Fit Villains: Selfish, Shameless, Sassy, Fitness.

While it doesn’t apply to everything, when it comes to exercise mats, sometimes the old saying is true: bigger IS better. :)

At 5ft 2in, you wouldn’t think I’d need a larger mat than the standard 6-footer. But when you like to move as much as I do, the more room you have, the better your workout. At times, I feel confined by my regular mats and larger mats give me more options for bad ass fitness at home.

For a long time, I used to set up my mats side by side, which was both awesome and a little dangerous. While staying on one mat is fairly easy, if you’re moving laterally between two, things tend to slip. I have other floor mats which were ‘okay’, but weren’t as comfortable or user friendly as yoga mats (they tended to roll up into themselves: I’d have to keep dumbbells on each corner to keep it from curling up while I moved). Until recently, there weren’t many floor mat options that had the same texture & cushioning as my yoga mats. But there are now! :)

Namaste-yay!

WHY Big Yoga Mats Rock So Much

1. They allow for full movement without feeling confined to a smaller space. While smaller mats maximize space in the studio, they don’t always allow you to maximize your workout.
2. They save your floors from your heavier equipment (dumbbells, barbells etc).
3. They allow for greater range of motion (moves like floor rolls into mountain climbers, walking pushups, etc).
4. They create a sound barrier. Cushioning is GLORIOUS if you’re trying to be discreet. At home workouts like INSANITY, P90X and Rip 60 are easy to fit entirely on a larger mat.
5. Taller folks often have trouble on regular sized mats. Larger mats may feel more comfortable.
6. There’s room for two! Buddy workouts!

Large mats are popping up everywhere (probably NOT in your overcrowded class, but everywhere else), so there are more options available than ever before. The one pictured above is Square36 - The Oversize Yoga Mat, which I like a LOT. It’s thick, 36 square feet (fits in most living rooms), durable and made of non-toxic materials. Because I use my mats for almost everything (weight work, stretching, cardio etc), it seems to fit my fitness a little better than other models. You can also search online for different big mat models that suit your budget.

Another option, though it’s not as large, is the round yoga mat. It offers many of the same benefits in terms of range of motion and is ideal for yoga, pilates & stretching. Round Yoga Pilates Mat.

The round mat is also slightly less expensive than other models (even less expensive than some regular mats). Plus, the design is really unique. Great way to stand out during outdoor yoga!

Sometimes, size does matter!

Do you have a large mat at home? How do you like it?

New Weekend Workout is almost done, and let me tell ya, it’s BOOTY MURDER. I’ll be sharing it with ya tomorrow, so you can get a head start. PUT ASIDE A HALF HOUR THIS WEEKEND FOR SOME BOOTY WORK!

It makes a big difference to have a game plan, and as the weather changes, having a workout (and equipment) to use at home can help you stay on track, even in the snow. I’ve stocked up over the years, but my favorite equipment is always dumbbells, my mat, my stability ball, a chair and now a jump rope (neighbors be damned during reasonable hours. Chichi’s working on her double unders! Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!).

I’m lucky to have lots of space, but seriously, it doesn’t take much room to workout at home. Clearing a space on your floor, and having enough room to do a ‘snow angel’ is enough for 90% of workouts at home. Aside from having space, having solid, basic equipment is key to hitting all your goals without leaving your living room. Be creative with what you have, and explore your environment!

Non-workout tool tools…

• Stairs! If you have access to a few flights, spend 5-10 minutes going up and down to get your heart rate up. Headphones in: you won’t worry about bugging your neighbors or family.

• Chairs! Tricep dips, step ups, elevated pushups, In & Out V-crunches etc. Endless possibilities. Plant your foot firmly on the seat, and prop it up against a wall for support if you’re worried it will slide.

• Pillows! Use them as gliders under your feet or hands! Slide out into a side lunge, and drag the pillow across the floor for bonus resistance. You can place them under your feet or knees to drag yourself on the floor (upper body) or slide them towards your hands for plank pikes.

• Detergent Bottles! Kettlebells anyone? Fill em with water or sand, but don’t slam them down.

• Old Couches! Great for box jumps. If you have any spare planks of wood, place those on the base, or leave the cushions on.

• The Wall! Wall sits, wall climbs (start in plank, then walk your feet up the wall as you bring your hands closer to the edge), handstands - use it for support during balance work. Explosive pushups are best begun at the wall too (and will help improve your pushups from the floor).

• Doorknobs! Great to wrap resistance bands around, but you can also do body weight pulls: grab hold, sit down in a squat placing your feet at the base of the door, and pull yourself towards the door using just your upper body.

New To Body Rock TV? Where To Get The Right Tools (And How You Can ‘Fake’ It If You’re Short On Cash)

What MUST HAVE home workout gear do you have to help you get sweaty at home?

Okay.

No make-up. Covered in sweat. Camera unfocused. Lots of ‘Uhhh’s.

Yes people. I made a video. I friggin VLOGGED. I was TWEER pressured into it, by the fabulous Stay At Home Babe.

Like many of you, the Babe has started off 2011 with a mission to get fit. Like I did years back, she’s beginning her journey with workout DVD’s, namely the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels.

When I took the plunge to get in shape, I knew the gym wasn’t for me. Admittedly, I was intimidated by the machines & all the people, but I also preferred the freedom of being alone. When I was little (okay fine. Not ONLY when I was little) I used to start each day by dancing in my parents basement (now: my living room). I’d wake up at ungodly hours, sometimes sleep deprived, and boogie my way to wakefulness. Sometimes I’d only manage a quick shuffle around, but still; any movement was good. These were pre-coffee-Chichi days. ‘Mr. Vain’ and ‘Vogue’ were my cup of joe.

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