get fit with britt // inner & outer thighs

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 workout focuses on thighs, specifically your inner & outer thighs. Adding a tube around both of your thighs during this exercise increases the challenge and allows you to really intensify the burn you'll feel. As you move your legs in & out, make sure to control the movement in both directions (instead of just releasing the tension in the tube), so that you can effectively work both the inner and outer thighs at the same time. Stay up high on your tip toes, with your heels together & toes apart, maintain a relaxed grip on the bar, and as always, keep your hips tucked under. Do three sets of 10 reps of each movement for a workout that's sure to get your legs summer-ready in a jiffy!

*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.

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glow facial mask

While I have a daily skincare regimen that I like to follow, I also have some "once-a-week" or "once-a-month" rituals that are just as important. Face masks can be a great way to hydrate & rejuvenate your skin, and these days you can find them in several versions- think sheet, gel, or clay. One of my favorite ways to mask is by creating my own in the comfort of my own kitchen! That way, I know exactly what's going into it, as well as the benefits each ingredient offers my skin. Think about it this way- you cook your own food to control what you put into your body, and to nourish it from the inside out. Creating your own face mask allows you to take the same approach, and nourish your body from the outside, in! While it may look like baby food, I'd happily eat this mask any day (it's that delicious)! My glow facial mask will help take your skin from dry & dull to healthy & glowing! It boasts many impressive qualities to help your skin look & feel its best- Greek yogurt acts as an anti-inflammatory & can calm the skin; avocado works as a soothing moisturizer; oats are used to exfoliate & remove dead skin; apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties & helps reduce redness; lemon juice acts as an astringent to brighten & tighten skin; honey fights off bacteria & hydrates, leaving your skin soft & supple; turmeric reduces inflammation & pigmentation, and is high in antioxidants. So as you can see, this is a nutritional powerhouse for your skin. Glowing & radiant skin awaits, so get to masking!

Glow Mask:

• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt, plain & unsweetened
• 1/4 cup avocado, mashed
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp raw honey
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, making sure everything is incorporated evenly. Set bowl in refrigerator or freezer for 15-20 minutes to chill, which allows ingredients to come together & adds a bonus cooling effect bonus for your skin. Massage evenly onto skin, and leave it to set for 15-20 minutes. Scrub off thoroughly with warm water. Pat skin dry. Spritz face with rosewater & moisturize. Makes enough for two masks. Can be kept fresh in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

*Because turmeric can stain your skin if left on for a long time, you may want to wear gloves when applying this mask. Also be sure to fully remove it when rinsing (a wash cloth helps)!

**If you prefer a smooth mask, you may choose to blend before chilling. Pulse until no chunks remain, and the oats are pulverized.

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get fit with britt // deep 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, specifically that deep, under layer of abs that can be tricky to reach. Pure Barre has a strong focus on core work, and in this slouched position you are really able to isolate your deepest of abs, effectively toning them just as you do the top layer. Slide your mat about a quarter of the way up the wall, and lean up against it, forming a C curve with your back. If it feels like you're slouching, you're probably in the right position! This can be a tricky exercise to master, but be sure to keep your abs pulled in (navel to spine!) and hips tucked under. I've found that exhaling with each movement really helps me target and tone these deeper abs in an effective way. Length is more important than height in this position, so it's more beneficial to keep your leg straight but lower, as opposed to bent and higher! Repeat this cycle three times with each leg. 

*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.

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fave products // dr. hauschka arnica body oil

If you're looking for something other than your typical body lotion to keep your skin soft and supple, something that truly moisturizes your skin, this is the product for you. Dr. Hauschka Birch Arnica Energizing Body Oil has been a godsend ever since I first received it as a gift a few months ago. It revives the body & awakens the mind after any sort of strenuous activity when your body really needs the rejuvenation. Plant extracts and jojoba oil come together to create a refreshing & hydrating oil that absorbs quickly and won't leave you feeling greasy. As someone with sensitive skin, I can honestly say that this serves its purpose & then some, without irritating my skin in the least. Even better is that this product is free of parabens, dyes, fragrances & preservatives, and the brand does not test on animals! If you try it out, be sure to let me know what you think!

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 (side seat, outer seat- whatever you want to call it)! While you relax your upper body on top of the barre, your lower half gets a super intense workout, all from tiny up & down movements in your leg. Create this movement by squeezing your seat as opposed to just lifting your leg- that way the muscle groups in your butt are isolated and you'll really feel the burn there. The small, subtle movements really target your outer seat, helping to lift and tone throughout. Be sure to keep your shoulders relaxed, abs pulled in, and hips tucked under to see the best results. Repeat three sets of ten on each leg.

*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.

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fave products // ouai dry shampoo

If you're like me, you don't like washing your hair every day (or even every other day). It's better for your hair to skip a day or two anyways, but sometimes it's hard to keep it from looking dirty or greasy. Ouai Haircare is a new line by hairstylist Jen Atkin, and I can say from personal experience that the dry shampoo is totally legit. It allows you to get that extra day or two out of a wash by soaking up the grease, while giving your roots a bit of added texture. Even better is that it doesn't leave any weird color behind, and smells lovely as well! She collaborated with industry experts in both formulation & design, and the result is pure genius. Jen says "With OUAI, I wanted to create 'a breath of fresh hair'- a line for real life, fo real women". This rings true in the effectiveness and affordability of her products. Next up on my must-try list are the texturizing hair spray and wave spray.