No Gym, No Problem: How to Workout from Home

If the past few weeks has seen you engaging in some intense circuit training (between your bed, laptop and kitchen), then this one’s for you. Knowing how many (free!) resources there are to substitute the gym really helped get me moving more this quarantine period. Here are some ways to get those endorphins going: 

Join a challenge

abs.jpg

This one is for all of us with commitment issues: challenges take the 'work' out of working out by providing you with a complete training schedule. 

While pretty much every fitness influencer/former athlete has some at-home workout guide you can purchase, there are several fantastic free challenges out there. I've just completed the 14-day challenge by Shreddy, which I highly recommend (scroll through their Insta for the challenge and workouts). Having a number of reps or time that I had to hit prevented me from just checking out as soon as I felt a little tired. You can also find challenges more tailored to your goals. For killer abs, check out Max Whitlock's 7 day ab challenge, for arms a simple push-up challenge, or mix it up and create your own! 


Image via

On demand/live workouts 

Image via

Image via

Something that I really miss are group classes (shoutout FitChicago HIIT), but fortunately a lot of my favourite studios have been moving their classes online. You can choose between on-demand workouts to complete whenever you wish, or live-streams where you get to workout with others and the instructor cheering you on. Another benefit is knowing exactly how long your workout is going to take you, making them easier to slot in, especially since the quarter has started. Check out CorePower Yoga and Title Boxing for on-demand workouts, and Physique 57 and Digme Fitness for live-streams. 

YouTube 

YouTube is your saviour when it comes to finding workouts. Low-impact, high-intensity, full-body workout? Thirty-minute barre workout? Search and you shall find. This is perfect if you know what you're looking for, but if you're not sure where to begin, I recommend any workouts by FitnessBlender and MadFit, which both have a lot of equipment-free options. For some killer cardio the Jump Rope Dudes and PopSugar Fitness are my go-to. 


Invest in some equipment 

Most of the workouts above don't require any equipment at all, but some relatively inexpensive equipment that can take your workout just that bit farther include:

Resistance bands :Take you butt workouts from meh tier to god tier. I use a set I got off Amazon for less than $10. 

Jump rope : If I could pick only one thing to be quarantined with it would maybe be my jump rope. I think that says a lot about me. Get a jump rope. 

Hand weights: Pretty self-explanatory. There are lots of workouts on YouTube for weights, or just add a set to whatever workout if you are feeling extra. Substitute for canned food or pick up your SOSC books for the first time. 

Good music : I like to say that it's grit and determination that gets me through leg day, but it's really just a good Spotify playlist. Time moves faster with Kanye blasting through your ears. 

Featured image via.

The Workout of the Future?

If you think that virtual reality (VR) is only for gamers, think again. The world of VR may affect you sooner than you think and in ways you never imagined. Believe it or not, the next time you break a sweat may be from behind a set of virtual reality goggles. Virtual reality and similar technologies are being introduced to a number of gyms and training facilities. 

Your workout results after playing, image via

Your workout results after playing, image via

Black Box, a boutique gym with locations in San Francisco and Boise, started out with the aim of recreating the world of fitness. With the help of VR, they literally place you inside a video game. The idea of the game is simple: the stronger you lift, the more powerful your character attacks. According to their site, one workout session prompts you to make it through as many rounds as many possible in 30 minutes. Black Box takes traditional exercises like chest presses and squats and rebrands them with names like “meteor” and “tsunami.” Black Box also puts their money where their mouth is by providing dozens of scientific, academically reviewed papers that support their workouts. 

In addition to the growing VR presence in gyms, advanced technology is being used in other ways to help you track your sweat. “Smart performance wear” may be replacing your next pair of Lulu leggings. Fitness technology company Asensei has revolutionized workout gear by placing a “constellation” of sensors in their clothings. For only $349 for a top and bottom pair, you too can track every movement your body makes and every ounce of sweat dripped.

So whether you’re looking to take your gaming to the next level or give your fitness wardrobe an upgrade, technology is changing the way we workout. Say goodbye to the boring days of running on the treadmill and say hello to fighting off the villains of an electronic underworld.

Feature image via.

Youtubers to Watch: Fightmaster Yoga!

