100 Push-up Challenge

I keep hearing about the Hundred Push-up app, so I decided to give it a shot.  The app, based on the One Hundred Pushups website, provides a six week program.  By the end of the program, you should be able to do 100 push-ups in a row.  Back in the day, I used to be able to bang out quite a few push-ups.  My PR is 60.  That was several years ago, though.

To start, you see how many push-ups you can do at once.  Here I am doing my push-ups (with a special guest appearance by the pooch!):

Based on that number, 21 by my count, the program assigns you daily pushup workouts.  Today, my workout was 10, 12, 7, 7 and then 9 push-ups, with a one minute rest in between rounds. 

I'll keep you posted in my progress!

-Gym Belle-

A Sneak Peek at My New Toy

Can you guess what it is?

-Gym Belle-

Gym Belle Q & A: Where to Buy Workout Clothes in NYC

R, a newbie runner, asks:  Going workout clothes shopping.  Where?  Want the hot pink Nike stuff...  And other stuff... Lululemon for yoga wear?  And where is best for Nike?  Niketown?  I figure you are an expert in the field...

I don't know that I'd call myself an expert, but my workout clothes collection is rapidly outgrowing my closet.  For yoga wear, I am a huge Lululemon fan.  In fact, I wear their clothes to yoga, to Physique 57, to run and even to CrossFit sometimes.  (I also wear Lululemon to brunch, the movies, airports, conferences and the office on weekends.)  Lulu outfits are cute and comfortable and they never seem to wear out or look old no matter how many times I wash them.  I also like Beyond Yoga's super soft tops for yoga-type activities.  (Check their website for great sales that justify the shipping costs.)

I struggle with running shorts for some reason.  Lululemon's don't fit me at all and neither do most running brands'.  The only pair that I truly can say I love were a freebie from New Balance.  They're super comfy and stay where they're supposed to.  I keep meaning to buy another pair of those, but it hasn't happened yet.

Some of my favorite running tops for summer are from Track & Field, which opened its Madison Avenue location earlier this year.  They make super lightweight tank tops, and each item of clothing you purchase comes in its very own tube.  The tubes are made out of corn so they are totally biodegradable.  I use mine for bringing home wet bathing suits.  Be forewarned, though, Track & Field is a Brazilian company, and their clothes run insanely small. 

If you're brave enough to handle Niketown, I say go for it!  I find their massive NYC store a little intense, but they do make some cute stuff.  When I shop, I'll check out The Running Company, City Sports and the Equinox stores, but I also shop online for running/workout gear.  My favorite online boutique is Team Estrogen.  They have a huge selection and great brands.  That's where I discovered the CW-X sports bras that I love. 

Hands down, my favorite gym-chic items right now are my Monrow 3/4 length sweatpants.  (Good for lifting on a not so hot day or just running errands.)  On a more fiscally responsible note, I'm a huge fan of Target for cotton shorts/tanks. 

Happy shopping!

-Gym Belle-