The options are endless and enjoyable! My new membership has made me consider all the things one should look for when choosing a gym so they can have a good experience like myself. 

Here are 5 factors to consider when choosing a gym that fits your lifestyle: 

Classes 

As a new gym go-er, one thing I was especially excited for when signing up was the opportunity to take classes with trainers. A good gym has a variety of different class options that might include yoga, zumba, weight-training or cardio classes. I find classes helpful for someone like me who oftentimes feels lost surrounded by so much equipment and the crowd of regulars in the main gym area. 

Additionally, if you are someone who is new to working out and generally unsure of what workouts or reps to do, classes help teach you new skills and routines that you can utilize either at home or in the main gym area. For most gyms, classes are included in a premium membership. 

Good Amenities

Many gyms spoil their members with a number of exclusive amenities that might include locker rooms, saunas, hot tubs, smoothie bars and more. These amenities make it highly enticing to go to the gym because there is no better way to treat yourself after a hard workout like a session in the sauna room or refreshing smoothie. 

At the most basic level, good amenities also include a variety of workout equipment. That should include a large selection of free weights so that you can make the most of your time at the gym not waiting on others to finish their reps. Additionally a variety of cardio and strength training equipment such as treadmills, stair climbers, and smith machines. 

Training Options

Everyone approaches a workout session differently. Some prefer a bit of self-motivation to push through a routine, while others might need the encouragement and aid of a professional. Personal trainers can often help members plan out their goals and focus on workouts that will help them reach their goal. 

When looking at a gym, you should do research into the variety of training programs available that will keep you on track. Most of the time, personal training comes at an additional cost, but some gyms might offer one free session with a personal trainer before deciding if it is something you want to pursue. 

Gym Hours

Between balancing work, family and hobbies our schedules tend to pile up on us before we know it, which can make going to the gym and taking time for yourself incredibly difficult. A good gym will recognize the business of their members and create a selection of hours that are sure to work for someone. 

When considering a gym, inquire about the hours as well as what exactly is available during these hours. Ask about the typical class hours, as some might be during the workday making it difficult to squeeze a class in. Ask about the hours of personal trainers, so if you do choose to have one, it works with your schedule. 

A good gym should be open early in the morning until late in the night.

The Value

The most important thing is ensuring that you get what you pay for. Oftentimes, gym memberships can be on the pricier side, so if that is the case it is important to explore your options. Is the gym kept up and clean? Does the staff ensure quality care for its members offering a safe, spacious environment? 

When deciding on a gym you want to join, make sure you are considering all these factors and going with the one that best suits your fitness goals! 

The post 5 Things To Consider When Looking For a Gym appeared first on At Home Daily.

So, here are four short reviews of a few popular documentaries that you can stream right now. We’re not endorsing any of them in particular, but each of these can offer some interesting information to people looking to gain more insights into your nutrition options.

Forks Over Knives (2011)

While this is the oldest documentary on our list, it has shown serious staying power, as people continue to turn to it for insights today. To be clear, this documentary takes an approach of looking at the potential negative effects of meat and dairy-based diets, while strongly promoting a plant-based (basically vegan) diet.

It’s well made and provides a strong case for going vegetarian or vegan with your nutrition plan, with a focus on avoiding overly processed foods. It relies on studies from a few key researchers and their data. The China Study is featured prominently. If you’re looking for information around a more plant-based diet, this is a good option. It is streaming on Netflix.

In Defense of Food (2015)

This documentary, based on the book of the same name by author Michael Pollan asks the question: what should I eat to be healthy? It explores how our modern western diet has been contributing to the rise in obesity and other illnesses and what we can do about it in our own diets. In the end, the film’s advice boils down to 3 key strategies.

Eat food (and this largely excludes overly processed ‘foods’ that are easily accessible)

Not too much (it isn’t all what you eat, but also how much)

Mostly plants (another strong argument for eating less meat)

The approach is largely more of a flexitarian style diet, that is plant-based, but allows smaller portions of meat than the typical western diet is based on. This is another well-researched but also very approachble nutrition documentary. You can rent it on Amazon Prime. 

