fitness

YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike

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One day, I’ll have a room dedicated to having a home gym.

One day, I’ll be able to go to the gym without 10,000 phone calls wondering when I’ll be home.

In the meantime, I will enjoy riding my YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike (version L007A) from the comforts of my home.

The YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike is a perfect upright stationary bike with a cushioned seat holding riders up to 330 lbs.

YOSUDA L007A Bike

The LCD display shows all your important stats: distance, speed, calories, time and RPM.

The adjustable seat moves up and down and in and out. The handlebars also adjust up/down to give you a comfortable ride. The cage type non-slip pedals also keep my feet secure and the transportation wheels make moving the bike a breeze.

The belt is super silent, so I can ride while Emilia naps without a problem. At 20 weeks pregnant, exercising is a top priority to hopefully have a shorter labor and delivery. (Cross your fingers and toes for me, friends).

A water bottle holder is on the right lower side of the bike; make sure you stay hydrated!

The adjustable resistance creates an uphill feel; I love riding at a high resistance to really give my legs a great workout.

As a working mom, the YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike gives me a great cardiovascular workout. After I have my son, I hope to get my Group Fitness Certificate in Indoor Cycling. I hope to teach both in-person and virtually, so the YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike will get rack up many glorious, sweaty miles.

Click on YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike to purchase using coupon code REALMOFVIBES to score 5% off your purchase. It is never too late to get healthy and meet your fitness goals!

YOSUDA bike received complimentary for review purposes. All opinions within are my own.

Tyger Mat Review

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I absolutely love teaching TRX. It goes along with my grit and grace personality perfectly. The grit is the strength required as your body weight produces the power, and the grace is the cardio and core moves I throw in to get your heart rate sky high.

My classes are no joke. Ask my Saturday morning regulars & they will tell you how much my TRX Fusion class kicks their…each week.

My biggest gripe with TRX is that the set-up can be confusing to a beginner as the concept of vector angles and anchor points are foreign to most.

My main cues are: “Move your feet in!” and “Move your feet out!”

They want to know “How can I make this easier?” and “How can I make this harder?”

Enter the Tyger Mat, created by James Curley an educator, personal trainer, and CSCS coach.

What is the Tyger Mat?

The Tyger Mat is 72 inches long, 26.7 inches wide and has 17 lines, 3 inches apart. The lines are etched into the mat, so nothing will remove them. The Tyger Mat grips the floor, so you can use it with any modality and it will. not. move. Alignment dots are on each line, so you can position your feet and hands accordingly.

Isn’t this mat incredible? Look at the lines and alignment notches. Notice my sweat, too.

I brought the mat into the studio for a client who would benefit from the visual cues the Tyger Mat offers. She purchased the Tyger Mat right after the class; she couldn’t believe how me telling her “Move up/down a line” made a difference; she could visually see and track her progress in the upcoming weeks. (I wrote down the exercise and what line she performed the exercise at so she doesn’t have to play around with her positioning the next class.)

The Tyger Mat is gold for TRX, yoga, and any body weight exercises you incorporate into your routine. After class I had my clients take some pictures of me using the mat (what you see on the mat is SWEAT). The visual cue the Tyger Mat provides is unparalleled to other exercise mats on the market.

I am having a come to Jesus moment here. Look at the sweat on that mat!

If you have clients that don’t know where to put their feet to grade the difficulty of the exercise, or if you want to note your progress and intensity from week to week, the Tyger Mat is for you. I also love how body alignment is considered with the alignment dots.

I have used this on my concrete floor in my garage, and on the hard wood floors in the studio with no issue. You clean your Tyger Mat with a little dish soap and a small, non-abrasive sponge. Let it dry. Once it does, put it in the fancy Tyger Mat carry bag.

Purchase the Tyger Mat through my affiliate link, and save 10% using code realmofvibes!

Be sure to visit Tyger Mat on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

You all know my integrity is everything. The Tyger Mat was gifted, but all opinions within are my own. And remember, the Booty Kicker is still $20 off and comes with a FREE Bender Ball through my affiliate link. Let me help get you in shape!

Booty Kicker Review

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I am obsessed with barre workouts. I became an instructor through Barre Above, and started teaching in local studios and gyms near my home. When I was rehearsing my new choreography at home, I was using a STOOL. It made it nearly impossible to do anything involving my body weight since a stool would not be able to safely hold my body weight. 

[Affiliate links below.]

Enter the Booty Kicker.

The Booty Kicker

The Booty Kicker is an authentic, portable, foldable barre that costs $80 when you purchase through my referral link.

