Category Archives: Nashville

SUMMER 2015 – GoPro

We’ve had a great summer.  It’s been H.O.T. so most of the time there was some kind of water involved to keep us cool.  And when there’s water, it’s a great idea to keep a GoPro camera close.  Even better, let your kids be in control of the camera and enjoy some fun shots!  Take a look at a few of our summer highlights…

doTERRA OILS IN MY GYM BAG!!!

 

A few week ago I published the GYM BAG ESSENTIALS video on Youtube → see it here!  showing some staple items I love having with me to enhance my workouts.  Now I’ll be going into more detail about some of my favorites!

LET’S SEE HOW ESSENTIAL OILS CAN ADD VALUE TO OUR GYM LIFE…

First favorite gym bag essential:  DEODORANT!!! We should ALWAYS have it in our bag 🙂 hehe. I use to buy a travel size store brand to keep in my bag ‘just in case’, but why ever settle for that? Our DIY deodorant has coconut oil, and that can be scary to travel with so we just add more cocoa butter to thicken it up!!  I really love this product.  The ingredients we used were aluminum-free baking soda, arrowroot (or cornstarch), coconut oil, cocoa butter and desired essential oils.  We used Lavender.  For suggestions on other oils you can use, full recipe and video tutorial —» check this out!   »»BUY NOW««

I’m also never far from my LIP BALM.  I like to have this with me all the time and you absolutely will find it in my GYM BAG!  Ingredients: beeswax, cocoa butter, coconut oil, peppermint and lavender essential oils.  See full recipe and video tutorial here.  »»BUY NOW««

deodorantLIPBALM

Next, you will find me with doTERRA DEEP BLUE RUB to sooth those achey and tired joints and muscles.  This topical cream is formulated with a proprietary blend of natural plant extracts and other powerful ingredients, including Deep Blue essential oil blend of wintergreen, camphor, peppermint, blue tansy, German chamomile, helichrysum, and osmanthus. For more information, click here.

Anyone who knows me knows I would have a good HAND SANITIZER close!  We all know how dirty gyms can be.  Even in a well maintained facility, blood, sweat and tears happen!!!  In most gyms, hand sanitizer is readily available, but we know that these options are not always the best idea – read 5 Hidden Dangers of Hand Sanitizer here.  By removing the ethyl alcohol (active ingredient in most brands) and the triclosan and replacing them with powerful antibacterial essential oils, we are able to destroy the yucky germs and protect the important good bacteria that helps build our immune system!  So I love having my DIY Hand Sanitizer close!  A simple mixture of Aloe Vera Juice, Witch Hazel, Vitamin E Oil and doTERRA’s On Guard essential oil blend makes for a safe, powerful and effective germ-killer!  Check out the full recipe and video tutorial here!  »»BUY NOW««

 Ladies, how about a nice BODY SPRAY to use after the workout!! Simply add Distilled Water, Witch Hazel and Oil of choice (my favorite —» Lavender) to a small spray bottle and you’ve got yourself a long-lasting, chemical-free fragrance!

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When we need to grab a quick shower in the locker room after the workout, have these shower essentials packed up and ready to use   ↓  ↓  ↓

  • doTERRA PROTECTING SHAMPOO —» It smells amazing and is GOOD for colored hair (there is no ingredient that strips the color!  Yay!!!)
  • doTERRA SMOOTHING CONDITIONER —» Truly leaves the hair feeling soft and thick
  • DIY BODY WASH —» Castille Soap, Vitamin E Oil, Jojoba Oil, Essential Oil of choice – Citrus Bliss is amazing and Vegetable Glycerin. We add all of this to a container with a foam pump. »»BUY NOW««
  • doTERRA HAND AND BODY LOTION —» This is a fragrance-free lotion that you can add in your own favorite essential oils.  Our top pick at the moment is Lavender for healing the skin in the sunny summer months.

SHAMPOO

 

The point of the “gym life” is to make it a lifestyle, right?

