I have never been one of those people who LOVES to work out. In fact, I’m totally jealous of those who actually look forward to getting up and working up a sweat. The ones who set their alarms earlier in order to get their workouts in . . . YOU people are amazing. I mean, I look forward to going to bed at night so I can read (currently on the last book of The Kingfountain Series . . . which I highly recommend) but never getting up early.
That’s not to say I don’t work out. I know the importance of exercise and how essential it is for your overall well-being. My stress and anxiety levels go waaaaay up when I’m not exercising regularly (not to mention the scale). But sometimes it’s just hard to make it a priority like I should. I was working out daily (loving the 21 Day Fix) and then fall came . . . Halloween, Thanksgiving . . . give me alllll the pumpkin spice everything. I wasn’t working out anymore and I half-jokingly asked Zack for this exercise bike for Christmas. Well joke was on me, because that bike was here and completely assembled Christmas Day.
But, having a bike at home really is the perfect way for people like me to exercise when you have allll the excuses of why you don’t want to. You don’t have to go anywhere, you don’t have to pay anything, you can put on your favorite show and hop on the bike – even 5 minutes pedaling is better than 5 minutes of watching from the couch, right? (But if you want a more intense workout, you can do that with this bike too).
There are 8 levels of tension to choose from, the seat is actually comfy (the ones in spin class usually kill my booty), and the bike keeps track of time, distance, speed, calories burned, etc. It’s lightweight so it’s easy to move from room to room or shove in a corner, and it takes up a fairly small amount of space. BUT . . . my favorite part?? It’s under $100. Yaaaaaas.
Yup, that’s me . . . riding a bike with fashion sneakers and glasses on so I can see the tv. (Not that the tv was really allll that far away . . . )
Wearing:
Zella Leggings: Size medium (usually a 6/28)
Similar bra: I’m LOVING the back of this one!
Tank from the Orange Rose Collection from Every Mother Counts
Sneakers: Available in a ton of colors – no socks necessary!
Do you guys have any tricks for workout motivation? I’m always looking for some help in that department! Let me know in the comments below.
XOXO,
Scotti
I never worked out until about 2 years ago and now I am one of those people who love it. Which I never in a million years thought I would say. For me, I love the group exercise classes at my gym. I find the ones I like (hip hop and step are my favorites) and stick to those. It also helps to make friends at the gym. Then you look forward to seeing them and you get called out if you stop going. Also, two hours of childcare is such a huge draw for me.
I just got into Tracy Anderson and I’m obsessed. I’m doing her Metamorphosis series and it’s so good because it changes regularly. And it’s a video that I can do from home! So no child care issues.
I have NEVER been good at exercising regularly but in September I joined a new gym that has a HIIT (high intensity interval training) program and I’m totally hooked! It’s perfect for me. A group of usually 3 to 8 people work with a trainer who tells us exactly what to do and how to do it. He even tailors the exercises for individuals (no lunges for those with bad knees, pregancy considerations, etc.) It is exactly what I need. I go to the Thrive program at City Fitness in Philly, but if you have a program like it near you, I definitely recommend it!
For me group exercise is the key for motivation, I started kickboxing in the fall and have stuck with it. I love this post, I appreciate a review for an affordable piece of home equipment! (I also were my glasses to exercise, I need to see! )
Ok, help needed. I love Beach Body on Demand. For a couple of years my husband and I would get up at the crack of dawn and workout together using it. Then work got crazy for me last Fall (we both work outside the home) and I decided I needed the extra rest/sanity more than the exercise. We tried working out after work, but our 3 and 5 year old boys kept jumping on us and generally making it a horrible experience. By the time the boys are in bed at 8:30 all I want to do is drool and stare at a wall.
How in the world do you guys fit it all in? I want to exercise, but I can’t figure out how to fit it into my life right now 🙁
Sunday morning has been my regular workout time for years. It helps to have a workout buddy (husband in your case) to keep you honest. The routine has to fit into your life, though. What would actually work for you– would joining a gym near work be better? Or signing your kids up for soccer so you can use the hour to fit in your workout? etc etc.
My husband and I both work full time too, the only way I can do is after the kids go to bed 🙁 Lucky for me there is a place 5 min. from my house where I can go, I know I wouldn’t do it at home.
I’ve found fitnessblender.com super helpful– they have a ton of free videos led by an upbeat but non-annoying, no-yelling couple with no music (so you can add your own). The videos are easily searchable by focus area, type of equipment/no equipment, duration, etc– a godsend for when you have 23 minutes period and can’t waste time driving to a gym. If you and your husband have 45 minutes, you can each get in a quick 22 minute HIIT work out while the other handles the kids. Or…2 episodes of Octonauts on Netflix can do it and you can work out together. 🙂
Thanks! Just ordered the exercise bike.