Disclosure: This post was written by me on behalf of Under Armour and Fitfluential

Hello my name is Sarah and I am ______________

How would you fill in the blank? People are quick to call themselves many things: fat, lazy, ugly, stupid…but too often we hesitate calling ourselves that elusive “B” word: Beautiful. How many people do you know who would call themselves beautiful?

I was listening to the song “Hello, My Name Is” by Matthew West and Matthew talks about the things that we associate with ourselves (regret, defeat) but we need to start calling ourselves something else – hope, child of God, beautiful.

I believe that beauty is being, being yourself. Embracing the unique stamp of life that God poured over you before you were even born. When we try to become someone else, we rob the world of the unique gifts, talents, and abilities that we are created with to bless others. We forget our value when we try to squeeze us into a superficial mold we were not meant to fill. Is it easy to be the very best version of ourselves? Nope! It is always easier to copy someone else than to develop our own unique voice, but in the end the effort is always worth it.

Beauty is courage, determination, compassion, stepping outside your comfort zone, lending a hand. 

Image source: http://www.businessinsider.com/two-schools-destroyed-by-oklahoma-tornadoes-2013-5

Beauty is risking your life for others

Image source: http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/national/tornadoes-level-homes-oklahoma-21-injured/nXwzq/

Beauty is comforting a friend in time of need

Beauty is determination and mental strength

I am honored to work with FitFluential and Under Armour to participating in and promote the What’s Beautiful Challenge! Under Armour has created a challenge to redefine the female athlete, to challenge participants to new heights by showing the world that they are beautiful in their own unique way. Stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone and set goals and go out and crush them!! The goals don’t have to be weight-related: you can create goals around mental will power, reaching a new PR, trying a new activity, whatever it is you want to reach for.

I am participating in the challenge, so you can join with me in completing challenges or you can simply follow along with me and see my goals, my progress, and the challenges that I complete. Here is one of my What’s Beautiful videos below. Watch my video below and check out my goals!

So whether you are an athlete or not, whether you are a mom or a grandmother or a teenager, it’s time to stop believing the lies that we tell ourselves and start seeing what we truly are: beautiful.

 ”Hello, my name is ______________, and I am beautiful.”

Say it – Believe it – Dream it

 Disclosure: This post was written by me on behalf of Under Armour and Fitfluential
 

Yay, it’s Friday!! Friday should be it’s own holiday I think If you work at a desk or in an office all day during the workweek, then Friday is really exciting! While I know it is {almost} the end of the workweek, I wanted to share a great desk workout I created for Fitspiration For Moms!

There are so many down sides to sitting on your backside for most of the day, so it is really important to keep moving throughout the day instead of waiting till you are off of work to get in your fitness routine.

Take your work outdoors for a change of pace!
Image used with permission courtesy of adamr at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Here are some tips for staying fit if you work at a desk:

• Set your timer to get up from your desk every 30-45 minutes to stretch and move
• Walk or pace while on the phone or while reading documents
• Consider adding a stand-up desk or a treadmill desk. Even a stand-up desk is worth it – even when standing still, you will be burning more calories than sitting still. You can burn an estimated 90-240 extra calories per day just by making that switch for an 8 hour workday (source).
• Eat structured meals away from your desk (if possible) rather than grazing constantly all day
• Keep water and green or herbal tea with you at all times and drink up!
• Walk around the office whenever you get the chance
• On breaks, take walks and fitness breaks to move and stretch

What are your favorite ways to stay in shape while working at your desk? Please share!

Get Up and Move! Desk Workout

Get the downloadable and printable PDF on Scribd

Let’s talk quick and easy recipes with Jennifer Devilliers, co-founder of The Prime Method, an online health coaching business. When you are looking for weekday meals that are fast and healthy, we can all use a little help now and then! Busy days make for less time to meal plan and cook, but that doens’t mean you can’t still eat like a fitness pro. Jen is sharing 5 exclusive recipes with us: all the recipes are super easy, healthy, and whole food, plus they are free of several major allergens and inflammatory foods (soy, dairy, gluten, sugar, and preservatives).

Jennifer Devilliers and Jolie Kobrinski are the creators and trainers behind the new health coaching business The Prime Method. The Prime Method offers nutrition plans, online exercise videos, access to a recipe archive, and online health coaching for busy people who need a little help getting their health back on track. Supermodel Veronica Webb is already a big fan!

