Hi and happy Wednesday.

Yesterday I logged my first mid-week run with a 5 miler.

Love how Duncan just chills out on his big ole dog bed waiting for his "she's going out" cookie

Love how Duncan just chills out on his big ole dog bed eating his “she’s going out” cookie

It was warmer than normal for this time of year. I enjoyed the warmth but definitely felt like it took more effort. As usual, once I realized I was hovering around an 11-minute pace I tried to finish the run with an 11:11 pace so I could make a wish. I came close but was a few seconds off. Oh well.

IMG_1598

I came home to a package at my doorstep. I was given a sample to try of the TKO 4-Way Resistance Bands from their PR agency.

TKO 4-way Resistance Bands and a cute doodle

TKO 4-way Resistance Bands and a cute doodle

My current resistance bands are so old and actually the rubber tubing is cracking. I keep thinking one day they’ll snap like a rubber band. The TKO bands are not rubber but more like a bungee cord. I really like that.

IMG_1626

And the resistance can be adjusted so you don’t need multiple sets of bands. There weren’t any instructions but I’m a genius and eventually figured out that if you pull some slack through the little black domes it makes the resistance stronger. In essence, you’re shortening the band making it harder to pull.

I tightened the resistance for the lower bands but left the top ones looser.

I tightened the resistance for the lower bands but left the top ones looser.

Since I just recently organized my “home gym” section of my living room this couldn’t have come at a better time. I immediately tried them out. I love how they are basically 2 bands connected so you can do arm/leg movements simultaneously. And it’s supposed to help engage your core muscles which is always a win-win.

IMG_1614I’m definitely going to use these if for no other reason than they are so easy to use.

Hooray for TKO's 4-Way Resistance Bands

Hooray for TKO’s 4-Way Resistance Bands

I already went online and found a cool video showing 3 exercises that use 4-way resistance bands.

I found them here for $12.99…cheap!

So now my home gym arsenal is fuller and that can only help me stick to my strength exercises which if you know nothing else about me I’m terrible at sticking to a plan. Not to mention these are pretty darn portable so maybe I’ll take them with me on the weekends I go to Mr. SOTSS’ so I can continue to stick to a plan.

Today it’s already in the 70s! Crazy considering it’s still technically winter! I’m going to head out for a shorter run later this evening as we get closer to sunset.

Are you good at sticking to a strength training plan? no!

Do you use free weights or resistance bands or machines or all 3? I have free weights and bands.

Do you prefer strength training at the gym or in your home? home!