(Part 3) Best products from r/xxfitness

This is the best example I've seen of someone using bands to their max advantage: https://bretcontreras.com/band-glute-exercises-for-the-win-erin-mccombs-intriguing-training-methods/

However, she previously did regular lifting for a long while, I guess, so, not sure how well her results reflect the bands per se. But they didn't do nothing :)

I use bands because I'm working around injuries - that's why I had the other sets before, because of grip issues, and now I have a knee thing that doesn't feel good when it gets direct weight from above, and because I'd given my weights away (bc injuries), and there's no way I can get new ones up to my place. It takes no time at all to max out on a band set like this one, that's why I keep buying bands :) Although, hopefully, I now have enough to double/triple up.

If it's at all possible, I'd invest in free weights for home, honestly :/ The bands are pretty good, but I think they'll eventually wear out (and plates won't). I think I'm up to close to $200 CAD spent on bands, all told, so far. Not that much less than I spent on my old free weights.

That said, although I think there are subtle differences in how the weight kind of behaves, ultimately, resistance is resistance, and signs are pointing to failure being failure. (See e.g. some of the studies mentioned in this thread.)

The good things about bands are that they're light, portable, don't take up space, and you can use them in lots of ways (I am inspired by the creativity of the person I linked to above). Really versatile, great for people with injuries.

It's worth getting a big set with a lot of bands, with several handles and door anchors, so you don't have to keep switching them out, that's annoying with the small set I have. Like get something like this instead of the very cheapest version (which is what I got). At some point you'll probably want a few big looped bands like I just got - like these (for squats, deadlifts, and hip thrusts). Couple of smaller looped bands would be good. (For that I am just using old cheap Therabands from physio that ended up snapping, or the flat bands I have, tied together. I am so cheap)

also, I got my big bands from a fitness depot type place, for about half the price of what was available on Amazon. i'm pretty sure that's also where my gym gets their crap, I think these are actually the bands they use, so they must be ok :)

Hey girl! Congrats on losing the first 50lb! That's amazing!! Here are some notes for you, based on your post:

1. You cannot target any part of your body for fat loss. Carb cycling is no more helpful than any other method of weight loss in terms of reducing belly fat. Genetics is the only factor that determines where you will lose fat first, which, unfortunately, we have no control over.
   
   
2. In order to get a flat stomach, you will need to drop your total body fat %, and not necessarily your weight. (Many women actually end up gaining weight to get a flatter stomach, believe it or not!) This is because muscle weighs more than fat, meaning that 1 lb of fat takes up a lot more space (volume) than 1 lb of muscle. Because of this, I would highly recommend you stop weighing yourself. You can buy a BF% scanner on amazon for $30 if you want to track your numbers, but honestly, the best way to judge your progress is to take photos and go by how your clothes fit.
   
   
3. Diet is 80%. Exercise is 20%. Yes, I would recommend lifting heavy, and starting a workout program (see side bar). But more importantly, I would recommend cleaning up your diet. As in nixing processed food. As in, if the ingredients list has more than 10 items listed, or things you can't pronounce, then don't eat it. Flat stomachs are made in the kitchen.
   
   Best of luck! And again, congrats on your progress thus far.
   
   

One: Okay, I can totally help with this. Here is the food scale I bought, it's not super expensive but it works very well. I am also lactose intolerant, so most of the store-bought shakes are a no-go for me. However, I have found that I can use whey protein without the side effects of regular dairy. I just mix it up with chocolate almond milk or chocolate coconut milk, or sometimes I buy the lactose-free milk instead. Given that nut-milks are less calorie dense, it could be a good idea to get a meal-replacement style shake mix rather than a protein shake. OR you could still use a protein shake and just add other things to your shake like banana or peanut butter (or both because delicious!). Also, play around with the spacing of your meals and snacks. That might help you consume greater calories. It's also worth it to replace your leaner meats with something a little fattier. Chicken is great, we love chicken, but how about some beef? Fish is good, fish has lots of fatty oils in it, but it's pretty lean still, how about some pork? Add grains to your diet, quinoa, barley, oats, brown rice, etc. Use them as filler in your meals. Carb the fuck out every now and then. Embrace the carbs. Slip into a magical carb-coma. Wrap yourself in its fluffy embrace.

