Workout Buddies Are The Best! 5 Moves To Try With Your Fitness Friend

February 6, 2019Leave a comment

Working out with a buddy makes getting that sweat on easier for so many reasons:

1. It’s more fun! Someone to talk with, laugh with, and just have a good time with – sounds great to me!

2. You’ll push yourself more. Nothing like a little friendly competition to be inspired to sweat. Maybe you’re working together to accomplish a repetition goal, or going toe-to-toe on the treadmill, fit friends are the best motivation.

3. Accountability! Whether they are waiting on the corner in their runners, or at the gym ready for a warm-up, knowing your friend is counting on you to be there is motivation enough to move. You might let yourself down and stay in bed, but nobody want’s that friend guilt 😉

I had a blast on CH Morning Live sharing 5 moves you can do at home or the gym with your fitness buddy. Check them out below, or watch the video here!

Partner Squat. Holding right hands pull each other with equal tension engaging your upper back in a row. Lower down together into a squat then return to stand. Complete for 45 seconds. Take a 15 second break. Then repeat holding left hands.

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2. Plank and Deadlift. One of you will hold a plank on your hands. Staying strong through your core s key here – no dipping those hips. The other partner is holding the plankers ankles and hinges at their waist lengthening their hamstrings before returning to stand. Complete for 45 seconds before switching positions and repeat two rounds.

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3. Leg Drop. One of you lies on the ground with your head towards your partners feet and your feet straight in the air. Partner two pushes Partner One’s feet away. Partner One engages their core and returns their legs. Partner Two can mix of the direction of the push to keep Partner One guessing and having fun. After 45 seconds switch positions and repeat for two rounds.

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4. Patty-Cake Plank. On our knees or toes partners partners face each other and clap right and left hands together. Be sure to stay strong through your core, making a long straight line from the top of your head towards your feet or knees.

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5. Hamstring Stretch and Chest Opener. Sitting back to back on the floor, both of you should have your legs stretched out in front of your bodies. Partner One folders forward in a hamstring stretch reaching the top of their head towards their toes while Partner Two leans back into a chest opener resting their head on Partner One and opening through their chest letting their hands reach towards the floor. Hold for 20-30 seconds and switch positions. Repeat for 4-5 rounds.

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Wild About It:Vazee Agility v2 Trainer

March 1, 2017February 25, 2017Leave a comment

For my segment on CH Morning Live in February I was sent the Vazee Agility v2 Trainer to wear on set. These have quickly become my favourite training shoe for lifting weights and conditioning.

The first thing that caught my eye was the unique lace mesh upper and mix of vibrant lime green and black and white (pink/purple and grey/white colour combinations are available from the New Balance website). The upper is supportive and with it’s no-sew overlays, which are strategically placed to help prevent the foot from rolling over while being minimal and light. nb-shoe

These light weight training shoes are perfect for quick, lateral movements, and are built with superior sole traction for training on any surface. I’ve been wearing them multiple times a week for my YFit classes at Yyoga and it’s easy to feel grounded and strong through my feet when performing squats and lunges. Also check out the detailed perforations along the outer sole which help your feet breathe while revealing the contrast of popping lime underneath.

Some other features include:

Odor management with a treatment that resists odors.
Rubber outsole
Synthetic upper

These shoes retail for $109 CAD in store and online. Definitely check them out if you’re looking for something stylish and light to up your strength training game in.

Double the Workout Fun With Your Valentine

February 14, 2017Leave a comment

Whether you have a valentine or not, hitting the gym with a friend is a great way to hold yourself accountable, stay motivated, and have a whole lot of fun!

Here are five moves for you to try while getting a sweat on with your sweetie!

I shared these moves on CH Morning Live, so if you’d rather watch, check the video here!

1. Partner Squat.

Facing each other both of you lower together holding right hands. Keep arms tight pulling towards each other, strong through the arms. As you return to stand continue to pull arms as if trying to complete a row, by pulling your right elbow back behind your body. Complete 12 repetitions with the right arm, followed by 12 repetitions on the left arm twice.

2. Plank with Dead Lift.

Partner A holds a plank position on their hands while partner B holds their ankles. Partner B folds at the wait completing a Dead Lift, lowering Partner A’s legs to just below Partner B’s knee height. Partner B returns to stand. Partner B completes 10-12 repetitions 2-3 times alternating positions with Partner A.

3. Leg Pushes.

Partner A begins lying down, face up, with their head towards partner B. Partner A extends their legs up straight towards Partner B who pushes them away. Partner A engages their core, controls their legs as they lower, returning them up towards the ceiling and to Partner B. Complete 10-12 repetitions, 2-3 times before switching positions.

4. Plank High Fives.

Partner A and B face each other in a plank position on either their hands and knees or hands and toes. Partner A and B simultaneously clap right hands together, then left as if playing “patty-cake”. Complete 10-12 claps 2-3 times.

5. Forward Fold and Chest Opener.

Partner A and B sit on the floor back to back. Partner A completes a forward folding reaching towards their toes bringing their nose down towards their shins. Partner B leans back onto Partner A with their arms extended out towards their sides, opening their chest. Hold for 10-15 seconds before switching positions.