Fact: when I discover something awesome, I feel compelled to share it with anyone who will listen.
Are you listening? Okay, good.
Backstory: I hate the gym. Who doesn’t? It smells weird and I’m really awkward around macho guys grunting while I’m reading the instructions on the weight machines (safety first!). But alas, after Everett was born I purchased a six-month membership to shed the baby weight and get bikini-ready for our trip to Hawaii in November. I’m not really sure when I thought I was going to have time to go to the gym, or how I thought I was going to become a gym rat with a four month-old in tow, but needless to say…..the gym isn’t working out so well (pun intended). Once Everett is six months old he can go to the gym daycare (insert Brett’s gasp of horror) and I will probably use it more often. I really only go to the gym for classes, and by classes I do not mean “cardio lift” which nearly killed me. Yoga and pilates: yes. Cardio lift and/or Turbo kick: absolutely not.
The thing is, at this point in time, I have about 10-15 minutes to dedicate to exercise every day. I’m hoping that will change in the future, but right now, it’s my reality. What’s that? What do I do while Everett is napping? Well, that’s when I eat/shower/make the bed/fold the laundry/empty the dishwasher/catch up on e-mails/edit photos/cut my fingernails/clean up baby toys/schedule eye appointments/apply copious amounts of dry shampoo to my dirty hair, and…..exercise. Let’s be honest. I only have 10-15 minutes to exercise on a good day.
I’d be lying if I said I use my iPad for anything other than occasional list-making and internet-browsing from the couch, but get excited folks, because that is all about to change. Earlier this week I went on a hunt for the perfect exercise app, and lo and behold, I FOUND IT.
Workout Trainer is exactly what I was looking for, and get this—it’s free! Amazing! They have a whole range of workouts and programs to select from, and you can specify things like: how much time you have to exercise (me – 10 minutes), what equipment you have (me – none), what areas you want to target (me – abs), and how intense you like your workouts (me – casual). Find your workout, press play, and voila! You can listen to your own music while watching the workout progress on the screen. It explains how to do each exercise, and keeps a timer the entire time so you know when to switch to the next move. You can listen to the computer voice narrate for you, or do what I do and just read the text while listening to your own jams (yeah, I said jams).
The thing I love most about this app is that it fits perfectly into my current reality. I may not have time to go to a 90 minute yoga class twice a week, but an 8-minute ab workout before I hop in the shower? Totally doable.
I’ve only had this app for a few days and I’m still figuring out which workouts I like, but I’m hoping to create a little calendar of weekly workouts to keep me motivated! They also have a paid version, which I’m sure is awesome, and if you don’t want to pay for a gym membership, $25/year sounds pretty reasonable to me. With the paid version, you get a ton more workouts, programs, and videos.
Question of the day: do you use any iPhone/iPad apps for exercise? Which ones? And, do you have any recs for workout jams? Yeah, I said jams again.
This sounds like an awesome app! I use the Nike Training Club app – and I really love it. I can listen to my own jams and they show you how to do all the exercises, keep track of how long you work out, etc etc!
Hmm workout music.. Here are a couple current favs (I clearly like rap music when I work out.. because I’m.. a… gangsta?)
Calvin Harris (feat. Ne Yo)- Let’s Go
David Guetta & Rihanna – Who’s That Chick?
David Guetta & Sia – Titanium
Flor Rida – Good Feeling
Havana Brown (feat. Pitbull) – We Run the Night
Justin Bieber -Boyfriend (Bieber Fever!!)
Rihanna – We Found Love
Enjoy!
This. Is. Awesome. I just added every single one of these to my new “workout” album on Spotify. Thanks friend!
I use Nike Trainer on my iPhone — it’s also free and awesome, in case you want to switch it up!
I have heard a LOT of people recommend that one! Going to download, thanks
Thanks for the recommendation—I just downloaded the app and can’t wait to try it! Regarding current face workout jams:
Imma Be by Black Eyed Peas
Titanium by David Guetta & Sia
Temperature by Sean Paul
Good Time by Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen
Some Nights by Fun
Too Close by Alex Clare
As Long As You Love Me by Justin Bieber (yep, I’m a Believer, too!)
Happy work out!
Natalie Lynn Borton´s last [type] ..the best season of all four.
Just added all of these to my workout playlist! Thanks Nat!
We use RunKeeper (free), but I think it works best for walking, running, swimming or biking workouts, so it may not be for you.
kelsey´s last [type] ..Why Eat Local?
Is that like Map My Run? I use that for walking, and I really like it!
Wow, that app sounds awesome! I don’t have an iPad or any kind of good phone or anything, but I would probably even have paid for that app if I did!
Also, I used to almost NEVER have time to work out so I found strange ways of doing it… like a mini aerobics session while doing the dishes, calf raises while folding laundry, etc. =]
Sarabell´s last [type] ..Chai.