Two: Also, try longer rests in between sets. It's amazing how much it can help.

Keeping in mind affordability and portability, a powerlifting spin (and that I’m on mobile, so sorry about formatting):

1. Dead Wedge. Fantastic for unloading/loading the bar when deadlifting heavy. I use mine every deadlift session (so, at least once a week) https://www.lift.net/product/dead-wedge-deadlift-jack-alternative/
   
   
2. A bar pad. Makes it easier to do hip thrusts without the bruises and pain. https://www.thexbands.com/products/hip-thrust-and-squat-barbell-pad?variant=7422385356863&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI45qX_e713gIVi5-zCh34lQ0lEAQYBSABEgL7yfD_BwE
   
   
3. Resistance bands, small or large. Small ones are great for accessory muscle activation activities. Large ones are great for their transportability - can do lots of stuff on the go - good mornings, overhead squats, bicep curls, scapula retractions... I’ve never used either of these brands, but as examples - Large: https://www.amazon.com/INTEY-Exercise-Resistance-Workout-Powerlifting/dp/B07226JDDD/ref=pd_aw_lpo_200_tr_img_2/133-4722036-0430309?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=A7DYJRRWKMG0MEJ0CV5J, Small: https://www.amazon.com/Athleema-Resistance-Bands-Light-Medium/dp/B00LYY0YE8/ref=pd_aw_lpo_200_lp_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Z099J78N6FSZRMEVEEVC
   
   
4. Liquid chalk. Great for rock climbing, lifting...anything when grip is essential. Also, may be allowed in gyms/areas when conventional chalk isn’t. Lots of different brands and types. Check out a comparison here: http://www.kingofthegym.com/best-liquid-chalk-for-lifting/
   
   
5. Hand care items; manicure gift certificate. Or, if you’re gonna go “all out,” a massage gift certificate.
   
   
6. A month of programming. My gym membership is expensive, since it’s a specialty gym. BUT my programming is through the Juggernaut site and is about $30/month - making it a more realistic possibility for friends/family.
   
   
7. Plate coasters. I got these as a stocking stuffer for my lifting partner. https://www.getrxd.com/getrxd-comp-plate-coasters.html?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk-6EuvX13gIVgeDICh3MBwjbEAQYASABEgI5AfD_BwE
   
   
8. Starting Strength, by Mark Rippetoe. I LOVE this book. I have a background in anatomy, so it’s right up my nerdy alley. If you have a lifting friend who is into the how and why, get them this. https://www.amazon.com/Starting-Strength-Basic-Barbell-Training/dp/0982522738
   

The most sustainable, enjoyable fitness is the one you love doing.

For years I was told that cardio was the way to go, the way to stay fit, that thing that will slim you down. And so I did it, for years, and I hated it. And as a result, I was inconsistent. But then I started hanging around xxfitness, and everyone was like, "lift heavy! squatz! bench pressessss!". And so I did -- and I LOVED IT. I've been going consistently, I feel positively challenged, and I am amazed at my progress.

But this is just my example. You need to find something that you love doing. If you love biking, and you own a bike, get yo'self one of these and peddle away inside! Maybe even pop a movie in, and peddle while watching, if that's your thing. Once the chill is gone, then go back outside! I would also suggest /r/bodyweightfitness, if you want strength training without the machines, or pick up a set of dumbbells if it's in your budget.

I think another thing to remember is that staying fit, while it should be fun, also requires a little bit of sacrifice. If being fit and in shape was easy, everyone would be super in shape all the time!

I started SL about a month ago -- also almost no upper body strength. No shame in the dumb bells. I'll see if I can find it, but there are some posts about it around here. It only took me a couple weeks to work up to the bar on almost all of the exercises (still using dumbbells for Overhead Press, though).

I started with the dumbbells that you can load weights onto: something like these. at a home gym to get comfortable building some weight.