If ever you need a free, at-home workout to boost your mood, sooth your stiffness and get your blood flowing, head straight over to Fightmaster Yoga for a plethora of lessons featuring all forms of yoga. Everything from Ashtanga yoga, Hatha yoga, Yin yoga, and Vinyasa yoga, to HIIT (high-intensity interval training) yoga, yoga for fun inversions, heart-opening yoga, and yoga targeting specific areas of your body  is available. There will certainly be something that suits your needs! Leslie Fightmaster produces new videos throughout the week, and her lessons will bring you everything from a drenching sweat, to an all-encompassing sense of calm, if not both!

As someone who has experimented with a wide range of free online yoga lessons, I have to say that Leslie's courses easily surpass them all. Many yoga instructors talk as they perform yoga, and pant as they narrate their every movement with harsh, aggressive voices; however, Leslie adds her narration in the editing process, and her gentle voice eases you into each of the movements as you follow along in bliss. 

It was indeed only with Leslie's gentle guidance that I made my way towards full handstands, headstands, and forward splits after practicing with her workouts day after day. I personally find them a great way to get your blood flowing first thing in the morning, or as an afternoon pick-me-up, or a workout to boost my energy levels if I know I have a long night ahead.

Screen Shot 2017-05-10 at 12.51.45 PM.png

She does her yoga in all forms of natural, outdoor locales as well as her own house, so as you workout in the comfort of your home, it is almost as if you also get the opportunity to shift your mind to the new , often refreshing, locations alongside her. 

My personal favorite videos are her Yoga to Twist, Detox, and Purify advanced yoga video as well as the Yoga Energizing Flow and day 11 of her #yogafix90 series. I've watched these videos over 100 times. Leslie does a number of continuous series of yoga videos, in which she posts a new video everyday and followers are urged to follow along. The #yogafix90 series, as its name suggests, is 90 days long; her other series include the Yoga for Beginners 30 Day Challenge and 30 Days of Hatha Yoga Happiness.

Some of her video lessons also involve spending the entire lesson preparing your body for a particularly challenging move. Be it the side crane pose, firefly, or twisted crow, with Leslie's thoughtful guidance, however, anything becomes possible with enough practice and once your body is sufficiently warmed up. 

Screen Shot 2017-05-10 at 12.49.40 PM.png

In my eyes, the colors in her videos are always beautifully rendered and that, combined with her smooth flow design and the perfect mix of challenge and relaxation in her videos, makes me keep coming back for more.

At times, when I know I only have 20 minutes before class, I'll fit in one of her 10-15 minute yoga quickies, and those alone are sufficient to wake my mind up fully before I spend hours sitting dormant in lectures.

Screen Shot 2017-05-10 at 12.50.46 PM.png

Though her videos are completely free, there is also the option to donate, for it is with such donations that Leslie continues to produce high-quality videos and content. Do comment on her videos! Leslie replied in less than a day, two years ago, when I commented on one of my personal favorites. Check out her channel here for daily doses of happiness, calm, and flexibility!

Leslie Fightmaster

Leslie Fightmaster

All images via; feature image via

Feeds to Follow: @carolinedeisler

Looking for some post-summer inspiration? Look no further! Caroline Deisler (@carolinedeisler), with her signature recurring watermelon Instagram post motif, makes it clear that the key to her health and energy is her passion for eating whole fresh fruits, vegetables, and starches in abundance.

Her plant-based diet is simple, and her approach to food is one that is centered around body-confidence and self-love. One of her favorite craving-crushing desserts is dried Medjool dates, which are jam-packed with naturally occurring sugars and a plethora of vitamins and fiber. I have personally tried it out, and it really does work!

H A P P Y G I R L ☀️🌴 @the.slow _____________________________________ Check out my Insta Story to see more about my Bali trip with @theasia.collective 💋

12.2k Likes, 259 Comments - CAROLINE DEISLER | VEGAN 🍉💦🌴 (@carolinedeisler) on Instagram: "H A P P Y G I R L ☀️🌴 @the.slow _____________________________________ Check out my Insta Story to..."

C O Z Y M O N D A Y S 💭🌴@saboskirt THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ARE NOW ON MY BLOG!👀 👉🏼 www.carolineschoice.com

5,383 Likes, 76 Comments - CAROLINE DEISLER | VEGAN 🍉💦🌴 (@carolinedeisler) on Instagram: "C O Z Y M O N D A Y S 💭🌴@saboskirt THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ARE NOW ON MY BLOG!👀 👉🏼..."

Her loose-fitting tops flow with a dynamism that perfectly captures her constant motion and carefree spirit. She travels from Bali to Miami and beyond on a fairly frequent basis for professional photoshoots, filling her feed with wanderlust-worthy pictures.