The Booty Kicker is made of steel with nickel plated accents, and a hinge design for folding flat. (All you have to do is remove the metal bars, and it folds flat to be stored under a bed.)

The Booty Kicker holds 3 sets of weights, has rolling wheels, and gripping feet for both hardwood and carpet floors.

The articulating Ipad holder is sold separately, but a must have if you view your barre workouts on an electronic device. (I love mine!)

My Review

The Booty Kicker took my husband one hour to assemble. The directions are clear and concise. Neither of us got frustrated or wanted to kill each other during the set-up process, so that always gives the Booty Kicker an added bonus! (Nothing is more frustrating than struggling when assembling something!)

Booty Kicker Review

The Booty Kicker is STURDY. I can do barre push ups. I can do reverse chair pose. I can put my entire body weight on the Booty Kicker and this does not move a centimeter. It doesn’t take up a lot of space. For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you may have seen my stories where I show you my very humble, small home. The Booty Kicker doesn’t take up a lot of space and can fold to fit in a closet should I need it to. Otherwise, I pull out the Booty Kicker from the wall, do my workout, and push it back. Perfection! It also has storage for my hand weights (awesome…they are no longer hidden in my a closet).

The final assembled size of the Booty Kicker is approximately 38″ tall, 38″ wide, and 34″ deep. When folded, it is 34″ deep, 38″ wide and 5″ tall with weight rack (3″ tall without weight rack). The wooden barre is 36″ off the floor.

Booty Kicker

I like the Ipad holder so I can adjust the arms and position my electronic device to exactly where I need it to be to perform my workouts effortlessly. You can purchase the Booty Kicker and tablet holder together here.

It is only $80 when you use my referral link, so it is really not that expensive, especially if you are an avid barre student or instructor!

I am thrilled with the Booty Kicker. It allows me to create an authentic barre workout at home that I can bring into the studio.

Do you have a Booty Kicker? Are you in the market for an at home barre? Drop a comment below and make sure you are following me on Instagram!

Namaste.

Danielle

Booty Kicker Review

Half Marathon Hydration with Hydrant

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Hindsight is always 20/20. My mom and I tackled our first half marathon a month ago. We didn’t train very much, and we certainly underestimated the hilly course. To make matters even more challenging, it was raining the entire duration of the 13.1 grueling miles. We learned to embrace the suck and really had to use mental strength to make it across the finish line. At mile twelve, Mom and I started to experience leg cramps. I was hydrating with coconut water and Gatorade, but if I stopped moving, even for one second, my legs would scream, “Sit down. You’re done.” I wish I had something to sustain me…

When John Sherwin, the founder of Hydrant, sent me samples of his new hydration mix product, I thought, “I really could have used this during the half marathon.” I went to his website to learn more.

Hydrant Hydration Mix

 

Hydrant is a simple, scientifically designed formula that has 3 times more electrolytes than sports drinks on the current market.  Available as small powder stick packs in Lemon Lime flavor (my favorite!), they are easy to store in a backpack or duffle bag. Outdoor enthusiasts or endurance athletes just need to add it to water and can hydrate anytime, anywhere.

Ingredients

Sugar (11 grams), Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Citrate, Salt, Magnesium Citrate, Zinc Gluconate., Lemon Juice Powder, Lime Juice Powder, Natural Lemon Flavor.

Highlights of Hydrant:

  • Includes a combination of balanced electrolytes, a bit of sugar and light natural lemon-lime flavor
  • Vegan
  • Kosher
  • Gluten Free
  • Dairy Free
  • NON-GMO
  • No artificial colors or flavors

  • 50 calories per stick

  • Claims to improve cognition, lift spirits, and reduce headaches.
  • Manufactured in the USA

Directions

Add one pack in 500 mL (16.9 ounces) of water.

Experience

My husband and I are very active people. We love hiking (we accomplished two of the 46 High Peaks earlier this year) and taking our dogs for long walks and runs. I go to weekly hot yoga and body pump classes. I also just took my first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class. I really enjoy exercise and strive to be a fit, healthy person.

This week I decided to try Hydrant after my 5-mile run. I came home, emptied the packet into a glass, added water, and stirred. Perfection.

 

Hydrant Hydration Mix

Hydrating with Hydrant after my 5-Mile Run

 

I love the flavor of lemon-lime; Hydrant does not disappoint. It’s cold, tart, and easily drinkable. Within 5 minutes, I feel like my life is restored! I am still sweating profusely from the class, but I feel re-energized and I am ready to go home, shower, and tackle the upcoming workday.

