Love Your Legs – 20 minute muscle toning workout!

Hey Gang!  Happy Monday.  I hope you had a lovely Valentine’s weekend!  I enjoyed a fun V-Day at GRIT Fitness with my instructors and clients.  We hosted a special “Sweat with your Sweetie” Valentine’s Day workout, so it was fun to have so many dudes in the house (see above)!  We also enjoy healthy snacks and mimosas after class.  Great times!

Last night, my girlfriends and I drank the Kool-Aid and saw 50 Shades of Grey!  I loved it.  (I also read all of the books – wink wink) Have you seen it yet?  What are your thoughts?

I’m still overflowing with V-Day fever so I made this 20 minute “Love Your Legs” workout.  I’ve incorporated these exercises into my PiYo classes and I’m receiving very positive feedback from my clients.  That said, I figured I’d share.  Give this workout a whirl and let me know how it goes.  It’s a great option if you’re snowed in and can’t make it to the gym.  xoxo, Brit

Photos from POPSUGAR and Women’s Health Magazine
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50 Shades of Glutes! Dope Derrière Exercises Just in Time for Valentine’s Day

Image: CLICK HERE to get your booty work on! 10 booty sculpting medicine ball exercise from SELF Magazine!

Hey hey!  Who’s excited for Valentine’s Day?  I am!  We are throwing a HUGE V-Day party at GRIT Fitness.  It’s our official, “Sweat with your Sweetie” bash and I’m really excited.  Also some girlfriends and I have planned an outing to drink wine and see 50 Shades of Grey!  What do you have planned?

In honor of the upcoming day of love, I wanted to publish a post to help us get extra sexy for the weekend.  My friends at SELF Magazine are hosting a special “50 Shades of Glutes” campaign.  How cute is that?  They have some awesome medicine ball sculpting moves that you can throw into your workout routine this week.  CLICK HERE to check them out!  Also, here’s my Booty Builder workout from the GRIT by Brit archives that you may enjoy.  Now you have plenty of tools to get that A$$ in gear for Valentine’s Day.  ENJOY!  xoxo, Brit

Donkey Kicks – an oldie but a goodie that will always get your booty right (wink wink)
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Lucy Activewear: Product Review + Leg Workout

Image: Purple Feel the Beat Tank (Lucy, $59); Grey Dance Workout Capri (Lucy, $89)

Yo yo – happy humpday  & happy October!  You guys gave such great feedback on the Labor Day Leg Workout + Lucy Activewear Giveaway that I decided to put together another leg workout and review my new gear from Lucy!

First off, I’m obsessed with this Feel the Beat Tank. I love the look of strappy workout tanks but because I’m on the “bustier” side I always have to wear a sports bra under them during workouts – totally takes away the cuteness.  However, this Lucy tank is super supportive and has just the right amount of padding so that I don’t nip out.  I taught my PiYo class in this tank last Friday and felt comfortable, secure and sexy during the entire class.  You can see a pic of me and my class on Instagram.

Next I got the Dance Workout Capris.  These are my first pair of workout pants that aren’t leggings, fitted capris or booty shorts.  Long story short, I love them!  I’m planning to wear them again to Zumba this Sunday with a little crop top or sports bra that shows my belly.  It’s crazy how the older I get the less body conscious I am.  I would have NEVER shown my midriff when I was 23.  Funny how self-confidence and security grow over time, especially when we learn to really love ourselves… Anyway, I digress.  The dance workout capris are great because they fit low around my hips and have a nice wide waistband so there’s no “love-handle” action.  While they are lose-fitting they aren’t baggy, which keeps a feminine look.  Most importantly, they are made of an interesting, moisture wicking fabric that can handle my sweat as I shake around on the dance floor.  Are you a fan of dance pants?

Love the “XY” design on the back of the Feel the Beat Tank (lucy)!

