Just for Fun

5 FIERCE Thigh Workouts – Get Trim, Toned Thighs!

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Hola friends!  How’s it going?  My Thursday is off to a good start.  I just finished teaching my back-to-back cycling classes at BEYOND Pedaling.  I have to teach one more class this evening, but until then I’m blogging and working at my fitness studio.

In honor of  “Throwback Thursday” I decided to share 5 of my favorite thigh workouts from the blog.  I designed these exercise routines over past 3 years and they each take a different approach to toning and strengthening the thighs.  Some use hand weights, some are body-weight only and others incorporate more endurance training.  Whatever your preference, I’ve got something for you.  But one thing is for sure, each workout is gritty and will give your thighs a good burn!

Each workout has instructions and photos to guide you through the moves.  If you have any questions, just post a comment below or shoot me an email to [email protected].

Enjoy!  xoxo, Brit

1. Thursday Thigh Burn Circuit

Body weight leg workout with endurance segments.  Feel the burn! (30 minutes)

2. 4 Effective Moves for Firm Thighs

Get ready to step and lunge your way to sexy sculpted thighs. (20 minutes)

3. 10 Minute Legs & Thighs Workout Video

Fun, efficient thigh workout that includes cardio intervals to get you sweating! (10 minutes)

4. Bye Bye Jiggly Thighs

Hardcore thigh workout with lots of reps to build strong, lean quads and hamstrings.  (30 minutes)

5. At Home Leg Tone: Get Killer Legs in Your Living Room

Home workout requiring no weights.  Fire up your legs without leaving your living room! (30-40 minutes)

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Fitness Fashion, Legs

Lucy Activewear: Product Review + Leg Workout

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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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Legs

Labor Day Leg Workout & Lucy Activewear Giveaway

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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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Cardio, Legs

Brit’s Bouncy Booty-Shaping Workout #WOD

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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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Just for Fun

Drop it like a Squat – 1,000 Squats Challenge

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Image: Good luck on the 1,000 Squats Challenge – you got this!

In my PiYo class every Saturday, we always have a lower body section of the class where we bust out about 60-70 squats.  This is one of the most challenging parts of the class because the continuous squating motion causes serious muscle fatigue.  When I look out at my class I see everyone’s face cringing (they are clearly feeling the burn) and then I give myself a little pat on the back – hehe.  Ultimately, squats are the best leg exercise because they engage every leg muscle when done properly.  You effectively activate your glutes, hamstrings and quads when performing a squat – talk about an efficient exercise.

That said, I wanted to spread some squat love by creating a 1,000 squat challenge.  Each day, you can expect to burn 100 – 150 calories by the doing the reps listed in the Squat Challenge.  Let’s take the challenge head on and see our legs become stronger, firmer and sexier.  For more intensity, feel free to complete the challenge holding dumbbells in each hand.  Share your progress in the comments section below – good luck!  xoxo, Brit

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Home Workouts, Total Body

Living Room Workout: Brit’s Head 2 Toe Tone Up!

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Spring 2014 GRIT by Brit Pics 014

Hey Gang!  Here’s your workout for the week.  I made up this routine while chillin’ at my parents’ house.  Lately I’ve been all about multitasking.  So while we were watching the Winter Olympics I simultaneously cranked out these 5 super effective, body sculpting moves.  This is a great workout if you’re short on time, have no equipment and want to focus on strength and toning.

Like most of my workouts, this routine is “circuit style” which means you need to move through each set of exercises fairly quickly with minimal rest.  Doing so helps elevate your heart rate and ensure you burn max calories while building muscle strength.  These exercises work all of our “problem zones” (i.e. thighs, abs and arm flab).  For best results, do my Head 2 Toe Tone Up 2-3 times per week for 4 weeks along with your cardio workouts.  Enjoy and let me know how it goes!  Lots of luv, Brit

Head 2 Toe Tone Up

Instructional Images

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Single Leg Lunges

Spring 2014 GRIT by Brit Pics 011
Plank Knee Pulls

Spring 2014 GRIT by Brit Pics 015
Decline Push Ups

Spring 2014 GRIT by Brit Pics 010
Tricep Dips

Spring 2014 GRIT by Brit Pics 017
Slow, assisted calf raises

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Legs, Lifestyle

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

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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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Home Workouts, Legs

Brit’s Buns of Steel Workout

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[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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Home Workouts, Legs

Reach for the Stars! Plyo Workout

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jump into shape

Here’s your workout of the week! This workout is all about Plyometrics (jumping).  I love jumping exercises because they really get your heart rate up and strengthen your legs.  However, if you have knee problems, be careful as jumping is NOT advised for you.  This workout requires no equipment so it’s great to do during commercial breaks – enjoy;)

Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land among the stars!  Lots of luv, Brit

Reach for the stars

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Legs

10 Minute Legs & Thighs Workout Video: Complaining Won’t Burn Calories!

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In the spirit of it being Sunday afternoon, I want to share some good old fashion inspiration.  It goes like this “Always be joyful.  Always keep praying.  No matter what happens, always be thankful.”  (1 Thes. 5:18-16) This is easier said than done, but the truth of the matter is that complaining or having a victim mentality will do us no good in life.  Life is hard.  It always will be.  We know this.  HOWEVER, when we learn to always be thankful we make ourselves STRONG enough to endure and thrive under the most trying circumstances.  This week, I challenge you to practice being joyful.  At the end of each day, think about 5 things that happened in your day that you are grateful for.  It’s amazing how practicing gratitude can totally uplift our outlook on life, energize us and give us more #GRIT.

With that in mind, here’s a new leg workout video that I made last week. It’s HARD but guess what, you CAN do it!   Be thankful for a healthy body that’s able to workout and know that complaining won’t burn calories 🙂  Make it an awesome week.  Lots of luv, Brit

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