a work out. And check the different kinds because sometimes they are just make-up removing. So you want to make sure they are actually cleansing wipes. I love the Burt’s Bee’s wipes! They are gently on your skin but leave you feeling clean and fresh after a nasty work out.
Post-workout products – If you’re like me, you tend to stay warm after a work out for quite a while. I remember when I would shower immediately after a work out and heading to work and sitting at my desk wondering when I was going to cool down! My favorite favorite post work out moisturizer is the CliniqueFit Matte Moisturizer. It really does help calm down that oily post-workout skin! If you’re going to wear any makeup post work out, be careful that it doesn’t clog your pores. During a work out your pores are as open as they’re going to be! so if you put something on your face immediately after that work out, that foundation is going to settle right in there… not good! CliniqueFit also has some great workout products that don’t clog your pores and are meant for fit peeps like us! Check them out below
Hair Ties – not only do you always need extra’s in your gym bag because… well, they tend to evaporate in this air! But you need really good ones too! I hate it when I have that kink in my hair from my hair tie and have to style my hair around that dreaded mess. The hair ties below from Invisibobble are the BEST! They don’t leave a kink and they hold your hair nice and tight! I have really thick hair and it does the trick!
Next is the most important for your health and wellness. The right nutrients!
So many people spend hours in the gym a week but then eat the wrong nutrients before and after, therefore not even getting as much as they can out of their work out. In truth, you want the right protein before AND after a work out. I love Eboost for all of their products. But mostly because their protein powder is clean and effective but also tastes REALLY GOOD!
Their energy powder also doesn’t give you jitters and won’t keep you up at night either. If travel a lot? They have 15 individual packs, easy to throw in your bag! Or if you want to try out a few different products, check out their gift box where you can try a bunch of their products without totally being committed.
Do you ever feel like no matter how much water you drink you still aren’t hydrated? If you work out hard enough, there are certain nutrients that water just doesn’t put back! But I’m not really for Gatorade and their electrolyte products, but I do love Nooma! It’s organic, tastes great and only has the nutrients that you need to put back into your body after a good sweat.
Although this isn’t exactly a “nutrient” that you are putting into your body, many times the external treatment of your muscles is just as important. There are times where I am so sore that I don’t think I can go on anymore! But Dr. Teal’s has saved me! And it’s a great excuse to soak in a bath with some peace and quiet 🙂 The pre and post work out bag is amazing for your muscles to restore your body to peak performance!
Last, but certainly not least, the equipment!
You’ve seen those rollers in the gym. The huge foam ones that people look ridiculous using? Well when you have the right equipment and know how to use it, these rollers are clutch for getting your muscles untangled. I threw my back out a few months ago and it turned out that I had a massive knot in my back that was getting everything out of wack. I used the massage ball on that knot and instantly felt relief along my entire back and lumbar.
If you’re nervous you’re not going to use it right, ask a trainer or someone that you know is certified. PLEASE, make sure they are certified. They can show you just a few easy tricks to using this awesome equipment.
My favorite brand is Trigger Point. I use their massage ball all the time and find that the shape and sturdiness of their equipment is exactly what I need for it to be effective.
The last image on the “shop the post” below is an AWESOME gift set for a true gym-goer that anyone who stays active would LOVE to get as a gift.
And you all know how I feel about bands, and how much I love them as fitness equipment. Check out this article on using mini bands and keep an eye out for a great workout using the professional grade bands. They are the perfect gift for someone who travels a lot but still wants a great work out!
So whether you are looking for a stocking stuffer, or putting together a gift basket for friend, these are excellent ideas that I know anyone who enjoys a good work out would thoroughly enjoy and absolutely use over and over and over and over…. 🙂
Happy Holidays!
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