Tag: swag

Studio Review: Raising the Bar in Harvard Square {HandleBar Indoor Cycling Studio’s new location}

7 Comments

Hi! How’s it going? I’m so excited to share another new studio with you today. If you’ve been reading B2B for a while, you know that I LOVE trying out new studios. Whether it’s indoor cycling, bootcamping, yoga’ing or barre’ing, if there’s a new studio or a new-to-me workout, you better be sure I’ll be there checking it out! (Full list of studio reviews here.)

So, when the owner of Handlebar Indoor Cycling reached out to me to see if I wanted to attend a ride on their opening weekend at their new Harvard Square location with other bloggers and people in the media industry, I obviously jumped at the chance to check it out.

IMG_1987

IMG_1991

The best part? I was able to invite a friend, so obviously my sister came along with me since she loves indoor cycling!

IMG_2006
Continue reading →

My first New Balance Girls Night Out event

12 Comments

Hi! A few weeks ago, I was finally able to attend a New Balance Girls Night Out (NBGNO, for short) event. They always fall on Wednesdays, which doesn’t work for my schedule because I already teach on Wednesdays, but after reading recaps on various blogs (Athena’s, to mention one), I made the decision to get a sub for my class so I could finally attend one of the events. Boy, am I happy I did that- the event was such a wonderful experience, especially this heartfelt one that was centered around Breast Cancer Awareness.

IMG_9035

I was so happy I had my bright pink Lulu pants because they were perfect for a pink-themed event! IMG_9033

Sherri, from fun fit flavor opened the event with some words about what this event meant to her and the story behind New Balance’s #LaceUp365 slogan. Sherri’s sister was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, so it was an emotional start to the night listening to her speak.

IMG_9037

IMG_9034

If you’re not familiar with #LaceUp365, it’s a program that was created last year to mark New Balance and Susan G. Komen’s 25 year partnership anniversary. The idea behind it, is that breast cancer awareness shouldn’t just be during the month of October- it should be a yearlong thing. With #LaceUp365, you are able to dedicate your workouts all year long to a breast cancer survivor or someone who has been diagnosed. During Sherri’s intro, she asked us to all think of someone we know who has been affected by breast cancer and dedicate our run to them. What a powerful way to go into a run.

With that said, we laced up and headed out.

New Balance GNO
Sherri’s photo

I went with Sarah, from Blonde Bostonian, as she was leading the 4.5 mile group. My sister joined Caroline for the 2.2 mile run.

IMG_9038

Our run was so fun! I was able to meet and chat with new people, as well as finally meet Sarah in real life. We ran through the city and Cambridge and it was perfect weather to do that.

IMG_9041

Every bit of the run was great… that is, until I totally wiped out at the end! The worst part is that I was at the front, so a few others tripped over me, haha I’d like to say I was super embarrassed, but I actually wasn’t. My phone was fine, my pants were fine and I knew my knee injuries were merely external (unlike last time I fell while running and broke my elbow!). My knee was pretty painful, but after a glass of wine and some snacks, the pain subsided a bit.

IMG_9057 IMG_9036

Once we were all back at the store, Sherri spoke again and we also heard from Dr. Priscilla Brastianos, who is a woman on the mission to find a cure for breast cancer. I wish I could put into words how amazing her speech was- it had everyone’s attention.

The rest of the event was spent mingling, eating and drinking. I was so happy to have my sister there, as well as blogger friends!

IMG_9050 IMG_9047

As if the run, inspirational speeches and food and drinks wasn’t enough, we walked away with some pretty sweet swag boxes, including a sports bra, coupons, #LaceUp365 laces and a workout log. Seriously, they spoiled us!

IMG_9055

I’ve worn the sports bra a few times now and LOVE it. While I wasn’t sure about the padding at first, I realized it’s super supportive and I like that it’s all built in so you don’t have to deal with stupid bra pads in the washer, which happens to me with all my lulu tops!

IMG_9072

IMG_9062

All in all, the event was so awesome. Not only were we working out for a good cause and to raise breast cancer awareness all year long (with the ultimate goal to cure it), we were able to learn more about the program and meet so many amazing women. I challenge each of you to dedicate your workouts this week… and the year… for someone you know who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

And, the best part?? They are hosting another one on Tuesday, November 4th at the Westin Copley. The theme this time is “staying fit on the go”, which is something I’m very passionate about (I’ve shared my Tips to Stay Healthy While on the Road, as well as many on the road workouts with you before) so I’m super excited for this event. Not only that, but my friend Caroline is hosting with Sherri again. This time, they’re offering a bootcamp AND a run, so you can choose what you’re more interested in. Are you hooked yet? You can sign up here if you are. I’ll warn you, though- these events fill up fast!

Thanks again, New Balance!

Questions for you: Have you ever been to a New Balance Girls Night Out event? Have you heard about the #LaceUp365 program? Have you ever fallen while running?

 

Introducing #BosFIT: Workouts, advice and swag bags (and a chance for you to go for FREE)

24 Comments

Good morning! I don’t have a workout for you today, but I DO have a chance for you to attend an awesome workout event this weekend, so I think that counts for something, right?! I feel so fortunate to have been contacted by an event coordinator at Bostinno to introduce me to an AWESOME event they are hosting this weekend. #BosFIT is being held this Saturday from 9-12:30 at The Club- by George Foreman III.

