get fit with britt // platform abs

Welcome back to Get Fit with Britt! I'm going to be posting some demos of my fave exercises taught at Pure Barre Williamsburg, with the help of their awesome instructors. Pure Barre is a fast, effective, and most importantly, safe way to change your body, and follows a technique that's high-intensity, but low impact to protect your joints! Thanks to Pure Barre, I have been able to build long, lean (not bulky!) muscles while tapering everything in & lifting it up! For this series, we will pick a particular move, explain the focus area and correct form, then demonstrate it so you can practice at home! That way, if/when you come to the studio yourself, you'll be rocking the moves & way ahead of the game ;) These exercises are also a great way to get fit on-the-go! I find myself regularly using Pure Barre exercises during my hotel room workouts. Additionally, you can get all the outfits I'm wearing at the Pure Barre Williamsburg studio, so definitely go by if you're looking for some fun, new workout gear! Come & join me, get that healthy & strong body you've always wanted- come Get Fit with Britt!

Today's exercise focuses on abs. People are always curious about what I do to get toned abs, and it's definitely a body part I work hard at and am proud of. Pure Barre has a strong focus on core work, and adding in the platform allows you to take your work to the next level. By propping your feet up on the platform, you make an otherwise simple exercise something truly powerful & effective. Make sure to avoid any rocking or momentum, as this will make the work easier & less effective. Repeat the below sequence (5 sets lower then upper curls, 5 sets lower & upper curls) three times for a nice burn!

*I am not a trainer or health professional, so please consult one if you feel you're doing something wrong or could potentially injure yourself.

get fit with britt // outer seat

Welcome back to Get Fit with Britt! I'm going to be posting some demos of my fave exercises taught at Pure Barre Williamsburg, with the help of their awesome instructors. Pure Barre is a fast, effective, and most importantly, safe way to change your body, and follows a technique that's high-intensity, but low impact to protect your joints! Thanks to Pure Barre, I have been able to build long, lean (not bulky!) muscles while tapering everything in & lifting it up! For this series, we will pick a particular move, explain the focus area and correct form, then demonstrate it so you can practice at home! That way, if/when you come to the studio yourself, you'll be rocking the moves & way ahead of the game ;) These exercises are also a great way to get fit at home or on-the-go! I find myself regularly using Pure Barre exercises during my hotel room workouts. Additionally, you can get all the outfits I'm wearing at the Pure Barre Williamsburg studio, so definitely go by if you're looking for some fun, new workout gear! Come & join me, get that healthy & strong body you've always wanted- come Get Fit with Britt!

Today's exercise focuses on your butt! I love this one because you get to lay down on your side, so you almost feel relaxed, but the move really ends up burning your tush like crazy! This is a great area to focus on when you want to give some nicely defined shape to your butt. The small, subtle movements really target your outer seat, helping to lift and tone throughout. Be sure to press your forearm down into the ground for added support & to help keep your hips stacked. If you're up for it, you can also add a resistance band around your thighs for an extra challenge!

*I am not a trainer or health professional, so please consult one if you feel you're doing something wrong or could potentially injure yourself.

britt's picks // hair stylist

 

Ever since I got a platinum blonde pixie cut for the Balenciaga show several years ago, which was so fun & different by the way, I've been slowly but surely growing out my hair. Jae Manuel Cardenas at Sally Hershberger Downtown keeps my locks looking clean & healthy, while giving a subtle shaping & cut every few months. Frequent trims are the key to keeping your hair looking its best, and Viviscal supplements don't hurt either!

 

suitcase workout

 

When traveling for work, I've learned it's a good idea to bring a few key items in your suitcase so that you can fit in a workout on-the-go. Running outside is nice, but isn't always an option. I typically prefer strength training over cardio anyways, so it's nice to know that you can still get your sweat on in the convenience of your own hotel room. A resistance band is a great, lightweight option that you can keep in your suitcase, and can be used for a wide variety of exercises like glute presses, clam shells, abdominal curls, and shoulder presses. I also like to bring a pair of 2 lb. ankle weights with me, as you can attach them to your ankles for added resistance in your butt or leg exercises, or hold them as dumbbells to work the arms and chest. It's better to put these in a checked luggage bag though, as airport security will have to check them if they're in your carry-on. A jumprope is another great option, assuming the ceilings in your hotel room aren't super low (this happens a lot), and can be an excellent form of cardio if you feel like you just want to move a bit after sitting on a plane for hours! I like doing high-knee jumps with the jumprope, and I'm still trying to master the "double-unders". No equipment? No problem! There are tons of exercises (think barre or pilates) that simply use your own body weight as resistance, and these days it's easy to find videos & demos online. Definitely check out my "get fit with britt" series for motivation and ideas!

