fitness

Massage Envy Spa | Sports Massage Benefits

05.28.2014

The following post is sponsored by Massage Envy Spa, but as always all opinions are my own.

Hope you all had a great long weekend! Our weekend was full of wine tasting and basquing in the sun, but someone has to do it! 😉 I also had the chance to check out the Massage Envy Spa in the Metreon for a 60 minute sports massage. I will start by saying, It was one of the best massages of my life…really!

I was in dire need of a massage and Massage Envy Spa couldn’t have contacted me at a better time. I have been having a lot of neck and shoulder issues, mostly tightness which has been causing lots of headaches. I FINALLY found my lifesaver aka chiropractor (Dr. Buettner), and was very happy to find a massage therapist to help me with my issues as well. After both treatments I feel like a new person! It is SO SO SO important to listen to our bodies. In fact, the therapist suggested with all the lifting and running I do that it is important to get massages at least once a month. Luckily Massage Envy Spa offers affordable options and monthly memberships.

So when I walked into the spa I was instantly greeted by the front desk, who were really sweet and welcoming. My boyfriend and I were then taken into a room to chat about our session and what we would like to focus on. I found this extremely helpful, as we both has specific “problem” areas and requests. We then met our therapists who were both incredible! If you are in the area be sure to go to Kim! She instantly found where I needed the most work, and left me feeling 100 times better. She is strong, but I prefer a much deeper massage to ease the pain and get out all of my nasty knots. She then gave me stretches to do on my own to relieve the headaches.

For me, sports massage therapy is the best soothing relief I need from days of running or lifting. Sports massage therapy focuses on areas of the body that are overused and stressed from repetitive and often aggressive movements.

Many runners and fitness peeps like myself have found sports massage therapy critical to training for the following reasons:

Reduced recovery time
Increase flexibility
Decreased fatigue
Improved endurance
Fewer injuries
Increased relaxation for optimal performance

Do you get massages on a regular basis? If so, how often?

Thank you Kim and Massage Envy Spa for such a great experience! We will be back and seriously considering a monthly membership! If you are in the San Francisco area, be sure to check out Massage Envy Spa in the Metreon! There are also 37 other locations in the San Francisco area to choose from.

Thanks for reading!

Nike Favorites for Summer

05.15.2014

And my nike obsession continues… you gotta look cute while training right?!

I saw this photo on instagram and I instantly headed straight to the nike website to check out their new summer line. The colors and prints are absolutely gorgeous!! I am so in love with the red, teals and purples. Nike continues to be my favorite brand for workout clothing, events (Nike Marathon), AND training sessions (NTC/Running clubs). I just can’t seem to get enough.

Looking forward to the Union Street store to open this weekend. Although my wallet will not, I can’t wait to browse the store, get a shoe fitting and try some Nike Training clubs, yoga and running clubs. You can sign up for the upcoming events here: gonike.me/unionstreet.

Be sure to follow @nikewomen on Instagram for more style inspiration. 🙂

1. / 2. / 3. / 4. / 5. / 6. / 7. / 8.

Which is your favorite?

Why do you workout?

05.01.2014

Why do you workout?

I get asked this question all the time. People seem to notice my dedication and wonder why I do it. Honestly, there are so many reasons I don’t even know where to begin to explain. I’m sure we all have different thoughts on this. Maybe its to achieve your “dream body”. Maybe to get in shape for the big day or to get healthy for your whole life? Maybe it’s to feel comfortable and confident in your own skin?

I was actually thinking about this in the shower the other day. Aside from the many reasons, one really stood out. There are so many things in this world that we have no control of, but one thing we do. We have full and total control over our bodies. (Besides diseases like cancer- you suck!) I know what you’re thinking…control freak? But seriously, we have full control of what we eat, how we take care of our hygiene, and how we treat our body. No one forced you to eat a big mac, or eat some chicken and broccoli for that matter. But this is why I workout. To have full control of my body and to see the amazing results of all the hard work and dedication. I workout to be the absolute best I can be inside and out. To be a healthy, glowing, strong women. Your body is a reflection of your lifestyle. So why not treat it well!

