WorkOut Archives - Have Sippy Will Travel

Tips To Get More Out Of Exercise

February 28, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

When you hear people talking about exercise, how do you feel? Some of us love to be active, but for others, even the thought of going for a jog can fill us with dread. Being active doesn’t have to be a chore. If you can muster up the enthusiasm to exercise regularly you’ll notice incredible changes in your physical and mental health. Here are some tips to help you get more out of exercise.

Have fun

Many people avoid exercise because they assume that it’s boring, monotonous and repetitive. We tend to automatically think about running on a treadmill or doing endless squats or lunges when the word exercise is mentioned. In truth, working out doesn’t have to involve going to the gym or running for miles. There are so many ways to get fit, and exercise can be really fun. You can get fit in the great outdoors, join teams or exercise classes and meet new people, or vary your workouts to include activities as diverse as dance, tennis, trampolining, yoga, swimming, military fitness, cycling, kayaking and climbing. When you work out, you have the freedom to choose what you want to do, you can exercise to music and get friends and family involved and you can try a range of different sports and activities. If you’re having fun, you won’t even notice that you’re working up a sweat.

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/man-woman-push-ups-wellness-2264825/

Set targets

Setting targets is an excellent way to get more out of training sessions and workouts. When you identify goals, try to be ambitious, but make sure your targets are realistic. If you have an end goal in mind, break down this target and try to reach milestones along the way. Take the example of a marathon. It would be virtually impossible to complete a marathon with no experience in running or previous training. Instead of aiming for this goal right from the start, set yourself a goal of completing a 5km run, then a 10km run followed by a half marathon. Celebrate every achievement along the way and keep working towards the final goal.

Boost your confidence with new activewear

When you work out, it’s beneficial to feel confident and comfortable. Investing in new activewear is a fabulous way to increase motivation and make sure you look and feel the part. If you have long hair, it’s a good idea to think about wearing a headband. You’ll also need to consider what kinds of clothing you need for the activity in which you’re participating. Comfortable, light clothing, which enables you to move freely and stretch is ideal for activities, such as yoga and Pilates, while clothing that provides more support is great for high-intensity activities such as sprinting and jumping. You may need layers for outdoor pursuits, such as hiking, climbing and mountain biking. Opt for gym wear and clothing that catches your eye and try on different items to make sure that the fit and quality meet your expectations.

Understand the benefits of exercise

We all know that exercise is good for us, but do you know why having an active lifestyle is so beneficial? Increasing activity levels helps to improve circulation, flexibility, strength and fitness, but crucially, it can also reduce the risk of potentially life-threatening illnesses and boost mental health. Exercise is proven to aid sleep and lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer, and it also makes you feel good. You may find that you feel exhausted after a workout, but regular exercise increases energy levels and produces a natural high. This happens because when you move, your body releases endorphins and the levels of serotonin and dopamine in your brain increase.

Push yourself

Pushing yourself during an exercise class or a training session will make you feel amazing. As long as you know your limits, and you’re not putting yourself at risk of an injury, you should find that you feel incredible when you finish and you know you’ve tried your best. Always ensure that you take the time to warm up and cool down, make sure your technique is good and give yourself time to rest and recover between workouts. If you feel tired, or your muscles hurt, take a break. Seek medical advice if you have pain.

Exercise is hugely beneficial for mental and physical health. If you’re thinking about starting a new fitness regime, or you’re keen to increase your activity levels, take these tips on board to get more out of every session. Whether you’re going for a gentle jog, you’re doing classes with friends or you’re training in preparation to take on a challenge, there are ways to maximize enjoyment, boost your health and get results.

Filed Under: fitness, health Tagged With: check in, WorkOut

Too Hot To Work Out? Work In. Inside, Anyway.

July 30, 2018 by Samantha Leave a Comment

When it’s just too hot to work out outside, you can take your workouts inside. Don’t have a gym membership, or just REALLY not in the mood to go out? Just keep some DVDs in the house so you can stay on track. Here are some new ones we tried out.