Well, what is the lifestyle we are creating?? For us, a cleaner, healthier life ♥

I partnered with Suzanna Underwood and my daughter’s online boutique ♥Of Eden♥ to create the Youtube video tutorials to share the method in which we create our products.  Click the links below, check out our videos and share with your friends ♥

HAND SANITIZER

DEODERANT

LIP BALM

STAY HEALTHY AND FIT MY FRIENDS! 

 

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL FITNESS RETREAT 2015

I’M GETTING EMAILS ALMOST WEEKLY NOW ASKING IF I’M DOING A FITNESS RETREAT THIS YEAR… AND I THINK THE ANSWER IS YES!!!!  SO I DO HAVE PEOPLE WANTING TO GET A TRIP TOGETHER.  I NEED A FULL GROUP 8-10 TO BOOK THE TRIP.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED… READ ON ↓ ↓ ↓  AND PLEASE SHARE WITH ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO COULD USE A REFRESHING GETAWAY THAT JUMPSTARTS THEIR HEALTH AND FITNESS GOALS!

♥ THIS IS TRULY A LIFE CHANGING WEEK ♥

Jumpstart metabolism, cardiovascular fitness and muscle sculpting program with an intensive week spent at a beautiful, spacious beach house focusing on workouts, nutrition, relationships and team building.

My passion is walking with others, coaching and cheering them on as they find freedom so they are empowered to take every opportunity and live an extraordinary life.

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Below is a general description of this 15 day plan.

After I have the group together, I personalize the fitness, food, and supplements for that specific group.

houseCollagePHASE 1

10 DAYS LEADING UP TO THE RETREAT

Nutrition: 10 Day Cleanse. A gentle cleanse that allows you to keep your calendar!

  • Rids body of toxins
  • Removes impurities
  • Improves digestion and absorption
  • Coaching on what you should eat
  • Prepares body for the Retreat

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  PHASE 2

We will do a variety of different workouts and will use innovative equipment like Tye4® wearable resistance/assistance and HeadFloater™ to stretch, strengthen and improve postural muscles- both you will use on the trip and take home to continue using! The workouts will be created after I evaluate the group. I will write a personalized program to meet your needs and reach your goals!

A few  of the classes that will be offered…

* Tye4 (Reformer) Pilates—» Pilates will sculpt the body by developing long, lean, balanced muscle. We will use Tye4 to provide much needed support for certain areas (like the neck and hip flexors) which, in turn, causes the proper muscles to work harder. It will also allow you to add resistance when necessary.

* Tye4 HIIT—» This is a Tabata style HIIT (high intensity interval training) workout that incorporates familiar exercises, but the Tye4 makes this much more effective: 1. Tye4 eliminates pounding and stress on the joints. Instead of creating wear and tear on the joints, you will actually build them stronger. 2. Your heart rate will be higher while using Tye4, therefore burning more calories.

We will be creative with our workouts and enjoy SUNRISE SESSIONS in the morning on the beach and SUNSET SESSIONS on this beautiful rooftop gym.  People with specific needs will have separate workout sessions if necessary.  This is PERSONAL TRAINING at it’s finest.

 

StAugustineWOAfter our workouts, we will be sitting on the beach or around the pool taking in proper nutrition so our body can recover properly.  Does it get any better than that?  I’m thinking NO!

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Supplements and Nutrition We will use the AdvoCare brand for our supplementation. AdvoCare has over 20 years of research and testimonies behind the products, has an alliance with Informed-Choice (3rd party company) to certify the products are banned-substance free, and has over 72 products so a personalized plan can be put in to place for each unique individual depending on their goals, needs, life-style and preference.

All included in the cost.

