Tag Archives: celeb fitness

Flywheel Sports Indoor Cycling Class

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(credit KING5, click to see the FlyWheel video)

I’m always on the hunt for new fitness classes that make working out fun, and I’ve recently found my new obsession…Flywheel indoor cycling classes. I mean, it’s to the point where I will inject my Flywheel fanaticism into every conversation.

The workout is really popular with celebs like Sophia Vergara and Jessica Alba so it’s always intrigued me.  I had the opportunity to try the class this month when I was lucky enough to cover a Flywheel for KING5′s new Health Initiative. (FYI check  out the KING5 HealthLink page, it has tons of great healthy info!)

Now, I’ve taken (and taught) my fair  share of indoor cycling classes but Flywheel is not your average spin class. It’s the best parts of going out to a dance club and getting the best workout of your life combined!

When I stepped into the studio, the lights dimmed and all my stresses and to-do list items just melted away. The high tech bikes displayed RPM and resistance (Torq) and  I was enthralled with the idea of the Torqboard. As a pretty competitive person, the chance to see how I stacked up against the rest of the riders on real time pushed my workout to a new level. The instructors encourage and motivate riders through the workout and I even heard their words  boosting me throughout the day.

The community at Flywheel is warm and open and I really felt at home. Plus, 700 calories later I was dripping sweat and thinking…this is way too fun to even call it a workout!

5 Must Try Fitness Classes

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I love trying new workout classes whenever I get the chance. I get to check out new fitness trends, get ideas for my own at home workouts, keep boredom at bay, and have some fun in the process. Plus it’s always importnat to change up your workouts so that you keep seeing results!
Here are five of the hottest, newest fitness classes that, it you have the chance, I think you should definitely try. I’ve had the pleasure of trying the ones I could find in Seattle, and if I couldn’t find it, it made my own version. Each class is a killer workout and totally different so there is something for everyone! Let me know if you’ve tried any of these workouts and which ones you like the best.
  1. Soul Cycle: Spinning classes are HUGE! Celebs like Kelly Ripa, Katie Holmes and Sophia Vergara swear by them, and one of the best in the business is Soul Cycle. Killer playlists + totally motivating class participants and teachers + 800 to 1000 calories per hour = one addictivly good workout. We have FlyWheel in Seattle which is similar and on my to do list very soon! Check out a spin class near you for some killer cardio.
  2. Barre Class: Ballet barre classes are great for toning your whole body with teeny tiny movements, light dumbbells and your bodyweight. Don’t be fooled though, these workouts are super tough. You can check out some of my reviews here. Physique 57 and Barre 3 are my favorite classes plus they have DVDs and/or online downloads so you can do the workouts anywhere.
  3. TRX Class: So obsessed with the TRX! I use it in every one of my stregnth workouts and if I had to own only one piece of fitness equipment this would be it. Well the TRX and kettlebells and a BOSU and…who am I kidding, I can’t own just one! You can take TRX classes at many gyms and some even offer bootcamp styles with cardio intervals or tabata protocal. Muscle toning, calorie burning goodness!
  4. Metcon 3: This class is exclusive to Equinox gyms and uses the principle of metabolic conditioning work. You do 10 full body exercises, each for a minute, then repeat that cycle 3 times. This really spikes your heart rate and gets you metabolism going for hours….if you don’t live near an Equinox many of my printable workouts are  based on metabolic conditioning so try one like this if you haven’t already:)
  5. SurfSET Class: I actually saw this class on Shark Tank the ABC show where entrepreneurs pitch businesses to investors. The workout is done entirely on a surfboard which is suspended to recreate the feeling of being on the water. There are also resistance bands on the side of each board for upper body work. I love adding some instability to my workouts since doing so increases the effectiveness of even simple exercises like bicep curls. The SurfSET class will work your whole body especially your legs and core…plus can you think of a more fun way to burn 500-800 calories?! Classes are pretty limited right now, but SurfSET looks to be expanding very soon. If you can’t take a class try  incorporating standing on a BOSU ball into your workout for the same effect.

(image credits: dailycandy, barre3, trxtraining, wellandgoodnyc, surfSET)

NBC KING5 Segment: Workout Review, Paddleboarding

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Yesterday I had the pleasure of being on Seattle’s NBC affiliate KING5′s daytime show New Day Northwest. I’m the KING5.com lifestyle reporter and cover the best in food, fitness, fashion and lifestyle goings on around Seattle, and I love getting the opportunity to showcase the features on New Day.

