F is for Fitness Blender [A-Z Blog Challenge]

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Fitness Blender

 

Because of budget concerns (and because I'm thrifty cheap), I'm always on the hunt for free fitness resources online.  One of the best I've found for short effective workouts is Fitness Blender (www.fitnessblender.com).   This website was started by husband and wife fitness trainers Daniel and Kelli.  From their website:

Photo courtesy of fitnessblender.com

We started Fitness Blender because we believe that fitness should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their income. We also felt like there was a lack of reliable health and fitness information on the web, and too many people in the industry were more focused on appearance than they were on good health.

The couple produces their videos in a home studio and the website is funded by donations and gear sales.  They have every workout from short warmups, to lengthy 1000 calorie burning workouts of high intensity training and they add more every week.  My two favorite workouts so far have been her upper body workout and his short spinning workout (videos below).  They also offer meal plans, recipes, and workout regimen suggestions.

 

Their website is a great help to me because:

• They are regular hard working people, not fitness gurus with corporate sponsorship, Photoshop, or a good cosmetic surgeon.
• Their workouts vary in length, intensity, and type, which keeps me from getting bored.  I have several of their workouts in my "tried it Mikey" queue.
• They also give tips and debunk several fitness myths.  One thing they stress is that fitness is what looks and feels best on you, not what Hollywood says it should be.
• I like the fact that Daniel and Kelli are just plain silly sometimes.  They show their bloopers, misspeaks, and adventures with trying to get their dog, Loki, to be quiet while their shooting footage.

Daniel and Kelli are the epitome of the Principle eight concept of passing on what you've learned to others and being a good example.  They make me long to be able to pay it forward.  The minute I'm back to full time work, you'll probably see me walking around in a pink Fitness Blender tank top.

 

 

 

For more information on the A-Z Blog Challenge, go to:

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

Tried it Mikey: Round 01

The fitness challenge for December 2013 encouraged us to try some new workouts.  Well, December was a very hard month for me and I failed miserably, so I'm going to extend the challenge into 2014.

Workout:  Fitnessblender.com's Indoor Cycling Workout.

Where bought/available:  Available for free on YouTube (see below)

Why:  I was looking for a different workout with my bike during the cold days.

Rating (on a scale of 1-4 smileys):  JJJ

The Good: 

1. Simplicity:  The instructions are very simple: pedal faster/slower, move your resistance up/down; basic cycling stuff.
2. It a good workout that does work up a sweat.
3. It's free.

The Bad:

1. No music - their workouts do not include music in order to keep them free, so I understand.  I just like music with my workouts.
2. Standing - some of the workout has standing pedaling.  I can't do that without fear of knocking me, my bike, and the trainer over.  So, I just crank up the tension on those parts.
3. Short - The workout is only about 20 minutes long and they haven't made any longer cycling workout videos yet.

This One's For the Girls Challenge: Week 03






Photo courtesy of
Amiel Weisblum

Ahh, last week's challenge was a really good one.  I got really sore from doing it, but it was worth it.  Well, here's this week's challenge.  All you will need for this one is a set of dumbbells (hand weights) or a couple of water bottles.  Some of the exercises in this set are more difficult than the last ones, but we all need to keep trying new things.  If you really can't do a particular move, either skip it or modify it.  There are some beginner modifications included in video.  Enjoy!

 





This One's For the Girls Challenge: Week 02



Photo courtesy of
Amiel Weisblum

So, how did your first week's challenge go?  For me, it looked easy enough, but I started to feel the burn after about 20 seconds of each exercise.  I did make it through all three sessions.

OK, for this week, we're adding some weights and a little more difficulty.  Please remember that you can modify these to whatever is safest for you.  Use light weights or water bottles if necessary.  If you cannot do a standard push up, do a wall push up or a plank. The point isn't to do this perfectly.  The paint is to get moving.  Try to do at least three sessions of this workout.  Let me know how it goes.

Video courtesy of Fitnessblender.com

Why are we doing this again?  As I said last week:  Exercises for the chest and upper body are great for building strength and better posture.  Plus they have the added bonus of helping to lift a sagging bustline.  Remember fellers, you can get saggy and baggy too, so don't wimp out on me because of the title of the challenge.

GO!

This One's For the Girls Challenge: Week 01

Photo courtesy of
Amiel Weisblum

Did you know that October is national breast cancer awareness month?  According to the American Center Society, with the exception of lung cancer, breast cancer takes the lives of more women than any other cancer.  With that in mind, this month's challenge is for the "girls."

Exercises for the chest and upper body are great for building strength and better posture.  Plus they have the added bonus of helping to lift a sagging bustline.

Now gentlemen, don't zone out on me.  Although it is rare, men do suffer from breast cancer.  Also, the exercises and challenges are good for you as well.

So, the first week of this challenge is a simple no weights or equipment workout.  Yes, I know October 1st is tomorrow, but we always say we're going to start stuff on Monday, right?  Try to do this three days this week in addition to your other exercise routines.  It does not include a warm up or cool down.  Let me, and the folks at fitnessblender.com know how you like the workout.

Video courtesy of fitnessblender.com