Set of 3 Multi-Strength Resistance Bands Made of Stretchy Fabric Great for Toning Lower Body

I really enjoy working out with this set of 3 multi-strength resistance bands.

The bands are made of a stretchy fabric in various strengths, which make them great for toning the lower body. All 3 resistance loops fit perfectly because the strength of the fabric, not the size of the loop, is what changes the difficulty level.

I use the exercise bands when I want to tone and shape my legs and booty. They're perfect for increasing the challenge on moves where I can't really use dumbbells, such as donkey kicks and leg raises.

5 Household Items You Can Use to Create Challenging Bodyweight Training

If you want to start strength training using your body weight, there are a considerable amount of different exercises you can use. One of the best parts? No equipment is needed to get started.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking bodyweight training always means without equipment. You can often use equipment to enhance your bodyweight routines. Prominent examples of this might be a pull-up bar or a dipping station. With either of these items, you can get a more intensive and effective workout and build muscle faster.

But it’s not only pull-up bars and dipping stations you can use. One of the best parts of training with bodyweight is how versatile it is. Anything you can hang off or lean on can become a piece of equipment for training. It may surprise you how much of a difference using equipment can make.

Here are some great examples:

Chairs

You can use chairs as a dipping station by placing two opposite each other. They can also offer something for you to put your back leg on when performing lunges or you can use them for box jumps. Likewise, you can arrange chairs in a triangle to do increased range of motion push-ups. These are push-ups, except you are dipping down further than level with your hands.

Towels

A towel is a versatile piece of training equipment. If you hang it from a door frame, it gives something for you to hold while performing neutral grip pull-ups, which will also train your grip strength. Likewise, you can use it to do triceps extensions in the same position, or you can close it in a door and lean back to execute leaning back rows. Another idea is to place a towel under each foot on an uncarpeted floor and use them as sliders for ab exercises.

Punching Bag

A punching bag is a piece of exercise equipment that is fantastic when coupled with typical bodyweight training. This is an example of cardio-resistance fitness and is an excellent method to boost muscle, melt fat, and get your hormones pumping. A punching bag is great because you are speeding up during the movement. This means you’re engaging all those fast-twitch fibers just as you would when lifting heavy weights!

Skateboard

Instead of an ab roller, you could try using a skateboard. You can use this to do crawls along the floor (for pec training). You can also use a skateboard for many other functional exercises. These include any activity that requires one or two limbs to move independently from the rest of your body or slide along the ground.

Water Bottles

Take a couple of full water bottles, and now you have light dumbbells. Water bottles can be used to add resistance to bodyweight moves, including squats and lunges. You can also use them for upper body moves such as biceps curls and shoulder presses.

These are only a few examples of household items you can use! Look around your home for other things you can turn into a piece of training equipment.

Jade Hydro Flask Insulated Easy Grip Water Bottle

I love this jade Hydro Flask Insulated Easy Grip Water Bottle!

It's made of stainless steel and is bpa-free, plus it comes in tons of other colors. Because of the way the bottle is insulated it keeps water hot or cold for hours.

I keep this water bottle on my desk all day and usually still have ice in the bottle when I go home. Plus it's great to always have ice cold water when I'm working out.

If you don't like the steel mouth, Hydro Flask also has a number of different lid options. I prefer the straw lid, but they also have a flip lid available. Other companies also sell compatible lids.

29 Easy Tips for Fitness Motivation

I know it can be hard to find the motivation to work out. That's why it's great to have ideas you can use to help you get your workouts done. If you ever struggle with fitness motivation here are 29 easy tips that you can use:

1) Set an Appointment and Make it a Date

If you set up an ongoing appointment with a friend whose fitness levels is at the same level as yours then your mutual motivation will help each other make sure you both make the appointment. By having a dedicated workout partner you are more likely to stick with an exercise program.

2) Have a Snack

If you are running low on fuel due to exercise you are doing then your body will slow down your metabolism to conserve energy. This is undesirable so by having a snack of complex carbohydrates and proteins you can keep your metabolism going.

3) Put Your Shoes On

By making baby steps you will be overcome the urge to stay at home and not make it past your front door. Once you’ve put on your shoes you will have started yourself on the path to getting out of the house to your workout or having a run.

4) Eat More Iron

Iron is essential for keeping your energy levels high because it helps convert food to energy. If you are dieting, having heavy menstrual periods or avoiding meat your levels of iron could be low. Some good sources of iron are lean meats, legumes, whole grains and leafy greens.

5) Eat Most of Your Food Early in the Day

By eating the bulk of your calories in the early part of your day you will be able to make it through your workouts throughout the day.

6) Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can drag your energy down. Even 45 minutes of exercise can make you dehydrated. So don’t rely on thirst to provide you as a signal to drink water, take a sip every 15-20 minutes while you workout.

7) Make it Fun

If you’re bored of the same old routine try linking your exercise with an escape, social activity or happiness. An example could be trying inline skating or rock climbing.