Yesterday we featured one of my new favorite workouts, paddleboarding and if you haven’t tried it yet, well you have to! It’s a great workout for your legs, core and butt, plus it’s incredibly fun and a great way to enjoy beautiful views. Celebs like Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz and Kate Hudson frequently paddleboard and it burns up to about 450 calories and hour. Click on the picture above or click here to so the video and learn how fun and easy paddleboarding is. If you get nice weather this weekend it would make  perfect Labor Day workout:)

Class Review: Lab5 Fitness – TRX class

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ABOUT

The TRX suspension trainer is a completely portable, packable, take anywhere full gym…and it weighs less than two pounds.  It’s a set  of straps anchored to any high location or door jam and from there you can do thousands of body weight strength training exercises that tone muscles and melt body fat. It was developed by a former Navy Seal so you know it works!

WORKOUT

The Lab5 Fitness TRX class was held in it’s beautiful back studio with full length mirrors, wood floors, large windows and great lighting. The TRXs were anchored from the ceiling (perfect for getting the most out of each exercise) and the class size was limited to 12 people. After the warm-up our instructor Ron started the workout with pushups and core work, then we moved into a hard-core lower body section. We did fast squats and lunges with the back foot elevated for 2 minutes followed by  tabata cardio intervals with jump squats. Next we moved into alternating upper body exercises like pushups and rows and lower body exercises using the same tabata protocal (20 seconds on/10 seconds off). We finished with killer planks and mountain climbers with our feet suspended in the TRX handles. The workout lasted for a total of 50 intense minutes and I left sweaty as can be with a full body workout…Toning, check. Cardio, check. Happy hour justification…Double Check!

TONE ZONE

  • EVERY LAST INCH OF YOUR BODY!!!!
  • TRX’s design makes you focus on your core with every move. It’s similar to Pilates or  yoga in that way but waaay more intense.
  • You can get very deep in your squats and lunges to really target the area I affectionately call the “thut” (it’s where your thigh and butt meet)

WHAT I LOVE

  • I was actually excited to try on my skinny jeans after the workout…your body feels so tight and toned it’s like your thighs, triceps and abs have been sucked in. Plus you’ll be sore for about three days…which I totally LOVE!
  • The TRX uses multiple muscle groups at once for more toning and calorie burning in less time plus helps to raise your metabolism
  • The workout increases your flexibility
  • It’s actually very good for newbies or anyone recovering from an injury since you can easily adjust the intensity of each exercise
  • There are so many exercises to choose from you never get bored
  • It’s easy to use, and easy to bring with you anywhere so no more excuses…I’m talking to you frequent travelers.

CROWD CONTROL

  • Celebs like Jennifer Lopez, Gisele Bundchen, Scarlett Johansson
    Mary J. Blige, Ellen Pompeo and Jamie Pressly owe their killer curves to TRX workouts
  • Plenty of pro-athletes including Superbowl MVP Drew Brees and triathletes love the functional training aspects of the TRX
  • My class had frequent TRXers but that’s not always the case. I really recmommend this workout to everyone from beginners to the hard cores. Just make sure you get someone to show you the ropes so you make sure you’re doing it right.

THAT’S WHERE IT’S AT

Lab5 Fitness offers Ballet Barre, Pilates, Yoga, Reformer and Aerial Conditioning classes. The studio, trainers and customer service  are all outstanding I will definitely be going back and I recommend you give it a try if you live in the Seattle area. (First class is free…yay!)

lab5fitness.com

Lab5 Fitness Studio
606 Broadway East Studio A
Seattle Washington 98102

206.325.0662

Check out some TRX workouts on the official TRX youtube page here.

You can buy your own TRX at http://www.trxtraining.com/

Celebrity Workout Video: Get Blake Lively’s Bod

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Blake Lively is in amazing shape…she has great muscle tone while still keeping some curves, a combo that looks killer in all those fabulous outfites she wears. To get in shape for Green Lantern she worked with one of my favorite fitness trainers Bobby Strom who is also responsible for Jessica Biel’s Blade Trinity body  and Britney Spears’s Oops I Did It Again  body. Together Blake and Bobby did lots of circuit training where the worked the core then upper body then lower body and repeated that sequence for the entire workout. You can get Blake’s bod too with this workout video inspired by those circuits…grab a set of dumbbells and a stability ball or chair and you are good to go!

Workout Breakdown

Circuit #1

  • Plank – 30 Seconds
  • Bicep Curl to Shoulder Press – 15 reps
  • Stationary Lunges – 15 reps per leg
  • repeat all three exercises for a total of 3 times through
Circuit #2
  • Punching crunches on a stability ball (or floor) – 15 reps
  • Tricep Dips (on a stability ball or chair) – 15 reps
  • Plies with shoulder press – 15 reps
  • repeat all three exercises for a total of 3 times through