Jennifer Devilliers is sharing 5 exclusive recipes with us today, and she shares what kinds of recipes The Prime Method includes in their nutrition program. Thank you, Jen, for the fantastic recipes!

The Interview

Fit Betty: What sets your recipes apart from other “healthy” recipes we often see in magazines?
Jen: Our recipes are simple. They are easy to make and don’t require complicated ingredients, and most are one-pot meals – this makes for a faster cleanup.

Fit Betty: Can you give us an idea of what types of foods are in your recipes and meal plans?
Jen: The Prime Method’s recipes are nutrient-dense. All ingredients are chosen to give you the most “bang out of your buck”. Nutrient-dense foods give you the most nutrients for the fewest amount of calories.

Fit Betty: Are your recipes allergy-friendly? Food allergies and sensitivities are on the rise these days!
Jen: All of our recipes are gluten, soy, dairy, sugar and preservative free; and just important, DELICIOUS. Plus, our recipes come from whole food ingredients, with little to no processed foods.

Fit Betty: Are your meal plans and recipes filling and satisfying? I know I can’t function well when I am hungry all the time and my blood sugar dips!
Jen: Our meals and snacks are balanced to keep your blood sugars stabilized throughout your day. A well-balanced blood sugar level is crucial to your overall fitness and well-being, regulating your hormones, triggering your body to burn stored fat, and increasing your metabolism.

The Recipes

Photo and recipe created by Jennifer Devilliers at ThePrimeMethod.com

Egg Avocado Breakfast

Jen: I made this breakfast this morning, it was quick and easy to make. The warm avocado and egg was delicious with the salsa, lime juice and greens, my 6-year-old son devoured his and was asking for more.

Egg Avocado Breakfast

2013-04-28 07:57:48

Serves 2

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Save Recipe

Print

Prep Time

5 min

Cook Time

20 min

Total Time

25 min

Prep Time

5 min

Cook Time

20 min

Total Time

25 min

256 calories

16 g

186 g

20 g

9 g

4 g

246 g

257 g

3 g

0 g

15 g

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size

246g

Servings

2

Amount Per Serving

Calories 256

Calories from Fat 168

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 20g

30%

Saturated Fat 4g

19%

Trans Fat 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 12g

Cholesterol 186mg

62%

Sodium 257mg

11%

Total Carbohydrates 16g

5%

Dietary Fiber 9g

35%

Sugars 3g

Protein 9g

Vitamin A

14%

Vitamin C

36%

Calcium

7%

Iron

11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Does this look wrong?

Ingredients

1 avocado

2 eggs

salsa

limes

greens

sea salt

fresh ground pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Place the avocado halves open side up in a baking dish. Crack an egg into each avocado half and place them in the oven. They take approximately 15-20 minutes to cook. Serve over a bed of greens, top with salsa, sprinkle with lime juice, salt and pepper. Enjoy.

By Jen Devilliers from ThePrimeMethod.com

beta

calories

256

fat

20g

protein

9g

carbs

16g

more

Fit Betty http://fitbetty.com/

Photo and recipe created by Jennifer Devilliers at ThePrimeMethod.com

Salad Smoothie

Jen: Jolie and I have become quite famous for our green smoothies. You will find us sipping on them from mason jars throughout our day at Prime. We have lots of delicious smoothie recipes to choose from on our website, ThePrimeMethod.com. This one in the photo is my latest creation and it was a big hit today. I call it our Salad Smoothie and I wanted to share this one with you. Keep in mind, I am not a recipe follower, I encourage you to put whatever you have on hand in your blender. Below is a template to get you started.

Salad Smoothie

2013-04-28 08:20:51

Serves 1

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Save Recipe

Print

Prep Time

10 min

Prep Time

10 min

163 calories

29 g

0 g

5 g

6 g

1 g

1914 g

133 g

15 g

0 g

4 g

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size

1914g

Servings

1

Amount Per Serving

Calories 163

Calories from Fat 41

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 5g

7%

Saturated Fat 1g

4%

Trans Fat 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 3g

Cholesterol 0mg

0%

Sodium 133mg

6%

Total Carbohydrates 29g

10%

Dietary Fiber 10g

42%

Sugars 15g

Protein 6g

Vitamin A

119%

Vitamin C

360%

Calcium

15%

Iron

13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Does this look wrong?

