One morning I was reading Joanna’s great blog Fitness & Spice and saw her talking about Gym In A Bag. I thought the product looked really nice – especially for someone like me who doesn’t belong to a gym. Later that day I was contacted by the Gym In A Bag people who asked if I’d like to try the product and then give one away on my blog. I was excited to try the system out so I said, “Definitely.”
A few days later this came in the mail.
How fun. The system includes:
•4 resistance bands in varying strengths
•wrist and ankle cuffs
•custom hooks designed to be used with the cuffs
•a padded steel bar that unscrews into three sections
•a DVD featuring Kim Lyons
•a flip-chart instruction book
•a door attachment
•a very nice looking carrying bag
•and the potential to make you stronger.
We’ve all seen resistance bands before right? Well, the thing that makes these different is the cuff system. Instead of grabbing onto a handle like traditional bands, you let the cuffs either rest in your palm or on your wrist, depending on the exercise you are doing. Why?
Well, as Jerry from Gym In A Bag explained to me, when you grip anything, be it a glass of water or a resistance band handle, you are expending energy in your hand and forearm, which makes sense. By using the cuffs, you can avoid that and isolate those targeted muscles, be it biceps, or whatever. From their website, “Flexsolate’s Grip-Free approach to exercise has been scientifically proven to assist in isolating targeted muscles during exercise, by more than 400%, while eliminating the use of non-targeted secondary muscles by more than 8 times. By reducing the use of secondary, non-targeted muscles, we enable targeted muscles to fatigue properly.” At the Flexsolate website they even sell cuffs that you can take to a gym and use with the gym equipment. You can see some gym exercises here. And I have to say – that Gunter Schlierkamp is really fit.
I have been using Gym In A Bag system this for about 2 weeks now and have really enjoyed it. I like that the exercises are laid out for you, but you are free to mix and match them to meet your needs. There are upper body, abdominal, and lower body exercises included. The bands can either be used alone, or combined to give you stronger resistance. The bar screws together and then unscrews, and can be stored in the bag which is great if you are space challenged. And the door attachment is really strong, but be sure and follow the directions on making sure your door is securely closed! If you were travelling you could definitely stick this in your suitcase and take it with you – it’s that compact.
You can buy the Gym In A Bag from their website, GymInABag.net and you can have a chance to win one right now! Unfortunately, the giveaway is only open to US residents. You have three chances to enter. Leave a comment telling me why you’d like this bag, write a blurb about it on your site and link back here, or twitter this post, using @fittothefinish. Please leave a separate comment for each entry so when I do the random number generator I can be sure to count you properly! I will close the contest Wednesday, February 9th at midnight CST. Good luck!!!
Disclosure: I received a Gym In A Bag for myself to keep, and one winner will receive one for winning the contest. The winner’s Gym In A Bag will be shipped from the company!
Hi!
I think i deserve the bag as I am training for my races this year and can seem to get strength training in. I am tired and un-challenged by DVD’s and feel that may be this will kick my butt into shape.
Thanks!!
I’ll pass on this, but am thankful for the opportunity. Let someone else who can use/utilize it more, benefit from your kind offer.
.-= Sunny´s last blog ..The Morning After =-.
Hi Diane:
You know, I’ve been flirting with the idea of Pilates and resistance bands for sometime, but being broke does sort of keep one in check when it comes to purchasing non-essentials
I tried massive shipping rubber bands, but they just don’t work (ha ha — kidding!) But, seriously, I am really excited by the opportunity to be your ONLY BARIATRIC BUDDY with a Gym in a Bag, so feel free to pick me.
Oh my gosh, this sucking up stuff is so unflattering…LOL.
Have an awesome Monday!
.-= Cari (aka Gastric Bypass Barbie)´s last blog ..WLS Vegas Meet ‘N Greet Feb 19-21, 2010 =-.
Hi Diane! This is fantastic! I have never heard of Gym in a bag! What a great fitness tool!
I would sign up for this but honestly, I feel like I have been blessed with what I need already (exercise bike & Winsor Pilates DVDs).
BUT what a wonderful giveaway you are doing!
I am going to mention it on my blog with a link back to your blog! Maybe someone who doesn’t have anything to work with will see it and sign up!
~Kellie
.-= The Chubby Girl Diaries´s last blog ..All or nothing at all =-.
I would LOVE this! I currently do not belong to a gym and am looking for some new strength training moves and corresponding equipment. I especially need this right now since I am recovering from a running injury, which means I have to limit my go to exercise (running). Thanks for the review!
.-= KK @ Running Through Life´s last blog ..On Running: My Goals for 2010 (finally….) =-.
I’d love this!!! My gym closed unexpectedly, leaving me to my own devices. I’ve been thinking about getting resistance bands, so this would definitely fit the bill!
.-= Jenn @ Watch My Butt Shrink!´s last blog ..Food Journal: 02.06.10 =-.
I would love, love, love to win this condensed, organized treasure trove of exercise goodies. What a great concept. This would be perfect for someone who works too much to be a gym-rat, has limited home space, and is weary of popping in repetitious workout DVD’s. Oh wait…that’s me.
:) Great giveaway!
i’ll say honestly – that looks awesome! But I will not be entering – because, honestly, I have all the at home gym stuff I need, I think you should give it to someone who really needs it, and will really use it.. soo thanks anyway, way to look out for your readers…
.-= my kashi diet´s last blog ..valentine dilema =-.
I would love to win. I would use it to work out more at home in addition to going to the gym.
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Weekend Recap =-.
I wanna win!!! IT would be good for me, because I haven’t had the nerve to join a gym…yet.
.-= mamajuliana´s last blog ..Searching for the Whole Grain, Stone Ground Lo Carb Bread…Locally! =-.
It sure is hard to exercise outside at -40! Love to have some inside exercise stuff.
