Product Review: Chic Moda Gliding Discs and Rings

 

It is probably an understatement to say that I work out, and I share my workouts here on on other platforms. This means I do receive a ton of products to try and to review (I genuinely cannot fathom writing reviews for products I don't care about). 

For those of you who have followed me for quite a while, you know that I try to incorporate simple tools in my exercise routines - from towels to jump ropes to resistance bands. Well, when ChicModa reached out with gliding discs aka sliders, I was super excited because what is more lightweight and easy to incorporate than sliders?

I'm not going to write a long drawn-out review (because they are sliders) but I really wanted to summarize what I thought in a few bullet points:

• Versatility: Sliders are generally easy to use, and if you don't have them, you can typically use a towel or paper plates. But I particularly like these ones because they are dual-sided. That means you can use them on all types of flooring - carpet, wood, you can even see in my Instagram post that I used them on my exercise mat. This is pretty great, especially if you are outdoors and don't want to ruin them. I'd give this an A+.
• Quality: I really can't speak too much to quality because I haven't used them for very long, but one thing I noticed was that the side with the padding did not immediately start to wear off like my older sliders when I used them on rougher surfaces.
• Price: These babies are like $7.99 on Amazon. Price is also A+. By the way, you can also get some money off them right now by using the code CHICMODAJULY to place an order within the link in the @Chicmoda.sport Instagram bio for 10% off.
• Esthetic: They are black, which I like! And they also come in a pretty little pouch so you can carry it around easily.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with these. Like I said, I have not used them for long so I will update you in a few months, but if you are looking for sliders to get or just for tools to add to your workout, check out their store here: ChicaModa on Amazon.

One thing to note: These sliders also came with a set of cute silicone rings in many colors. On the fashion side of this, those are cool and you can also check them out in their store. However, I have to be honest that I'm not sure I see the relation between the rings and the workout gear and the rings aren't something I'd typically wear of my own volition. But they are cute. They also have 10% off the silicone rings using the code CHICMODALOVE.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Born Tough Gym Bag Review

I spend a lot of time exercising and traveling - this is no secret. And so on a daily basis, I am typically packing and unpacking something. You'd find that I just keep my gym bags and small travel suitcase open and close to me so I can throw stuff in them and be on the go as needed. But to be honest, it would be nice to have something that can play multiple roles - something I can do a quick weekend trip with, pack up for the gym, or take to the office for the day with the plan to go to the gym at the end of the day.

Someone had asked me for recommendations for gym bags recently and it actually did get me thinking about what I would like in a gym bag. So when this one from Born Tough came through, it was perfect timing! What are my thoughts on this bag? Please take this with the caveat that we are currently on lock down for COVID-19 so I haven't had the chance to take it to an actual gym yet.

First off, this bag is a duffel bag and you can buy it on the site here.

King Athletic Jump Rope and Other Exercise Tools

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I received some fitness tools from King Athletic a few weeks ago to try out: a jump rope, some massage balls, and a resistance band loop. This was super exciting as I love little fitness knick-knacks that I can use while I travel. And since I just finished the Brooklyn Half Marathon, I desperately needed some other cross training workouts outside of running to recover.

Fitness Trackers: Who Does it Best?

A friend reached out to me yesterday asking for my opinion on the top fitness trackers, so when I also received this article on a detailed review of 78 of the fitness trackers out there, it could not have been more timely. I read through this review and it will be helpful to anyone who is so confused by the sheer mass of information out there. Here it is all in one place to help you make that very important decision :)

Check out the article here: Fitness Tracker Reviews.

Don't forget that you can buy FitBits from the link up on this site (shameless plug)! Do you have feedback about any fitness trackers you have tried? Share with us.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Want a Discount on a Quality Sports Bra?

Influenster sent me the C9 sports bra from Target free to review. Let me describe the product a little so you get a sense for what it is like. It is made of a thick compression fabric and has no padding. So when I first saw it, I was thinking I would not like it since I'm kind of on the smaller bust size scale. Also, they were pink and so that probably skewed my opinion on the negative side.

TKO Soft Grip Jump Rope for Cardio!

I love my new jump rope! TKO Sports, a company that creates home and gym exercise equipment, has this new product on the market that I was lucky enough to get to try out. First off, skipping is a great way to burn calories and if you do it consistently, you can burn just as many calories as running. So for all those who hate pounding the pavement, or are looking for new workouts to try, this is a cheap and easy alternative.

Second, while I like skipping, I have had some jump ropes that were just okay, either because the material wasn't rubber (I say no to woven jump ropes), the grip was wood (I don't hate, but I don't quite like), the grip just wasn't nice, or it was too short. This TKO Soft Grip Jump Rope felt nice to me. It has a great grip, was long enough for me (yay!), and is made of rubber.

Granted, getting a jump rope right may not be rocket science, but for a cheap product, I think this really did the trick. I will be adding this to my 'Fit Traveler' ways as I carry it constantly on the road with me. If you haven't tried it out, you should!

