Reebok Run Tone Action

In my recent Fitness Magazine, I noticed a flood of “Reetone by Reebok” ads that really caught my attention. Have you seen them? They have ads for their new Reetone line for the following three types of shoes: Easy Tone, Run Tone, and Train Tone. After the ads sucked me in (good job Reebok marketing!), I wanted to look ‘em up. I chose to look up the Run Tone shoes, since most of my readers are runners and, as soon as my knee heels, I’d like to get back into running. Here’s what I found.

Reebok Run Tone Side & Bottom View

On the Reebok website, the brand says this of Run Tone shoes:

You asked for it – you got it: the muscle-toning shoe you can wear while running, training and working out. Compared to a traditional running shoe, RunTone, a close cousin to our EasyTone shoe, encourages more activation in key leg muscles like the calves and quads and reduces overall body stress.

• RunTone patented sole technology features 8 pods of moving air that force your muscles to work harder; encourages increased muscle activation, toning, strength and endurance
• Synthetic/mesh upper ensures comfort, fit and durability
• DMX Shear cushioning panels for added comfort and reduced heel stress; IMEVA midsole for added cushioning; removable sockliner accommodates orthotics
• SmoothFit seamless liner minimizes rub and irritation

I like that it says it will relieve overall body stress because a big factor for me is that my shoes don’t absorb enough shock when I take work out classes or run. I feel like my body is very sore because of the shoes I wear (and perhaps a bit because of my form!).

For the majority of the features listed for this shoes, I think the only thing setting these shoes apart (so far) is the 8 pods of moving air because the last three bullets seem like things you can get in a really high-end running shoes. Most running shoes boast that they minimize rub and irritation, so this, to me, isn’t a new claim. I do, however, like the removable sock liner. I don’t know how many shoes have this feature but it seems cool. Other than that, I’m not completely sold yet.

So I continue to read. Instead of reading what Reebok had to say, I sifted through customer reviews and found one a slew of positive remarks. The jist is:

I LOVE these shoes!! they are awesome and do what they say they will do. i have wore them for about a week and my calves are getting tight!!! i don’t know how i used to run and walk in anythng else

So the pods really work? Well, that’s just ONE review and I do know that sometimes not all “reviews” can be true (or sometimes a review can review too soon). So I went to my all-time favorite shoe store online and looked at reviews there. One customer wrote she wasn’t sure if it really toned, but it was very comfortable. Well, that’s honest. I like that! :) Guess what else I found? There wasn’t much to say about how well the pods worked to help tone your legs and butt as you used them for working out, but customers did say that the Reebok Zig Pulse Running shoe absorbed shock much better than any other running shoe they tried, that they were very comfortable, didn’t stretch out, and fit very well. Hmm, maybe those are the way to go?

I haven’t tried the Reebok Run Tone shoes but overall it seems like they are kind of hype.

If I was able to find any reviews where runners or athletes had tested the shoes by wearing them for a few months straight and reporting back on the outcome (more tone? the same? anything??) , I might feel differently. Mostly it just seems like people thought they were comfy but didn’t feel that the pods made a noticeable difference (aside from the comment above written by the lady on the Reebok website).

Overall I think these shoes are for people who want to get more out of their shorter work outs by wearing shoes that will do more work for them. Maybe instead of gearing them towards runners, it should be aimed towards people who walk a lot and do short runs and use a lot of treadmill-type equipment at the gym?

I think going with a more shock-absorbent shoe that you are comfortable with may be the better alternative!.. for me at least! Trying something new is GOOD and could lead you to a new favorite.. but I need more proof before I shell out one hundred bucks!

Have you tried these shoes? What do you think of them?

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Cupcakes!

Yesterday was supposed to be a “nice little Sunday” where I did some housework, a little baking, and just lay-low. That didn’t happen! I was completely busy from the moment I left the computer! I did two hours of serious yard work behind the pool (scary stuff because that’s where all the spiders and bugs are at!), worked out in my home gym, went to the grocery store, washed & dried all the laundry, made veggie & meat kabobs, baked cupcakes, made homemade hotwings, and then rushed to get ready to go to the get-together our friend was having! I didn’t get to clean the bathroom or vacuum, which I wanted to get done yesterday. But I was seriously non-stop! I’m pooped!

I loved the sprinkles!

What was supposed to be a quick 30-minute bake session in the kitchen turned into “we are supposed to bring a side or appetizer” which meant a full 2 hours of non-stop kitchen work. I started off by making the cupcakes first so they could cool while I prepared everything else.

