Fit Chick in the City » Reviews http://fitchickinthecity.com Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:50:03 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Choose This Workout, Not That http://fitchickinthecity.com/2009/10/choose-this-workout-not-that/ http://fitchickinthecity.com/2009/10/choose-this-workout-not-that/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:50:40 +0000 Jess http://fitchickinthecity.com/2009/10/27/choose-this-workout-not-that/ I know that if I only have ten minutes to workout, I want those ten minutes to count! Sunday when I returned home from my run, I decided I wanted to mix things up with a core workout video.

HPIM2398.JPG
Exercise TV on Demand is a great way to get in a workout at home and excellent way to save money. There are a variety of options available: short workouts, long workouts, yoga, pilates, dance, and even a Jillian Michaels workout or two. The only problem is that some of the workouts are not as effective as others. If you have ten minutes to workout, you want that ten minutes to be an effective use of your time.
If you’re really want to make those ten minutes count here’s my suggestion:

Choose This: Pilates Abs

HPIM2386.JPG

Not That: Surfer Girl Abs

HPIM2396.JPG

Pilates Abs was a safe and effective way to workout my core. I felt that Surfer Girl Abs, wasn’t an effective use of my time. The Husband was home while I was doing these videos. He laughed at me while doing the Surfer Girl Abdominal routine.

Maybe it’s an effective workout for someone else, but it wasn’t for me. I would not recommend this workout to a client. I just didn’t get how I was working my abs through this video. This video could be nice for a warm-up, but not great for an actual workout.

If you’re checking out these videos, skip the Surfer Girl Abs and head straight to the Pilates Abs workout.
]]> http://fitchickinthecity.com/2009/10/choose-this-workout-not-that/feed/ 8 Battle of the (head) Bands http://fitchickinthecity.com/2009/10/battle-of-the-head-bands/ http://fitchickinthecity.com/2009/10/battle-of-the-head-bands/#comments Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:46:44 +0000 Jess http://fitchickinthecity.com/2009/10/03/battle-of-the-head-bands/ Drugstore vs. Designer: To save or spend?

Headbands are an important staple in any fitness wardrobe. There’s nothing more annoying than having hair in your face or poking you in the eye while your huffing in puffing. When I workout, I don’t want to waste energy worrying about my hair.

In the first corner we have the Goody stayput headband. In the second corner we have the Lululemon slipless headband.

HPIM1930.JPGHPIM1801.JPG

The Goody stayput headband has been a “must have” accessory in my fitness wardrobe for the last few years.

Pros:

  • Affordable: Drugstore.com offers 3 for $4.99!
  • Available in many colors and varying widths.
  • Cute enough to wear when you’re not working out.

Cons:

  • Stretches out overtime.
  • Washing it seems to breakdown the elastic.
  • Does not “stayput.” I’ve lost a few of these on runs. I also see stray ones on the ground in Central Park quite often, indicating that other people have encountered this same problem.

I picked up the Lululemon slipless headband sometime this past spring.

Pros:

  • Doesn’t stretch out over time.
  • Washing doesn’t seem to alter it in any form.
  • Available in different colors, but unable to find this specific headband in different widths.
  • Does not slip. I’ve yet to see one of these lying on the ground.

Cons:

  • Price: Retails for $12.00 each
  • Not cute enough to wear when I’m not working out (although other lulu headbands are).

The key to lululemon’s success:

HPIM2056.JPG

I think this is a classic case of “you pay for what you get.” The fabric and “slipless” strip seem to be what makes this headband standout when compared with the goody headband.

I’ll continue to wear the goody stayput headbands for running errands and for training clients, but won’t be wearing them for running since discovering the lululemon slipless headband. Its totally worth spending the $12!

]]> http://fitchickinthecity.com/2009/10/battle-of-the-head-bands/feed/ 10