Ingredients

1 small tomato

1/4 of a cucumber

1 bell pepper

1 jalapeno - optional

1-2 cloves of raw garlic - optional

1-2 stalks of celery

1-4 cups of greens of choice

1-2 teaspoon spirulina

2 cups water

3-4 ice cubes

1/8 avocado

1/2 Meyer lemon

Instructions

In a blender, blend ingredients until smooth and add water if necessary. Let us know your favorite smoothie creation :)

By Jen Devilliers at ThePrimeMethod.com

beta

calories

163

fat

5g

protein

6g

carbs

29g

more

Fit Betty http://fitbetty.com/

Recipe and photo created by Jennifer Devilliers of ThePrimeMethod.com

Brazil Nuts and Goji Berries

Jen: Now a snack cannot get any simpler then this. I love the Goji berries sweetness combined with the nutty flavor of the Brazilian nuts. Keep in mind that 2-3 Brazilian nuts are one fat serving on The Prime Method – they are so delicious that they are easy to overeat. By the way, Brazil nuts are high in selenium and Goji berries are high in antioxidants.

Photo and recipe created by Jennifer Devilliers of ThePrimeMethod.com

Harmony’s Cucumber and Sesame Salad

Jen: This recipe is super simple: Cucumber with apple cider vinegar, few drops of sesame oil, sea salt. Optional: chive and cilantro sprouts

Chilled Asparagus Soup

Jen: This is a great snack as leftovers! Keep it refrigerated and serve it cold.

Disclosure: I received a Kona Kase free to review on my blog and this post contains affiliate links. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

 Looking for some new sports performance snacks to break your same-old bar boredom? Check out Kona Kase, one of the newest snack subscription boxes designed specifically to fitness enthusiasts and athletes.

With Kona Kase, you receive a box of 8 sports nutrition products each month. Plus, you get great active-living tips or an inspiring quote in each box to keep you moving. You can collect the cards and post them on a vision board! Each box also includes a list of the products in the box and information about the manufacturer. If you love the goodies in the box, Kona Kase provides some great discounts on the products from their product partners.

I got to review the March Kona Kase and I was quite impressed with the quality and variety of the box contents. Many of the snacks are organic, fair trade, and whole-food. I couldn’t eat everything in the box because some of the bars had gluten, but this is to be expected when you get a food-based subscription box so I wasn’t disappointed. The box had some familiar brands, like Clif, and some new and interesting finds, like BrüBar and Tcho. Everything was tasty!

If you are active and looking for great fuel but are tired of eating the same food all the time, Kona Kase is a great way to try new sports performance products. The market has exploded in recent years with tons of small businesses creating amazing products, and a monthly box like Kona Kase is a perfect way to try them all out and find some new favorites! You can learn about new trends in nutrition and get some variety while fueling your workouts with high quality food. Kona Kase is affordable, too: it’s only $15 per month and they provide multi-month discounts, free shipping, and any-time cancellation. 

Want to try the Kona Kase for yourself? For the next 72 hours you can receive 15% off a 3 month Kona Kase subscription with the code: 3MO

Image from the Kona Kase Facebook Page

Disclosure: I received a Kona Kase free to review on my blog and this post contains affiliate links. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

I have more great things to share from the 2013 IHRSA Expo! Some of these products and companies aren’t new to the marketplace, they were new to me and fascinating! The Expo was by far my favorite part of the whole shebang.

BodyMetrix Body Ultrasound Composition

One of my absolute favorite things I got to see at the IHRSA Expo was the BodyMetrix ultrasound body composition measurement system. This system is on my dream list! I got to watch the technician demo the system and it is impressive. This system is also a favorite of John Berardi, PhD, of Precision Nutrition, and author Timothy Ferriss. The system is reasonably accurate, non-invasive, and affordable, making it a great choice for trainers and facilities looking for body composition measurement systems beyond typical skin calipers and bio-electrical impedance systems. Plus, it is much more practical than Bod Pod, hydrostatic weighing, and DEXA scans. There is still a margin of error (as much as a caliper measurement), but you don’t have to worry about getting pinched with this system. 

Perform Better

Suspension systems were everywhere – virtually every major equipment manufacturer has been making these adult jungle-gyms. One of my favorites (and one of the most versatile) suspension systems I saw was made by Perform Better – this thing was awesome! It was taller than most and it had a place for a rope, cargo net, handles for doing human flags, monkey bars, and lots of other cool things! This is a compact playground for adults – fun! I love the bright colors, too: it stands out and is a nice visual contrast to the mostly black systems that other companies were creating. We all need a burst of color in the gym!