It wasn't long at all until I moved to the bar (and it did get easier once I could use the bar.) Seriously, you'll be surprised at your progress in just a couple weeks. I still think that SL is a great beginning programming for learning form and incrementally building strength.

In just a couple weeks, I noticed a SIGNIFICANT difference in my upper body/core strength when I went to pick up my kayak...it was like "oh this used to be hard/impossible" now I felt like "what, did someone switch this thing out for a lighter one?" Have fun!

Congratulations! You look great!

If you want to add a little more protein into your meals you can throw in a protein shake throughout the day. This one is raw and tastes decent if you blend it up with some bananas and almond milk.

As far as exercise, you can check out this girl's site for strength training that's easy to do at home since you don't have a gym membership. There are some pretty simple exercises that don't require special equipment but will leave your body aching the next day. Some of it can be pretty intense though so make sure you know your limits and stop if you have to. And if you don't like anything there, pure body weight resistance is great for strength training too. Just throw in some wall squats, push ups, lunges, etc when you have some spare time at home.

Also I would definitely go with the yoga. Not only will it give you a great workout and increase you flexibility, but it can be very relaxing too.

Not sure about your friend's budget, but I have a Scosche Rhythm and it works great. It's just a HRM, nothing else, not even an app! It's super basic but pretty good; I also have a Fitbit Charge HR and the data from each is usually pretty similar.

I pair the Rhythm with an app called Digifit, which analyzes the data provided by the HRM. There are other apps you can use as well, but that one works best for me. (Android phone, btw.)

I love love LOVE dry shampoo! After the gym I usually blow dry my sweaty hair and then apply dry shampoo to the roots. It can sometimes look a little chalky after applying, so I use my fingers to work it into my hair.

As someone who has thin hair that looks greasy after 24 hours, it's a lifesaver on days when I don't want to wash my hair again.

The only brand I have liked is Batiste in the clean and clear scent. It smells fresh and doesn't have the same icky residue as the other brands. It's amazing!

I have used 2 different kinds of adjustable dumbbells. At home I have a York set - the smallest version of these:
http://www.amazon.com/InfiDeals-Adjustable-Cast-Iron-Dumbbells/dp/B004UY5CR8/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1463887207&sr=8-8&keywords=york+dumbbells

Super simple, it just takes a minute to put the plates on and off. I really like them, they're pretty basic but they get the job done.

For a while I shared a tiny weight room with some workmates and they got a super swoopy high-tech set, I think they were these Bowflex ones:
http://www.amazon.com/Bowflex-SelectTech-Adjustable-Dumbbells-Pair/dp/B001ARYU58/ref=sr_1_2?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1463887273&sr=1-2&keywords=adjustable+dumbbells

Much easier to use, but after a few weeks they were constantly broken! Much more expensive too.

One down side of adjustables is you can't do supersets that require different weights, so you have to plan your workout accordingly.

Good luck, I hope this helps!

Depends on what you want them for. I got these ones from Amazon for under $10 and I've been totally happy with them! I use them for deadlifts mainly, and also front squats for extra mobility.

​

However, I also have Versa Grips which were $56 at the time, and I love them as well! I use them for more general pulling movements, like lat pull downs, pull ups, rows, etc.

​

So if you want straps specifically for deadlifts, go with simple ones. If you want to do a lot of things with them, you might want ones that are more of the Versa Grip style (because you can use the grips with one hand and don't have to wrap)

They are not the best headphones in the world, but I am quite happy with them and think they are just fine for working out/walking around in. They have better range than my Beats Studio Wireless headphones which I use more for relaxing & ASMR and wouldn't wanna work out in. Plus, I wouldn't freak out if I lost or broke them since they are cheaper - even though losing them is pretty unlikely with the magnetic feature.

Editing to add that I REALLY like that the Taotronics will reconnect and start playing again on their own if you leave and re-enter their range which my Beats don't do.

Also, these are the ones I have in case you wanna know! Sadly, it looks like they are a little more expensive now, but still way more reasonable than Bose.