Three colors of frosting!

I decided to make three colors of frosting to go with the fun sprinkles. Cupcakes are so easy to make! Thankfully I only had one two and am now satisfied on the sweet front for a while! (I didn’t want to eat any but after dinner I was weak!)

Hot Wings

Next I started the hot wings. Luckily these don’t tempt me in the slightest! I do not like wings and, for that matter, I don’t like eating any meat straight from the bone. I baked the raw mini-chicken wings at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, coated them in sauce and cooked them at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, and they were good to go! I then put them in a glass baking dish, added another coating of Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, and let them sit for about an hour before reheating them (in individual servings) to serve. I hear they were good!

Wings are a lot of work, what with changing the foil on the baking pans, having to constantly watch and turn them, and making sure they are cooked. It’s about and hour of non-stop work. Since I don’t like ‘em, it’s not worth it to me. But everyone else seemed to be glad they were made!

Next (while the wings cooked) I made kabobs. Sans the traditional lamb.

Kabobs!

I made one batch of kabobs that had yellow squash, green squash, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and hot Italian sausage. That was for the meat-lovers :) If it was up to me, I’d have straight bell pepper and onion kabobs! But since a lot of people do not care for onion, I left my onions in the fridge :( I did make a batch of just veggie ones, though:

Veggie Kabobs

These had the same veggies except I added cherry tomatoes to the mix. I do not like any form of tomatoes at all, but most people do and they add great color. I ate three veggie kabobs and pulled off all the tomatoes :)

All together!

I took ‘em over raw and they grilled them up for us while the grilled sausages and burgers. I normally just eat turkey and salmon burgers but last night I had a red meat burger. I forgot what they taste like and I can honestly say, I’m not missing much sticking with turkey and salmon burgers :)

Other food that was at the get-together was: potato salad, deviled eggs, chips & salsa, peanuts, and a mud-pie dessert dish.

Deviled Eggs

I had one of the deviled eggs… or half, I should say. They were made with mustard and hot sauce.. mayo free! So good! I also had a couple MGD 64′s so all-in-all it wasn’t a super low calorie night but I definitely knew that going into it.. that’s why I did two hours of yard work and 30 minutes of the elliptical! :)

Aside from drinking, watching Dexter, and socializing, there was some ping-pong playin’, per the usual:

Pongin' Matt

He beat everyone he played, and that’s the usual too! We used to have a ping pong table in college and we played all the time! So he’s got those skills on reserve, believe it!

And because I’ve been slackin’ on posting my 365 Challenge pictures, here’s the rest since the last time I posted:

Day 51

Day 52

Day 53

Day 54

Day 55

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Zumba in Session

A co-worked mentioned this dance/work-out craze to me a few weeks ago and I didn’t really give it a second thought. Then when I was skimming the Health & Fitness news on MSN.com, I saw a video about a “Zumba Craze” and then thought, ‘hey maybe this is bigger than I thought!’

Zumba is briefly described as:

“…a cardio work out in intervals with a latin dancing flare.”

It is a lot like a kickboxing class, where there is loud music playing and you are working your whole body only in this class, you’re straight dancin’. According to its followers, one hour of Zumba three times a week is the key to jumpstarting your boring work out routine and getting rid of a few extra pounds.

If I’m not explaining it well, here’s a blurb from ABC:

This dance-based fitness class set to Latin beats is influenced by salsa, merengue, flamenco and other international dance styles, with some hip-hop and freestyle mixed in.

Generally, you start by moving your legs, then you add a change, such as moving your arms or changing direction, so you go side to side or forward and backward. But it’s one change at a time, making it simpler and easier to follow for those who feel like they have two left feet.

It sounds fun but I’m an awful dancer! :)

Here are some other interesting group fitness classes (from ABC) to keep an eye out for if you guys are getting tired of your normal routine and belong to (or can go to a pay-as-you-go) gym.