Her neutral-toned tops, accessories, and other items of clothing complement each other well and give her outfit a smooth overall aesthetic that no over-embellished look can beat.

W E E K E N D V I B E S 💦💭

2,527 Likes, 51 Comments - CAROLINE DEISLER | VEGAN 🍉💦🌴 (@carolinedeisler) on Instagram: "W E E K E N D V I B E S 💦💭"

C O Z Y A F T E R N O O N S💭🌴Almost time for my next Trip✈️😍What are your Easter plans?

12.5k Likes, 185 Comments - CAROLINE DEISLER | VEGAN 🍉💦🌴 (@carolinedeisler) on Instagram: "C O Z Y A F T E R N O O N S💭🌴Almost time for my next Trip✈️😍What are your Easter plans?"

Following her 7 Day Vegan Challenge will most certainly be a refreshing experience, though the foods she bases her diet around may initially seem unusual to non-vegans. From personally experimenting with the foods Caroline eats, I have already seen improvements in my athletic performance and energy levels. Do give it a try if you would like to see your dessert cravings disappear and your focus levels stay high throughout the day!

Gym Time💥👊🏼

17.5k Likes, 486 Comments - CAROLINE DEISLER | VEGAN 🍉💦🌴 (@carolinedeisler) on Instagram: "Gym Time💥👊🏼"

M I A M I D A Y S 🌸💦🌴 Ps: My favourite Miami Spots are now on the Blog! Head over to carolineschoice.com or follow the link in my Bio!💋

8,818 Likes, 125 Comments - CAROLINE DEISLER | VEGAN 🍉💦🌴 (@carolinedeisler) on Instagram: "M I A M I D A Y S 🌸💦🌴 Ps: My favourite Miami Spots are now on the Blog! Head over to..."

Here is a model who focuses not on food-restriction but rather self-love, eating to satisfaction, and a well-rounded active lifestyle. Her Instagram stories routinely feature her starting the day with a kickboxing session or ab sets, always best when done in the midst of natural landscapes.

T H A T S U M M E R G L O W 🍉☀️🌴

5,314 Likes, 84 Comments - CAROLINE DEISLER | VEGAN 🍉💦🌴 (@carolinedeisler) on Instagram: "T H A T S U M M E R G L O W 🍉☀️🌴"

Her look is never ostentatious but rather simple, minimal, clean and immensely endearing. Though most of her photoshoots occur at tropical locales, we can nevertheless draw inspiration from her positivity and energy, as well as her eagerness to spread her vegan eating journey with the world. Do check out her blog here to find out more!

Feature image via; all other images via.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/BSyo-jXl5x-/?t...

Tired of Ratner? Chicago Fitness

Tired of Ratner? Look no farther as MODA has collected a Chicago Fitness Guide! Ranging from cycling to rock climbing, get out of campus and try adding a new type of fitness to your daily routine! Many of these places offer a first free class, so definitely try all of them if you can.

Corepower

image via

image via

Looking for a close alternative near campus? Corepower is your answer. Located right on 53rd, Corepower offers a variety of classes ranging from a complete beginner to more advanced. Recommend classes are Sculpt and C2! 

Address: 1539 E 53rd St #2n

 

Title Boxing

image via

image via

If p-sets and midterms stress you out, let out that extra steam through boxing or kickboxing! Title is a great gym that offers classes daily. Also, your first class is free, so definitely an incentive to try out!

Address: 1136 S Delano Ct W, #E203

 

FlyWheel

image via

image via

If you have a class pass, take advantage of FlyWheel! Similar to SoulCycle, this cycling class will work your quads. Also, they have a personal performance tracker that lets you compare your performance to the rest of the class.

Address: 710 N State St

 

AIR- Aerial Fitness

image via

image via

Flying yoga is now a huge trend! If you're looking for something completely out of the box, AIR is where you should go. It'll challenge you to push your bodies in different forms and stretch you out to your fullest potential.

Address: 1317 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

 

Brooklyn Boulders

image via

image via

If you want to go with a group of friends, I would recommend rock climbing. Although it's an individual workout, you can challenge your friends on the same course, encourage them on the way up, and go back to childhood while still pushing your body.

Address: 100 S Morgan St

 

Hopefully this guide gave you some new ideas and definitely check out Class Pass that will give you access to fitness facilities across the city!

Featured image via

The Tech Accessory That Changed My Life

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm low-key (ok maybe more like high-key) obsessed with my Fitbit. I received it as a birthday present shortly before the start of Fall Quarter and we've been inseparable ever since. I wear it every day, to bed and in the shower if I'm brain dead and forget to take it off. I've even stopped wearing my favorite watches in favor of my Fitbit. 