You could pick up yoga or pilates! Something very easy on the body. I like to read motivational books, for example Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. You can totally read other books too! :) You could also look into taking care of your body in other ways - say learning how to do new braids for your hair, taking care of your skin better (shoutout to /r/skincareaddiction and /r/asianbeauty), learning how to mealprep and try new recipes..umm making collages and fashion boards on Pintrest.

As for the eating, I would say to up your protein and fat intake to help you feel satiated & full longer. I used to make these really large fruit smoothies that were relatively low calorie, and sip on them all morning/afternoon to pass time.

I use the FlipBelt, you can get it on Amazon. It is absolutely a lifesaver. It's just a belt made of like workout clothing material? It's got lots of pockets and my iPhone 6S Plus fits perfectly, as well as my keys and whatever else I need. Great for when I'm wearing leggings that don't have pockets.

Edit: here's the link
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JF9DWWU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475002040&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=flipbelt&dpPl=1&dpID=31-9rotYqZL&ref=plSrch

Just my 2 cents, feel free to disregard:

I would ditch the chocolate milk and fruit juice. They're both super full of sugar and you can get the good stuff they offer from something more wholesome, like regular milk + a piece of dark chocolate, or water + a piece of fruit.

Edit: I've tried a few flavored protein powders and didn't like them very much. I discovered that I really like Blue Bonnet unflavored whey for protein. If you have it with milk or a smoothie you will not taste it, promise! It gives you about 30 extra grams of protein per scoop. Protein not only keeps you full longer, it helps with muscle development.

Im a beginner but after we get through the holidays, I plan on buying a squat rack like this here

And then buying weights and a bar from CL for a nice price. Ive seen a couple olympic bars for free too

I cannot speak to accuracy because I haven't used any other method of body fat measurement, although definitely am considering getting a DEXA once I'm at goal weight to help with designing my recomp, so if and when I do that, I'll let you know.

But as far as scale stuff goes, I have the Bluetooth Smart Scale by Greater Goods ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N9ENKDI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ). I've only been using it since February 15th. It shows muscle, water, fat, and bone mass as percentages, and those numbers do not add up to 100%. I assume that's because it's double counting water, so I just pay attention to the fat and muscle masses, since that's really what I care about. According to the scale, I've lost 13.4 lbs, 9.9 lbs of which has been fat and 1.3 lbs of which has been muscle. I have it calculate a running percentage, and it seems that 74-77% of the weight that I lose is fat, which seems reasonable to me.

We have similar stats, I'm 5'2.5" and 150.6 lbs. As of today, I'm at 29.2% muscle and 31.2% fat, which seem like reasonable numbers to me, given my body type.

An interesting sidenote: I donated blood a few weeks ago and my weight was significantly down the next day, which I attributed to dehydration, and it took me two weeks to get "back" to that number on the scale. But the body fat/muscle mass/water percentages were almost exactly the same those two times, and according to those numbers, I wasn't dehydrated at all.

I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HARZJFW/ref=twister_B00HARZJ5M?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Got it on Amazon for $20, is easy to clean, and has suited all my needs for weighing food while using MyFitness Pal. Amazon ratings in general are very helpful for finding good products. There are lots of decently priced ones out there!

1. I wear glasses, and this makes some styles bothersome.
   
   
2. I have an asshole cat that loves to eat cords. Any and all. Will dig them out of my bags. so 100% wireless Bluetooth is a must
   
   
3. Stereo is a must. I only one-ear it if I have to talk to someone.
   
   
4. I tried the iPhone earbud style, and was disappointed with the pairing difficulty, battery life and charging. Plus they didn’t stay in well.
   
   I ended up with cootree They are a little heavier than I’d like, but they aren’t huge and have a great battery life. I ordered a knockoff from wish.com and it’s a bit stiffer than these, but also acceptable.

Born To Run by Christopher McDougal is all about the virtues of running barefoot and some great storytelling too.

Bigger Leaner Stronger and Thinner Leaner Stronger by Michael Matthews are good books that cover a lot of basics thoroughly. I would recommend only getting one of Matthews books as I've heard they are basically copies with pronouns swapped to be geared toward a different audience.

