Strong Praise for Strong Curves

The number of legitimate, scientifically sound, practically applied and result producing training programs and resources for women interested in enhancing  their fitness and permanently changing their bodies are few and far between. In fact, the vast majority of fitness information products marketed and sold to well intentioned women do nothing more than perpetuate myths surrounding female fitness and body image, and play to women's fears and insecurities about getting "too bulky".

Thankfully, like Alwyn Cosgrove's The New Rules of Lifting for Women before it, Bret Contreras and Kellie Davis' new book, Strong Curves: A Woman's Guide to Building a Better Butt and Body, is a breath of fresh air and provides women with one of the most comprehensive, scientifically based and practically applied resources available.

If you are a woman and want to be told lifting over 3 lbs. will make you look like the Incredible Hulk, this book-and the programs presented in it-are not for you. If you want to hear feel good phrases like "long and lean muscles", "shaping and contouring", etc., again, this book is not for you. If you want to be lied to, again, this book is not for you. However, if you want a real world program, developed by individuals who have devoted their lives to developing and researching only the best in fitness, than buy the book and follow the advice contained within it.

No matter if you are a beginner just getting started, have no equipment other than your body weight and have to train at home, or a woman who wants a specialized program designed solely to give her the bust butt possible, Contreras and Davis have a program for you within the book, with easy to follow progressions. Furthermore, being a full time trainer and gym owner myself, I understand how important it is for training programs to be PRACTICAL AND EASY TO FOLLOW. Many routines will dazzle you on paper, but, once you attempt to apply them, you quickly find out the time commitment, equipment needed, and overall complexity of the program just isn't for you and is not practical. That gets you nowhere. Bret and Kellie clearly kept simplicity and practicality in mind when putting together the Strong Curves workouts.

For more information, and to purchase the book, please GO HERE!

Merry Fitness! LiveFit's Favorite Xmass Gifts for the Fitness Junkie inYour Life!

Christmas is just around the corner, so, with this mind, Holly and I thought we'd throw out our favorite "LiveFit approved" gift ideas for the fitness junkie in your life (or maybe you should just buy yourself something instead :). Most of the gifts featured below are budget friendly and cost less than $40. If you train with Holly and I at LiveFit, most of these gifts will look very familiar to you (and likely make you cringe :). If you have questions on any of the products listed below, please don't hesitate to ask us. Merry Fitness!

Click on the Pictures of Equipment to Purchase!

Kettlebells

Just a great, versatile training tool. Kettlebells can be used for a variety of upper body, lower body, and core training exercises, including a LiveFit favorite, SWINGS! We recommend choosing a kettlebell which is about 15-20% of your current body weight (20-30 lb. bell for a 150 lb. woman).

Valislides

A pair of these plus a large beach towel equals a budget friendly slide board. You can perform a variety of lower body and core exercises with these, including reverse lunges, lateral lunges, leg curls, body saws and knee tucks. A great piece of equipment to stuff in your suitcase when you travel.

Jump Rope

Ah the good old fashioned jump rope! A Holly Mitchell favorite. Yet another versatile, budget friendly training tool which allows you to get in some great cardio and power training anywhere. Pack this in your suitcase when you travel and you won't have to worry about finding a gym or using the hotel's shoddy cardio equipment.

Stackable Steps

The steps we use daily at LifeFit. Perform step-ups, squats to a box, reverse lunges and and a variety of other lower body exercises with these budget friendly steps.

All Purpose Resistance Bands

The bands we use to torture our clients at LiveFit. Holly and I have been doing this a long time, and these are, by far, the most durable, versatile, scalable, user friendly bands we've come across. Great for upper body exercises, like rows and chest presses, along with many ground based core exercises. Another great one to pack in your suitcase when you travel.

Jungle Gym

Our favorite new training toy at LiveFit. Just a phenomenal product which allows you to train your entire body in a fun, comprehensive, challenging and functional manner. We can't recommend this product highly enough!

Gym Boss Interval Timer

Another LiveFit favorite which drives the pace of our popular bootcamps. If you are into interval training, this little gadget will keep track of all of your work and rest intervals, along with acting as a stop watch and timer you can use to monitor your rest between strength training sets and exercises. Clip it on your belt, set your workout, and the Gym Boss will beep or vibrate to let you know when your interval or rest period is up. Very cool.

Fitness Mats

No one likes to lay on the hard floor and be uncomfortable while training, so pick up one of these and train in comfort. The mats we use at LiveFit.

Foam Rollers

Just like your gums, your shouldn't neglect your recovery and workout warm-up. Foam rolling and other forms of soft tissue work are becoming part and parcel of every serious trainee's program, as it allows you to stay healthy and perform better during your workouts. Iron out all of the "knots" in your hips, thighs and back with one of these puppies. You'll feel amazing.

Mini Bands

A lot of our clients ask us where we get these, so, now you know :). Super cheap, and you can torch your rear end in no time by performing a series of lateral and monster walks. Once again, another great piece of equipment to pack in your suitcase when you travel.

Bootcamp Sign-Up

We will be selling classes in packages of 5 and 10. Packages of 5 classes must be used in 6 weeks from date of purchase. Packages of 10 classes must be used in 12 weeks from date of purchase. $10/class for current clients and $15/class for non-clients. We will keep your class punch card at the training facility with the expiration date and we will punch each class as you attend.