Hi friends! I hope you had a fabulous weekend! Remember back when I did the barre crawl and I won a Clarins gift card? Well, I finally put it to good use this weekend and got a facial. When I arrived the facialist explained that because it was a 50 minute facial there would be no extractions. I honestly thought she could hear my inner voice say “YESSSSS!”. Then she explained that it was going to mostly be massaging. I nearly fell into a puddle on the floor. Oh my gosh. It was amazing.
My sister-in-law, Rebecca, is visiting us from Australia for a few weeks with a friend so we decided to head out to brunch on Sunday. We checked out Red Rooster in Harlem, which is supposed to be a great spot. It has historical Harlem charm coupled with southern, comfort-style food. Plus, the live soul music really set the atmosphere! Unfortunately our experience was a bit tainted as I was I told there would be a 45 minute wait and we were seated over an hour later and then didn’t end up getting our food for another half hour after that. The entire brunch ended up taking about 2.5 hours. Luckily my pancakes were good!
Now that it is officially spring, I am gearing up for summer! Summer means strapless stresses, tank tops, shorts and bathing suits. While I am committed to staying in shape and looking my best all year round, there is definitely a part of me that feels a little bit of extra commitment kick in when summer is just around the corner! I’ve put together some of my best workouts that you can do at home with minimal equipment so you can get super fit for summer!
Don’t forget to check with your physician before starting this or any other workout program. Always warm up, cool down and drink plenty of water when working out. For the full terms and conditions associated with these workouts, click here.
1. Take Your Workout Outside! Now that the weather is warming up you can ditch the gym and work on your physique while enjoying the view. This workout is designed to use the space around you and is perfect for combining with a walk or run.
2. Hit the Gym! This weights workout is perfect when you are spending one of those rainy spring days in the gym. You can also do this simple weight workout at home if you have some basic weight equipment.
3. Quick Cardio! This cardio workout doesn’t require any equipment and can be done at home, on the go or in the gym. You can even move this workout outside to a nice spot on the grass!
4. Outdoor Yoga. Once the weather gets warmer I love to take my yoga mat up onto our roof for a little zen session. This yoga practice can be done anywhere though, inside or outside! There is something about oming with nature that is very relaxing though!
5. Stand Up Paddle Workout. Paddle board is optional here! Grab a yoga mat and a broom or something with a long handle. Want an extra challenge? Try balancing using a bosu ball for these exercises to simulate the balance challenge of a paddle board.
6. At-Home Weights Workout. This simple workout only requires a set of weights and a mat. While designed to do at home, it works just as well at the gym.
Readers, are you taking your workouts outside? Ever been to a 2.5 hour brunch? What did you get up to this weekend?
Holly
April 20, 2014Great suggestions! I am certainly taking my workout outside–walking to beach and jogging through the golf course nearby. I had an amazing Easter Brunch which was about 2 hours long by choice–talking and eating repeatedly!
FitBritt
April 22, 2014That sounds fun!
Kim
April 20, 20142.5 hours for brunch is a long time – if we didn’t have kids with us I might be OK as long as there was plenty of mimosas!!!
All of your workouts always look so great!
FitBritt
April 22, 2014Yeah, I think that my hunger was just taking over since I hadn’t eaten anything! Plus, we weren’t expecting to wait so long!
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama
April 20, 2014The red rooster is crazy popular on the weekends!! At least your pancakes were yummy!! 🙂 Your workouts are fabulous, such great pics!!
FitBritt
April 22, 2014Yeah! Next time I’ll know when they say 45 minutes they mean 90! 🙂 Thanks Nellie!
Karen - Fit in France
April 21, 2014Thanks for the workouts. I definitely prefer working out outside once the nice weather rolls around. Using benches for tricep dips and pushups always works wonders ! I have no patience to wait that long for a table, I would get Hangry… glad it was worth the wait.
FitBritt
April 22, 2014Me too! I love going outside. Sometimes they offer outdoor classes near me, which I love.
I was pretty hangry by the time we ate!
Allie
April 21, 2014Love all the pictures – you look amazing! I really need more yoga in my life. I’m promising to commit to it this summer when all my BIG training is over. I’m also committed to doing SUP this summer. The hubs and I were just talking about it this weekend so I need to find a place we can do and do it!!
FitBritt
April 22, 2014I am really trying to commit to at least one yoga session per week because I really want to work on my flexibility and zen. I bet a nice stretchy class after all your training will feel nice.
SUP is honestly one of my favorite water sports. I absolutely love it. I hope you get to do it this summer!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
April 21, 2014if brunch is less than 2.5 hours then it wasn’t a good one 😉 Currently enjoying long walks outside as my exercise and I am SO grateful it is finally warming up!
FitBritt
April 22, 2014Me too! Enjoy your long walks! 🙂
Kimberly (Manifest Yourself)
April 21, 2014Yea, Red Rooster is so popular that the wait is always super long. BUT the food is pretty good. I’ve only been there for dinner… now I’ll be thinking about brunch.
Is it terrible that I never really opt to workout outside? I hate feeling the sun beating down on me outside… I guess it’s all those years of cheerleading camp. Tumbling, running, chanting, and lifting in the hot sun was no fun for me.
FitBritt
April 22, 2014The brunch was pretty good. I was just annoyed that they told us 45 minutes and then it was twice as long. We would have left if we had known!
I am the exact opposite. I love working out outside probably because I feel so cooped up here in the winter! Although in the spring, my allergies are crazy!
Ursula
April 21, 2014Thanks for the at home workouts. I love squeezing these in first thing in the morning and it’s hard to make up an excuse not to do them when it’s in your own home 🙂
FitBritt
April 22, 2014So true Ursula!
rach
April 21, 2014Please post more barre workouts! They are fantastic!!!
FitBritt
April 22, 2014Glad you like them Rach. Will try to get some more up soon! 🙂
Lauren @ Focused To Be Fit
April 21, 2014That’s a long brunch – hopefully you enjoyed a mimosa while you waited. 😉 These ideas are great! I’m back to going to a normal gym and loving the flexibility!
FitBritt
April 22, 2014I love being able to do my own thing at the gym! Glad you are enjoying your normal gym!
Nicole
April 21, 2014I absolutely love taking my workouts outdoors! Doing yoga outside is always so nice – especially on the beach 🙂
FitBritt
April 22, 2014Totally agree Nicole!
Megan @ The Skinny-Life
April 21, 2014I’ve been walking 8-10 miles outside for 2 weeks now. It’s been so great to get outdoors especially now that my foot is on the mends. You have patience of a saint. I could not wait 2.5 hrs for brunch!
FitBritt
April 22, 2014That’s awesome! So glad your foot is getting better! You are so lucky the weather is so nice where you live!
Carly @ Fine Fit Day
April 23, 2014You know I love some workout posts! Great photos, too! 🙂 I really, really want to try SUP – it looks like so much fun.