I have to wash my hair after I get really sweaty. I've just kind of learned to live with it. I work out at night and in the morning, and after my night workout, I shower but don't wash my hair until the next morning after my AM workout. I use a sulfate-free shampoo/conditioner.

Best dry shampoo I've found by far is [Batiste.] (https://www.amazon.com/Batiste-Shampoo-Clean-Classic-6-76/dp/B008D5HAHU?th=1) It's pretty much the only one that doesn't make my hair feel greasy.

I've been using these at the recommendation of a friend who also spends a lot of time in the gym. Pretty happy with them so far!

Hi all! I'm looking to buy resistance bands to target my glutes. I want to buy on Amazon because the prices seem great! Are there any tried and true brands?


I'm currently looking at these: Athleema or Belus

Garden of Life is expensive but is entirely soy free and no added sweeteners. I mix it with frozen bananas, strawberries, and milk and find it tastes great as is!

We sell these at the sporting goods store that I work at. I've never used them myself, but people come in asking for them all the time. They've got a pretty decent range of weight, but they're pretty expensive.

Highly recommend Bluetooth! I bought these over a year ago and love them: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KQG6QFG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479353167&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=cootree+bluetooth+headphones

I'm an over the ear fan

I have fine frizzy hair as well, and i live in a hot and humid city!

I wash my hair every other day. On wash days, I towel dry, use L'Oreal Botanicals Camila Disciplining Cream and spritz a little Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturising Sea Salt spray. If I really want to enhance my curls, I scrunch my hair up with a little Kevin Murphy Motion Lotion - it is pricey, but works really well with my hair. I leave my hair down and let it air dry, takes about 20-30 minutes.

On no wash days, I use Batiste dry shampoo. I have black hair and they have a brunette tinted one which works really well for my hair. Then I usually style my hair into a ponytail or a high bun.

This gives me good variety in terms of how I wear my hair, and is much less hassle than blowdrying, etc.

You could try secondhand stores or gym equipment resalers for dumbbells. Something like this would take up a lot less space than individual dumbbells, and may be cheaper than Bowflex-style adjustables (depending on your needs, obv).

I own a flat bench like this that stands up in the corner when I'm not using it. I use a stability ball if I want to do something like an incline dumbbell press at home, but a foldable incline bench like this might also work well.

I love these :

SoundPEATS Bluetooth Headphones Stereo Wireless Earphones for Running with Mic (6 Hours Play Time, Bluetooth 4.1, IPX4 Sweatproof, Secure Ear Hooks Design) - Black & Green

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LP6CFEC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_5noCzb0P667K8

Chia seeds got very positive press in Born To Run, which is an excellent book whether you enjoy running or not. Additionally, chia seeds are a somewhat balanced source of protein, carbs, fat, and fiber that have the ability to absorb water and turn it into somewhat of a viscous gel. That can be useful if you want to add them to a smoothie to get a thicker texture or make a "pudding", for example. However, never sprinkle them on a salad as they'll generally turn any dressing into what feels like mucous. Overall, I've used them on occasion but am not a fan. YMMV.

Sure do!

Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor, Black

Very easy to use, just make sure you're holding it in the correct position. I thought the price was well worth it for not having to fuss with calipers.

These go up to 52.5 and adjust in 2.5 increments. They are priced between the Sport 24 and Sport 50. Seems like a good compromise for you. (amazon, free shipping) Not an Affiliate Link

My physio gave me the really cheap ones--but those snap very easily.

These two were recommended by friends, though I never invested in one. (I got lazy after I stopped going for physio... :P)

• Black Mountain Products Ultimate Resistance Band Set with Starter Guide
  
• Bodylastics STRONG MAN, Stackable Resistance Bands Sets

Or even more basic, like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Choice-Products%C2%AE-Adjustable-Standard/dp/B00L5QE3L0

I have pretty much the same kind, and to store it I just take the barbell-resting-part-things out and store it in my wardrobe. It would also fit under a bed if put on its side and the bed was approx. 50cms off the floor.