8) Make it Rewarding

If you make your goals behavior oriented and give yourself a reward after performing these behaviors you will be more likely to stick to your goal and achieve it. An example would be to set a goal of working out 3 times a week, and once you achieve it give yourself a reward like watching your favorite television show, or getting a massage.

9) Look after a Dog or Toddler

Looking after a 3 year old can keep you running around the house without even realizing it. Also working out with a pet in the park can burn a lot of energy too.

10) Try Interval Style Exercise

Interval style exercise can burn more calories per minute when compared to steady state cardio. It also requires less time making it a more effective and time-saving workout. Check out this great Treadmill Interval Workout from Fit and Fabulous Moms.

11) Create a Music Playlist

Listening to music while exercising will help you relax your muscles and encourage blood flow, distract you from fatigue and helps with your coordination.

12) Cover All Your Bases

By covering these 3 areas of fitness - strength, cardiovascular and flexibility - you will be able to keep your energy level up, metabolism burning high and your body free from injury. Try mixing in different workout plans each week.

13) Try a New DVD Program

Instead of purchasing DVDS you can save money by loaning workout DVDs from the local library. Use your loaning period to try new workouts, and change every 2 weeks if necessary to keep up the variety.

14) Change Up Your Workout

If you are finding that your workout is no longer giving you benefits change any one of these things: the intensity of the exercise, the frequency of your exercise or the duration of your exercise. Try changing these once a month.

15) Start Changing Your Frequency

If you are working out once a week, trying adding in more workouts during your week. Once you have made your exercise a habit you will be able to start increasing the intensity and duration of each workout.

16) Develop Realistic Expectations

Within 3 days your heart should become more efficient, and you will find that running upstairs is no longer an exhausting effort. Other things such as changes in fat percentage, muscle development and weight might take a little longer, up to 2 months even.

17) Do Some Chores the “Old Fashioned Way”

Instead of putting your washed clothes into the dryer try hanging them out on the clothesline. Instead of using the remote, get up and switch the channels on the tv itself. Open your garage door manually instead. The amount of labor saving devices have lowered the amount of calories we burn each week.

18) Invest In a Trainer

You will be able to have fine tuned workouts that produce extra results without wasting your own time and effort if you hire a personal trainer. They will be able to schedule follow up visits and keep you accountable.

19) Weight Training

By weight training you could start to see health benefits even before you start cardio. By being stronger, you will be less likely to get injured in an aerobics class. It helps develop strength in important areas such as the trunk, lower back and hip area.

20) Move at Every Chance

You might be lulled into thinking “I've already done my workout today, I don’t need to exert any more effort”. Consider challenging that reasoning by using all opportunities to work your body. At the grocery store use a basket instead of a shopping cart. Move some object by hand instead of using a wheelbarrow.

21) Taking Care of Injuries

If you have an injury it is important to seek medical help, if you continue to train with an injury it could put you out of action for longer. This will set back your fitness goals.

22) Get a Health Check Up

If you’re going to be at the doctor’s anyway, get your blood work done. You will be able to see if your exercise efforts have helped with your cholesterol, blood sugar and triglycerides level. By tracking this data you will be able to track your progress in the future.

23) Get a Referral

If you’ve been injured and been told to rest and recover, ask your doctor for a referral to a physical therapist. They might be able to show you alternative exercises you can do in the meantime that could include appropriate stretches, alternative weight exercises or even yoga.

24) Reclaim Control

If you’ve been injured and unable to workout you can still control your eating. By having a strong focus and mindset with your eating habits, this will translate into your workout habits once you have recovered from injury.

25) Write in a Journal After Every Workout

Write down how you feel after every workout, and anytime you feel that you don’t have the motivation to workout have a look at your journals. They will remind you of the amazing feeling and help you get over your motivation issues.

26) Remember Why You Started

If you remember the original goals of why you are working out in the first place it will help you stay on track. Whether it is to fit in to a certain pair of jeans or whatever reason, it will get you into the gym and working out.

27) Try Group Fitness

By being in a group the energy of the other people in your group will keep you from quitting and also help you stay accountable. You don’t want to be that person who quits early right?

28) Get Addicted to the Post-Exercise Endorphin Rush

By knowing that after a good workout you will have an amazing endorphin rush afterwards is sometimes all the motivation you will need!

29) Make Your Exercise Your Favorite Thing

If you are doing your favorite activity as your form of exercise you will never need to motivate yourself. This can be anything from playing tennis, rock climbing or yoga.

What do you think? Will any of these tips to increase your fitness motivation help?

Pink 6lb Weighted Vest Perfect for Adding Intensity to Strength and Cardio Workouts

I love this pink 6lb weighted vest, because it's perfect for adding intensity to strength and cardio workouts.

The vest clasps comfortable around your chest and is fully adjustable. The straps are padded, which makes it very comfortable to wear.

I love wearing this vest when I'm doing bodyweight exercises or going for a walk. It also comes in additional weights so you can increase the resistance as you get stronger.