In my head, I look like a Puma when I workout.
In reality, notsomuch.
No matter. I workout hard and encourage my inner puma to shine. One thing you learn early on in weight lifting is that half of it is mental. There are many times when I am sure there is no way a weight was going to move, but I talk to myself. I tell myself that I can do it, that its only 5 lbs more than what I just lifted, that I am strong. And there are times that they guy next to me just did it and my ego won’t allow me to back down.
Since my surgery, I’ve had to dig deep to find my inner Puma. It’s been hard working with new physical limitations and with the way my body as changed as a result. I refuse to hold myself back though! Today’s Work It Out is dedicated to working with limitations, reaching deep, and grabbing your inner Puma by the tail.
Lucky me, PUMA just so happened to challenge me to design a workout while trying out some of their new gear! I knew immediately what I would do – legs! It’s the area that I can really push myself on right now.
The awesome folks at PUMA sent over the ribbed performance tank, tech performance wear compression pants, and Formlite XT Ultra Shoes.
The tank is nice. It’s clearly well-made and I like the breathable material. It IS pretty long, so if you are a short-waisted person (like me) you might check out another style.
The Formlite Shoes rock! They are super light and flexible. They don’t quite provided the support I need for running, but they are great in the gym. I also love the bright orange color. Normally I’m opposed to bright color, but on my feet I like a little neon. 🙂
And now my favorite. The Performance Bodywear Tech ACTV Long Tights SHOCKED me with their perfect fit and breathability. Typically I only workout in shorts because I hate feeling over-heated, but these actually kept me cooler than my booty shorts during the leg workout below!
Puma describes them and “next-to-skin” and they aren’t exaggerating! The really cool part is that they’re compression tights lined with a sort of athletic tape that works to enable energy supply to muscles and maximize performance. Basically, it feels like an extra boost during a bangin’ leg day!
Rock out with your Puma out!
I wore my tights for a killer leg day. This Puma-like leg workout left me sore for a solid 3 days, which is hard for me to do on my own. When I have leg day with my trainer I am guaranteed to be using the handi stall, but without a sport I find it hard to go as heavy. These pants were like a mini-spot.*
*I swear I’m not exaggerating.
Click the links below for an explanation of each move:
- Weighted Lunges
- Leg Press – Close Stance
- Deep Weighted Squats
- Leg Extensions
- Supersets
- Leg Curl
- Clams
This post was sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Puma. As always, all opinions are 100% my own!
***
Speaking of leg day… yesterday I did a leg workout with my trainer in my fancy tights. I’m sore, but I do think they helped a bit with recovery!
What makes you feel like a Puma?
Do you struggle to push your weight or pace as hard when you workout alone?
I love the gym pic – girl, you are GORGEOUS! And the clothes are super chic. Love me some Puma!
Thank you so much!!!
Until recently, I did not realize that Puma made such cute workout clothes. I always associate Puma with sneakers. Love the workout. I definitely push myself harder when I have another person/trainer there watching me – then I can’t cheat!
Me either! Those pants really are the best.
I really love those shoes! Great color! Those compression pants sound pretty cool. I’m looking for something like that for recovery…that targets the whole lower body.
It is definitely full coverage – hugs the legs really well.
Love the Puma stuff! I love that we have a Puma Outlet store near here, they also have gorgeous bikinis.
I just did legs&booty this morning and I am definitely glad I can sit in my office for the rest of the day 🙂 I manage to challenge myself pretty well when I am alone, but of course I can do more when I workout with my trainer! It’s this last bit of motivation you get when your trainer is with you.
I didn’t even know they made bikinis! Checking that out for sure, as none of mine fit any more. 😉
I agree with Charissa – you’re so pretty! My physical/mental connection has completely flipped. I used to be afraid of lifting something, even though my body could do it. Now I’m mentally convinced I can do something, but my body fails on me. ARGH. I still have mental hurdles to overcome (last night’s disaster workout was a perfect example of my head getting in the way!) but they are few and far between.
*blush*
It’s almost worse when the body fails, right? I am facing that now too (though this I brought on myself…).
I’m so interested in the Puma pants after reading such great reviews! Love the leg workout – I can see why DOMS would be killer!
Great pic! I’m loving those shoes!!! You know how I am about orange… 🙂
Cute outfit they sent 😉 Putting your WOD in my queue, always love a new workout routine!
Thanks! Let me know what you think. 🙂
Sweet swag!
Adore the orange shoes! I never work with a trainer, so I know that if I don’t kick my own ass, no one is going to 😉
You should have that printed on a t-shirt. 😉
To look like that in the gym – how do you do it! 🙂 But great review & I want those tights stat!!! 🙂 I work out alone always so… only time I had a spotter or trainer was one of the bodybuilding years, not the other though… I just have to dig deep & try! 🙂 I still push myself but the older I get, the more I am satisfied with mini pushes vs, hard core ones! 😉
I think I look & feel like the second pic when I run!!!
