FITNESS MUST HAVES!!!

If you are serious about fitness, then you need to have the right gear! Here are some of the accessories that I feel are MUST HAVES if you want to take this "getting healthy thing" to the next level!

NUMBER 1 most IMPORTANT MUST HAVE: a great pair of sneakers!!! Unless you have decided to only take yoga and pilates classes, then you NEED a supportive pair of sneakers to workout in! Find a cross training sneaker with a lot of cushion in the back and the front of the sole! Also, I highly recommend buying a high impact insole to put in those bad boys. Even if you don't do a lot of high impact movements in class, you still want to give your knees extra support. Also, replace your sneakers every SIX-EIGHT MONTHS!! I know sneakers are expensive but they are the most important part of you workout. Without a great pair of sneakers, you might as well jump up and down while kneeling on cement... ouch.

NUMBER 2 MUST HAVE: a heart rate monitor/calorie counter!! How else will you know where you are at? I recommend the kind that comes with a wristwatch and band that goes around your ribs (Polar & Sportline have good ones) or around your upper arm (bodybugg). Once you get one, you'll never know how you survived with it!

NUMBER 3 MUST HAVE: a weekly routine!! You need to have a plan of attack to reach your fitness goals! How many days a week are you going to get to a fitness class? What classes are you going to take? Important questions!! My recommendation is to have a well balanced workout routine of cardio & strength training. Maybe Monday, Wednesday, and Friday you get your strength training in by taking a Bootcamp, INSANE 101, or Strictly Strength class. Then Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday you get some serious cardio in by taking Turbo Kick, ZUMBA, or Hip Hop! Just make sure to give your body AT LEAST one day off to rest, if not two! You don't want to over-do it because this can lead to injury and can cause you to plateau.

NUMBER 4 MUST HAVE: awesome fitness attire!! Ok, so some of you don't think this is important, but I do!!! I feel that you want to workout more if you feel confident when you look at yourself in the mirrors in class! I mean, you can't help but take a glance at yourself while doing a squat, so make sure you like what you see! Get clothes that make you feel good and are comfortable to move in!