What the Health (2017)

Here is another one you can stream on Netflix. Once again, this film has a definite agenda. It offers a very strong critique of the meat, fish, eggs, and dairy product industries. It strongly advocates for a plant-based diet. Not everyone has given this one positive reviews, as critics have suggested it cherry-picks studies that support its position, while potentially ignoring others that don’t.

However, the fact that the producer gets some fairly questionable responses from various health organizations about what could be construed as inconsistent direction on the benefits or detriments of various food and the fact that various studies coming out in favor of various food industries were also paid for by those industries is worthy of examination. 

The Game Changers (2018)

The most recent one on the list, it also has its controversies. Once again, the film advocates for a plant-based/vegan diet. However, its approach is to look at how athletes can recover from injury and optimize performance on a plant-based diet. It takes on questions around how to get enough protein and maintain energy levels, despite eating no meat. It features a number of world-class athletes as case studies in the benefits of a plant-based approach.

The film also includes a few scientific studies or explanations of science that may fall into the category of cherry-picking. It is also very well-produced and offers a compelling argument. The argument is compelling enough that there is no end to the videos and articles focused on debunking the film’s premise. You can stream this one on Netflix. 

The post Rating Some Nutrition Documentaries appeared first on At Home Daily.

As someone who has worked out regularly for a couple of decades, I’m a good example of why changing things up is both challenging and also a great idea. I have a tendency to find a workout program that works and then I stick to it, for a long time.

While some folks enjoy chasing the latest fitness trend, I still like my base workout to be very old-school, because that’s what worked for me when I first started working out.  But as much as I love my foundational workout elements, I know that changing things up is important for a variety of reasons.  Here are 2 main ones. 

1. To keep driving results. Doing the same exact workout over a long period of time will eventually lead to diminishing returns. Those big gains you made early on become small and smaller and the plateaus get longer and more frequent. It’s partly because your body gets used to the exercises and becomes very good at executing them with the least energy possible. You find you don’t get as tired or as sore anymore, and while this is nice, it is also a sign that you may not be pushing yourself enough anymore. 
2. To adapt as we get older.  This one applies to me too. As I’ve gotten older, I have recognized that some exercises I did 20 years ago or the weights I lifted back then might not be the smartest for me now. 

So, if you want to mix things up in your fitness routine, what should you do? Here are 3 quick tips to help you make some beneficial adjustments. 

Mix up Types of Workouts

This could be as simple as resistance training vs. cardio training, but more likely will involve trying some new types of workouts in general. Look at your current fitness program. Is it mainly focused on long stretches of cardio or maybe you are largely focused on lifting weights every day. Whatever your current focus is, start looking at new routines that you either do very rarely or never. Have you tried HIIT workouts?  Is CrossFit something that could shake things up? What group exercise classes are available at your gym? Consider all these options and identify some that seem appealing to you to add to your routine. There are a seemingly limitless number of exercise classes, routines, or philosophies that you can explore. 

If you work out at a gym, keep an eye on what some other people are doing in the gym who are either in similar shape to you today or may be in the shape you are shooting for. What kinds of workouts do they do that are different from yours? These may give you some inspiration. But, the main thing is to find some workouts that are fairly different from what you do currently. 

Change your Venue

Another way to mix things up is literally taking your workout somewhere else. If you work out in a gym, it doesn’t mean you need to quit, but you could consider joining a second gym or simply finding some workouts you could do at home or even outside. But, if you consider different workout facilities, think about mixing it up among some of these.

Traditional gym

Kickboxing facility (with heavy bags)

CrossFit gym 

Swimming pool

Martial Arts school

Consider Personal Training

This is likely the most expensive option, but it is also the one that could drive the greatest results. There’s nothing like having a professional dissect your current workout routine and start taking you through more challenging or just different options. A good personal trainer will not only adjust your current workout routine but will also keep changing things up in order to keep you challenged and making progress.

I’ve had several personal trainers over the years and two, in particular, were really excellent at keeping me on my toes with challenging workouts that drove results. So, I’m a big proponent of finding the right personal trainer for you. 

Good luck in  your training in 2022!

The post 3 Tips for Changing up your Fitness Routine in 2022 appeared first on At Home Daily.

As someone who works out at the gym 6+ days a week, I face a regular challenge of getting into a rut with my workouts and hitting a plateau in my results. It’s natural, as most humans like routine and we tend to form habits that then become easier to follow over time.