Last but not least, here’s your leg workout!  I wanted to design something for the dancers out there, so this is my “Long Lean Legs Workout.”  The purpose of each exercise is to build muscle strength through isometric movements (i.e. holding poses and/or making small tiny movements).  If you’ve ever taken a barre class, you should know about the “little squeeze” or “tiny pulse.”  This a quick and simple routine that you can to complete in 10-15 minutes.  It’s a great follow up to a run or other cardio workout.  I hope you enjoy the workout and treat yourself to some Lucy activewear!

Lots of luv, Brit

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Labor Day Leg Workout & Lucy Activewear Giveaway

Yo Yo – Summer is sadly coming to an end, but I’m very much looking forward to the Labor Day Weekend.  My company gives us the Friday before Labor Day off too so I’ll enjoy a nice 4 day weekend – woop woop!  As usual, I want to encourage you to enjoy the holiday, relax and take some time off.  BUT don’t skip out on your workout!  Here’s a quick and effective leg workout that I did on Labor Day last year.  You guys liked it so much, I figured I’d pull it out and “beef it up” a bit.  This year I added a few more intensity intervals to elevate the heart rate.  Give it a whirl and let me know how it goes!

Also, 24 Hour Fitness in Dallas is having a special event for Labor Day – FREE ADMISSION to all clubs all weekend as long as you attend with a club member!  If you live in Dallas, come take my Turbo Kick class at 3pm on Sunday, August 31st in Mesquite.  Click on the image below for details.

And now for the fun stuff – I’m hosting a giveaway for a pair of Lucy Powermax X-Training Pants (Black, Small, Wide-Leg).  These things retail at $89 but I’m giving them away to one lucky reader.  Just post a comment telling me your favorite leg exercise and why.  Be sure to include your email address so I can contact you!  I’ll pick a winner next Tuesday, September 2.  

Happy Labor Day!  Lots of luv, Brit

Tell me your favorite leg workout and enter to win these cute Lucy training Pants!
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Brit’s Bouncy Booty-Shaping Workout #WOD

Hey gang – here’s your workout of the day.  I’ve been feeling full of energy all week, so I wanted to create a workout that let’s me jump around!  This a great power workout to tag on to resistance training. If you have a knee issues, this probably isn’t the best workout for you 🙁  However, you can modify the moves my elevating on to your tip toes instead of jumping.  Give it a whirl and let me know who it goes.   xoxo, Brit

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4 Effective Moves for Firm Thighs

4 Effective Moves

As I eagerly await warmer weather and the reemergence of cut-off shorts into my wardrobe rotation, I’ve been doing some extra leg exercises.  My “Daisy Dukes” look especially nice on toned firm thighs!  Here are the 4 moves I rely on to tone my lower body.  Each move is dynamic and can be performed with only your body weight or by holding dumbbells for added resistance.  For best results, I recommend doing 2-3 sets of 15 reps of each exercise at least 3 days per week.  As the moves get comfortable, start using dumbbells and increasing the weight to ensure that you are building lean muscle mass and getting maxim, thigh-firming results.  Below are photos and step by step instructions.

Have fun and feel the burn stepping up, donkey kicking, lunging and squatting! xoxo, Brit

Step Ups
Step Ups 

Place right foot in the middle of step and step up as you balance your body for 1-2 seconds on the right leg. Your left leg should be behind your body to help stabilize your weight as it is shifting. Step down with your left leg first and continue on down with your right. Try for 2 sets of 10-12 repetitions for each leg. Source: Spark People

Donkey Kicks
Donkey Kicks

Kneel down on an exercise mat. Use your elbows to support your upper body. Lift one leg up and kick it straight in the air (upward). Try to kick as high as possible. Lower your leg until your knee is just below parallel to the floor. Repeat the kick on the opposite leg. Source: Workoutz

Walking Lunges
Walking Lunges

Step forward with right leg and lower your body to 90 degrees at both knees. Don’t step out too far. There should be 2 to 2.5 feet between your feet at this point. Keep your weight on your heels and don’t allow your knees to cross the plane of your toes.   From here, push up, bringing the rear leg forward until you are standing straight again. Step forward with opposite leg and repeat, walking forward for all reps.  Source: Spark People