• Forza: An Italian word for strength and power, forza is a class-based in Japanese sword-fighting techniques. A wooden sword is used as a stand-in for metal as participants slice, chop and thrust it through the air in addition to doing lunge movements or taking steps with their legs.
• Urban Rebounding: The class is taught on a mini-trampoline, used for much of the session.  The trampoline provides an unstable surface to jump on that makes the exercise more challenging; it also cushions the landing and places less stress on your joints than a floor-based workout. Urban rebounding requires some coordination, because your arms and legs will often be moving simultaneously, and you’ll get a high-energy, heart-thumping, whole-body workout in the process. The activity not only improves your balance but also builds aerobic conditioning as well as arm, leg and core strength.
• Bosu: The novel twist in this class is that it is taught on a Bosu ball, a piece of exercise equipment shaped like a half-dome. Bosu is an acronym that stands for “both sides utilized” because you can face the blue rubber shaped dome up and exercise on top of its surface or flip it over and work with the base of the device. Many of the moves are similar to those in a step aerobics class, but the main difference is that the Bosu offers a wobblier surface than the step. You can stand on the Bosu, lie down or place your knee on it or use your arms to push off of it. Any exercise you would do on the ground, whether it’s lunges, squats, crunches or pushups, becomes trickier when attempted on a Bosu ball. Participants develop balance, and it tones muscles as the class works the upper and lower body as well as the midsection. Bosu training also has cardio elements to it.

Would you consider taking a Zumba class or do prefer a more traditional group exercise class, like spinning? Would you do any of the other different work outs above?

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Day 47

Remember that before I hurt my knee I had begun training for a half-marathon at the end of August? Yeah, that was last night. And although there was no way for us to still run (my knee isn’t ready for that yet since last time it felt better, I ran, it got worse), I did, however, force Matt to take us to the “expo” to pick up our race shirts and check out the set up.

I brought my camera but since we got there around 7:30pm, and the race started at 9pm, mostly everything was gone. Lame! Although, it seemed like it was a pretty small/somewhat lame expo anyway, which makes since since the race is considerably smaller than, say, Big Sur, or something like that.

We did get our shirts (which I will definitely be modeling at a later date!) and our numbers, and our racing bags:

Swag bag

We got a sample of Bear Naked Granola, two local magazines, and come coupons to local businesses (including Jamba Juice!). Pretty much what I expected. I am not a huge loose granola fan so I don’t know if I’ll try it or save it (and Matt’s) for a super-giveaway box? :) We’ll see.

Overall I am disappointed that I got hurt. I am disappointed that I was unable to run this race. I am disappointed that I am disappointed! But I have been able to learn this: if I am going to be a runner, it’s gonna happen. Runners get injured all the time and I need to find a better way to deal with it other than being bummed… because that just isn’t working. Also, I don’t think I want my first long-distance race to be at night. If you know me, you know I’ve got terrible vision. With my contacts, I’m alright but adding darkness with a headlamp? Seems sketchy. Now I know I want it to be a day run. Even though I didn’t compete, it got me jazzed on when I can! I am thinking don’t push it on the running and instead, maybe do a bike race?

September 18th there is a 63 mile, 30 mile, and 12 mile bike ride very locally and I am contemplating dragging Matt along to do it! Now that we purchased better bike seats, the long rides feel like nothing! Then again, we aren’t riding for time we’re just riding and talking :)

What do you guys think of bike races? Do you get the same “high” as you do from running races?

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Singer P!nk Biking with Husband Carrie Hart

I was in major need of some inspiration tonight!

I have been feeling totally bloated (TOM) and icky because I haven’t been able to run or take walks because of my knee. We haven’t quite yet built our elliptical so I’ve been limited to bike rides–which I love–but I don’t feel like I’m getting the best work out from them.  I feel like I have to cover tons of miles to feel that sense of accomplishment that I get from a simple 5 mile run. With all that said, I decided instead of getting down I would keep working hard and get inspired!

I love to look at photos of celebrities “working out” because you get to see what they wear (some of the stuff I see looks SO uncomfortable! And silly!), what they do, and the gear and equipment they use. Oddly enough, I enjoy it and it makes me want to work out harder! (P.S. My knee is getting stronger and healing.. I can feel it!)

At first I thought I’d do a post of all the famous women who wear Nike Tempos to work out in because we all seem to like them so much (and I wore my black and white “painting” tempos today to work in the garage.. dang, they’re comfy!) but then I thought, Naa, it’d be more fun to see what everyone wears!

Below are photos of: Anna Kournikova, Ashley Greene, Ashley Tisdale, Britney Spears, Carrie Underwood, Charlize Theron, Christina Applegate, Ellen Pompeo, Eva Mendes, Fergie, Giselle Bundchen, Gwen Stefani, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson,  Jessica Biel, Kate Hudson, Kate Beckinsale, Katy Perry, Kelly Brook, Kristin Cavallari, Kourtney Kardashian, Madonna, Megan Fox, Melanie B, Mischa Barton, Nicole Kidman, Nicole Scherzinger, Reese Witherspoon, Renee Zellwegger, and Scarlett Johansson.

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