One suspension system that really stood out was the Queenax suspensions systems. Their systems are unique and HUGE – they are designed to fill an entire room if needed.

Queenax Suspension Systems

The Queenax systems are set up to accommodate all kinds of add-ons like TRX, hammocks for aerial yoga, adjustable acrobat bars, poles, gymnastic rings, and just about anything else you can think of. I got to demo a short class with the acrobat bar for a little bit – it was challenging and I was tired and clumsy. I ended up with a bloody nose, but it was fun! Debbie, who blogs at Live From LaQuinta, got to try out the aerial yoga demo (lucky!).

Some companies are working on improving recovery by combining compression and cold to aid athletes and gym-goers.

CoreControl cooling system by DyanVision

DynaVision creates a cooling system called CoreControl for lowering body temperature to improve safety and performance. They have a mitt that has a cold system and a vacuum that lowers body temp. The system is being used by firefighters, sports teams, and other groups to help their employees and teams stay safe and perform better in hot environments. 

DynaVision also creates vision and reaction trainers. My husband has amazing reflexes and he rocked the socks off this machine!

DynaVision Reaction Trainer

Recovery Pump also makes a recovery system that uses compression and cooling combined in a set of boots to speed exercise recovery and reduce risk of injury. I wanted to try this out, but they were pretty busy! 

Recovery Pump compression and cooling recovery system

A couple companies have taken the concept of the treadmill and have applied it to numerous mediums, such as ladder climbing (Jacobs ladder), rock climbing, and rope climbing. There were a couple continuous rope climbing systems similar to the one below by Mt. EverClimb. The nice thing about this is that you can climb as long as you like (or as “high” as you want) without creating a falling hazard.

Mt. EverClimb continuous rope system

 Here are some other products and companies that I thought were worth mentioning!

Power Vibe

No deck and no belt on this tough as nails treadmill!

Disclosure: I received these products for free to review on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

Looking for all-natural performance snacks to help you prep for or recover from your next workout? Check out ProBar’s line of goodies! I am really excited to review ProBar products not just for the obvious reasons (healthy and yummy performance snacks!), but also because I love supporting local (or nearly local) companies based in the western states. ProBar’s home is in Salt lake City, Utah, not too far from Wyoming, so I am excited to share ProBar’s products. 

ProBar recently redesigned their packages and added new varieties!

ProBar makes a variety of performance nutrition products for different needs and activities. They have protein bars (CORE), meal replacement bars (MEAL), energy chews (BOLT), sweet energy bars (HALO), and fruit-based energy bars (FUEL). Every Pro Bar product is all-natural and most are vegan. Below is a quick break-down of the ProBar products:

• MEAL: vegan – certified organic – not baked (contains raw ingredients)
• FUEL: vegan – gluten free – non-GMO – organic – contains full serving of fruit
• CORE: vegan – gluten free – contains soy
• BOLT: gluten free – dairy free – organic – non-GMO
• HALO: vegan – organic – non-GMO – contains soy

Most of the products do contain nuts, and are processed in a facility with nuts as well. For more specifics on the ingredients, check out the ProBar site and read the nutrition labels for each product.

To review, I got 4 varieties in almost every flavor, except the MEAL bars. I have tried the MEAL bars before and they are great! They do contain gluten, though, since the oats are not gluten free. Also, I was not able to try the CORE bars or the HALO bars because they both have soy in them, but I still love the FUEL bars (formerly called Fruition bars) and the Strawberry BOLT chews. My husband has been using the CORE and HALO bars for pre- and post-workouts and during his work days and he loves them! Even my parents (who aren’t big protein bar fans) really enjoyed the CORE and HALO bars I shared with them. I would love to see a company like ProBar make a protein bar (like the CORE bar) with brown rice protein powder (*hint*hint*).

I have been using the FUEL bars as a recovery snack immediately post workout. They are the perfect before or after workout fuel because they have quick digesting fruit sugars in it that can provide energy before a workout and it helps to restore glycogen levels after a tough workout, so you can use them as both a pre- or post-workout treat! The FUEL bars are delicious, moderate in calories, and make perfect snacks!

Want to try ProBar for yourself? Here are some perks ProBar offers (just check out the ProBar site for details!):
10% off coupon when you sign up for their newsletter
Free shipping on orders over $75
10% off + free gift with recurring delivery (set-and-save)

Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

The weather has been beautiful lately (well, up till today!) and we have been busy in our house with lots of goings-on and plans for Spring and Summer! 