Bottom Line & A Core Defined with Patricia Friberg (a professional trainer) is a Pilates and Strength based workout broken into three segments; Bottom Activation 1, 2, and A Core Defined. These and a few guides, set ups, and an intro make up the DVD. It focuses on defining your butt (as the name indicates) but also works your core, improves posture, and helps you become more flexible and fit. While it definitely focus on the glutes, you will feel this workout in your abs and legs as well for sure. You will likely want to do the first activation a few times before you move on to the second, just to get the hang of it or to get your body ready for the higher intensity. A Core Defined covers more of the body overall, but really focuses on the abs. Friberg gives good direction throughout, just keep pace that is comfortable to you and move on when you are ready. Available for $20 from http://www.patriciafriberg.com

Want to work your lower body? Want to work out, but in a bit of a time crunch? Your Sexy Everything (Booty, Legs, Thighs) by Ilyse Baker might be one to try out. I know it says “everything”, but it means everything below the Mason Dixon, it seems. It has a good variety of workouts, containing four mini workouts that are 5, 6 ,7, and 8 minutes long each as well as two bonus workouts- Ballet Grooves, a 5 minute core workout (and it’s fun) as well as the Dancer’s Floor Stretch (seeing a theme here?) that is 10 minutes of lengthening, flexibility enhancing stretching and toning. $15 at http://ilysebaker.com/

Also available by Ilyse Baker are Dancinerate Sassy Jazz and Hip Hop Fusion and Dancinerate Burn with the Beat. These fun workouts are great ways to add some variety to your routine, and maybe learn some new moves. If you are a great dancer- great! These will just add to your skills and be good practice for you. Not a good dancer? (Cough) That’s ok- they are still really fun to do, and no one sees you being completely off when you are in your own living room- enjoy it.

Want to add a little something extra to your workout? The AB-EZE suspension trainer is fun, interesting, and easy to install and use. It’s an interesting way to work your abs and core, it’s design based on a trapeze harness found on a catamaran. It uses your body and weight as well as gravity to give you a work out, by leaning on the support pad and using it to engage your muscles. AB-EZE anchors easily over any door or fixed point, then by leaning on the comfortable support pad, muscles will instantly engage. You can change the intensity by pressing a button and lengthening or shortening the strap, and changing your body positions. Use it to “firm and lift the butt; sculpt abs and shrink waistline; strengthen back; and, shape and define legs”. Easy to take with you when you travel if you’d like as well. Get yours for $149.99 at www.ab-eze.com

In Light of Change by Julie Rammal is a change of pace. It’s a little slower, and uses your whole body to work out your whole body. This is one of the more interesting DVDs I’ve tried in a while. It is for sure not like other DVDs you might have tried. It has eight different (VERY different) segments ranging from Cardio Boxing to “Tibetan Rituals”, none of which take more then 8 minutes to complete each. No equipment is needed to do any of them, and is said to be inspired by “aerobics, primal movements, yoga, Pilates, stretching and nature.” Overall, I found it calming and relaxing, while still providing a decent workout. I enjoyed this one, it was quite different, but in a good way. One note- it’s not great for beginners. Ms. Rammal is not great with instruction or giving modifications, so only do what you feel comfortable with, or what you’ve been taught to do as modifications outside. Available for about $19 from Amazon.com

Filed Under: fitness, health, review Tagged With: DVDs, fitness, health, newspaper cross post, WorkOut

Complete Guide To Pre-Workout Supplements: Is It for Everyone?

May 29, 2018 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Working out is hard. During the first days of hitting the gym, you are always psyched up. It’s because you have got goals or objectives that you want to achieve. Maybe you want to lose some weight, or perhaps you are an athlete, and you want to keep fit. Despite your objective, after the first week or two. The laziness comes in. You feel like you don’t want to go to the gym. It almost feels like you are out of energy. This is where pre-workout supplements come in handy.

You have probably heard it from friends or colleagues on how these pre-workout supplements get them in the mood of working out. It’s okay to wonder if the pre-workout supplements are suitable for you. This post will provide you with all you need to know about pre-workout supplements. By the end of it, you will be able to make an informed decision on whether to use them or not.

But, what are Pre-workout Supplements?

It’s a supplement that you should take before hitting the gym. The supplement usually entails ingredients responsible for addressing a couple of issues that may occur during training such as low energy, loss of focus, fatigue and much more. A good pre-workout supplement should provide the user with an optimal hormonal environment that enables him/her to get the most out of a workout session.

What Are The Ingredients Responsible?

Before taking any supplement, it’s always best to know which ingredient you are taking into your body. In the case of pre-workout supplements, the ingredients used are usually similar.