BOSFiLOGO

#BosFIT is THE event to attend if you’re a fitness addict like myself. They’ve got a bunch of 30 minute workouts to try from some of the leading “boutique” studios in the city, including Barry’s Bootcamp, BollyX, The Club by George Foreman III and even more that they haven’t announced yet. On top of that, they are holding panel sessions with some top nutritionists and trainers in the Boston area AND everyone will go home with a pretty sweet swag bag which includes 2 free weeks of classes at Health Yoga Life, a free class at Pursuit Boston and Burn Fitness Studios, a 3 pack of classes at The Club and so much more.

Oh, and did I mention it’s only $27?! That’s the price of going to ONE class at some of Boston’s leading studios.

If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering where the heck you can buy a ticket because the event sounds THAT awesome, right? I’ll help ya out 😉 Head on over to the Eventbrite page to get additional details and to purchase your ticket.

But… it gets even better! I was lucky enough to be given TWO tickets for the event, which means I get to give away one of those tickets to one of you. Cool, right? There are 4 ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment telling me what excites you the most about the event.

2. “Like” Burpees to Bubbly on Facebook

3. Follow Burpees to Bubbly on Twitter

4. Tweet or share details about the even on Twitter or Facebook. Make sure to use the hashtag #BosFIT and also tag @BostInno

Leave a comment for each thing you do- I will pick a winner on Friday morning. I can’t wait to workout with one of you 🙂

I cannot tell you how excited I am for the event this weekend. I love getting a chance to try out a bunch of different classes at different studios in Boston because it gives you a chance to see what you like and don’t like and what ones you’d want to visit for the “real deal”. I can’t wait to see what professionals they are going to have on the various panels AND since we all know I’m a sucker for free swag, that swag bag with all those free class offers is pretty much like Christmas for this girl. I hope to see some of you there- it’s a great way to start your Saturday and #earnyourweekend, like I always like to say.

ClassPass is here!

5 Comments

So, if you’ve been reading this little blog or following me on Instagram or Twitter, I’m sure you’ve seen lots of ClassPass talk, right? Have you heard of it? I was contacted by a rep a few months ago telling me about the program and from that minute on, I knew it was exactly what I’ve been looking for.

classpass

It’s no shocker that I love taking classes at “boutique” studios. From Exhale Spa to Recycle to Flywheel to Pure Barre, I’ve tried a number of studios in Boston that fall into this category and I have never been disappointed. I think the instructors are amazing, I think the exercises are a nice change of pace and it’s just fun to try something new. However, since I have gym memberships to 3 gyms, I can’t really justify getting memberships or passes to those types of gyms. They’re expensive and I’d never know which one to pick since I love them all.

That’s where ClassPass comes in. ClassPass is a month membership that allows you to take 10 classes as various boutique studios in Boston. It’s just $99 a month so that means it is less than $10/class, which is about a third of the price these classes usually cost. Boston has over 27 participating locations in Boston right now, and that number keeps increasing. The locations vary from barre to boot camp to indoor cycling to pilates… basically, you name it and you can find a studio that will fit what you’re looking for. The only restriction is you cannot visit one studio more than 3 times in a month because they want to encourage you to try new studios and if you’re going to visit a studio more than 3 times in a month, you should probably just get a membership or book of classes there, right?

Last week, they hosted an amazing launch at Flywheel to get everyone excited about the program.

IMG_6875

The room was packed and the instructor, Ann, was AMAZING (as I’ve said before). Seriously, her music was on point, her teaching style and enthusiasm and spunk were perfect. She was totally jamming out on her bike and I loved it! It also helped that the class was full (literally, over 40 people) of fitness loving ladies (and a few guys). I was literally sweating as much as I do in hot yoga and was happy with the fact I came in 6th place out of 20+ people (they split the score board into two sides). I feel like I’m starting to really get the hang of spinning and I love it more with each time I go.

After the class, we were treated with some snacks from Sweetgreen, which I am now obsessed with. The kale salads were absolutely delicious and the smoothies were so good I had two of each (hey- I was hungry after class!).

IMG_6871 IMG_6872

Not only were we provided snacks, but we walked away with a pretty sweet swag bag!

IMG_6874 IMG_6877

It didn’t take me long to wear the shirt… I rocked it the following day when teaching my UXF Burn class.

IMG_6879

I’m a sucker for free swag, but this was an especially exciting goodie bag! Big thanks to ClassPass 🙂

ClassPass was nice enough to offer me a membership for the month to try it out and spread the word (THANK YOU!!!). So far, I’ve been to Exhale and I am going to Velo City tonight for a 45 minute indoor cycling class. It’s fun to have the opportunity to try out various studios in and around the Boston area. I foresee myself purchasing month memberships on my own after this month is up because it really pays for itself just after 3 visits! If you’re interested in checking it out, head on over to their site.

Questions for you: What’s your favorite “boutique” studio in Boston? Have you heard of ClassPass? Is it something you think you would be interested in?