This happens in workouts too, where we get into a routine of doing the same workouts each week. You blink and realize you’ve been doing the same exercises for each muscle group for months. While you may be getting stronger, your body is also simply becoming more efficient at those specific movements. One of the best ways to get results in your workout is to mix things up and keep your muscles a bit confused. 

One of the areas I decided to change up to kick off the year is my Legs Day. Most regular gym visitors have a love/hate relationship with Legs Day. It can be one of the most physically demanding workout days of the week, and for most people legs simply aren’t their favorite body part to train.

But, that doesn’t mean you should just create a set-it-and-forget-it Legs Day routine. In fact, if you really want to mix it up and perhaps develop those leg muscles a bit more, you might consider 2 Legs Days per week.

Below is the new Legs Days plan I am putting into place for the beginning of 2022. Take a look and see if any of this resonates with you and inspires a change to your own workouts. As always, please consult a physician before taking on a new workout program, especially one that might be more strenuous than you are used to. 

So, I’m old-school in that I like to separate body parts in my workouts. So, a normal sequence for me would be: Chest, Shoulders, Legs 1, Back, Bis/Tris, Legs 2. This gets me through a sequence in 6 days. Give me one rest day and I’m back at it.  I also tend to shoot for 12-15 reps on regular sets, a lower number (6-8) if I’m going very heavy, and occasionally a higher number (25+) if I want to have a lighter day, with high reps. 

Legs Day 1

I’m a big believer in supersets (doing multiple exercises one after the other, without a break for each set). So, Legs Day 1 has quite a few.  

Superset 1 – 4 Sets

• Leg Press: Regular Stance – Just about every gym has at least 1 leg press machine (and usually several), so take your pick as to which one you like for these exercises.  For this one, use a more or less shoulder-width stance on the leg press pad. Try to get as full reps as you can. 

• Calf Raises: Straight – Using the leg press and the same weight, do a set of standard calf raises. 

• Lunges: Alternating Body Weight – Now step out of the leg press machine and do a set of alternating lunges. 

Superset 2 – 4 Sets

• Leg Press: Narrow Stance – Now use the same leg press machine, but position your fee together.  You may find you need to lower the weight just a bit, but possibly not. 

• Calf Raises: Toes Pointed Inward – Same deal as the previous calf raises, but shift your feet so your toes are pointing inward. 

• Lunges: Pulsing Body Weight – This time, do your lunges with just pulses on one side and then the other. 

Superset 3 – 4 Sets

• Leg Press: One Legged – Definitely lower the weight on this one, but try to keep it challenging. Use only one leg at a time to do execute your leg press reps. 

• Calf Raises: Toes Pointed Outward (4 sets) – One last type of calf raises, this time point your toes outward, like a ballet stance. It may feel awkward, but it hits your calves just a bit differently.   

• Lunges: Smith Machine (or barbell) (4 sets) – Now find a Smith Machine or grab a barbell and perform 4 sets of lunges, with the bar on your shoulders.

• Front Squats: Barbel – Last up, find a barbell and possibly a squat rack, and place the bar on your crossed arms in front of your chest. You will definitely do less weight on this exercise than a normal squat. Make sure to get your balance right, as it can be awkward to have the weight in this position. 

Legs Day 2

For Day 2, we don’t have any supersets and we’re hitting some different leg muscles, while repeating a few others. 

• Hamstring Curls: Standing – Hopefully your gym has a standing hamstring curl machine, but if not, you’ll want to skip this one and see if there is a seated hamstring curl machine option. Shoot for 4 sets. 

• Hamstring Curls: Prone – I have yet to find a gym that doesn’t have one of these old-school hamstring curl machines, so hopefully you will have one. Again, we’ll shoot for 4 sets. 

• Calf Raises: Seated – Calves are hard to build, so we’re hitting them on both days. Most gyms have a seated calf raise machine, so we’ll use that for this exercise. Again, 4 sets. 

• Good Mornings – These are best done on a squat rack with little or no weight on the barbell. Place it on your shoulder (behind your head) and then stretch your arms out along the bar. With luck, you may be able to grab any weights you do put on the ends, but otherwise, just get your hands/arms into a comfortable position. Step back from the rack with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend forward at your waist, keeping your legs straight, until you execute a bow where your upper body is more or less perpendicular with the floor.  Go very slowly and you’ll quickly realize why you don’t need much weight. Go for 4 sets. 

