LINDSAYGEE.CA

Fitness programs, workouts and so much more to help you keep active, motivated and on track.

The One Piece of Fitness Equipment You Should Add to Your Collection for the Summer

By

There are so many pieces of fitness equipment out there for you to choose from, how can you decide what piece you need?

Um…you come here? Yeah, that’s definitely the answer.

I’ve always recommended three pieces of equipment for your home:

#1 – Treadmill (that’s a big investment, I get it if that one is not available to you).

#2 – TRX – I love the TRX and I think everyone should have one in their home.

#3 – Free weights. They are versatile and help in so many ways (hello metabolism, bone density, balance and strength!).

However, I’m asked a lot what I recommend to take along for vacations, work travel, or simply something less expensive than a treadmill or a TRX system.

No problem!

When you’re traveling over the summer, the one piece of equipment you should absolutely take with you is:

via GIPHY

Resistance bands!

These beauties are fairly inexpensive, easy to travel with and you can absolutely get a full-body workout! They look non-threatening and many snicker when I pull them out for a class. But, they learn quickly to never doubt the power of the band. If bands are used properly, your muscles will be burning, you’ll be sweating and you’ll have yourself one bombass workout in no time.

In fact, here are two workouts I’ve created with resistance bands:

15-Minute Upper Body Band Workout

Podcast of the above Upper Body Band workout available HERE. Let me coach you through the workout. Yup, put in your earbuds, press play and let my sweet, sweet voice motivate you through the workout. xo

Click the link above for a full workout explanation.

18-Minute Lower Body Band Workout

Yup…this one has a podcast available, too. Click HERE and let me take care of timings and instruction for you. 🙂

Here’s why I love these Peach Bands so much:

  • They’re relatively inexpensive ($21.99 for 4 bands through Amazon);
  • They’re lightweight and portable;
  • They come as a package deal with 4 different resistances (light – extra heavy);
  • They are 100% refundable;
  • They work, baby. They may look cute, but this piece of equipment packs a serious burny punch and I think you’ll love them!

Resistance bands are absolutely, positively my 100% approved recommendation for the piece of equipment you should pack to go camping, vacationing, road-trippin’ or whatever else you do this summer.

Go on…get yourself some and try the workouts.

If you’re part of Choose Your Own Fitventure, you have bonus band workouts available as part of your challenges! Aren’t you lucky?!?! YAY! And, if you haven’t joined CYOF yet…you should. You really, really should!

Spring Cleaning Your Fitness Equipment with Pine-Sol Spring Blossom

By

Spring. It’s finally here! After an unusually cold winter (for us), I was beyond excited to step outside yesterday and feel some actual heat from the sun. I took to the garden amongst tulip leaves and blooming daffodils and got my hands dirty pulling those pesky winter weeds. And so begins my yearly battle against the weeds. I will own you, weeds, I WILL OWN YOU. 

As I cleaned up my garden yesterday it hit me, it’s time for spring cleaning! Now, most people shudder at the thought of spring cleaning but although the process is somewhat daunting, the end result always feels so good. Wait…that kinda sounds like fitness too, doesn’t it?! You don’t really want to do it, but you know you’re going to feel great afterward, so you might as well just get it done. 

For me, spring cleaning isn’t about cleaning the house or the garage or the walls or the windowsills (my husband takes care of that…with a toothbrush…and yes, I know I’m crazy lucky to have a guy like that!). Spring cleaning is all about my fitness equipment, clothing and shoes! Oh yeah! Spring cleaning means new shoes! See why I love it so much?!

When it comes to fitness, here’s what you need to spring clean:

1) Your treadmill, bike, weights and any other fitness equipment you own. I’m sure you wipe down your equipment every now and then. But, typically, those of us with fitness equipment at home aren’t nearly as stringent about cleaning equipment after each use compared to your local gym. So, it’s time to buckle down and really clean and disinfect your fitness equipment. 

This year I found Pinesol’s Spring Blossom solution and loooooove it. It smells awesome, it has 4x the cleaning action AND it’s pink. What the what? Oh yeah…Spring Blossom Pinesol for the win! I dilute it in a spray bottle and hit my home gym with my bottle o’ Pinesol, a few cloths and my determination. I wipe down EVERYTHING. My entire treadmill from top to bottom, all of my weights, my weight rack, my BOSU (top and bottom), my steps, my TRX handles. Every nook, every cranny, every handle on every piece of tubing! If you touch it, you clean it! 

2) Your yoga mat. Be careful about cleaning your yoga mat with anything more than vinegar and water. This piece of equipment needs a little gentler touch, so simply put a solution of 1:1 water to vinegar and spray it down. You may want to add a few drop of essential oil (I like Soulful Sister’s Bitchy Babe) to the solution, but check with the manufacturer of your mat. 

Give your mat a good spray with your solution and let it sit for a few minutes. Simply wipe the grime away and then let your mat dry. You may want to repeat the spray down, wait and wipe routine a few times, depending on when the last time you cleaned your mat was.

3) Your fitness clothing. Now, I’m certain you wash your fitness clothing quite a bit, but it’s time to spring clean your fitness wear. And by spring clean, I mean it’s time to get rid of the clothing you no longer wear. Further, it’s time to get rid of the clothing you know you should no longer be wearing (hello hole in the crotch).Working out is hard work and your clothing takes a beating, it’s time to let go.

Listen, I know they’re your favorite pants, but the elastic is shot and there’s a hole in the crotch. Just let go, Mama. You can do it. Just let go. Be ruthless. If you haven’t worn it in the last year, get rid of it. Sell it if it’s still of good quality and make a little cash towards a new favorite pair of workout tights. If your clothing is simply worn out, take the scissors to it and cut them up into cleaning cloths. Some of the best bathtub scrubbers I have are old exercise tights. They’re wicked cleaning cloths!

4) Your running shoes. This one is pretty simple. Most likely at this point, you need new shoes. Your running shoes are the most important piece of fitness equipment you have. So, invest in a good pair. If you’re not sure if you need new kicks, take your shoes to a reputable running shoe store and they’ll let you know. Be sure you get a gait analysis so that you’re put into the correct sneaker for your foot.So many injuries and so much muscle and joint soreness can be avoided with proper footwear. So, do yourself a favor, even though you love the color of your shoes from last year, your body may be in dire need of some new kicks. Let go of the idea that your running shoes need to look cute…and be sure to get the right shoe for your body. 

So, there you have it. That’s how I spring clean. Grab your rubber gloves, your Spring Blossom Pinesol, your vinegar and water and your ruthless attitude and hit your fitness equipment and fitness wear with determination. Disinfect everything and dispose of what you don’t use, or what you shouldn’t wear! Start your spring off fresh and clean by taking care of your equipment, your clothing and your feet. New shoes for everyone! And…go!