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What To Do Before Before Your Peloton Arrives
Once you make the big decision to purchase your Peloton, it can feel like an eternity waiting for it to arrive. The Peloton bike is more popular than ever before since the pandemic struck, keeping many of us at home and closing down gyms.
Searching for workout alternatives led many, including me, to the pricey yet perfect option of the Peloton bike. While you anxiously wait to meet your beautiful machine, there are many things to do in the meantime in preparation and to get your body moving.
Create Your Home Gym Space
One of the things that make the Peloton bike perfect for your home gym is the fact that it does not take up a lot of space. The Peloton bike is five feet long and two feet wide, so it is essentially perfect for tucking into a small space if that is all you have.
I suggest, if you have the room, that you bring in a mat for your bike and yoga mat for workouts. Also, consider adding space for free weights to the area, as well as storage for resistance bands, workout towels, and storage for your cycling shoes.
Download Peloton App
Once you purchase your bike, you are immediately given access to the Pelton app and all of the workouts. You will need to set up your account. You need to select your profile user name and password and start getting familiar with the app on your phone, tablet, or by utilizing your online account.
Your user name can be as unique as you want it to be, and once set up, you can search for any friends you have on Peloton as well. Follow friends or other Peloton members to get inspired or motivated.
Work Out With Peloton
Just because you don’t have your bike yet that doesn’t mean you can’t get your fitness on. Peloton offers just as many workouts off the bike as they do on the bike, and no matter your age, your interests, or fitness level, there is something for everyone.
Peleton offers breakout workouts for strength training, yoga, meditation, stretching, boot camps, and cardio. The cardio breaks out further into HIIT, outdoor running, outdoor walking, barre, and dancing. You also have the option of taking live classes or recorded classes so you can take your favorite classes over and over again.
Get Familiar With The Trainers
Every trainer brings a different vibe and personality to their class and you want to find the vibe that suits you best. So far I have found that all the Peloton trainers are great, but my standout favorites are Chelsea Jackson Roberts and Robin Arzon. Of course, I’m still new to Peloton so I’m sure as I take more classes I will find that other trainers bring out my best as well.
Are you excited about a future with a Peloton bike? I know the price is high so if that is a concern, you can go with the classic bike which is $1895, with monthly payments option of just $49. Or you can choose the Peloton Bike + which is priced at $2495, with a monthly payment option of $64 monthly. I highly recommend it, it will change your life. Use my Referral Code JXDMTG today to save $100 when you purchase your Peloton.
Open Stride Machine...Get Your Best Calorie Burn!
My latest gym obsession is the Open Stride machine! I cannot tell you how much I love this machine! I did an hour on it tonight and burned almost 900 hundred calories, 882 calories to be exact!
Yes I know not everyone has an hour to spend at the gym on one machine, and I usually do not either. But on this particular evening, I had about an hour to kill while my daughter was at dance class, and I had some stress to burn off.
I have always loved working out, but with back and knee injuries I have struggled to find my fitness groove. Up until recently, walking trails, and the elliptical machine have been my best friend.
Walks are nice because they are relaxing and get you out in the fresh air. Walk the right trails and you will find yourself with nicely toned legs and bottoms. While I enjoy walking, I am more of a fast paced, high intensity workout kind of girl.
I got on the machine, and after an awkward beginning because it takes a little coordination to get it moving, I was pleasantly surprised. There were so many movement options, including one that feels very similar to running, which I never do anymore because of my knees.
For the purpose of this blog, I am specifically discussing the Precor Adaptive Motion Trainer (AMT), because Precor is the brand of machines at my gym.
Precor Adaptive Motion Trainer Description
A Total Body Workout In One Piece of Equipment
Users can go from short stride to long stride, walking to running, climbing to lunging, allowing them to target different muscle groups. Pushing and pulling the moving handlebars will engage the upper body, resulting in a total body workout. - Precor.com
Burn More With More Enjoyment
The Precor AMT delivers a higher level of caloric burn while giving users a lower perceived level of exertion. So they can go longer and harder—and get better results. - Precor.com
Creates An Elliptical, Bike, and Treadmill Workout All In One
Open Stride lets you not only change the length of your stride but also the height, providing an infinite variety of motion paths. Go vertical and it’s a stepper. Increase resistance and it’s a climber. Then go more horizontal and walk, jog or sprint with a stride length that goes up to 36 inches (91 cm). - Precor.com
Needless to say, I am in love. I have found the machine that challenges me, burns lots of calories, and allows for variation so I don't get bored. Have you ever tried the Open Stride machine? What are your thoughts on it? Please share your experience!
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, registered dietitian, or fitness expert. The purpose of my blog is to share my experiences with food, fitness, and life—not to dole out advice. When it comes to your health and fitness, do your research and consult your doctor.
30 Day Health and Fitness Challenge - Week 3
30 Day Fitness Challenge - Week 3
Welcome to week 3 of the Health and Fitness Challenge. I hope you enjoyed weeks 1 and 2 and are finding your stride. Just remember if you find what I have laid out below to be too hard, push through. If you find it to be too easy, do more. Let's push ourselves, our minds, and our bodies, and see what we can accomplish in 14 days.