*Photo by Alex Cramer for Free People

 

get fit with britt // triceps

Welcome back to Get Fit with Britt! I'm going to be posting some demos of my fave exercises taught at Pure Barre Williamsburg, with the help of their awesome instructors. Pure Barre is a fast, effective, and most importantly, safe way to change your body, and follows a technique that's high-intensity, but low impact to protect your joints! Thanks to Pure Barre, I have been able to build long, lean (not bulky!) muscles while tapering everything in & lifting it up! For this series, we will pick a particular move, explain the focus area and correct form, then demonstrate it so you can practice at home! That way, if/when you come to the studio yourself, you'll be rocking the moves & way ahead of the game ;) These exercises are also a great way to get fit at home or on-the-go! I find myself regularly using Pure Barre exercises during my hotel room workouts. Additionally, you can get all the outfits I'm wearing at the Pure Barre Williamsburg studio, so definitely go by if you're looking for some fun, new workout gear! Come & join me, get that healthy & strong body you've always wanted- come Get Fit with Britt!

Today's exercise focuses on the back of your arms, specifically the triceps. Now that it's getting warmer out, I tend to wear more tanks & sleeveless tops, so I definitely like to make sure my arms are nicely toned. It's all about muscle definition, and this tricep workout defines in all the right places! Make sure to keep your arms as stick-straight as possible, even though it's easy to let them bend a bit once you start to get tired. I use lighter 2 lb weights, but feel free to use 3 or 5 lb. weights (or no weights!) if you prefer. It's preferable to have proper form with lighter weight than bent arms with heavier weight. You'll get better results this way!

*I am not a trainer or health professional, so please consult one if you feel you're doing something wrong or could potentially injure yourself.

bedtime routine

 

Next up in the daily routine is bedtime! These area all the products I use on any given night. Once again, sometimes all of them get used, other times not. Occasionally I will use the same Osmia Organics set from my morning routine instead of the other moisturizers pictured above, just to keep things more consistent. Glossier balm dotcom is part of yet another routine- I'm kinda obsessed. 

 
 

 

First off, if I had makeup on during the day, or sometimes even if I didn't (NYC can feel pretty dirty at times), I remove it using Bioderma Créaline H20. It's pretty universally used by makeup artists because it gets the job done, and doesn't irritate the skin at all. Then I wash using Osmia Organics Black Clay Facial Soap, and may spritz with Avéne Thermal Spring Water if I'm feeling dry. Whenever I feel like my skin needs a bit of exfoliation or deeper clean, I will use my Clarisonic Mia2, either with black clay soap, or another gentle cleanser, like Dr. Bronner's Baby Unscented Liquid Castile Soap. It's a great one for sensitive skin, as it has no fragrance, contains coconut, olive & jojoba oils, and is certified organic! 

 

 

Post-cleanser, I use Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 to exfoliate, hydrate & balance my skin. People call it a "facial in a bottle", and it's so true. It's like a magic potion, and they have a suitable version for all various types of skin. If necessary, I will use Mario Badescu Drying Lotion as a spot treatment. Don't shake the bottle, and leave the pink stuff on overnight. I also love Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion, which is better for the deep, underground bumps. I'll use one or the other depending on the type of blemish that arises. 

 
 

 

In terms of moisturizer, I apply Colbert MD Nourish Eye Cream to the delicate area around my eyes, which promotes collagen production while firming & rehydrating. I have also heard great things about their Illumino Anti-Aging Brightening Mask & am thinking about trying it! If I don't use the Osmia Organics Purely Simple Face Cream, Avéne Tolérance Extrême is another great moisturizer for those with hyper-sensitive or allergic skin. It works to restore the skin's barrier and reduces skin reactivity. During the winter if I feel like I need something even thicker, I will mix in RMS Beauty Oil for extra hydration as well.

 

Once the face is done, I make sure to moisturize & hydrate the rest of my body as well. I love using organic coconut oil all over- it works wonders on face, body & hair, and is naturally antibacterial & antifungal! You can use it as a moisturizer, eye makeup remover, deep conditioner, highlighter, shaving cream, on dry cuticles, etc. The options are (almost) endless. In a pinch, if I could only take one product with me, coconut oil would likely be it! Glossier balm dotcom goes on my lips and any other super dry spots. Right after washing my hair, I apply a hair oil to the ends to keep them looking healthy. Right now I'm using a wonderful Isle of Roses hair oil given to me by a hair-stylist friend.