• Straight Leg Deadlifts – You can use a barbell, dumbbells, or something like a trap bar, but in each case, execute a good deadlift. Keep your legs straight (no cheating) and complete 4 sets. 

• Hip Thrusts: One Legged – Last but not least, find a box or bench where you and lay with your shoulders on it, your knees bent 90 degrees with feet on the floor. So, your torso should be basically flat and perpendicular to the floor. Now lift one leg and then let your body pivot toward the floor until your butt almost touches the gound and then push up with that one leg that is still on the floor. Complete 4 sets with each leg. You can do this with body weight or pick up a plate and hold it on your abdomen.

That’s it!  Legs Days!  

The post Legs Day or Legs Days? Which is Right for your Workout Program? appeared first on At Home Daily.

This new offering will allow Peloton users to access hundreds of workouts that can be done at home with just a few pieces of equipment and in the convenience of their own home. With these routines, Peloton has made it easier than ever to build the physique they’ve always wanted without having to leave the house.

Peloton Now Offers Strength Training

Peloton is now offering new strength-training classes, with live onscreen workouts that’ll help you build muscle, burn fat, and sculpt your body from head to toe.

Peloton’s expert instructors will guide you through some of their most popular moves, so whether you want to lose weight or gain power and endurance as you prepare for a marathon, they have a workout plan for you.

The Peloton App Features Connected Workouts

Peloton users can add guided strength-training workouts to their fitness routines through Peloton’s new Peloton Guide. These classes are accessible to all users for free when they purchase any Peloton machine or as an additional subscription service for $10 per month or $100 per year.

The offering complements Peloton’s highly rated live cycling classes, which are streamed directly into user homes through Peloton’s bike and app. Members have had great feedback on adding connected strength training to their existing routines, so we’re excited to offer these 12 new, scalable classes taught by 5 different trainers. For those who want more time with each trainer, there is also a one-day class pass available for $5 (or included in your membership).

A Preview of How It Works

A Peloton Guide connected workout begins with a warmup and ends with a cool down, and in between, you work through an exclusive Peloton strength routine designed for your body type and fitness goals. You control your class—you can change levels at any time or even pause if needed.

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But did you know there are a few different variations of squats you do to isolate some of the muscles and train some of the accessory muscles as well? Check out the top 5 squat variations below.

Front Squat

Arguably the next best alternative to the back squat, front squats are pretty much the same, except that you will rack the barbell on the front of your shoulders instead of your back. 

The biggest difference you’ll notice here is that the weight is going to pull you forward and down a lot harder than usual. To prevent the barbell from rolling off your shoulders, or rounding your back, you’ll want to keep your elbows up and chest up as well. You want your back as upright and tight as possible. 

Because of the extra core work, the front squat will help you work more of your core muscles. With the weight more forward on your center of gravity, it also works the quads a little more than the glutes.

Cossack Squat

A Cossack squat isolates the squat to each leg–almost like a lunge, but instead if your feet being directly in front or behind you, they’re to each side of you. 

You’ll bend one knee to squat down on one side and stand back up all the way before repeating on the other leg. It’s important to stand up all the way instead of switching legs halfway through standing up, since that is how you’ll get to work the leg muscles through full range of motion. 

Because your hips are opened up in this extra wide stance, you’ll get to work more of the inner muscles on your thigh. Try it out first without any weight. If you’re a little more experienced, you can try a lightweight barbell first. Keep in mind that because you’re working one leg at a time, you want your working weight to be lower than your average back squat.

Pistol Squat

This one is more of a gymnastics movement but is a powerful leg-building tool nonetheless. Standing on one foot, squat all the way down without your other leg or foot touching the floor and stand all the way back up. 

This movement is definitely more advanced as not many people have the mobility in their ankles, or the balance to stand on one leg alone. Some modified movements to help you get there are to hold on to a stationary object to help you stand up, or to put something underneath the heel of your standing foot to help with your ankle flexibility. 

Once you are able to complete a rep, you’ll notice you’re using more of the upper area of your leg than you are used to. This movement is especially helpful for working the “sticky” parts of your back squat if you’re getting stuck standing the weight up on your heavier numbers.