 Trail Marathon

Photo from Dream Chasers website http://www.dreamchaserevents.com/Races/Grand-Teton-Races

 My husband and I are going to embark on a new adventure together with some other family members: we are planning on running a trail marathon in August in Jackson, Wyoming! I am in good shape but I have never been a great runner, so this is a big challenge for me. We have 4-5 months to prepare for this race, and we plan on doing some other trail runs in the meantime to get ready. I have been stuck in a rut lately with my fitness, so this BIG new goal has given me the juice I need to kick it up a notch. I have already started training for this outside on grass and trail and I am really enjoying it! In fact, I think I have found a new fitness hobby! I could definitely get hooked on trail running. I am going to post some workouts and plans I have found that I am using, so stay tuned for more!

In addition to adding more races this year and working towards a big race, we are planning on doing more hiking, climbing, rollerblading, biking and backpacking this year – basically anything outdoors and family-oriented. I can;t stand it when summer comes and goes and I haven’t spent enough time outside with my kids. We all need sunshine and fresh air, and this year I am committing to getting more of  both with my kids!

Great magazine!

 Pro Compression Socks

I am hitting the dial on my training and running and getting serious about losing some extra fat and getting prepped for the races I am planning for this summer and keep up with my Zumba classes and weight lifting! I have been getting serious about recovery these days, foam rolling every day that I am working out, drinking more water, and wearing compression socks during or after workouts. 

I have given away Pro Compression socks and have put their ads up forever, but I finally got to try the Pro Compression marathon socks out! I love them – I want more of them now in other colors

I have a pair of Hylete compression socks and I just got a pair of Pro Compression socks to review, and I prefer the Pro Compression socks! They are thicker, more durable, and they are more compressive in the calf and arch area where I need it most. P.S. you can get a 40% discount on Pro Compression socks on my Discounts page!

Fitness and Health Social Media Conference (aka Fit Social Conference)

This year the Fitness and Health Social Media Conference is being held in September in Colorado and I am attending this awesome event for the first time!  The Fit Social Conference promises to be a great one, with fitness classes, hiking, and fitness and blogging sessions. I am super excited to attend this conference, PLUS I am looking forward to meeting more of my fellow FitFluential, Sweat Pink, and Girls Gone Sporty Ambassadors as well! Want to meet me there? Register for the conference and say “hi”!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the Pro Compression socks mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

Wow…who else besides me overdid it with Easter food this weekend? Although my eating habits have improved tremendously over the last few years, I know that I could have eaten better and moved more. But, this is a fresh week that no one (and no mistakes) have touched yet, so I am stepping forward with a clean slate!

Lately my focus has been more on learning to respect my body more. One way I am learning to respect myself more is by breaking the vicious cycle of overeating and guilt I sometimes fall into.

Here are 5 Ways you can respect yourself this week (that don’t involve the words “work” or “diet”):

1. Reduce your stress levels: Set aside time each week to unwind and give your mind a rest
2. Change the channel on negative self talk: make an effort to switch off the negative and turn on the positive!
3. Make one healthy swap this week: instead of a coffee-break doughnut, try a Larabar or Zing bar! Making swaps for healthier foods will become a habit after a while
4. Reaffirm your personal wellness goals: remind yourself why you are on this journey toward better health. We all need to refocus now and then when we stray from our intended path
5. Stay hydrated! Some researchers believe that water is actually a nutrient itself that people don’t get enough of.  I know I don’t drink enough water! Don’t wait until you are thirsty before you guzzle up.

Remember: progress, not perfection!

Another way I respect myself: trying to stay on top of my supplements! I know that there are many viewpoints about supplement use, but I personally value supplements to help me fill in the gaps caused by my dietary limitations (I can’t eat dairy, eggs, soy, yeast, or gluten). And because of my food sensitivities, probiotics are an essential part of my day. I rarely start a day without high-dose probiotics.

I got to try some newly released GNC supplements this past week and I loved them! I am already a big GNC fan and I use their probiotics, but I got to try their TriFex Comfort supplement for the first time, as well as the Women’s UltraMega One Daily. All of these supplements are fantastic and great for people with food allergies (like me). The only thing I didn’t like is that there is sucralose and coloring in the coating of the Women’s UltraMega One Daily. I avoid artificial sweeteners, so I would love to see this supplement without the sucralose and added coloring. Otherwise, the supplements are great and they make a perfect complement to my active lifestyle, especially the joint supplement!