INCLUDED

All-Inclusive Cost: $1,500
8 people minimum // Deposit: $6,000 to reserve house ($750 per person)

  • 6 nights
  • All meals, snacks, drinks
  • All supplements (10 Day Cleanse -prior to retreat- vitamins, protein shakes, etc…)
  • Kitchen coaching – clean, ‘real food’ meals and snacks
  • Coaching on how to fuel and repair body
  • 9 workouts
  • Personal Coaching
  • Tye4® you will use and take home
  • HeadFloater™ you will use and take home
  • AshleyBensonFitness Swag!!!
  • Beach access
  • Heated pool/hot tub at the house
  • Game room (Shuffleboard, Pool, Poker Table, Ping Pong Table, X-Box 360)
  • HD flat screen TV in every room
  • WiFi

NOT INCLUDED

  • Travel to the house
  • Optional Friday evening meal at local restaurant
  • Leisure Activities:

boating. fishing. miniature golf. jet skiing. kayaking. parasailing.

sailing. snorkeling/diving. wind-surfing

FOR MORE INFO AND TO BOOK A TRIP, EMAIL ME!!!!

ashley@ashleybensonfitness.com

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6 WEEK TYE4 BOOTCAMP – CLASSES STARTING THIS WEEK!!!

CLASSES OFFERED

TYE4 FUNDAMENTALS [Monday 7:00 pm, Crossfit Murfreesboro]
learn how to use Tye4 in more complex variations to maximize results, learn how to apply it to a variety of different exercise styles and get an awesome workout at the same time

TYE4 PILATES [Tuesday 5:15 pm, The WareHouse, Murfreesboro]
build long, lean muscle, increase flexibility & mobility, and strengthen your entire core

TYE4 HIIT [Wednesday 7:00 pm, Crossfit Murfreesboro]
high intensity interval training – using Tye4 will increase intensity, burn more calories and protect the joints while working harder

TYE4 FUSION [Friday 8:45 am, Murfreesboro KettleBell Gym]
cardio, barre, strength and Pilates

Space is limited.  Once you purchase your class you spot will be held.

*** You will need to bring a mat to class. For Pilates, non-slip socks or ToeSox are preferred. For more on what to wear with Tye4, check out this post.

LOCATIONS

CrossFit Murfreesboro
831 Park Avenue, Murfreesboro, TN 37128

The Warehouse
730-A Middle Tennessee Blvd. Suite #14
Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Murfreesboro Kettlebell Gym
(Stronghold Fitness)
730-A Middle Tennessee Blvd. Suite #9
Murfreesboro, TN 37129

TYE4 CLASSES & PRICE copy

PURCHASE TYE4 WEARABLE RESISTANCE — SHOP NOW

FULL VIDEO WORKOUT ARE AVALIBLE IN THE 840WEST ONLINE COACHING GROUP!

Join our Online Coaching Group ($10/month) and get more full workout videos, coaching, encouragement and a fun social online space to connect with others in this game to be more healthy and fit! Click HERE for more info!!

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Questions, email me!

ashley@ashleybensonfitness.com

 

FITNESS: WORKOUTS, ARTICLES, REVIEWS

PREVIEWS & DEMOS

••• BUY TYE4 – $79.50

Join our Online Coaching Group ($10/month) and get more workout videos, coaching, encouragement and a fun social online space to connect with others in this game to be more healthy and fit!

Visit tye4fitness.com for more info!!

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ABOUT TYE4®

POSTS ABOUT FITNESS

WORKOUT FOODS

FITNESS REVIEWS

POP-UP Tye4® CLASSES

NEW POP-UP TYE4® CLASS ANNOUNCED

I’m totally excited about our next pop-up class.  The Juice Bar in Brentwood, Tn is hosting us… and I JUST LOVE IT THERE!!!  I recently wrote a review on The Juice Bar 
– read it here.  
 
For this class, we are using the NEW Tye4 system from TheMethod Pilates.  We wear a harness that has bungees that attach to the feet and hands.  It allows us to use assistance when needed, as well as resistance.  
For this Fusion class, we will hit a variety of exercise:
 
Dynamic Warmup
Cardio
Barre
Strength
Toning
Pilates
 
all while wearing Tye4!
 
email
to sign up.  We have limited spots, so don’t wait!
 
FOR THE CLASS
Bring a mat and your A-GAME.  
That’s all! 
Arrive early to get fitted in the Tye4.  It only takes a few minutes.
I’ll provide the water and the workout!
 
If you want to purchase a Tye4 ($80), let me know and I’ll have one for you.  

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NASHVILLE’S JUICE BAR

I’ve gotta tell you about one of my favorite places around Nashville…
 
THE JUICE BAR!!!