Below are some examples;

Caffeine

Being one of the primary ingredients, coffee is known to improve alertness, arousal and improve the energy level.

Amino-Acids

Amino acids are responsible for building proteins that in turn increase energy levels. The supplements provide branched-chain amino acids that enhance physical performance.

Carbs

Workouts involve a lot of muscle strain. But thanks to carbs, it helps fuel your muscles with glycogen.

Beetroot Juice

Beetroot juice isn’t a favorite for most people because of its taste. But it’s an ingredient of several pre-workout supplements. The juice can aid an individual workout for long hours.

The Advantages of Pre-workout Supplements

The main reason why pre-workout supplements are highly gaining popularity is because of the benefits that they offer the user. However, not all supplements are effective. Always buy from known brands. Below are some advantages of using pre-workout supplements.

Enhanced Power and Strength

Power and strength are essential for any workout session. If you are feeling tired, then a pre-workout supplement can do the magic. Ingredients such as amino acid are capable of helping in muscle contraction.

Muscle Growth

A good pre-workout supplement can help improve muscle growth. Carbs help in the preservation of muscle glycogen that keeps you strong. There is another essential ingredient found in pre-workout supplements known as whey proteins that are also effective in minimizing muscle wasting.

Increased Focus

A pre-workout supplement can help improve focus. You should know that the brain is also a muscle. When your body gets tired, so does the brain. And this can really sidetrack your functioning at the gym.

What are The Disadvantages?

Pre-workout supplements have one disadvantage. If you use a particular supplement for an extended period, your body adapts to it, and its effectiveness reduces. This leads to the need of using a higher dosage to achieve better results. To be on the safe side, incorporate the strategy of cycling pre-workout supplements. You can either switch brands or rather give your body a break from a particular supplement for two weeks or even a month.

The above is all you need to know about pre-workout supplements. Before buying a particular supplement, do your research. Find the one with ingredients that are suitable for you. Read reviews to see if they actually work. Always consider your goals when selecting a supplement. Don’t take the supplement on days that you are not working out.

Filed Under: fitness, health Tagged With: check in, fitness, health, WorkOut

Cure Morning Back Pain Instantly With These Ideas

March 19, 2018 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Do you ever wake up with a really sore back? We’re talking so sore it almost hurts to continue lying down. In some ways, this is beneficial as it means you get out of bed quickly! On a serious note, waking up in pain every day is never fun – or normal. If you fall into this category, here are a few things you can do to instantly cure the pain forever!

Invest In A New Mattress With The Right Support

Most people find that their morning back pain is the result of a bad mattress. If a mattress is too soft or firm, then it can cause muscular irritations. Essentially, you develop lots of little knots that create trigger points, which cause the pain. This is either because the mattress you use is so soft that it causes your lower back to sag down and arch, or because it’s so hard that your back just can’t handle the pressure for eight hours straight! Regardless, as it shows on www.Mattress-Guides.net, you can find mattresses that have just the right amount of softness, while still maintaining a bit of firmness. This type of mattress is great for sore backs, and you’ll notice the change instantly! If you can’t afford a new mattress, then try getting a good mattress topper instead to provide additional support.

Stretch Before Going To Bed

One of the easiest things you can do to get rid of morning back pain is to stretch before you hit the hay. There are many simple stretches you can do to get rid of lower back pain, and I’ve embedded a video to show you some of my favorites. Basically, you want to target your hips and lower back. Tight hips cause back pain because one of your hip flexor muscles actually attaches to your lumbar spine (lower back) and can pull down on it, causing a painful arch. Loosening these muscles helps prevent this from happening, and stretching your lower back also helps relieve any tension that’s built up throughout the day. Also, I’d suggest adding some self-massage in as well before you stretch. Use something like a foam roller or lacrosse ball to do this.

Sleep On Your Back

If you sleep on your front or side, then this might be why you wake up with back pain. Sleeping on your front is particularly bad because it causes an excessive arch. If you’ve been paying attention, then you’ll notice I’ve already mentioned this is a bad thing! It puts too much stress on your lower back muscles, which causes the pain. Sleep on your back, and you keep everything in perfect alignment. As a result, you’ll wake up pain-free.

