Fitness Holiday Gift Ideas

Looking for fitness gift ideas for yourself, family, or friends for Christmas? 

Although Shop Local Saturday has past, it is still a great place to start! The salespeople there would be great sources for unique ideas as well.

Local Shops

Fleet Feet Sports

2239 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY ‎

(502) 479-8786 ‎ · fleetfeetlouisville.com

 

Ken Combs Running Store

4137 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY ‎

(502) 895-3410 ‎ · kencombsrunningstore.com

 

BlueMile Louisville

4114 Summit Plaza Dr, Louisville, KY ‎

The Summit Louisville

(502) 426-5955 ‎ · bluemile.com  

 

VO2 Multisport

131 St Matthews Ave, Louisville, KY ‎

(502) 290-7433 ‎ · vo2-multisport.com  

 

Swags Sport Shoes

7415 3rd Street Rd, Louisville, KY ‎

(502) 368-2443 ‎ · swagssportshoes.com

 

Pacers & Racers Inc

3602 Northgate Ct #19, New Albany, IN ‎

(812) 948-7865 ‎ · pacersandracers.com

 

 Cycling Stores

Louisville has a cycling store near you - plenty to choose from!

Other ideas:

•  Road ID - The wrist ID or the shoe ID are great ideas for the runners, swimmers, paddlers, or cyclist. It is an athlete's ID with emergency number and any allergy information. They usually have a 10-15% of  special or code for a discount.

• Buy a race entry to do a race together.

• Check out groupon to buy some of their favorite time of fitness classes.

• Yoga fanatics: gear - mat, socks, block, yoga pants,

• CrossFit, pilates fans: clothes to sweat in such as wicking t-shirts
• Runners - hydration packs for the waist or back, socks, wicking shirts

Louisville Triple Crown Training Groups

Thinking about training for the Triple Crown? Did you know Louisville provides several training groups to help you out?

The Triple Crown is a set of three races: 5K, 10K, and 10 miler. It is a great series to sign up for especially if you are running the Derby half or full marathon and like to run with lots and lots of people.  The first race is on February 22. You even get a Triple Crown t-shirt for completing all 3! They have kid races as well.

The YMCA, Feet Fleet Running Store, and Team Crusade are the training programs for this series. To see which program is right for you click HERE. Triple Crown also teamed up with ActiveTrainer where you can buy a  training program to run on your own schedule.
If you are looking for free, I am a fan of Hal Higdon training programs. Just click on the training link at the top on that site and choose the distance. If you are new to running, Couch to 5K (C25K)  program is a great way to start too.


Some cool facts about the Triple Crown Races:

•  Proceeds from Triple Crown Series are donated to WHAS Crusade for Children
• Anthem Fitness 5K - 7800 finishers last year
• Rodes City 10K Run -  11th largest 10K in the nation - attracting over 10,000 runners and over 20,000 spectators
• Papa John's 10 Miler - rolling course through Iroquois park, run in Papa John's stadium, and catch yourself on the big screen in the stadium

On the Indiana side, the Jeffersonville Parks and Rec also offers a training program. 

Team in Training - Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter

 

Looking for a group to support and get your FIT IN? Team in Training is a great group. They are starting to host information meetings in the near future to start training in January. TNT provides you with coaches and mentors to complete a half or full marathon, a  hike, century bicycle ride, or a triathlon. They also give support in your efforts to raise money for blood cancers.

The Southern Indiana and Kentucky chapter is training for hiking the Gorge on April 13, the Derby Festival half and full marathon on April 19, and Nike Women's Marathon on April 27 in 2014. There are plenty of TNT flex events to check out as well. 

One of the cool things about TNT is the Honorees.
From their website, 
"Team Honorees and their families serve as motivational symbols of strength, keeping participants inspired as they test the limits of their endurance and raise funds on behalf of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Often, people raise funds for a charity with little knowledge or understanding of how valuable their efforts are. Meeting honorees and hearing their personal stories connects participants to our mission and demonstrates the value of their fundraising efforts."

I was able be a part of the Central Indiana chapter a while back. I joined them because of a friend's husband that had been affected by leukemia, another friend and my godmother affected by cancer. I enjoyed my experience and it definitely helped finish my marathon in Honolulu thinking about them and the honoree.  It was alot of hard work to raise the funds and train, but it does not even compare to those fighting cancer.  Unfortunately, I have did not have a very good nutritional plan for the race and suffered the consequences as a result. Wearing my TNT jersey at the race, everyone was cheering you on which was what I needed halfway through the race. I felt like I was part of a team before, during, and after the race. Everyone was so positive and encouraging. 

I highly recommend checking out TNT if you have been impacted by cancer in some way and want you achieve one of your fitness goals. Definitely a great way to get your FIT IN!

Pregnancy and Fitness in Louisville

Body aches, heartburn, can't tie your shoe or see your feet for that matter, sciatic nerve pain....Oh the joys of pregnancy.... However, you get to meet a new someone in 9 months or less which is way worth all of that nonsense!