Part of a larger trend of wearable technology, Fitbits are a great way to keep an eye on your daily activity levels. At just the tap of a finger, you can see the time, steps taken and calories burned. The device has an associated app which helps track sleep and allows you to track your stats over time. The Fitbit is usually pretty quick to pick up on exercise and on the app you can manually log or label various exercises - from boxing to Zumba.

Depending on your lifestyle, you can also set goals for number of steps, calories burned, miles walked, and active minutes. Nothing gets me huffing up the stairs instead of taking the elevator then seeing that I'm 500 steps away from hitting my goal.   

App home screen; image via

App home screen; image via

On top of tracking your daily movements, Fitbit sends you an email, summarizing your weekly averages and how they compare to the previous week's stats. Seeing that I got less sleep than the week before is a helpful reminder to take care of myself more and try harder to go to bed at a reasonable hour. Another cool feature is the "Friends" aspect to bring out your competitive side as you challenge friends to see who can move the most. 

Compared to an Apple Watch, the Fitbit Alta is a very sleek, minimalist design that is discreet and practically unnoticeable on the wrist. The basic rubber wrist band is practical, sturdy and perfect for everyday wear and sweating it out at the gym. But for the more design inclined, Fitbit has several more ornate designs that look more like jewelry than a fitness tracker. Tory Burch has also designed a line of luxe leather wristbands for a more high-end edgy vibe. 

Wearing my Fitbit has made me much more conscious about how much I move (or don't - Reg days are bad days for my Fitbit) and motivates me to go to the gym or walk around campus more to hit my daily 10K steps. I now try to walk more when I would normally take the shuttle or choose the stairs instead of the elevator. The ability to see how each day compares to previous ones brings out the competitive side in me (to the benefit of my health) and pushes me to take a pause from studying in Mansueto to go for a lap and get my heart pumping. 

Shop Fitbits and accessories here. 

Feature image via

Feeds to Follow: @joja

Victoria's Secret Angels Josephine Skriver and Jasmine Tookes are not just professional partners in the modeling world, but also among the tightest of personal friends. Though their individual accounts (@josephineskriver and @jastookes) have a total of 5.2 million followers, as workout partners they decided to collaborate on a joint account featuring their favorite workout tips and routines: @joja. Their joint Instagram account proves that happiness, fitness, and strength really do go hand in hand!

Often, their workout moves, props, and tips are casually incorporated into their poses:

We both love traveling with resistance bands! This is a great move to do either alone or with a buddy to help sculpt and shape your bum and hips! #JojaLife #TrainLikeAnAngel @dogpound @victoriasport

7,240 Likes, 218 Comments - @joja on Instagram: "We both love traveling with resistance bands! This is a great move to do either alone or with a..."

They also share professional shots and candids from various Victoria Sport shoots:

Vacation is over! Let's do this 💪🏾 #jojalife

11.1k Likes, 93 Comments - @joja on Instagram: "Vacation is over! Let's do this 💪🏾 #jojalife"

The occasional personality pic adds a touch of playfulness:

happy birthday to @jastookes !! Everyone dance the night off in celebration of this babe!! 💃🏾

14.9k Likes, 56 Comments - @joja on Instagram: "happy birthday to @jastookes !! Everyone dance the night off in celebration of this babe!! 💃🏾"

But at the core of the shared account, Josephine and Jasmine focus on the workouts they perform, which they hope will inspire others to pursue equally active lifestyles:

ROPES

10.8k Likes, 290 Comments - @joja on Instagram: "ROPES"

They hope to some day push out a new line of custom designed @joja products, which is definitely something to look out for!

Do check out their account for a dose of positivity, energy, and inspiration! And read more about how these two supermodels have made friendship and fitness one in the same here and here.  

All photos via; feature image via

Brands to Know: Outdoor Voices

With the rise of athleisure, it's no wonder that Tyler Haney, founder and CEO of Outdoor Voices, has started a brand that embodies being feminine and athletic. Harder, stronger, better, faster are words that never resonated with her; instead, she focuses on recreational activity from walking and running to hiking and skiing.

Image via

Image via

"I wanted to create a fabric that functions across multiple activities, but looks more like the brands I wear every single day — something less sporty looking," she says. "I started with the material and grew the products and took them to market."

Here are some of MODA's favorites:

Images via