Persistent lower back pain is by far and away one of the most common health issues out there. So many people go to sleep and then wake up with a nagging pain that doesn’t go away for a few hours. Try these ideas out, and you’ll see an instant change overnight.

Filed Under: health Tagged With: check in, health, WorkOut

LA Psycle- A wonderful Spin Studio

January 22, 2015 by Danielle Leave a Comment

At the start of most years many people are all about exercising, getting fit, losing weight, and even more great New Year’s Resolutions. Jamie Froetschner opened her spin studio, LA Psycle, back at the beginning of October and has been bombarded with interested people ever since.

About LA Psycle’s Owner:

Let me tell you that Jamie is one of the most energetic people that I have ever met in my life. She could motivate a rock to get up and going, which is absolutely wonderful for her role as the instructor. Jamie leads a very active life and is always encouraging all members of the class to push themselves a little harder. Jamie has created a wonderful atmosphere to help people make very healthy life choices.

About LA Psycle:

There are two options for classes:

$5 drop-in
$50 for a 5 week pass

Class Times:

M- 6:15 p.m. (45 minutes)
M/W – 5:30 p.m. (30 minutes)
W- 6:15 p.m. (45 minutes)
T/TH – 5:20 a.m. (30 minutes)
T/TH – 6:00 a.m. (30 minutes)
T/TH – 4:30 p.m. (30 minutes)
T/TH – 5:15 p.m. (30 minutes)

The 5 week pass consists of 2- 30 minute sessions or 1 – 45 minute session a week.

The price for drop-in and the 5 week pass are the same. The benefit of the 5-week pass is that you will get to “reserve” your bike.

The classes are always first come first serve, and the 5 week pass people always get their spots before openings are posted to others.

In addition to the classes that are offered, Jamie and her side-kick Kristin, offer drop in classes on most Fridays and Saturdays to help get more people into the classes.

LA Psycle:

Let me tell you that when you enter the LA Psycle studio, you immediately feel ready to have a great time. There is always great music playing, and tons of smiling faces. Larned is a small community so everyone has gotten to know each other very well and everyone is part of a big family. Every single workout leaves you proud of yourself for working hard, and ready to come back and do it again for your next class. I know that I can’t say that about every other type of workout I’ve ever done!

About Spin Class:

Spinning is a specific format of indoor cycling. Only certified Spinning instructors are allowed to teach “Spinning.” Spinning is a cardio workout set to music and led by a certified instructor. Most classes last between 30 and 60 minutes, although some places offer beginner or intro classes that might be shorter. Jamie and Kristin both are Schwinn certified teachers.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: fitness, health, review Tagged With: Exercise, Fun Exercise, LA Psycle, LA Psycle Spinning Studio, LAPsycle, LAPsycle Spinning Studio, Lifestyle Change, Spin Studio, Spinning Class, Spinning Class in Kansas, Working Out, WorkOut

Win a GOLiFE Care Activity Tracker

December 3, 2014 by Danielle 25 Comments

Disclosure: The GOLiFE Care Activity Tracker fromPAPAGO! mentioned below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

I have been really big into working out lately and I have really enjoyed ‘getting back into shape’. I had been looking at all the different activity trackers that are available for awhile. There are a wide variety of them out there and it’s hard to know how you can get the best bang for your buck :). I must admit that I have been completely impressed with my GOLiFE Care.

About Papago:

Vision: PAPAGO! Inc. has devoted itself to offering better services and driving technology for every consumer. Our goal of constantly innovating and communicating new ideas to the public are paying off.PAPAGO!Inc. keeps researching the latest driving technology, seeking breakthroughs and creating a different future.

They believe that working out is one of the best ways to express pressure and maintain a healthy body, and it is better to have friends who can share this interest with you.

About GOLiFE Care:

This wonderful activity tracker is a very helpful tool for those that are active. You will see that it has a wide variety of activities.

Record Fitness Data and Sleep Patterns– The GOLiFE Care can help you record the number of steps that you walk, the distance you walk, and how many calories you burn daily. It will also even tell you if you are getting enough sleep at night.
Never Miss a Call Again – It will send a vibrating alert when you receive an incoming call from your smart phone. This is very helpful when your phone is on silent mode or not right with you.
Stylish Design with a High-Resolution Screen – It is designed with a stylish brushed metal face and silicone band making it comfortable and versatile for everyday wear.