Get the Stank Out

So you've washed your gym clothes and they still smell like sweat.  This is a problem all avid exercisers have experienced at one time or another.  There are all these wonderful technical fabrics out there these days that move well, breath well and are so much more functional than the traditional cotton, but man, do they hold onto stink.  Most traditional detergents just mask the smell.  They smell fine when you take them out of the dryer, but the moment you start to sweat, there it is!  The best everyday detergent I have found for my clothes is the Tide Febreeze Sport, but even that can't fight through the really bad stuff.  I have tried some of the more expensive detergents made specially for this situation.  I found that Penguin Sport Wash didn't do a darn thing.  My Tide worked better.  I also tried Win High Performance Sport Detergent and that worked a bit better.  I actually bought a bottle for my clients for Christmas one year, but it's expensive (about $7 for a 21 oz bottle that will do about 14 loads).  Plus you can't find it at your local grocery store or Target.  If I have to order my detergent, it's probably not gonna do much for me because it's not gonna happen.  So then what?  Well, I have actually found a cheap, easy way to get that smell out of your clothes (and it works on musty smelling towels too).  Ammonia!  I know it sounds kinda gross and no, it doesn't smell very good going into the washing machine, but the end result is worth it.  Use a cup of ammonia and about half the detergent you would usually use and wash my laundry like normal.  Voila!  No more stink.  I do this a out once a month or as needed.  Like I said, it also works on musty smelling bath and dish towels.  Give it a try.  It's like having new clothes all over again :)  

AnitGravity or Aerial Yoga...My new favorite activity!

My new favorite fitness activity is Aerial Yoga.  Basically is combines yoga and aerial arts to create a completely unique experience.  It combines core strength, upper body strength, lower body strength, balance and flexibility to give you a total body workout.  The main apparatus is the hammock.  The hammock is made of a fabric the is light, but strong.  The anchoring is very safe and studios often use the same items that are used in rock climbing.  Some of the benefits of this unique activity is spinal decompression from inversion poses, the ability to hold challenging yoga poses longer with the support of the hammock and the ability to get deeper stretches with less strain.  I have been taking Aerial Yoga for about a month now at the ZenZen Yoga Arts studio here in Milwaukee.  I find it both challenging and fun.  I have found that the stronger you are in your core and upper body, but more advanced poses you can do.  Hanging upside down for any period of time isn't the easiest thing at first, but you get used  to it.  I always leave feeling tired, but my back and neck feel so good!  The best part is cocoon pose at the end.  Just like a little bit of heaven.

Check out zenzenyogaarts.com for more info on Aerial Yoga!  

Vampire pose

AntiGravity® Yoga...A preview :)

The Battle Rope

Why do trainers make you use that darn thing and the why the heck is it so difficult?!

Well, the best answer to both of those questions is that it is a great full body workout.  You are using multiple muscle groups when you are moving the giant rope back and forth and up and down.  If you have ever used one, you have probably noticed that in just a matter of 30 seconds you are breathing like you've been running for 10 minutes.  Not only are the ropes great for strengthening and toning but are also a great non-impact alternative to cardio training.  

The Battle Rope has been used in MMA training for awhile now, but it is just becoming more popular in gyms and training studios.  It is a great tool for me because anyone can use it and I can make the workout as intense as it needs to be to properly train my client.  I love the back to basics functional training it provides.  We don't use one muscle group at a time in our daily activities, why should we train that way?  

Give it a try the next time you are in the gym or with your trainer.  I think you'll be surprise how good of a workout it is.  You might even find it to be a little fun!

Hello all!  I have started this blog to talk about all things fitness: from diets to workouts to new fitness adventures.  I have been a personal trainer for about 8 years and love what I do. I want to share my knowledge and experiences in the fitness world.  My goal is to get you motivated, healthy and to try something new!  Don't put your health on the back burner for one more day!  It's time to be that person you always wanted to be :)