The amount of endorphin’s after a workout doesn’t hurt either. Do you ever get that feeling that you just have to get to the gym to complete your day, or better yet feel better after a stressful day? I’m one of those people who walk out of the gym with a whole new attitude and smile on my face. I don’t know what I would do without this lifestyle! Exercise doesn’t get in the way of life, it adds to it.

So it’s your turn. Why do YOU workout? Please do share in the comments!

Don’t forget to enter the Thermos filtration bottle giveaway!

Thanks for reading!!

Importance of H20 + Win a Thermos Filtration Bottle (Giveaway)

04.24.2014

I know a lot of us forget, or maybe don’t know exactly how important it is to drink water to achieve our fitness goals. I’ve heard a few dehydration stories during marathons recently, but running is not the only time we need to guzzle that H2O. Water also aids in weight-loss, increases energy and helps build muscle. For those who know me personally, know that I drink more water than anyone on this planet! I feel lost and totally depleted without it. Some people need more water in their bodies than others, myself on the high end of the scale.

So to get a little more scientific…the human brain is composed of 95% water. Blood is about 82% water and lungs are 90% water. So without a doubt water is the most critical nutrient for health, grow and development. It’s the most important and also the most abundant.

Healthy Benefits of H2O:

* Healthy skin
* Healthy teeth and bones
* Healthy joints
* Increase energy
* Helps build muscle
* Increases muscle tone

Who doesn’t want all of that?!

How much should we drink? They say the average person requires a minimum of 8-12 cups of water a day. But, this is far too low for active people who exercise on a regular basis. All depending on your size and perspiration rate, you lose 4 cups of water per hour of exercise. Or if in a hot climate you can easily loose a gallon or more by the end of a workout. So active adults, athletes and bodybuilders should drink 1.5-3 gallons at minimum of water/day. Before, during and after exercise water is most important, so drink up!

If you want to read some interesting key points I found on bodybuilding.com click here.

I want to give a huge shout-out to Thermos Brand for hooking me up with this pretty cool 22-ounce Filtration bottle (Target, $25). This water bottle filters water from nasty chemicals while reducing bad odor and taste from your average tap water.

Good news: Thermos Brand is giving away a filtration bottle to one lucky Fitness & the City reader- woohoo!

To enter:

Leave a comment letting us know how many cups or gallons of water you try to drink a day.

Extra (optional) entries:

1. Like Thermos Brand on Facebook
2. Follow Thermos Brand on Twitter: @Thermos
3. Follow Thermos Brand on Pinterest
4. Like Fitness & the City on Facebook
5. Follow Fitness & the City on Twitter: @jennapardini
6. Follow Fitness & the City on Pinterest

Winner will be chosen and announced on May 2nd. Good Luck!

Amanda Latona Booty Workout

04.18.2014

First of all, I’m a huge fan of Amanda Latona. Secondly, I have always had a teeny tiny butt my whole life and have been working so incredibly hard for that “Amanda Latona booty”. I recently tried this workout which I read in Oxygen on my flight home a few days ago. I had no intention of posting the full workout, but WOW am I sore. No wonder she’s called the “Booty queen”. My legs and glutes have never been this sore in my life. The “I can barely walk, I look crippled” type of sore. But, it hurts so good and had to share with you guys!

Here’s what I did:

Hack Squat 4×10
Walking dumbell kickback lunge superset with dumbell step-up 3×12 each leg
Bulgarian dumbell split squat 4×10 each leg
Barbell hip thrust 4×12
Cable abductor superset with cable kickback 3×12

*In between each set do 12-15 jump squats (if you want to be carried out of the gym)

If you aren’t sure of what each exercise looks like, search on bodybuilding.com for pictures and how-to’s.

I dare you…try this workout and let me know what you think! Remember, if your not sore you didnt work hard enough. Push yourself and see the changes start to happen! I have FINALLY been able to grow my glutes, with a little determination, passion and drive. Lift heavy weights, eat, eat, eat and drink tons of water. Watch your body change. If I can do it, so can you.

« Previous Page
1
…
4
5
6
7
8
…
21
Next Page »

fitness

Latest from Instagram