I’m a big fan of Turbo Kick Classes!  I got hooked on them in college.  My roommates and I joined the fitness class club at the Purdue recreation center which gave us unlimited access to any group fitness classes.  We tried Zumba, Step, 20/20/20, On The Ball, Weight Classes, and Turbo Kick to name a few.  It was great!

My favorite of the three we regularly attended was Turbo Kick!  It’s a kickboxing class with a turbo section thrown in at the end.  I liked the energy of the class and loved the music!  It definitely helped that the instructor was very enthusiastic and a good teacher.  I’ve bought a few Turbo Kick DVD’s and they are great workouts too, but its just not the same as going to class with my friends.

I like to use the DVD or in-class workouts as a break in routine to accomodate my running and lifting workouts.  When I’m really on it- I’ll go run before or after the Turbo Kick workout.

I haven’t found any Turbo Kick classes in my hometown yet.  Do you take these classes where you live?

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Gardening is one of the most ancient forms of exercise.  By gardening at a steady rate with moderate physical labor you could burn up to 200 calories per hour!  Last summer when I moved home from Gulf Shores, Alabama I struggled to get back in the routines of my old Indiana lifestyle.  Without the beach, college homework, or a full-time job I was quickly bored.  I noticed my parents’ rock garden had been overtaken with weeds.  Although Indiana-grown, I’ll admit I’m no farm girl and manual labor was not something I was used to doing.  Curiosity originally lead me to pull the weeds, but by the end of the evening I was completely consumed with my weed-pulling project.  I was hooked- and sweating like crazy!  I planned to run that day- like I did every day, but after spending over two hours pulling weeds I was exhausted!

A few more days of pulling weeds and my project was complete.  It was actually really nice to be outside enjoying the Indiana fall weather.  If I had any more creative ideas or extra cash I would have attempted to plant a flower or something.  My family and I keep saying we’d like to have a small garden where we can grow our own fresh vegetables, but so far we haven’t done so.  Maybe this summer I’ll take my own advice and put this Gardening Work(out) back in action.

Some Gardening Work(out) Tips:

• Stretch before and after (just like any other exercise routine)
• Drink plenty of water
• Wear sunscreen & Hat
• Wear closed-toed shoes- no flip flops!
• Wear proper gardening gloves
• Take breaks every 30-60 minutes - Don’t over-exert yourself
• Practice proper lifting & straining techniques – save your back!
• Like any exercise routine, be sure to have clearance from your physician before beginning any strenuous exercise

What’s your favorite thing about gardening?

Stay safe in the garden.  You may need to upgrade some of your Gardening Tools and Gardening Work Gloves.  Amazon has plenty of daily sales.  Be sure to save with Free Super Saver Shipping ($25+).

May is National Bike Month.  What a great reason to get fit and help save the environment!  According to the 2009 American Commuter Survey, 50% of people from my hometown use bicycles to commute to work and only 7% of those commuters are in college!  Wow!  I had no idea so many people still biked in the city.  The League of American Bicyclists is a National Sponsor of Bike Month.  They will be hosting tons of Bike Month Activities across the United States.  Key dates for 2012 are:

• Wednesday, May 9, 2012 – Bike to School Day.
• Monday, May 14 – 18, 2012 – Bike to Work Week
• Friday, May 18, 2012 – Bike to Work Day

Among The League of American Bicyclists main goals: improve safety for bicyclists.  You can brush up on your safety and bike-riding skills with helpful reminders listed on their site.

You’ll also find many events already scheduled and listed for this exciting month.  Don’t miss out on the fun!  Last year I posted about the Bike Event in West Lafayette, Indiana.  See if your town has these biking days planned.  If you don’t see your event on the list, but know your community will be hosting one- be sure to add it on their site.

Want to host a National Bike Month Event in your community?  This Free PDF Guide can help you organize, create, plan, and implement a successful Bike Event in your neighborhood.
Even if you can’t find an event near you or don’t have time to host one, you can still participate in National Bike Month by simply riding.  Get out there and enjoy the fresh air, fun, and freedom of a bicycle.  Oh, and don’t forget to wear your helmet!

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This is a great summer birthday gift for the kids!  I used to spend all my free time on the trampoline when I was young.  I still remember the summer my mom and dad bought us one for my brother’s August birthday.  It was great!

Now you can purchase this Skywalker 12′ Round Trampoline & Safety Enclosure Combo for just $249!  The safety net can help you feel a little more comfortable sending the kids out to jump.  This deal may be available for a limited time.

You might also be interested in these cute Faded Glory – Women’s Cotton Long-Sleeve Scoop Tee, 2-pack on sale for just $10 each!

Find more Walmart deals here.

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Check out the FREE Samples and Offers Page to find even more freebies. This page is continually being updated!