Better alternative to the 'Stretchcordz kicking trainer'

The stetchcordz kicking trainer is a stretchcord that attaches to your shoulders and connects to your feet in order to add resistance to your kicking while swimming.

The product description says that it adds resistance to legs during kick sets. Assists ankle recovery from breaststroke kick and adds resistance to abdominal muscles during dolphin kick.

The coaches and I were wanting something that we could get for our swimmers with a more advanced kick to use in order improve their kicks. The stretchcordz kicking trainer seemed like a good idea except the fact that it was $123!!! I was shopping around at my favorite store Ross and I came across this product called "Glute Master" from Golds Gym. 

The products' description is: The Gold's Gym Glute Master is the perfect tool to firm up your lower body, especially your glutes! This Workout Kit features an adjustable belt and resistant cord length, as well as a hook and loop closure for easy usability. Complete your lower body workout with the Gold's Gym Kit to get an intense and effective fitness routine to help tone, shape and firm the legs, hips and glutes. The description of the product reminded me of the stretchcordz so I decided to buy it and hope that it worked.

Gold's Gym Glute Master:

• Complete lower body workout
• Helps tone, shape and firm up the legs, hips and glutes
• Adjustable belt and resistant cord length
• Hook and loop closure

The glute master was only $7.99 too!!

So I brought the glute master to the pool to put it to the test. We strapped it on and it was a great success. All of the swimmers said that it created a resistance to their kick and made it more challenging. During the butterfly they said that it helped finish the snap. During the breaststroke it increased the resistance on the out sweep of the kick. I always like looking to alternatives that I am able to get the same result, or a better result. I am really looking forward to seeing how the consistent use of the glute master improves their times and kick in the future. 

Boot Camp 8- Jump rope calf burner

Today is the day after the workout and my calves are so sore and tight. I normally don't do many jump rope workouts, so this was a nice way to change it up.  Did you know that jumping rope for 5 minutes straight is actually equivalent to running a mile? Anything that can give me the same benefit without actually running I am all over!

What you will need:

Jump Rope

Exercise Ball

Dyno Ball or medicine ball

The Workout:

1) JUMP ROPE SERIES:
       30 seconds each

• Double foot 
• Single foot
• Single high knee
• Boxer shuffle (both feet jump side to side)

2) STATION WORK

        2x at each station for 45 seconds with a 15 second break in between

• Squat throw burpee- Take the dyno ball do a squat throw into the air as high as you can. Let the ball drop and then do a burpee on the ball.
• Ab ball straight leg sit up- Lay your legs straight on the exercise ball and do a sit up while your legs are straight on the ball.
• Plyo pushups- Do a regular pushup but when you are going up you explode your hands off of the ground.

3) JUMP ROPE SERIES

    same series as #1 except its 40 seconds long

4) STATION WORK

     2x at each station for 45 seconds with a 15 second break in between

• Overhead plyo split squats- Have the dyno ball over your head. While doing that do jumping split squats.

• Ab ball exchange- (see video)

• Moving pushup- Regular push up and move laterally across the room while doing pushups.

I hope you guys enjoy. Let me know what you think!!!

Delicious black bean brownies

           I clearly am really into trying new ingredients to make traditional food healthier, so black bean brownies didn't really scare me very much. But I am sure that this idea probably intimidates most. But trust me, they are really good. 

           Starting off, I banned my husband from the kitchen. I didn't want him to know that I was making the brownies out of black beans. He already knew I was making brownies so that was no surprise. After I made the brownies we sat down for our little dessert, and I waited for his response. He loved it. He was   impressed that I made such a great brownie from scratch. And then I dropped the bean bomb. You should of seen his face! It was priceless. He then decided that he should have three..because they were now good for him.

What you need:

makes 9 brownies. 

1 cupcake pan

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips + more for the top

1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup of sugar/splenda

Pinch salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 cup Vegenaise 

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

(optional) 1/4 cup of walnuts

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350F. Place cupcake tins in the cupcake pan. I always make my brownies in a cupcake pan so that every brownie has crispy edges with a gooey center.

Step 2

Drain and rinse the black beans. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. This will take about 90 seconds to a minute on the high power setting. They may not melt completely; stir vigorously to finish melting the chips until chocolate has a smooth and uniform consistency.

Step 3

Pour black beans and melted chocolate into a food processor and pulse until smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients and continue to pulse until completely smooth. 

Step 4

Pour into prepared cupcake tins about 1/2 way filled. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips over the top. You can add optional walnuts to the top as well. Bake for 25 minutes until the top has cracked slightly and the center has set. Allow to cool for 20-30 minutes.