I’d just left work! I was a mess… thank god for IG filters. 😉
Love those orange shoes! A quick question about the compression tights; did you feel like they made you overly warm during your workout? I tend to overheat easily and wonder about whether they’d be too hot for me!
Not at all! I normally workout in tiny shorts because I hate getting hot. These tights may have actually kept me cooler… not what I would have guessed!
i definitely struggle with pace… with a friend or alone!!
Wow you made me want those tights! And I DO NOT like wearing tights as pants or wearing pants to the gym in general, but sheesh you should be a saleswoman! 😉
I can definitely push harder when someone else is with me OR watching me. I’m WAYYY to easy on myself!
Haha – I am noremally not a tights person either. I think that’s why I’m so enthusiastic.
I absolutely love that first picture – I pinned it ages ago and it still makes me giggle. That’s exactly how I feel!
Same here! It always makes me want a chocolate bar, too…
I used to struggle with increasing the weight – mostly I just was lazy about it! Now, I figure if I’m going to put in the time I should do it right and push myself!! (oh – I work out at home alone usually!)
Love the new shoes!!!
That’s exactly how I feel! If I’m going to workout, I want to get my money’s worth (time = money, right?).
One of my favorite pictures ever! Absolutely love it. Hey, at least we all look goofy out there running (or weight-lifting) … and if there are people sitting out there laughing at us, well then, they need to get a hobby :).
I love bright colors – so I really love the look of those shoes! I love the description of your deep squats, by the way. I hate those kind, but they hurt so good. 🙂
I’ll trade you for your blue pants. 😉
Never!! 🙂
Wearing those clothes would give me an inspiring workout! Great pics!
Yesterday at crossfit we did the July challenge an pushed ourselves for max back squat, oh press and deadlift. I don’t know if it was my inner puma or crossfit coach encouraging us to do more but I was able to lift more than I have before. I did 135 for the back squat, a lot of people were doing more but I still felt like a bad ass. I love the feeling of getting stronger.
135 is awesome! Think about it as a percent of your body weight – that’s a significant amount to move. 🙂
Sweeeeet shoes!
And I love working out my legs. Fave part of my body to train/work!
Agree that your feet are THE place to wear color! And my gym shoes are also colorful and light.
When I work out alone I don’t push myself as much (vs when I work out with my personal trainer), but when I run alone I push myself MORE than when I run with a friend. Probably because we chat too much! 🙂
I’m the same way with running, although running with a friend is a great way to practice pacing and distance!
I’ve never really thought of puma for workout gear recently. Back in my soccer days I was in love with them, i’m going to have to go check their stuff out. (I NEED those shoes!)
xx Kait
P.s. You remind me of a pixie in that last picture. Love it!
Thank you! My mom used to call me Tinkerbell. 🙂
I love that first picture. It is SO true. When I got my pictures back from my first 5K, I couldn’t even look at them. Talk about mortifying. Seriously, though, people should warn you to smile when you cross the finish line… 😉
Those tights sound very interesting. I wouldn’t think working out in such tight clothes would be comfortable, but it’s great it worked out for you! And thanks for the workout idea!
OMG – race pics should be illegal! Actually, maybe next time I’ll keep a chocolate bar on hand and whip it out for the finish line shot…
the pants weren’t uncomfotable… it was more like a second skin.
I LOVE PUMA! I wear puma running shoes to workout in and can’t wait to buy more in other colors 🙂 Love the outfit and I may have to pick up the breathable pants (OBSESSED) Thanks for sharing your inner PUMA! Love + Shine CourtStar
Defintely recommend the pants! Let me know if you try them!!
I tend to be a solo puma leading the pack way up ahead lol.
I love the puma gear girl! The athletic tape would definitley be a help.
Ha! Nothing wrong with the solo Puma.
I used to never have any trouble pushing myself during solo workouts, but I have definitely been lacking in the motivation department lately. Like you said, it really is hard working around limitations and I’ve realized that since my knee surgery, I have lost a LOT of endurance, strength, and well, just about everything. The thing I’m really struggling with right now is finding a good balance. The last workout that I did felt great DURING and actually, I did legs that day too, but I was so sore for the next THREE DAYS that I wanted to puke. Just have to figure out how much to do so that I build up to that point because right now, it can be a bit discouraging.
I wish you were closer – we could work through out “injuries” together. Booooo! Maybe you had to work out that soreness and the next time will be better?! My leg day soreness is *I think* what casued my nausea. So weird!