I got these two adjustable kettlebells to use at home and they are amazing. This one adjusts from 5lb to 8lb to 12lb, and this one starts off at 20lbs and you can add up to 3 plates to it (5 or 10lbs) to make varying sizes. I also got this adjustable dumbbell set. Those 3 things along with a few sizes of resistance bands and I can do pretty much any exercise I want at home!

I tried different types, a raw-vegetable protein that did not taste good, and then beef protein which works out pretty well for me. :)

You can search Amazon or wherever you shop for "foam roller" and it'll pull up something like: https://www.amazon.com/TriggerPoint-Roller-Instructional-Original-13-inch/dp/B0040EGNIU/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1475067270&sr=8-8&keywords=foam+roller.

So you want to roll your butt? Sit on and shift your weight to move the roll.

Here's another article with good visuals: http://greatist.com/fitness/how-foam-roll-pro.

Yay foam rolling! For those of us who are less crafty, this is my favorite roller to date. Roll on!

I got these : SoundPEATS Bluetooth Headphones Stereo Wireless Earphones for Running with Mic (6 Hours Play Time, Bluetooth 4.1, IPX4 Sweatproof, Secure Ear Hooks Design) - Black & Green https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LP6CFEC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_SqJkybDGDN6VF

They come with the ear fins and fit really well. Took a few tries to get it to fit perfect but I can run, jump, lift, etc with zero issues.

I think I got this tip from someone else in this sub, but I love my Flip Belt I don't really even notice it's there and it holds my phone steady.

1300 calories is way to low, IMO. I'm muscle building and losing some fat and I eat 1600-1800 calories a day. 22-23% body fat for a woman is healthy.

Uping your protein intake is important for muscle building and helps burn fat, too.

Carbs is what really makes it hard to lose body fat. There have been a lot of research on it.

My intake is:

Protein: 150-250grams

Carbs: 50-100 grams

Fat: <65grams


Personally, this is just my diet, I'm not saying that everyone should follow it, just a general idea. (I'm 5' 6'5" and I weigh 138-140lbs but I look about 120 because of muscle)

I hate cardio, I really do, aside from swimming, but cardio helps burn fat quicker and tightens your muscles. While weightlifting builds your muscles and body tone.

How often do you weightlift?

I suggest getting a BFP Hand Scale or something similar to this:
http://www.amazon.com/Omron-HBF-306C-Loss-Monitor-Black/dp/B000FYZMYK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341949478&sr=8-1&keywords=body+fat+percentage

And maybe reading up on If It Fits Your Macros (IIFYM)

http://www.thespartanwarrior.com/post/9041775488/understandcalories

http://www.thespartanwarrior.com/post/6114152789/iifym



Oh and I went from 136lbs at my lowest weight up to 140lbs and lost a pant size, too. So, I definitely gained muscle and lost fat. :)

> Does foam rolling have to be done directly before/after your workout

Nope. Any time is fine. Some people like to foam roll before bed. I'm finding I like to foam roll after I lift, so I log this guy around.

Here is the scale I use from amazon . It measures BF, muscle mass, water weight, and calculates your BMI daily and has an app that will track it all and also links to MyFitnessPal. I love it. Like others said, take it with a grain of salt and it's not super accurate I'm sure but I enjoy weighing myself every day and just tracking my progress. My only complaint is that the scale I think is set primarily to kg and I weigh in lbs, so when it displays my weight on the scale, say i'm 150.0 on the scale, in the app i'm actually 150.2. I emailed the company asking if something was wrong with mine but they just said it's the conversion working once it uploads to the app. Very minor fluctuation but a little flaw nonetheless.

Have you seen the Scosche Armband? It has great reviews and is apparently just as accurate as a chest strap. Here is a detailed review.

I have a HRM that attaches on my forearm and I love it. It stays put and doesn't cause chafing or migration issues that you get with a chest strap. I have this one http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-RHYTHM-Heart-Monitor-Armband/dp/B00JQHTJS2/ref=lp_2530359011_1_3_a_it?srs=2530359011&ie=UTF8&qid=1464727140&sr=8-3

I also bike. Usually outside. I've been sitting on the idea of adding an indoor bike stand to the home set-up, but haven't yet heard of anyone who actually likes and uses this kind of equipment.

