fitness Archives - LUXE LIFE // SMALL BUDGET

REVIEW: SuperBeets Sport Powder

September 6, 2023 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

This is going to sound a little weird, but I’ve had an interest in beets for a while.

I’ve heard random claims here and there that beets/beet juice can help with endurance, which as a runner, immediately grabbed my interest. However, besides occasionally adding beets to a salad, I’ve never taken any further action to study the claims or start incorporating beets into my fitness routine. That changed this weekend. (At least sort of. More on that ahead!)

I recently watched the documentary, The Game Changers on Netflix, and was reminded again about the claims surrounding beets and beet juice, so when I spotted a sample package of SuperBeets Sport at the store, it felt like a sign to give it a try.

ROUND-UP: Best Beginner Mat Pilates Videos on YouTube

May 4, 2023 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

I’m not saying the moment that I hit publish on a post where I expressed disappointment about a race result, but said at least I’m not hurt, that I got hurt… but the timing was pretty close.

I haven’t been able to run (or jump) in weeks. It’s thankfully not a fracture (according to the doctor’s office), but it’s forced me to take a break and focus on low-impact movements instead, including Pilates.

I wanted to share some of my favorite mat Pilates videos that require no equipment and are good for beginners. (But to be clear- beginner does NOT mean easy!)

Product Review: BalanceFrom Foam Plyometric Box

February 24, 2023 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 1 comment

After months of having the BalanceFrom 3-in-1 20″ 24″ 30″ Foam Plyometric Box in my mental shopping cart and obsessively reading reviews, I finally added it to my real shopping cart on Amazon and hit purchase.

I bought the plyo box with the goal of doing plyometrics to improve my speed as a runner. (A very brief Google search told me it would.) I was also looking for something that would shake up my usual workout routine, which largely included running or lifting dumbbells haphazardly. I was particularly drawn to the BalanceFrom jumping box as it’s made of a foam material. As a beginner to this, I find the wooden plyo boxes to be a bit intimidating! All I can picture is my shin sliding down the side…

Nuun Sport Hydration Tablet Flavor Reviews

September 27, 2022 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 3 comments

Running in the summer is tough.

Running in Florida is tough.

Running in the summer in Florida is nearly impossible.

But I’m determined to gain some running ground, so I decided to get serious about hydration and electrolytes post-runs. After trying out samples of a few different products on the market, I decided to take the leap and ordered a variety pack of Nuun Sport from Amazon featuring six flavors: Tri-Berry, Grape, Tropical, Fruit Punch, Strawberry Lemonade, and Lemon Lime.

While I find all to be drinkable, I wanted to share my rankings of the flavors (with hopes of trying out more in the future).

Breaking A Running Rut: 3 Things I’m Trying

April 23, 2022 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 2 comments

I think I’m a bad runner.

The more I read about running, the more I realize I have no idea what I’m doing.

I started out with a New Year’s resolution to run a 15K and have kept returning to the same race year after year for 7 straight years now. While I am gradually getting faster each race (I’m not counting the year I had just gotten over the flu.. or the year it was hot), I want to get even faster. I have a specific goal I’m aiming for for next year, but it’s ambitious- like shaving 10 to 15 minutes off my total time ambitious. While not impossible per se, it will involve me doing something different.

FITNESS REVIEW: Cassey Ho’s Hot Girl Summer Sculpt workout program

May 26, 2021 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

After last year’s complete disappointment of a summer (#thanks2020), I’m looking forward to this summer and the potential for travel!

So, when Cassey Ho of Blogilates launched a Hot Girl Summer Sculpt workout plan, I immediately signed up! (I’m completely obsessed with FREE workout content on YouTube… so it didn’t take much convincing.)

In this post, I’ll share my experience with the program and whether it’s worth the 14-day commitment.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Bala Bangles wrist & ankle weights

January 15, 2021 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 1 comment

If you follow anyone in the fitness world on Instagram, odds are you’ve seen Bala Bangles. The weights, which can be used on either your wrists or ankles, are cute, colorful, and super photographable.

But at $49 for the 1 lb set, Bala Bangles are on the pricier side of ankle and wrist weights. So.. that leads to the question..

Are Bala Bangles worth it?

ROUND-UP: The best 5 dumbbell arm workout videos on YouTube

August 12, 2020 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 4 comments

While gyms have largely reopened, I’ll be sticking with my at-home workouts for now– with the help of YouTube. I’ve really focused in on cardio in the past, but lately I’ve made it a personal goal of mine to get into a routine of working out my arms.

Chloe Ting Ab Workout Results #chloetingchallenge

May 13, 2020 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 2 comments

With gyms and amenity centers still closed amid everything happening in the world, my Youtube fitness obsession has really kicked up a notch. So, when I came across a Chloe Ting ab workout video titled ‘Get Abs in 2 WEEKS’ that had some 90 million views, I knew I had to give it a shot.

ROUND-UP: My top 3 favorite fitness YouTube videos to kick off 2020

January 7, 2020 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 8 comments

I like to work out at home. I don’t like paying for a gym membership. This is where YouTube really saves the day. With many people making fitness-related New Year’s resolutions (myself included), I wanted to share some of my absolute favorite at home, no-equipment workout videos.