I would purchase Hydrant for my husband and I engage in prolonged, intense exercise. It was easy to mix together, the packets can be taken anywhere, and the lemon-lime flavor was delicious. Hydrant is the perfect during and post workout hydration beverage.

Purchase Hydrant on their website and visit them on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Hydrant Hydration Mix

Disclosure: I received samples of Hydrant complimentary for review purposes; all opinions within are my own. If you would like your product reviewed on Realm of Vibes, please e-mail realmofvibesdg@gmail.com or visit my Contact page for more information.

 

Affiliate Link

 

Top 5 Yoga Poses for Traveling

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By Juliette Kopp, Namastay Traveling

Hi friends! I’m Juliette from Namastay Traveling  and am so excited to be sharing with you some of the best yoga poses for traveling here on Realm of Vibes. As a certified yoga instructor, these poses are great for remedying the ailments and discomforts we can experience while seeing the world.

Small airplane seats, poor sleeping habits and an unusual diet can all make you feel less than stellar when abroad. While it’s fun to wake up in a different world with new experiences and routines, it can also throw you off and cause your trip to be more taxing on your body than you might realize. To ensure you get the most out of your travels, this five-pose yoga sequence is just the thing you need to balance your system in new time zones, build strength after sitting for hours on end, and increasing your flexibility and posture to make small cabin seats a bit more comfortable. All you need is a small clear area (like at the end of your hotel bed or outside in a park) to get started. Mat optional!

Disclaimer: while I am a certified yoga teacher, please check with your doctor before performing any of the poses below. As always, listen to your body and modify as necessary.

Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Downward dog strengthens the entire back and shoulder girdle. By lengthening the spine in this extended pose, it takes pressure off the lower back and works to eliminate pain caused by hunching over a seat or standing for long periods of time. Downward dog is also known to decrease anxiety, perfect for if complicated travels or airplane rides tend to freak you out.

How to get into it: Come into a high plank position, then lift your hips up high and towards the back of your mat. Press down with your entire your hand reach your heels to the ground. Gaze towards your shin, ensuring your shoulders are pulled away from your ears. If your hamstrings are tight, gently bend your knees.

Yoga Pose Downward Dog

Yoga Pose Downward Dog

Low Plank (Chaturanga)

This pose can be very challenging as it requires sufficient strength to maintain alignment. This is the perfect pose to build up your strength needed for long hikes, all-day adventures or having to carry heavy luggage.

How to get into it: Start in high plank, roll forward onto your toes as your elbow press against the rib cage at a 90 degree angle. Gaze at the mat directly below you while pulling your shoulders away from your ears. Abdomen engaged, glutes in line with the spine.

Yoga Pose Chataranga

Yoga Pose Chataranga

Camel (Ustrasana)

After sitting for long periods of times, camel pose opens up the hip flexors and chest region. By creating space in the abdomen, camel pose also improves digestion and elimination in case your diet might not be what you’re used to.

How to get into it: Kneel on your mat with knees no wider than your hips. Use your hands to support your lower back as you gently press your hips forward. Arch your upper back while drawing your shoulder blades towards each other. Option to take your hand to your heels to amplify. Come back up to kneeling pose and allow the spine to neutralize before sitting back into child’s pose.

Yoga Pose Camel

Yoga Pose – Camel

Garland Pose (Malasana)

This low squat opens up the hips and while stretching your ankles, hamstrings and back. This posture aids in digestion as well as keeping your pelvic and hip joints healthy and mobile. As a grounding pose, malasana calms the body and allows energy to move within one’s self.

How to get into it: Place feet a little wider than your hips, bend your knees to squat down ensuring your knees don’t go past your toes. With your hands in prayer, use your elbows to press your knees wider.

Yoga Pose Malasana

Malasana

 

Happy Baby (Ananda Balasana)

Since we tend to walk and move more when visiting a new city (so much to see, so little time!), our legs get a lot of forward motion. To balance that out, happy baby stretched the inner and outer thighs and while stretching the hamstrings and relieving the lower spine. Happy baby pose calms the nerves and relaxes the mind and is the perfect pose after a stressful day or to prepare for bed.

How to get into it: Lay down on your back and bring your knees into your chest. Let your knees go wide as your hands reach around the outside of your feet, elbows inside of your knees. Keep your feet flexed and your spine long. Option to gently rock from side to side, bending one leg while straightening the other leg to deepen the inner thigh stretch.

travel yoga happy baby 1

Happy Baby

Follow more of my adventures on Bloglovin, Facebook, Instagram, or blog, Namastay Traveling, to get the most up-to-date travel tips along with my current yoga teaching schedule!

Xx,
Juliette

Top 5 Yoga Poses for Traveling

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