Week 3 is more challenging than week two. Do your best and share your successes and challenges. Just 2 weeks to go!
Health
Take Out
Any One Of The Below, Plus The Two From Weeks 1 And 2:
Sugar
Soda
White Bread
Alcohol
Fried Food
Red Meat
Pasta
Fast Food
Add In
10 Minutes Of Light Stretching Before Bed, +16 More Ounces of Water, 1-2 Cups Green Tea Daily, 20 Minutes Of Extra Sleep By Going To Bed Earlier
Fitness
50 Minutes Cardio Everyday - Walking, Running, Swimming, Elliptical, Cycling, etc.
Arms (Mon, Wed, Fri) - 20 Bicep Curls x2, 20 Shoulder Press Ups x2, 25 push ups
Planks - Daily 40 seconds x2
Legs (Tues, Thurs, Sat) - 15 Squats, Lunges 10 Each Leg, 20 Calf Raises
Abs - 60 Crunches daily, 20 Bicycles
Equipment Needed
Good Walking/Athletic Shoes
Gym Access/Great Walking or Hiking Trails Access
10-15 lbs. Free Weights
Please share your thoughts and progress on this week’s Health and Fitness Challenge!
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, registered dietitian, or fitness expert. The purpose of my blog is to share my experiences with food, fitness, and life—not to dole out advice. When it comes to your health and fitness, do your research.
30 Day Health and Fitness Challenge - Week 1
30 Day Fitness Challenge
Welcome to week 1 of the Health and Fitness Challenge, key word being challenge. If you find what I have laid out below to be too hard, push through. If you find it to be too easy, do more. Let's push ourselves, our minds, and our bodies, and see what we can accomplish in 30 days.
The challenges and the expectations will increase each week. Hold yourself accountable. Have fun, and get your fitness on! Please share your successes and struggles in the comment section.
Health
Take Out
Remove Any One Of The Below Bad Diet Vices That You Might Have:
Sugar
Soda
White Bread
Alcohol
Fried Food
Red Meat
Pasta
Fast Food
Chips
Fries
Add In
Green Tea 1-2 cups daily (no sugar added), 15 Minutes of Extra Sleep (Naps, Or To Bed Earlier)
Fitness
30 Minutes Cardio Everyday - Walking, Running, Swimming, Elliptical, Cycling, etc.
Arms (Mon, Wed, Fri) - 10 Bicep Curls x2, 10 Shoulder Press Ups x2, 15 Push Ups
Planks - Daily 30 Seconds
Legs (Tues, Thurs, Sat) - 15 Squats, Lunges 10 Each Leg, 10 Calf Raises
Abs - 40 Crunches Daily, 10 Bicycles, 5 Leg Raises
Burpees - 5 Burpees Daily
Equipment Needed
Good Walking/Athletic Shoes
Gym Access/Great Walking or Hiking Trails Access
10-15 lbs. Free Weights
Challenge Starts Today! Get Ready!
Please share your thoughts and progress on this week’s Health and Fitness Challenge!
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, registered dietitian, or fitness expert. The purpose of my blog is to share my experiences with food, fitness, and life—not to dole out advice. When it comes to your health and fitness, do your research and consult your doctor.
The Best Time Of Day To Exercise...Mornings Or Evening?
When it comes to exercise, my philosophy is to do it early to get it out of the way. But is there a best time to exercise to maximize caloric burn? There are many thoughts on when one should exercise, so let's break down the pros and cons of the morning workout versus the evening workout.
Morning Workout
The primary benefit of working out in the morning, is not having the whole day to derail your exercise plans. Those who work out in the morning tend to be more consistent, and find they have more energy throughout the day.
Morning workouts are usually more intense, and energetic since you are fresh, and not sluggish from a long day.
The morning workout also tends to encourage healthier eating habits. After a morning workout, people tend to eat less and make healthier food choices throughout the day, as to not ruin their perceived progress. The morning workout will also leave you feeling less stressed, and more relaxed for the day.
Morning Workout Benefits
More Consistent
More Energetic
Encourages Healthy Eating
Likely To Eat Less
More Relaxed/Less Stressed
Better Sleep
Afternoon/Evening Workout
The primary benefit of afternoon or evening workouts is that if you are a night owl, or not a morning person, this is the time that works for you and your body. Morning workouts are not for everyone. You are not going to have a good workout if you are sluggish, or half asleep.
Another benefit is that your body and muscles are warmed up from moving all day. Also surprisingly your blood pressure and heart rate are lower in the afternoon, while strength and endurance are high.
The big benefit for later workouts is that it is easier to find a workout buddy for afternoon, and evening workouts. People who have workout partners tend to stay more motivated and committed, than those who do not have a partner.
Evening Benefits
Motivation
Workout Partner
Body Warmed Up
Low Blood Pressure/Low Heart Rate
High Strength and Endurance
If you are a morning person, and can get up every morning at 5 or 6am to hit the gym or go for a walk or run then you should do that. If you have no time in morning, but love your evening walks, then that is the plan.
There is no scientific evidence that proves that a morning or evening workout will give you a more caloric burn advantage. However, a morning workout is said to jump start your metabolism. The most important thing is to exercise , and be as healthy as you can.
When do you exercise? Are you are an early bird or a night owl?