Cyclist Squat

This variation is not quite as well known as the others, but is the best at really isolating your quads. Standing with your legs extremely close together in a narrow stance (almost touching), squat all the way down and stand back up.

This should be pretty easy if you’re not using any weight, but you might have noticed the depth of your squat is a lot shorter than your usual since your hips are closed. You still want to try to get to parallel or a little bit below for full range of motion, but you won’t be able to go ass to grass. 

If and when you add weight, make sure to front rack the barbell instead of back racking. This will also increase the mass in front of your center of gravity and put more emphasis on the quads.

Box Squat

This is probably one of my favorite squat variations. With these, place a plyo box behind you in the squatting area. Ideally you want it between 18-20”. Any higher, and it might be too easy. 

Perform a back squat as usual and keep squatting until your rear reaches the top of the box. All you want to do here is touch and go from the box. Don’t sit on the box fully and let your body relax. You want to keep your legs and your core tight throughout the entire movement. 

However, you theoretically should be able to squat about 20% more with the box squat than your one-rep max. This helps you get used to heavier weight when you do shoot for a new one rep max.

The post 5 Best Squat Variations appeared first on At Home Daily.

Barbell Curl

This is the true basic bicep exercise. But, being the simplest and most standard doesn’t mean you should skip it in favor of fancier exercises. This exercise is simple and easy to repeat. You can learn proper form in no time and you absolutely will build stronger and bigger biceps by implementing it into your workout routine. 

Simply grab a barbell (with plates on it or just the bar if that is the appropriate weight for you) with an underhand grip, with your hands slightly wider than your shoulders, and extend your arms down until they are fully extended. Keep your chest up and your shoulder blades pulled closely together.

Make sure the front of your biceps are facing outward (which they should be naturally). Now curl the barbell up toward your chest, using only your biceps.  Try to get the bar as close to your chest as possible. You don’t want to just execute half reps. 

Hinge at the elbow and do not lean forward or backward. You can cheat by swinging your upper body backward to get leverage on the bar, but this defeats the purpose. Wash, rinse, repeat for as man reps as planned for each set. 

Hammer Curl

Break out the dumbbells for this one, as each arm will be independent. It’s important to mix in biceps exercises that use both arms together to move a single weight with others that have weights held separately in each hand. Which brings us to the hammer curl. 

Grab a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing each other (inward) and let them rest at your sides, arms extended. This is a neutral wrist position, making it fairly comfortable to lift heavier weights. It also helps truly target the biceps and forearms when you perform the exercise.

Now lift both arms upward (or you can alternate one arm at a time), keeping your wrist straight, bending only at the elbow until the top of end of the dumbbell touches or nearly touches your chest. Then, release and extend the weight toward your side and repeat.

Try to keep a well-controlled motion throughout, not too fast and not too slow (although ultra slow reps are great as well). 

Concentration Curl

This is another single-arm exercise, but in this case, you will actually complete the exercise on one arm and then switch to the other. The name is pretty descriptive, as you really focus on the biceps even more than most other dedicated biceps exercises.  Do it right and you will really feel it.

First, grab a single dumbbell in one hand. Then sit down on the end of a bench with your legs spread out to either side.  Bring the weight in front of you, between your legs, with your arm extended and hanging loose. Lean forward until you can dig your elbow into the inside of your thigh near the knee.

That becomes your fulcrum as you lever the weight upward, palm up, hinging at your elbow, up toward your chest.  Stop before you smack yourself in the face and then lower and repeat.  At the top of the rep, really focus on squeezing your biceps. 

EZ-Bar Reverse Curl

This hits your biceps at a slightly different angle than most of the other exercises on this list. It also benefits your forearms and grip. It can feel a bit awkward and you can expect not to be able to lift as much weight as with a normal curl, so be aware when picking your starting weight. You’ll need an EZ-Curl Bar, but fortunately, I have never worked out in a gym that didn’t have them. The EZ-Curl bar is the shorter barbell that juts out in the middle. It’s kind of a twisty-looking barbell. 