How are you carrying them now? You may want to get something like a FlipBelt to hold stuff you think you may need plus it is something you could use in other situations (like traveling). Some of the high tech race specific ones probably aren't worth it if this is your first race. I have used a spibelt but it really is only big enough for my phone. If you have been carrying a few gels in your pockets and felt fine, then you don't need a belt.

If you can get a resistance band, I find it really helps to put it around my knees while I do glute bridges. It forces you to keep pushing your knees outward, and your glutes will be on fire!

Something like this, just above your knees.

Yes! I have the ones that have a little rubber piece that sits inside your ear. Quick Edit: Found them here but looks like they aren't available right now:(

I can be on the other side of my gym (from my phone) in these with little to no connection issues.

Echoing what u/draconishex said. We mount our road bikes on a trainer in the basement during winter. There's a ton on Amazon, and I'm sure you could find them on the UK site too.

Do you have a bike? I also live in the southwest and use this indoor bike trainer when the weather gets to hot. It’s not loud and folds up nice for storage.

I really like my adjustables.

http://www.amazon.com/CAP-Barbell-40-pound-Adjustable-Dumbbell/dp/B000VCDXNS?ie=UTF8&keywords=dumbbells&qid=1465303345&ref_=sr_1_7&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-7

Dude, don't overthink it. I'm pretty satisfied with this single wireless bluetooth earbud that was $12, and before that I was using these $20 bluetooth headphones that were also nice. A note about the headphones, I still have and use them often but they REALLY block out all sound which has led me to the single bud option, I like being able to hear around me.

I suggest the flip belt! It's almost kinda like a fanny pack except it's flat and much more discreet. They come in different sizes and colors. I wore it a lot before I discovered workout pants that had pockets in them.

• take a resistance band and put in on the arches of your feet
  
  
• lie on your back, legs long
  
  
• bring your feet hips-width distance apart/until the band is tight
  
  
• keep your heels on the ground, rotate your toes out/turn your feet out by externally rotating your legs and squeezing your glutes like crazy
  
  Repeat 2 sets of 10-20 reps. You will feel your butt.
  
  Now move the band up above your knees.
  
  
• knees and heels hips-width apart
  
  
• squeeze your butt again and press up into glute bridge for 60 seconds or however long you are able to feel your butt and keep your hips fully extended.
  
  Are you able to do hamstring curls with the stability ball? What about straight-leg deadlifts?

I have this shorter one and it is FIRM.
You get used to it though... mostly

This is the one me and my SO use. It's from Weight Gurus. We both use it and have our own profiles and syncs to our phones (and the iPhone Health kit). We haven't had any issues with it. It measures weight, body fat, muscle mass, water weight, and bmi.

I have these wireless earbuds:

http://www.amazon.com/SoundPEATS-QY7-Bluetooth-Lightweight-Headphone/dp/B00LP6CFEC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1457501623&sr=8-3&keywords=wireless+bluetooth+headphones+soundpeats

I go running with them and they don't fall out. There is a small wire that goes behind your neck but that's it. You can control volume/skip tracks on it + it has a microphone.

Oh, and they're $20!

http://www.amazon.com/Omron-Monitor-model-HBF-306C-Black/dp/B000FYZMYK

That is what they used at my gym, which came up with 26%.

I bought these on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VCDXNS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It comes with the plates to take a single dumbbell up to 30lbs, or do two 15s. You can also purchase additional plates if you need to go higher.

I haven't experienced any clanking with this set so far. I make sure to set the rubber stoppers at either end of the plates and screw the cap on as tightly as I can, and I've had no issues at all.

Ugh, my husband does this too. We have this set with a few extra plates and he leaves his weight on there and screws them in so tightly that it's a struggle for me to get my (much, much lighter) weight on there.

Argh! Silly husbands.