Plie' Squats
Plie’ Squats

Begin in a wide stance with toes out at a comfortable angle. Your knees will need to stay aligned with your toes, so don’t go out too far.  Bend the knees and lower down into a squat, keeping knees in line with toes, abs contracted and back straight.  Only go down as low as you can without compromising your flexibility or your balance.  Push back to start without locking the knees.  Source: Exercise About.com

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10 Minute Total Body Bosu Ball Workout #GRITbyBrit

bosu ball workout

Hey gang!  Here’s your workout for the week.  While I’m a big fan of equipment-free workouts, I decided to switch it up this week and incorporate a personal favorite fitness toy – the Bosu Ball! I chose the Bosu Ball because it made my  GRIT by Brit Holiday Fitness Gift picks back in December.  Bosu exercises are great for increasing stability and working the core.  They’re also a nice change-up from typical dumbbell or barbell workouts.

After designing and testing this routine, I assure you’ll get a serious sweat and feel toned and tight throughout your core.  The exercises quickly elevate your heart rate making this workout a good option for days when you’re short on time.  The entire workout takes about 10 minutes and you can expect to burn ~100-150 calories.  For best results, knock this out everyday for 5 days straight.  See below for instructional images to guide you – enjoy!

xoxo,

Brit

Instructional Images

Toe Taps (alternate legs back and forth w/ one foot tapping the top of the Bosu and the other foot on the ground, then switch)

Bosu Ball Lunges (alternate legs)

Bosu Mountain Climbers (alternate legs)

Bosu Plank Hold

Bosu Burpees

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Valentine’s Day Giveaway + Love Yourself Legs and Booty Workout

love-yourself

Hello lovely guys and gals!  I personally wanted to wish you all a wonderful Valentine’s Day and week full of love and joy.  Hopefully you have a special someone in your life, but if not, know that I LOVE YOU exceedingly and abundantly!

To show my love, I’ve partnered with Socialite Pink Jewelry for a special V-Day necklace give away.  Just copy the picture BELOW, post to your Facebook page, and tag Socialite Pink + 4 friends.  After doing so, you’ll be entered to win the lovely necklace below.

Brit by Grit Posting

But that’s not all.  I’ve also been intrigued (yet kinda grossed out) by all of the #Belfies I’ve been seeing on Insta which has motivated me to make a Love Yourself Legs and Booty Workout just in time for Valentine’s Day 😉  The workout is a great warm up or finale to 30 minutes of cardio training.  It goes like this…

  • Plie’ Squats – 25

  • Regular Squats – 25

  • Squat Jumps – 12

  • Wall Sit – 45 seconds

  • Single Leg Step Back Lunges – 20 Right, 20 Left

  • Single Leg Side Step Lunges – 20 Right, 20 Left

  • Regular Squats – 50

Have a wonderful week with filled hugs and kisses.  

xoxo, Brit

 

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Brit’s Buns of Steel Workout

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTBlUdHTaIs&w=560&h=315]

buns of steel workoutHey Gang!  We have officially reached the half way point of Summer (tear) but alas, the days are longer, the drinks are colder and the shorts are shorter – hay gurl hay!  So, by popular demand I designed another booty and thighs workout – my Buns of Steel Workout.

This workout can be done in your living room and requires no equipment.  You will need a yoga mat or soft surface for some of the isometric toning work at the end.  When doing this workout, go HARD from start.  Don’t save up. For best results, really get your heart rate up in the first 3-4 minutes.  Also, keep your abs engaged and tuck your tail bone under during all of the standing exercises.

The workout takes 10 minutes and you can expect to burn 80-100 calories.

You can do the workout on your own (instructions on the left) or with me by following my video (above).  Also, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube Station for lots of fun workouts you can do at home 🙂

Rock those daisy dukes!

xoxo, Brit

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