Put the appropriate amount of weight on each end and grasp the bar with your palms facing your body when extended to the bottom. Grasp the bar at two places where it angles outward.  This means you will be curling with your palms facing away from you as you executive the exercise. Now stand up and keep your chest up and shoulder blades pinched back. Lift the bar toward your chest, hinging at the elbows. You’ll find a natural stopping point before the bar reaches your chest. Then lower the bar slowly and repeat.  

TRX Suspension Curl

This is a change-up, as it is a pure bodyweight exercise. Of course, you’ll need a TRX band to make this work, so hopefully, your gym has one. Your arms will be separate, but working together to lift your body weight. So, it is feasible to compensate and use one arm a bit more than the other. Concentrate on your form and spreading the weight evenly. 

Wrap the band around the upper section of a lifting cage (or a TRX structure) so that the handles hang down to around chest height. Next, take the handles in a palms-facing-you grip.  You may start by standing fairly in line with where bands hang down vertically. Then, lean back, extending your arms until more or less fully extended.

Now curl biceps, which will bring your body back toward your starting position. If this is too easy, make your lean a bit more severe.  It if’s too hard, lean back a bit less. It’s pretty intuitive how to adjust your body position to control the tension level, so just play with it a bit and you’ll find the right spot. 

The post Great Biceps Exercises appeared first on At Home Daily.

When no time during the day seems to fit your schedule, should you just pick one and go with it? Are there better benefits to working out first thing in the morning, or at night? 

While both times of the day have their own pros and cons, for most people, the right time is what best fits their lifestyle.

The best time is whenever you can.

First and foremost, the best time to work out is whenever you can. One small workout, no matter the time of day, is better than no workout at all. At the end of the day, the bottom line is to just get moving, and to develop some type of consistency about it.  

If you work all day, and then have to go home and take care of errands or the family, then maybe a morning workout is your best option. 

If your day starts as early as 5 or 6 in the morning, then maybe finding some time in the afternoon or in the evening is a better option. 

If you struggle to find the time, start small. Can you work a 20 or 30 minute jog into your day, instead of scrolling on your phone? Once you get used to that, can you increase it to an hour? 

Morning workout Pros

According to a few studies, morning workouts do have a slight edge. People who exercise in the morning are often more consistent because it leaves less room for excuses. It’s the first thing on your to do list, which means nothing else gets in the way. This can also help you establish a better routine.

Morning workouts also may help improve your sleep cycle. Even though waking up early might seem hard at first, research has shown that your circadian rhythm shifts so you are more alert in the mornings and tired at night, allowing you to fall asleep easier.

If you’re working out first thing in the morning, chances are you aren’t eating much beforehand. Exercise in a “fasted” state like this is proven to burn more fat than if you had a big meal beforehand. 

Morning workouts also seem to help boost productivity. With energy levels, focus, and alertness heightened, you’ll probably have a better day at work and be in a better mood.

Morning workouts Cons

When training in a fasted state as mentioned above, you could potentially burn more fat. But you could potentially be low on fuel too. A lot of people depend on a meal or snack beforehand for pre workout fuel. Being low on fuel might equate to a less intense workout.

It might also take you longer to warm up if you’re not used to that type of movement that early. Working on your stiffness and flexibility might add to your total workout time.

Evening Workouts Pros

Throughout the day, your core temperature rises. Which means by the afternoon and evening, you are already warmer –not just physically but mentally speaking as well. Your strength, endurance, and muscle output is heightened during this time, and it takes longer to reach fatigue or exhaustion. So chances are, you are going to get a much better workout later in the day. 

Testosterone has been shown to be produced more during an evening workout than morning workout. And it’s not a bad thing. Although men have more of it naturally, this hormone is important for strength and muscle gains. 

Are you prone to watching TV, snacking, drinking, or lazing about during the evening after work? Well, working out during this time instead might help replace some of those bad habits if you’re looking ot make a change. 

Evening Workout Cons

One downside of getting worked up in the evening is that it might have an effect on your sleep. If you’re tired enough, you might get a good night’s sleep. But for some, you might stay awake longer than usual after high intensity exercises.

The post What’s the best time of day to exercise? appeared first on At Home Daily.

The foods you eat during pregnancy not only fuel your own health, but that of your child in the pre development stages, as well as when they leave the womb. It’s common to think that eating whatever foods you crave during pregnancy is allowed, but it’s important to focus on nutrient rich foods during this time. 