That’s awesome. I try to tell myself I get a good workout every day by running up and down the stairs 18 times. I feel like living in a two-story house keeps me in shape.
this sounds amazing and i will definitely have to remember it come december/january when i will want to be working on my abs, hopefully they will make some sort of return
Lottie´s last [type] ..in just over two months….
True story: I am 4 months post-partum and my abs are STILL sore from my c-section when I work out. Be easy on yourself!
I am currently on day 48 of Insanity. If you are not familiar with it, it is exactly as it sounds; insane. Considering your availability and level of intensity preferences, I do not recommend it for you. However, I am loving it. Yes, I have to get up at 5:00 a.m. to accommodate the lengthy nature of the videos (50-60 minutes) but I feel like a lean, mean Janna machine. I have seen some weight loss, but more importantly I am leaner, have more endurance and I am stronger.
However, I have found that exercise is only half the battle for me. What I choose to eat makes a huge difference. For this I use MyFitnessPal. It too, is a free app and I enter my specs, daily exercise and food consumption. It calculates the calories, fat, carbs etc for everything I eat. It is a very realistic picture of the nutritional content I stuff in my face versus the calorie burn I get from my workout. The goal is not to go into the red (calorie intake versus allowance). The app doesn’t work if you aren’t 100 percent honest, so make sure you are! The best part is you can have your friends do it too, see their food and exercise diary and hold each other accountable.
Good luck with your quest for eight minute abs!
OMG! I have seen the infomercials! It looks SO hard, good for you! Everytime they show the mom of four with 6-pack abs and buff arms, I contemplate buying it, ha.
I’m a pretty healthy eater, but I’m also still enjoying the crazy calorie-burning power of breastfeeding. Once I stop that, I know I will need to readjust my diet. Thanks for letting me know about MyFitnessPal!
that sounds so great-i think i would get an i pad just for that…really!!
robyn´s last [type] ..Paradise
They have it for iphones too! Not sure if they make an android app or not….
I love that you said jams twice.
This sounds really cool! I love learning about new apps, especially ones that make working out easier. I’m a big fan of working out at home, it’s just so convenient and I swear I get just as good of a workout in. I love Jillian Michael’s DVDs and Blogilates, as well as Tone it up, which I just found out about this week.
Caroline´s last [type] ..Where is the line?
I’ve always been curious about Jillian Michael’s DVDs. I might add some to my Christmas list!
I am so going to check this out – it sounds amazing!!!
I have The Nike Training Centre app on my phone- it’s similar – give it a go! Free and has a bunch of different work outs to do. They’re all a bit longer though – 20-25 mins usually. A little voice coaches you through things.
I am so going to steal the songs everyone is posting here..I am constantly looking for workout music!
Lauren´s last [type] ..Friendships made of awesome.
I’m going to check out the Nike training app….I know a lot of people who like it!
No workout app recommendations… I did get a free yoga app from Starbucks recently that I haven’t tried out yet, but I’ll let you know how it goes once I try it. You know how I am obsessed with my kickboxing classes, so perhaps one day I’ll convince you to partake in your turbo kickboxing classes at your gym
I love creating work-out mixes, which I often listen to when I run my stats. keeps my brain cells from falling asleep. so here are few of my current favorites.
I second all of Liz’s recommendation, as almost all of those are on my current gym list.
I add:
“where have you been” by rihanna
“wild one” by Flo Rida ft. Sia
“yeah 3x” by chris brown
“pyromania” by cascada
“forever” by chris brown
“blackout” by breathe carolina
“You Make Me Feel… (feat. Sabi)” by cobra starship
“shuffle” by bombay bicycle club (for a little indy loving)
“supermassive black hole” by muse
“animal” by neon trees
that’s all I have for now, unless you want more alternative/rock options
This is amazing. Just added all of these to my workout playlist. Maybe when you come visit me, we can go to Turbo Kick together
DONE!!
LOVE this!! Totally checking it out!!
natasha {schue love}´s last [type] ..Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins {Dairy Free}
So, I don’t use any excersize apps (I don’t find them to be very motivating) but I do just have a couple of quick questions for you.
How did you post that picture of your iPad?
What kind of camera and lense do you use?
And how do you edit your videos? (the ones from a few posts back)
Thanks!!
Hi. The ipad picture is a screenshot taken from the app website. I use a Nikon d3000, usually with my 35mm or 50mm. I edit all of my videos in iMovie on my Mac.
Thanks
!!
I just downloaded this one since going to the gym does not happen as often as I’d like and I have no excuse– except I don’t like driving my scooter in the rain. I have an app called YOGA free- it has great stretches, poses and PICTURES so you can actually see what you’re supposed to be doing : ) It’s great for a 5-10 min yoga stretch before bed.
Michelle´s last [type] ..The Other Side of 9/11
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