You should also check out other TKO Sports products on their website if you're looking to purchase some great equipment like free weights, cardio machines, etc. However, as they don't actually sell on their site, you can purchase it here. 

Cheers Eights & Weights!

RBXActive Digital Camo Leggings

To be honest, when it comes to fitness gear, I love trying out new things! I have had instances (especially with running shoes) where I thought my life was all good until I tried something amazing and realized I was not living...lol. So when I got these leggings from RBXActive to try on, I of course thought "Why not?". 

Having tried leggings from the $10 non-workout ones you get at department stores to the sleek yoga ones that I think are sometimes overprices for what you get, I have an open mind when it comes to fitness gear. Before I put these on, they felt like they would last (you know that sweat-wicking texture), and the package they sent me said they prevent chafing in runners (where the friction from your thighs rubbing together creates that uncomfortable feeling). So I tried them on for some yoga.

They were not tight and uncomfortable (yay!), they stayed on really well, and they meshed well with my movements. And you know in yoga, we move into all sorts of positions! I do have to say they did not make my butt look as great as my favorite pair of leggings, so there's that. But overall, I'm pretty impressed. However, I have not yet tried them out for running so I don't know about the chafing, but I'd say give them a go. You can get yours at department stores, sporting goods stores, or at rbxactive.com.

In fact, right now, they are selling these at a 25% discount if you use this code on rbxactive.com: "Active 25". So do it now!

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Influenster Refresh Voxbox

So last week I received a ton of items to test out from Influenster. Of course I was happy, but I was more excited to find out that some of the products were things I either wanted to try or already liked. But there were a few items I chose not to try, probably because I don't think I am in the best position to review them. Here is my review on each:

• Beanitos chips: This I liked. I got two flavors - the white bean with sea salt and the nacho cheese. Each bag contains about 210 calories, which is not bad for a bag of chips. From a health standpoint, I always say stay as natural as possible, so if it comes down to some nuts and a bag of chips, go for the nuts (even these chips). However, compared to other chips, they are made from beans, are gluten free, and contain less sodium. So that's definitely better than a regular bag. For more information about Beanitos, visit www.beanitos.com.
• CoverGirl UltraSmooth Foundation: I chose not to try this as I am not much of a foundation person.
• L'Occitane Shea Butter Light Comforting Cream: I'm always looking for good travel products so this was great for me. There is some shea butter in it and I really liked the texture on my face. I also read that L'Occitane has a fair-trade partnership with the women of Burkina Faso for the shea butter in the product. I support anyone that supports West Africa so I was sold. For more information about this product, check out L'Occitane.
• Orgain Certified Organic Nutritional Shakes: Sounds like it may be good. 25g of protein and 150 calories. I just never got the chance to pick mine up from the store (I had to take the coupon to the store to get it).
• Montagne Jeunesse Face Masques: Who doesn't like a good face mask. It didn't do anything special for my skin, but it felt good to have it on. It's quite cheap as well, so if you are looking for an alternative to the face mask you currently use, try it out.
• SkinnyGirl Tasty Nutrition Bars: One morning when I was rushing out and didn't get a chance to eat a good breakfast, this really came in handy. The bar was very very tasty. I got the banana oatmeal dark chocolate flavor. At 150 calories, this is a good snack for when you are on the go. SkinnyGirl also carries some great products. Check them out at SkinnyGirl.
• Listerine PocketPaks: What's funny about this product is that I already use it! I love my PocketPaks and buy them in bulk. They are like mints except they simply melt on your tongue. So if you are headed to that meeting or that date, and what something to freshen your breath really quickly, reach for these. Find out more about where to get them at Listerine.
• DenTek Flossers and Floss Picks: My brother actually introduced me to these some time ago. You can take the floss picks with you in your purse so that after dinner you can get some flossing done in the bathroom. They are easily disposable and a good substitute for traditional flossing. Find out more about all their products at DenTek.

I hope you found at least one thing you like and want to try out on this list. I had fun testing out the items :)

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Victoria's Secret Sports Bra Review

I love sports bras. I have them in various colors and feels. I am not a big girl up there so finding a sports bra that holds the girls down is not so difficult. However, what I have trouble with is finding one that looks good, actually fits (not fits one boob and feels loose on the other), stays in place during high impact workouts, and makes me feel great. I have a few that I honestly just reserve for when my cute ones are in the wash.

So Influenster, in partnership with Victoria's Secret, sent me the "Victoria's Secret Incredible" sports bra  for testing purposes to write this review for you folks. I didn't expect to, but I quite liked it. 

The Fitbit Force is Being Recalled :-(

A few months ago, I raved about the new Fitbit Force wristband. I was longing for it, and waiting till a birthday or Christmas for someone to buy it for me as a gift. Now, due to some adverse reactions to the product, Fitbit is currently doing a recall.