What are some ways you plan on respecting yourself this week?

This year was my very first time attending the IHRSA conference, and the Expo was my favorite part by far! I love to learn about new tools and technologies in fitness, and the IHRSA Expo delivered. I picked some of the best new tools and technologies to share! Since there was so much to see, I am writing more posts featuring new technology, so stay tuned for more

 Perform Better has a new myofascial release roller (the VibraRoll) that vibrates to better target your muscles and fascia. It works great! It is a unique spin on foam rollers, plus it has a solid core that houses the vibrating component so the roller won’t get compressed after continuous use like other foam rollers.

Check out these cool Reebok balance boards that Perform Better also sells! 

 Speaking of balance boards, there were several vendors at the expo that offered indoor surfboard-inspired balance boards designed for exercise and yoga. FreeMotion has an OceanYogaFit board that is a smaller surf board with balance balls (think Bosu) attached to the bottom to add instability during exercise. It mimics activities on a surf or paddle-board in the water, except you can do this at home or in a facility. Pretty cool! Laird Hamilton was at the booth as well,  but I think I missed him!

SurfSet Fitness also released a surf-inspired balance board. The base is more complicated with more moving parts, but the movement in the board is greater. 

Sproing is a treadmill alternative that features a harness system attached to a stand. There are no moving parts to this equipment: the base consists of a thick mat and the user “runs” with their body weight against the harness. You can run forward, backward, or sideways, and the system is said to reduce the impact on your joints as well as improve running form. I didn’t try this piece of equipment, but it looks fun!

 One of my husband’s favorite things at the IHRSA Expo was the RealRyder stationary bike. This bike is truly unique: it is designed to move side to side to mimic the turning ability of a real bike. It engages your core and upper body as you work to balance yourself on the bike and make turns. My husband instantly fell in love with this bike!

Some companies have been finding ways to add core work to regular exercise to maximize calorie burn and muscle recruitment. One of these companies, BalaCore, manufactures lifting benches that have built-in stability balls. 

Stay tuned for more fitness innovations from the 2013 IHRSA Expo!

The first day of the 2013 IHRSA conference we joined Todd Durkin, MA, CSCS, for his boot camp-style IMPACT workout. The workout had a lot of plyometrics, metabolic conditioning, partner drills, body-weight exercises, and band exercises. My husband and I had an awesome workout and I loved that Todd incorporated so many partner drills – we got to compete with each other, motivate each other, and get a good workout while building teamwork. We wrapped it up with a -minute burpee challenge: the winner in the men’s division  cranked out over 40 full burpees! And best of all, it was FUN! I loved the 45-minute workout and we got to try out some new gear from Under Armour and TRX as well.

We got to try out the new Armour 39 monitoring system by Under Armour. The Armour 39 system is great because you don’t need to have a watch (although you can purchase on separate if you want it), but instead it syncs to your iPod touch or your iPhone wirelessly through the UA Armour 39 app. You can see in real time your current heart rate, max and average heart rate, duration, and your calories burned (based on gender and weight). What makes this HRM a bit different from others is that the system works to measure your “Willpower” or your effort on a 1-10 scale. You can set a will power number goal before your workout begins, or you can just begin your workout and see where it takes you!

During the IMPACt workout, we were able to try out the TRX Rip Trainer. I have seen this Rip Trainer online before and I was a little bit skeptical about how well it would work. But after trying the TRX Rip Trainer I really loved it! There are so many different exercises you can do with this great tool. The unilateral and off-loaded training adds a new level of challenge and it engages your core with every movement. 

I was really impressed with the TRX Rip Trainer! You can include exercises that are functional and mimic life activities, like swinging a baseball bat or shoveling snow. The TRX Rip Trainer would also make a great addition to a mixed martial arts or tactical training exercise program to imitate take-downs without contact or a training partner.

The TRX Rip Trainer challenged my muscles in a new way – I was sore this morning, but in a very satisfying way! We took a short video of one of the exercises we did with the Rip Trainer. all of the exercises we did with it were total-body, so you can create a great workout in a short period of time that engages everything in a metabolic way.

Stay tuned for more great news, videos, and product demos from the IHRSA 2013 conference in Las Vegas!