I have been there, done that - 3 times! For each pregnancy, I did different fitness things. For Scout's - which was my first - I was able to run for most of it. For the next one, Rooster's, I took pre-natal yoga classes at Baptist East Milestone which was fantastic, but it appears the class is not offered currently. For my final pregnancy with Miss Pixie, I walked, chased my boys, and did some pre-natal videos. My last pregnancy, I had morning sickness well into the the second trimester so needless to say, my fitness was less than mediocre. I definitely felt the best with pregnancy #2 and feel mostly due to the yoga. Having the scheduled class helped me stay on track.  I tried a little bit of everything during my pregnancies and encourage you to do the same to see what you enjoy. Louisville and the internet have lots of options to help you out!




If you are pregnant, here are some helpful links for you to get your FIT IN until you get to meet your sweet little baby!

• Fit Pregnancy - magazine and helpful website with wide variety of info on staying fit while pregnant and some postpartum exercises as well
• 10 Minute Solution - Prenatal Pilates -  One of my favorite prenatal fitness videos. It was easy to navigate if I only had 10minutes or do more if time allowed. The reviews on Amazon for it pretty much sum it up.
• Baptist Health has a great article on pregnancy and exercise that is worth the read including tips while exercising and fitness activities to avoid while pregnant. 
• Walking and swimming
• Be sure to always be OK'd by the doctor before starting up a fitness routine

Local Classes:

•  Pre- and Post-Natal Water Class at Baptist East Milestone - Monday, Wednesday starting at 6:45pm You can buy 5 or 10 fitness classes at a time and not join the gym
• Pre- and Post- Natal Water Class at Mary T Meagher pool - Thursdays at 9am - download their schedule
• Prenatal Yoga at Mama's Hip - Thursdays at 7pm
• Prenatal Yoga at Babylogy - Wednesdays at 7pm
• Prenatal Yoga at Infinite Bliss - Wednesdays at 7:30pm and Saturdays 12pm
• Prenatal Yoga with Norton Healthcare - 5 week class just ended so check back for next class

Be sure to confirm the classes on the websites.
 
Do you know of more places? Let me know at fitinlou@gmail.com

Free Louisville FitCamp!

What? It is a free fitcamp? That is crazy!! No excuses for being expensive!

Louisville FitCamp meets in 3 different locations: Highlands, South Louisville, and New Albany. They are hosting an orientation on December 2 from 2-4:30 at the Louisville Main Library. It should only take about 15min to register. Can't make it to that day? You can still join anytime! Now that is really helping you get your FIT IN!!
Be sure to check them out on facebook too!

Holiday Fitness Good Cheer!

With Thanksgiving around the corner and Christmas not far behind, it is a great time to find some fitness activities that also serve up some good cheer!
Road Races:

• November 30 - Miles Merry Miracles 5K supports Angel Tree in New Albany, IN

• December 7 - Mile2Mile -  supports Wrap Up America in Louisville 

• December 7 - Go Santa Go 5K - Changed to Dec. 14

Spread the holiday joy by bringing a $10 unopened / unwrapped child’s toy, and we’ll forward them to a “Toys for Tots” drop location in your area.   

• December 7 - Santa Sprint & Stroll 5K supporting United Crescent Hill Ministries

• December 14 - Angels Christmas 5K - Shelbyville, KY

Angels in disguise is the beneficiary of this race and our goal is to raise awareness as well as money to help children with down syndrome.

•  December 22 - Sweaty Sheep's Merry Christmas 5K - Your registration fee supports both Sweaty Sheep, a Christian outreach program, and the homeless community of Louisville.

Other Fitness activities:
2nd Annual Turkey Burn Charity Event Nov. 28 - Thanksgiving Day -
The Body Evolution Boot Camps 2013 Turkey Burn Off will benefit Down Syndrome of Louisville - 100% of proceeds - open donation  and $10 will be donated for each new person that comes.

Schedule of Sessions for the Day is as follows:

Boot Camp  8-9 am

Zumba 9-10 am

Kids Camp 10-11 am

Boot Camp 11-12

CaKiBo 12-1 pm (cardio kick boxing)

Hatha Yoga- Fundraiser for Derby City Dog Rescue - Nov. 28 at 9am .Hatha yoga, all levels! We will move through an energetic flowing Practice, then spend the last half hour stretching out & rejuvenating. $15 for the class with 100% of all money brought in going to Derby City Dog Rescue! Come and help some pooches while simultaneously working out stress before the big dinner.

Burrito Riders - If you enjoy riding bikes or want to get back on the saddle check out the Burrito Riders. They ride bicycles around downtown passing at burritos to the homeless on two Saturdays a month. Their next ride is December 7.

CrossFit Bluegrass - Try a class at 9 or 10:30am on December 7 costing only a donation to Toys for Tots!

Girls On the Run They had their race this past weekend, but you can still get involved for next race- become a coach or a volunteer.

Know of others? E-mail me fitinlou@gmail so I can add them.