As the CEO posted on the Fitbit site on February 20, 2014:

Venus Sensitive Embrace Razor Review

Part of a healthy body is healthy skin, and part of healthy skin for a woman depends on the razor she uses. I like to take time off sometimes to review a product that I've tried :)

Many women believe their sensitive skin gets in the way of a close, smooth shave; but the symptoms women are experiencing may just be from using the wrong or a dull razor. Now, Gillette Venus is introducing the Venus Embrace Sensitive razor with increased glide enhancers and a touch of Aloe, to provide a closer shave with less irritation. I got to be one of the people to try this product before it hits the shelves!

LG TONE+ Wireless Stereo Headphones Review

Dealing with wires, volume, and music while you run and work out sometimes gets a little tedious. Depending on my mood, I like to sometimes surprise myself with music so I'd just put my iPod on shuffle. This leads to me stopping to change the music when it gets to a slow song or something I may just not be feeling at that point in time. When I heard that these wireless headphones might change that, I was excited to give them a try.

Jawbone UP vs. Fitbit Flex

You have probably read my previous post on Fitbit products, including the Fitbit Flex. If you don't know what a Fitbit Flex is, it is a wristband-like device that helps track your activity throughout the day, mainly the steps you've walked. There are a few similar devices on the market, including the Nike Fuelband and the Jawbone UP. I have used the Fitbit Flex for a few months, but I hadn't had a chance to use the Jawbone UP, until now.

NutriCrystal Wireless Smart Food Scale Review

Okay, so I'm sure you've read the nutrition information of some food online, and have found it really difficult to translate the information to practical every day life. I mean, who the hell knows what 200g of chicken breast looks like, huh? But sometimes, especially if you are on a strict calorie program, it is easy to veer away from the right track because estimates can be grossly wrong. So of course, when I got the opportunity to review a food scale, I was pretty excited. 

Product Review: Total Nutrition by Immortal Herbs

Have you ever watched a Dr. Oz show and heard him talk about how you can get a "green high" from a concentrated vegetable shot? Yea, we are all skeptical until it happens. This is exactly what I felt when I took a shot of the Total Nutrition supplement by Immortal Herbs.

Silk Fruity and Creamy Soy Yogurt

I like Silk products in general. Their soy milk and almond milk are pivotal to my existence. You will probably see that I have reviewed a couple of soy products on here, and in general, I'm not a big fan of reviewing products I'm neutral on. So when I got the opportunity to receive and review this Silk Fruity and Creamy soy yogurt, I jumped at it.

Teas' Tea Teas

Tongue twister, huh? I'm a tea lover, and it is quite frustrating sometimes in the summer when I want to drink some iced tea, but everything is packed with sugar. Teas' tea sent me some samples of their iced teas to try, and to be honest, I was prepared for it to taste like everything else out there. 

Colgate Slimsoft Review

So I thought I'd take a little break from the fitness and nutrition posts, and chat about a product I received to review: a dental hygiene package. If you know me, you know I'm particular about my teeth so I'm probably the best person to talk about how I feel about this product.

Let's Chat About GaiamTV

I received a free month-long membership to try out GaiamTV and write a review. If you follow me on Twitter, you may have heard me talk about it once or twice. GaiamTV is an online database of original transformational videos with a membership fee of $9.95 per month. The videos on the site fall into three categories: 

• Live Healthy
• Spiritual Growth
• Seeking Truth

Chobani Greek Yogurt Review

If you are a fan of yogurt, you've probably heard both good and bad things about it. Recently, Chobani, one of the big makers of Greek yogurt, sent me some flavors of their low fat and fat free yogurt to sample and write a review on. Prior to trying them, I already had a positive nutritional view of Greek yogurt, but as I haven't tried a lot of flavors, I was a little iffy on the taste.

The great thing is that they did send me three flavors as you see in the picture above: Pomegranate (non-fat), Mango (low-fat), and Pineapple (low-fat). Since I adore tropical fruits, this was already looking up for me. I'll provide details on the three individually so that you can determine if any of the flavors work for you. Each contain 6oz.

Mango

Calories: 160

Fat: 3g

Protein: 13g

Pineapple

Calories: 160

Fat: 2.5g

Protein: 13g

Pomegranate

Calories: 140

Fat: 0g

Protein: 14g

See the protein in there? That's about 2 times more protein than regular yogurt! Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Post-workout protein shake base! Rather than use regular yogurt as your base, you could try Greek yogurt to give you some extra protein. 

I must admit that I did also like the taste. You have to stir in the fruit on the bottom, but it tastes good once you do. And it does have a creamier consistency than regular yogurt so if cream is your thing, then it's great. My favorite flavor was the mango, but my favorite on nutrition content obviously was the pomegranate.

Chobani also claims the Greek yogurt is made with only natural ingredients, no artificial sweeteners, and no preservatives. So I thought I'd check out the ingredients on the pack. Although it is true that all the ingredients are 'cultures' and 'fruit', some of the fruit content seems to come from fruit concentrate, which I'm not a big fan of. So that is the only part of the Chobani Greek yogurt that does not sit well with me.

What do I think? You should definitely try it. But be aware of the sugar content as well since the fruit comes from fruit concentrate.

Have you tried Chobani? What are your views?

Cheers Eights & Weights!