Weekend Activity

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Why not try breaking out some of those old backyard games you used to play as a kid. Games like badminton, croquet, bocce, frisbee or even just a game of catch or touch football offer great workouts while also allowing you to utilize these long summer days. Make it a party by inviting over a few friends to enjoy in the activities!

Looking to pick up some gear? Check out Sports Authority, Dick's Sporting Goods, Amazon or eBay for equipment

Friday's Foods

A great way to save money and also eat the best fruits and veggies is to buy food that is in season. If you are unsure of what is in season, check out Sustainable Table to find out what is available in season near you!

Corn is a great vegetable that is in season now but instead of topping your corn on the cob with butter, try squeezing a fresh lime for a burst of flavor!

Enjoy!

Sounds on Thursday

This week's workout tune is a dance anthem that is great for getting your groove on or for pumping up your cardio workout. Try Take it Off by Ke$sha, available on iTunes.

Groupon Update

Today's New York Groupon is $39 for 5 Women's Bootcamp Classes! Alternatively, you can sign up for three capoeira classes for just $22! Get moving NY!

Wednesday's Workout

This Wednesday try an outdoor hike to get in a good workout while spending time outdoors, absolutely for free!

Need a trail in your area? Visit Trails.com to find a trail in your area and map out your hiking plan. Don't forget to pack plenty of water and food if you plan to be hiking for more than two hours.

Wednesday's Workout

For all you pilates fans out there, this Wednesday's Workout is a pilates mat class! Pilates is a method of exercise created by Joseph Pilates, focusing on the core postural muscles. Pilates also incorporates breathing techniques and increases flexibility. Although pilates can incorporate equipment, basic pilates is done on a mat with no equipment. Try these traditional pilates exercises at home to strengthen your core and increase flexibility:

The Hundred: Start lying on the floor or a mat on your back. Pull abs up and in like you are trying to zip a pair of tight pants. Bend your knees and keeping your knees and legs together. Take your feet off the floor so you shins are now parallel to the floor and knees are directly over hips. Lift head, neck and shoulders off the mat and lift arms off the floor but keep them straight and by your side. Start pumping arms up and down in small pulses up and down while breathing in for five breaths. Continue pumping arms and breath out for five breaths. Repeat this exercise ten times.

Advanced Option- Extend legs out to a 45 degree angle and do the exercise with legs straight.

To see a video of the hundred click here.

The Plank: Start lying on your stomach on the mat. Put your hands underneath your shoulders and push yourself up into a pushup position. Pull abs in and up and hold. For a modification either drop onto your knees instead of having legs straight (as if doing a pushup on you knees) or instead of using straight arms, drop down onto your forearms but keep legs straight. Try to hold the plank for 30 seconds to one minute while keeping your body in a straight line.

To see a video of the plank click here.

Obliques: Start by lying on your back with legs straight. Lift your legs two inches off the floor. Lift head, neck and shoulders up off the floor with hands behind the head as if performing a crunch. Bend the right leg and bring the right knee in towards your chest while simultaneously bringing your left elbow to right knees. Then switch legs and bring left knee in while bringing right knee towards left knee. Keep switching legs until you have done 10-20 repetitions.

To see a video of the oblique exercise click here.

For a complete at-home pilates workout. Check out these three ten minute videos from Pilates on Fifth:

Pilates Workout 1

Pilates Workout 2

Pilates Workout 3

Trying doing all three for a great 30 minute workout!

Groupon Update

Hey all you New Yorkers. Today's Groupon for NYC is offering $15 for two-weeks of unlimited classes at YogaWorks or $49 for a whole month!! Great deal. Visit Groupon for more info and follow Frugal Fitness on Twitter to stay updated with the latest fitness related Groupons and deals!

Tuesday's Trim Down

Today's Trim Down Tip is to get outside this summer while there is still time left!! A great way to burn calories and get in a good workout is to try a new summer sport. Kayaking is one of FitBritt's all-time favorites and it is surprisingly inexpensive to rent a kayak by the hour or by the day. You can try a single or get a buddy and do a double kayak. For novices, you may want to find a tour program where an experienced leader shows you where to kayak. Those with a little more experience can get out on their own. Plus, if you are on vacation on the water, kayaking is a great way to see the sights without all the congestion.

For more information on kayaking visit KayakOnline. For information on kayak tours visit REI Outdoor School or simply try a Google search to find something in your area!

Sounds on Thursday

This week's Sound on Thursday is Hang On (Dave Aude Radio Mix) by Plumb. This is a great remix of the original and will definitely get you through a tough cardio session!

Wednesday's Workout

This Wednesday's Workout is a great way to burn calories, stay fit on the cheap and have fun! Tennis anyone?? Try playing an hour of tennis and you'll burn major calories. Best yet, most cities maintain tennis courts as part of the local park and recreation department so you will most likely have access for free or for a small fee. Check out your local high school to see if they have tennis courts or call the city park and rec and inquire about local tennis court availability. Another great option, try Cardio Tennis, a class that focuses more on running around and hitting balls than on technique. Its great for all levels and will definitely keep your heartrate up!

Tuesday's Trim Down

If you are vacationing this summer and worried about not having time (or frankly the motivation) to keep up with your workouts consider forgoing a rental car. If you have to rely on taxis or public transport to help you get around, you'll be much more likely to walk helping you burn off those calories consumed from special vacation treats! Bonus- you will be able to see more of the city!

Readers, where have you walked around on vacation?