Black Friday Fitness Gift Ideas – 2014 Holiday Gift Guide

Happy Monday gang!  The holidays are just around the corner – can you believe it?  That means it’s time for my annual Holiday Gift Guide blog post!  I’m super excited about the products that made my list this year.  If you need even more gift ideas, check out last year’s Holiday Gift Picks list and my 2012 list.  I hope you love everything as much as I do – happy shopping!

  1. Living One Love Headbands ($16) – I discovered these headbands at IDEA World fitness convention in August.  I met the owner of the company who personally designs them and she was super sweet.  I like these headbands because they are wide (to cover my giant forehead) and come in TONS of different prints and colors.  I wear one to every single class I teach – highly recommend
  2. 1-yr Membership to Dallas Grit Fitness & Dallas Fit Body Boot Camp ($TBD) – In the spirit of self-promotion, I must include a shameless plug for my new fitness studio opening January 2015! Over the past 3 years, I’ve visited over 100 different fitness studios and reviewed so many classes.  Now, I’m able to offer all of my fav fitness formats and at a single studio – so excited.  We are having a Black Friday/Cyber Monday pre-sale for 1 year memberships. Stay tuned for details! (dallasgritfitness.com)
  3. Lorna Jane Inspirational Sports Bra ($63) – Lorna Jane is another brand that I’ve become a fan of just recently.  Now that I’m 30 and more confident about my body, I rock sports bras and leggings to teach my classes (no shame showing midriff).  Lorna Jane is my go to for sports bras that provide enough overage, support and style to be worn solo as a top.
  4. Nike Free Train Sneakers ($150) – Nike Free sneakers have made my list 3 years in a row – I’m officially an addict.  The reason is that these provide the best support for group fitness classes.  Notice I’m not recommending the Nike Free ‘Run’ sneakers, but rather the training version.   They come in so many super bright colors and styles – perfection.
  5. You are a Badass ($10) – We read this book in my book club last Fall.  It changed my life.  Ladies, if you are trying to make it to the next level in your career, relationship or simply boost your self-confidence, this book will provide the encouragement you need all while making you laugh out loud.  It’s a wonderful affordable gift for your girlfriends.
  6. Lululemon Vinyasa Scarf ($51) – This scarf is everything.  It compliments any outfit and can be worn a variety of ways.  I wore my black vinyasa scarf in a recent Fitness Fashion Friday post, and you seemed to love it as much as I do.  I’ve been searching for the berry/heathered bordeaux (red) color and can’t find it anywhere 🙁  Let me know if you find it.  And if you do, buy it!
  7. Vitamix ($300-$500) – I’ve been wanting a Vitamix for the longest.  I became a fan back when I was doing the Dr. Oz cleanse which required preparing 3 smoothies every day.  I tried to depend on my basic blender, but it took too much time and my smoothies weren’t as smooth as I liked.  I think it’s time to bite the bullet and buy a Vitamix.
  8. Peleton Bike ($1,995) – I’ve always been into cycling, but now that I teach BEYOND Pedaling, I’m really into it.  I just heard about this start-up company in NYC, Peleton, who created this narley home bike that has a live screen to stream classes from your favorite instructors.  How cool is that?  It’s not cheap, so I’ll have to depend on Santa to get this one to me.
  9. Sociologie Wine Pack ($20-40) – First off, how cute is this wine bottle?  The bottle alone is enough to make me want a Sociologie Wine Pack.  Better yet, it comes in 3 refreshing Sangria flavors.  I just tried Socioliogie wine last year and immediately became a fan.  You can buy Sociology at most liquor or wine stores in Texas.  Sorry if you’re out-of-state, Socilologie should be expanding your way soon!
  10. Onzie Two Tone Leggings ($65) – I just got these leggings as sample from the Onzie Winter collection – I’m obsessed.  I’ll show them off on an upcoming Fitness Fashion Friday.  Meanwhile, go get you some.  They are affordable, fit well and look amazing!

What’s on your 2014 holidays wish list?

Continue Reading

Dallas GRIT Fitness: My 1st Studio – Progress on Site Renovations

Hey guys – happy Tuesday!  So I’m back in Dallas and back to work renovating and preparing for the grand opening of my very 1st fitness studio!  I can’t believe this is all happening.  It’s SO MUCH more work than I anticipated but I’m loving every minute of it.

My studio, Dallas GRIT Fitness, is located in East Dallas at 3821 Ross Avenue.  I’m SO excited to bring the very 1st one-stop-shop for a variety of the most energetic group fitness & yoga classes!  No more having to drop in to 5 different studios to attend your favorite workouts.

Right now, I’m in the thick of of renovations and managing contractors.  We started off by tearing down 6 walls in what use to be a chiropractor’s office.  Talk about manual labor.  I had a little bit of a hiccup last week when the City of Dallas officials stopped by and said I needed an additional permit for the demolition work that was done – YIKES!  We had to stop working for a couple of days until we secured the permit – UGH!  Fortunately, everything is squared away now and we are back in business!

My friend Turner, owner of Dallas Fit Body Bootcamp, did all of the demolition work by himself! Talk about GRIT
Turner knocked down 6 walls on 1 Day #BEASTMODE
During the demolition, the flooring guys came by to give me an estimate on wood floor installation
I almost fainted when I heard the price… maybe I can get wood floors installed barter for classes???
At the end of Day 3 all of the wall were gone and the debris was cleared out. Turner and his buddy Glen literally did magic!

Once we got all of the walls knocked down and cleaned out, we did a mini celebration – YAY!  Then the painters came in and worked their magic.  I decided to go with gray walls and white crown molding.  What do you think?  My biz partner, Tuner, will run Dallas Fit Body Bootcamp in the suite next door.  We’re excited to offer cross-studio memberships and  joint workouts 🙂

Painters doing the final touches on the crown molding
All done with painting yay! Now I need to get a “Dallas GRIT Fitness” sign made to go in the entry way behind the welcome desk

Now that painting is done, the flooring guys will install beautiful maple wood floors this week.

Last but not least, we will wrap up renovations with mirrors, wall art and sound/lighting installations.  Then we are good to go!  I’m having an orientation for all of my rockstar instructors in early December and “soft opening” in late December 2014.  I’ll be sure to keep you updated on the progress.  In the meanwhile, check out the studio website: dallasgritfitnesss.com

So much is happening so fast!

Thanks for being a part of the journey.

Lots of luv, Brit

Continue Reading