I would love to have the gym in a bag because I have such a hard time getting my exercise in while travelling!
That’s awesome! I do about 1/3 of my exercising at home (the other 2/3 being running outside or going to the gym), and it would be GREAT to have a more robust selection of things to do at home.
This sounds like a neat idea. I know my mom and I want to work out more but don’t like the idea of a gym.
.-= ShootingStarsMag ´s last blog ..You Read My Review, Now WIN! =-.
i tweeted-
http://twitter.com/ShootingStarMag/status/8825160206
.-= ShootingStarsMag´s last blog ..You Read My Review, Now WIN! =-.
This would be perfect for those days I just can’t stand the same-old, same-old wintertime routines I’ve been doing. By February, change really helps with motivation, but variety is harder to come by when you don’t have a lot of money for gym memberships or new equipment. Thanks for the chance to win this giveaway!
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Stepping up the Planning =-.
Gym in a Bag would be perfect for trips!
This sounds great for when I’m traveling to my parent’s house!
I want it because it looks awesome and I can’t get to the gym sometimes.
.-= Merry Mary´s last blog ..Weigh In: Back On Track =-.
Well I don particularly want the bag, but I had to comment on how much I LOVE my resistence bands and you have reminded me to use them more frequently. They really are a versatile, inexpensive, and wonderful way to work out.
I admit I do like the handle system of mine, simply because I have bad wrists and ankles and concentrating force or pull on them seems like a bad idea – but the general concept of smooth resistence is the same. Enjoy YOUR system and good luck to the winner
.-= Taryl´s last blog ..My most recent pre-pregnancy(ish) pictures =-.
What’s not to like about the gym in a bag? It would be so handy for traveling or when you just don’t have the extra something to make it to the gym.
.-= ‘Drea´s last blog ..Maybe Slower Than A Sloth =-.
I would love this bag. I can’t get to the gym everyday, so this would be a nice at-home resistance workout.
Tweeted
.-= ‘Drea´s last blog ..Maybe Slower Than A Sloth =-.
I would love to have the gym in a bag for days like today. We have 30 inches of snow and have been stuck in the house for days. It would be great to have an alternative for days I can’t get to the gym.
Tweeted about the give away too.
.-= Stacy´s last blog ..New Theme: Steira =-.
I’d love this bag! I don’t belong to a gym and my treadmill takes up my entire living room so anything else I bring into the house needs to be small!
.-= Mackattack (Beth)´s last blog ..Chocolate Cheesecake =-.
It is also posted on my blog here.
.-= South Beach Steve´s last blog ..Halfway There! The Perfect 10 – Update Five =-.
I’m trying to incorporate more strength training into my routine and the Gym in a Bag would really help.
Wow, what a cool giveaway!
I use resistance bands all the time at work but don’t own any myself – sad, I know. So I’d love to win it just try to learn all about using them myself!
.-= PTG´s last blog ..giveaway, giveaway, giveaways!! =-.
And I linked you to my blog as well!
.-= PTG´s last blog ..giveaway, giveaway, giveaways!! =-.
Damn, I’m in Australia and can’t win! This looks like an awesome product though, will have to keep an eye out for one similar over here.
Love your blog, you’re and inspiration.
What a cool bag! I’d love to win because I think I could get my husband to try out the stuff with me.
I would love this! Perfect for college student!
I’m going to take the high road and just be honest! It looks awesome and I would deff use it. Good luck to all:)
I am always looking for ways to spice up my routine! Wee!
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..Giveaway winner =-.
Great give away, I have recently started weight training and this would really come in handy
This looks awesome! I’m always looking for new things to work out with.
.-= Fattie Fatterton´s last blog ..Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon. =-.
This would be great for when I travel with my job.
This is tempting me to try resistance bands! And ever so helpful as I am not a member of a gym but can’t always go run outside due to weather.
I had no idea someone had come up with an improvement to the traditional resistance bands. I like this because I think it might work better with my carpal tunnel which has been giving me lots of trouble this past year. I work out entirely at home. We have cut our spending way down so that I can be home with our 1 year old and 4 year old. But I really miss going to the gym. I went faithfully for many years and miss it allot. I am really trying to do my work outs at home while the little one is napping in the afternoon. Maybe I’ll win this wonderful workout in a bag!
Oh, I would LOVE to win the Gym in a Bag! Right now the weights I’m using are my son’s and I’d love to have something I could take with me when I travel.
.-= MamaBearJune´s last blog ..HYC check in – 178.6 =-.
This would be good for travels and when one can’t make it to the gym…
I’d love to win because I travel all the time for work, and I could really use a portable way to stay on track with my fitness routine!
I would love to win the Gym In a Bag. I am just beginning my weight loss journey (again) and am beginning to add some resistance to my exercise routine.
Great giveaway!
.-= Simply Life´s last blog ..Chobani GIVEAWAY! =-.
I may have to order that if I don’t win it. I started back to work and am working 10 hour days so I’m only going to the gym 3 days a week. I need to put aside some time at home a couple nights a week.
I love Kim Lyons and I’ve been wanting resistance bands! Woooo! Awesome giveaway!
.-= Nicole, RD´s last blog ..Q&A and a CURE for Celiac disease??? =-.
Yesterday I left a comment on twitter. I would love to win the gym in a bag. Living in a small community the more options I have for success…the better.
We have no gym here…lots of open space for walking.
Froggie
ME! I need new resistance bands.
)
.-= Lola´s last blog ..Official Weight – Week 72 =-.
This looks really cool! I haven’t ever tried resistance bands, but MizFit talks about them all the time, so now I feel like I need to try them. I don’t go to a gym – just have my elliptical, so something to mix it up with that would be great!
.-= Jill´s last blog ..Dear me =-.