HIIT at Fit36

Holy SMOKES as much as I hate to admit, it’s been a long long time since I did anything quite like this. Guys, I’ve told you before — I miss going to CrossFit so much but it’s too expensive down here for the gym membership and I’m not willing to fork out that kind of dough anymore. So for the past 3 years of living here in California I’ve been doing my own thing, lacking structure and not entirely sure what I’m doing with my workouts anymore. I don’t sweat like I used to.

welcome-spiffykermsFit36 reached out to me and mentioned they will be opening a high intensity interval training / HIIT studio in Cupertino and invited me to try them out. Since I knew my pal Lauren likes these types of workouts too, I suggested they reach out to her as well.

workout-outfitI regret wearing an athletic JACKET to workout in.

The studio literally just opened up, and late October is when I went to check it all out. First dibs! Ha!

Fit36-CupertinoAs much as I thought it was going to be similar to a CrossFit workout — it kinda reminded me of it. You know those days at CrossFit when it’s all about a HIIT cardio workout? Well, that’s the way Fit36 is all the time. Lol. To be honest though, I love a structured workout class that is always changing, like CrossFit or Fit36. I was never a huge fan of going to the gym by myself and not really knowing what I was doing. I miss the small class atmosphere. I do miss my CrossFit classes though. I attended a gym in Canada for close to 4 years! It’s just really expensive down here and I don’t have the budget for it.

purple-faceThe crazy intense workouts that make you sweat buckets (you can prob tell. Due to my purple-sweat-face… sorry! Lol). The hard work everyone puts in and cheers one another on. It really is a community. Although only been to one Fit36 class, I can already tell I love the style of the class.

Calories-burnedBasically the jist of it all is a 36 minute workout (hence the name Fit36, right?). There’s 12 stations set up and you do the entire 12 stations twice in those 36 minutes (60 seconds on, 30 seconds rest). You’re wearing a heart rate monitor too, which is pushed up on the big screen as is everyone elses. That alone will motivate you between those strength workouts and cardio intervals. And if you’re afraid you’re not bold enough to try something like this, everyone there is all sorts of ages, all different sizes. Any workout can be modified and trainers are always around to make sure you’re performing correctly to get that total body workout in.

Fit36And if you’re worried you’ll get bored of it? Ya won’t! Because the workout is on a cycle and it changes entirely every two weeks (with 2 workouts to choose from in those 2 weeks). So, you keep making progress on that bod of yours.

UGH I’m stoked. Sign ME up.

Disclaimer: I received a free class courtesy of Fit36 to try out their studios.
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Mizuno Wave Rider 19 -vs- Mizuno Sayonara

SayonaraMizunoI want to get a few things out of the way before discussing my running shoes.

SayonaraI’m not a hardcore runner who pumps out 20-50km’s within days. I don’t sign up for running races because they make me too nervous. I run on my own, or with my husband and Alfie. I’ve been running on-and-off for close to ten years, I’ve had a casual running coach when I lived in Ontario (Canada) for a few months which was pretty awesome.

I do know that I’m a neutral runner and my strike is … I guess you could say neutral too. I’m not a heel-striker, nor a toe hopper. Did I make that term up? Probably. But I do know which running shoes I prefer, and I can tell you what I personally think of them.

Over the past few years I’ve tried to run in Saucony shoes, Nike Free’s, and Mizuno. To be honest I do prefer my Mizuno’s the most, and have reached out to them while I lived in Canada for collaborations. Then it took me three years to get in touch with the USA crowd. I’m pretty happy to be working with them again.

A few months ago I was sent two pairs of running sneakers to try out. Mizuno Wave Rider 19 and Mizuno Sayonara.

I already know how the Mizuno Wave Rider’s felt like, because I had already owned and loved a pair. I must say, working with them came at the perfect time. I was in the process of placing an online order of Mizuno Wave Rider’s that very week they reached back out to me.

B’ys got some perfect timing hey?

Since I’ve never tried the Sayonara’s before I definitely wanted to give them a run for their money before properly reviewing them. Ya know? So, it’s been a while.

Mizuno Wave Rider 19 -vs- Mizuno Sayonara:

Mizuno Wave RiderWave Rider 19| (shown above)

  • Feels familiar and comfortable (I’ve ran in Wave Rider’s for 3+ years).
  • The new Wave Rider’s feel so bouncy, cushiony and a little higher off the ground.
  • Although a neutral runner, I don’t get shin-pain when running in Wave Rider’s (I do in other shoes!).
  • An excellent shoe for high-mileage.
  • You know it’s a fantastic series when they make 20 versions of it!
  • Nothing negative to say about it, it’s my favourite running shoe.

Mizuno SayonaraSayonara’s| (shown above)

  • First impressions: it’s a light shoe!
  • Has a roomier toe-box than the Wave Rider but narrower overall.
  • Feels a little flatter and more of a minimal shoe (although it’s not – it’s just less cushiony than Wave Rider’s).
  • I prefer the look of this shoe, more. It’s not as bulky.

Hard to decide on which one I prefer, but I do reach for the Wave Rider’s more when I run! But I’ve actually received more compliments on the Sayonara’s (the blue one’s).

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Protect your noggin’ and win a helmet!

Specialized-Helmet-RoadSimply because our warm glorious summer solstice is coming to an end, doesn’t mean you have to stop all the fun outdoor activities, like cycling! Snow isn’t goin’ to be hitting the ground for another little while yet — it’s not time to bundle up and hibernate. Get outside and explore.

I teamed up with Specialized for my second giveaway with them. Similar to last time, there will be two winners who will be receiving a Specialized Women’s Airnet MIPS helmet, retailing at $170.00 USD. It’s pretty sleek with those nice clean lines, and crisp white helmet. It’ll match anything you got.

pedalsMy husband swapped out my clip-less pedals in for these new one’s that Specialized sent out a while back. Who knew they existed? They have have clips on one side and flats on the other. I’m digging it — because if I’m wearing casual street clothes I can wear my slipon sneakers and go for a quick ride, or I can suit up in cycling gear, wear my shoes that have clips on them, and lock into the pedal for a longer ride.

You guys have seen how much I’ve been biking lately (on my Instagram, mainly), right? I might even be cycling a lot more than I’m climbing lately. That’s saying something. It’s always a bit nerve-wracking cycling on main roads so again, 8 months into cycling I’m still on the side streets, walking my bike across street lights. Hey, better safe than sorry no matter how silly it looks. Gotta protect that noggin’ of mine, and keep a watchful eye out for the drivers who not only ignore pedestrians crossing, but us cyclists too.

If we’re going to be gettin’ real here, I have to say isn’t it total common sense to wear a helmet when cycling? Whether it be a leisure ride or suitin’ up in fancy-pants? It annoys me when I see a cyclist not wearing a helmet: danger bay. It’s like a person not wearing a seatbelt in a car, in my opinion. If you don’t have one. Now’s your chance to win one.

Have safe-riding skills, wear a helmet, and always be aware of your surroundings. Keep those good looks, and protect your head folks.

Open to USA + Canada. Closes September 7, 2016. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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