So how much is too much when it comes to sugar during pregnancy? Read more for advice on sugar amounts and how to limit sugar intake.

How much sugar can you have while pregnant?

Women who are pregnant are advised to keep “free” sugar intake to under 30 grams (a little over 7 teaspoons). Have you measured out a true teaspoon? It’s not a lot. 

But what is “free” sugar? This term refers to the amount of sugar excluding the sugars found in natural foods like whole grains, fruits, or vegetables. In other words, it could be the extra sugar you get from processed foods, actual granulated sugar, or sweetness from other snacks and desserts. For reference, one packet of sugar you get at a coffee shop is typically 1 teaspoon. 

This general free sugar guideline should also be followed throughout the entire pregnancy. In other words, you shouldn’t really loosen up and have more sugar in the later stages simply because the baby is bigger. 

What about artificial sweeteners?

Because artificial sweeteners do not biochemically consist of sucrose, artificial sweeteners can be ok. They are actually made from sucralose or aspartame. Although some people argue over the long-term negative side effects from artificial sweetener synthetic compounds.

However, one chemical that should be avoided is saccharin. Saccharin can be found in diet sodas, gum, canned fruit, baked goods, and other foods. Saccharin can cross the placenta and embed itself in fetal tissue. 

It goes without saying that if you are going to incorporate artificial sweeteners into your diet, it should also be done in moderation just like regular sugar. 

The post How much sugar is too much during pregnancy? appeared first on At Home Daily.

Let’s take a look at how they work and what are the best brands that offer this latest technology.

What are they? 

The best and most attractive part of workout mirrors is they they are designed to look exactly like a full-length mirror you would have in your home. So the upside is that it can blend seamlessly with your home decor. So if you are short on space and don’t have a full room to dedicate to working out, this is a perfect solution.

Most of these mirrors are digital and connect to WiFi, so you have access to a broad array of exercises options, coaching, and music while you workout. There are some that specialize in strength training, others in cardio, and others in interval training. It all depends on what kind of energy and workouts you want access to.

Why are they popular? 

Because of the pandemic, there was a large shift towards at-home workouts. Gyms and other fitness studios closed down for the most part, and businesses that sold workout equipment really ramped up. 

After investing so much money in at-home gym equipment, why not continue working out at home? Most people realized it really saved them time and money, and so the trend continues. Workout mirrors and other at-home fitness routines, like Peloton, offer some type of community option as well to make up for not going into a brick and mortar location.

What are the best brands? 

Gaining in popularity, there are quite a few workout mirrors on the market to choose from. 

Tonal comes with arm cables attached to the mirror so this product seems best suited for those more into weight lifting. There’s also a strength assessment you’ll go through when you first set up the equipment. Buy it here. 

Mirror was probably the first widely popular product to hit the market. It has arguably the widest array of exercise category and options available, which would work if you are someone who likes a variety of exercises, or have multiple people in the household with different workout preferences.

One note about the Mirror is that it’s not a touchscreen, so downloading the app is essential. Most of the reviews say that the workouts are pretty intense and work up a good sweat, and provides the best “studio” feel in that you feel like it’s truly just you and the instructor. Check it out here.

The Tempo needs a little bit more extra space for the 3D configuration sensors, so it might not be the best fit for someone with really limited space. The gym equipment that accompanies this mirror are quite luxurious, which might explain the higher price point.

This mirror also provides a touch screen feature and a bigger screen. As far as workouts go, it also offers thousands of options from strength training, bootcamp, high intensity intervals to yoga, recovery, and flexibility. Check it out here.

Buy it or not?

Getting a workout mirror really comes down to how you think you like to work out, as well also how much money you want to spend or invest in a home-gym space. 

First, are you someone that is better motivated to work out in a designated gym space, with people around you? Or are you someone that has a busy schedule, and the best way to get a workout in is if your space is just down the hall? 

Second, you won’t be able to find a workout mirror for less than $1,000. You can buy a full set of dumbbells, a bike, and some other miscellaneous gym equipment for that price point. So it begs to ask, what kind of workouts do you prefer? If you’re a weights kind of person, then a bodyweight bootcamp workout isn’t going to be for you. But if that’s exactly what you’re looking for, then having your own personal coach via mirror on the wall would be ideal. 

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