SUMMER BODY STARTS NOW
With summer fast approaching, and many of us coming off of a year-long cheat day, I decided to use this post to get inspired for all our summer fitness goals! Having the right equipment in place, and being organized, can make working out seem much less of a chore. Better yet, if you can find ways to stay active doing something you love, and in a beautiful place/space, you’re sure to stick with it! This week, I reached out to my friends and fitness experts, celebrity trainer Chris Tye-Walker and PlateFit CEO Rachael Blumberg , to get their take on some of the latest tech for fitness junkies, and to find out some of their favorite ways to stay active and get in summer shape!
What are some of the best ways we can get in shape for summer?
“Hiking, swimming, running, cycling, tennis, beach volleyball, surfing!”
CHRIS TYE-WALKER
RACHAEL BLUMBERG, PLATEFIT
“While gyms are reopening, boutique fitness classes are a thing again I’m simply going to encourage everyone to move at least 5 times a week. Within that the best way to get in shape is to focus on high intensity interval training. While that seems a scary term for many, it doesn’t have to be. I challenge you to look up your local classes if you feel comfortable training in person or find some resources online. Personally I teach online 4 days a week should you want to come sweat with me in the comfort of your living room!
The best way to get a full body workout is by doing something active that you love. Whether it be tennis, dance or paddle boarding. If you LOVE it, you will stick to it. You will train to get better and enjoy it at the same time so it doesn’t feel like you ‘have’ to train to stay healthy. The goal at the end of the day is to keep moving and burning those calories!”
What is the perfect starter kit for someone to create a home workout station?
“For me when training alone I have to have my tunes. There is nothing worse than getting pumped for your session to then reach into your bag and find you’ve forgotten tour headphones. For sound quality, sweat durability and comfort, my go to headphones are the Bose SoundSport Free wireless. They also have a great battery life in case you are taking them out on a grueling 50km bike ride!
Jump rope is also incredible cardio and so efficient! The Tangram Smart Jump Rope is every fitness junkie’s dream... As you train, the rope will project stats in mid-air to push you harder!”
“The Power Plate MOVE is a must!”
BOSE SOUNDSPORT FREE
THE POWER PLATE MOVE
TANGRAM SMART ROPE
“When it comes to a home gym, you have to have a great set of weights! This is where I recommend to the Smrtft Nüobell 80lbs tactical dumbbells set. While dumbbell sets initially seem more expensive they are actually a great value. Dumbbells are sold by the pound, so if you are looking to buy multiple sets at different weights you will end up spending a lot more than if you invested in a weight stack. The SMRTFT weights are incredible with an easy and slick rotational weight selector and they look so sexy too. These are one of my absolute must haves!
Lastly, every at home gym needs to have a Theragun. As trainers we all see our clients train hard and skip out on recovery. So with a Theragun all the work is done for you. The high reps Myofascial tissue release tool will help you stay on top of your game. ”
SMRTFT SET
THERAGUN
What would your dream home gym / fitness closet look like?
“Asking a trainer about their dream gym and athletic closet is like asking a parent to pick a favorite child. It’s impossible!
The closet would have the most perfect color-ordered sneaker collection organized by type, color, and brand. I don’t want a wall where the shoes are in boxes, I want to see my wall of sneakers! I would have to have a drawer full of brand new sweat bands, since you know that’s my go-to accessory. And lastly, a bunch of sick hoodies lined up and ready to go!
There is no better feeling than putting on your favorite workout fit, freshly cleaned and pressed. It empowers you. It enhances your workout.
The gym — well I’m a functional trainer kinda guy, so I want the space to be open so I can throw around some weights, push a sled, and sweat a ton. I love a slightly darker space, dark walls and some great lighting. Makes me feel like I’m in a cave working hard on my game where nobody can disrupt me!”
CREATING A VIBRANT COLORSCAPE WITH YOUR FITNESS GEAR IS A FUN WAY TO ENCOURAGE WORKING OUT! YOU’LL SEE WHAT YOU HAVE, AND YOU’LL WANT TO WEAR IT, WHICH COULD BE JUST THE MOTIVATION YOU NEED TO STAY ACTIVE!
A CUSTOM GLASS DISPLAY WITH PULL-OUT STORAGE FOR SWEAT BANDS, GLOVES AND OTHER ACCESSORIES — A GREAT WAY TO KEEP YOUR FITNESS GEAR ORGANIZED AND LOOKING ITS BEST!
EVERY HOME GYM AND FITNESS STATION SHOULD HAVE A DEDICATED CHARGING SPACE, FOR KEEPING APPLE WATCHES, CYCLING GEAR, LIGHTS, AND ANY OTHER WEARABLES JUICED UP AND READY TO GO!
What’s your favorite source for athletic wear? Any favorite brands?
“For training sneakers, I’m a Saucony guy. They provide a great range of shoes depending on my needs. For speed track workouts they have great racing flats. For my longer runs they have shoes with more cushion, and for my gym and everyday wear they have some great support options.
For my everyday athletic shoe, I’m obsessed with Strike-mvmnt’s Chill pill series. So comfortable and stylish at a great price!
I know they are super expensive but I LOVE the Yosemite line by James Perse. It’s the high end sport line and honestly the shorts are the perfect fit. For a more affordable option, I like Olivers or Lulu — both offer a shorter short which I wear. I mean, legs are the new abs so if you got it show it!
Now that we are coming out of quarantine and working out in studios and gyms, we have to train in a mask. While I’m not a supporter of HIIT workouts in masks, the best mask out there which has a great fit, best breathability and no water boarding is the mask by SMRTFT.”
STRIKE MVMT CHILL PILL SNEAKER
OLIVERS ALL OVER SHORT
SAUCONY KINVARA SNEAKER
“My go to for everyday sneakers is Kicksnation! @kicksnation
OnRunning cloud sneakers are my favorite running shoe!”
What’s your favorite way to track your fitness progress?
“I’m an Apple product junkie, so all my workouts are tracked through my Apple Watch! Love the daily calorie counter, and I can listen to music via bluetooth from the watch instead of carrying my phone on a long run. HOWEVER if you want a more in-depth detailed look at your workouts and recovery, then The Whoop is a great option. It tracks your workouts, it’s the best sleeper tracker out there, and it figures out how well recovered you are to then advise you on just how hard you should push your next workout!”
“APPLE WATCH!”
APPLE WATCH SPORT
THE WHOOP STRAP