I found this when I started teaching Tye4 Classes in Brentwood, Tn last fall.  It became my “thing” after class :).  I’ve interviewed owners John and Vui Hunt and want to share it with you! 




WHEN DID THE JUICE BAR OPEN?
April 2013 in Brentwood, TN

WHAT IS THE MOST POPULAR JUICE?
Sweet Greens – yummy!
Take a look at the menu here.

CAN WE BUY OTHER HEALTHY FOODS/DRINKS AT THE JUICE BAR?

Absolutely – aside from juices, we have shots of locally grown Wheat Grass and each day we make fresh batches of Spinach/Kale/Quinoa super foods salad, fresh Vietnamese style Spring Rolls with locally grown mint and other goodies; we of course offer whole fruit smoothies with no added sweeteners or fill-agents of any kind – and to these we can add super goodies like chia seeds, hemp seeds, whey protein, spiraling, flax oil, etc…  Also, we partner with several local suppliers such as My Poor Tired Liver, Nola Granola, Nutrisha Snacks and The Hummus Chic to offer their healthy/yummy treats daily.  

 

DO YOU DO ANYTHING FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO ENCOURAGE AND EDUCTE HEALTHY LIVING?
We routinely host community classes in the Juice Bar, opening our doors to most anyone who has a congruent healthy topic to discuss and present;  likewise, we allow our space to be used for pop up dinners from locals such as Chef Michael Martin from Whole Foods, Nutrisha, and some other pending ones.

We also participate in a variety of venues where we give out free samples – Crieve Hall Farmer’s Market and the recent Nashville Film Festival. Upcoming: we are hosting a smoothie making class at a local preschool for the kiddos.  We stay pretty busy!

READ THE INSPIRATION AND STORY BEHIND THE JUICE BAR HERE. 

ARE THERE OTHER JUICE BAR LOCATIONS?
Huntsville, AL opened over two months ago
Berry Hill, TN coming July 2014
Franklin, TN coming August/September 2014
Knoxville, TN coming August 2014
German Town, TN coming spring 2015


Pending dates for locations:
Columbus, GA
Atlanta, GA
Birmingham, AL



GET CONNECTED!
LIKE on FACEBOOK
FOLLOW on TWITTER
and ilovejuicebar on INSTAGRAM!
WE LOVE IT!!!
THANKS JUICE BAR FOR FILLING US IN ON YOUR HEART AND THE EXCITING DETAILS!  
 
IF YOU ARE IN THE AREA, STOP IN AND TRY IT OUT. WE LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE LOCATIONS TO COME!!!

BABYSITTING & CHILD SAFETY CPR CLASS

SATURDAY MORNING THESE GIRLS TOOK A BABYSITTING AND CHILD SAFETY CLASS AND I WANT TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND SHARE HOW VALUABLE THIS WAS.  

FIRST, IT WAS EASY TO SIGN UP – LOTS OF OPTIONS FOR CLASS TIMES AND WAS VERY INEXPENSIVE.   SECOND, THE CLASS WAS TO THE POINT.  KIM McCRAVEN, RN, TAUGHT THE CLASS AND DID A GREAT JOB PRESENTING THE INFORMATION WITHOUT IT OVERWHELMING THE GIRLS.  


               A FEW TOPICS

* QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE BABYSITTING 
* ADULT, CHILD, INFANT CPR/AED
* KNOCKED OUT TEETH 
* ALLERGIC REACTION/ EPI PIN
* BITES & STINGS
(SNAKE, SPIDER, TICK, BEE…)
* CUTS/WOUNDS
* CHOKING
* ASTHMA
* POISON

 
 
 
NOW WATCH THIS SHORT INTERVIEW WITH THE GIRLS AND SEE WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE CLASS



“NOW I CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE IN BABYSITTING BECAUSE I AM PREPARED IF SOMETHING HAPPENS.  AND I THINK MY MOM FEELS BETTER ABOUT ME WATCHING MY YOUNGER BROTHER. “  – Taylor Benson

 
“THAT IS CORRECT.” – Mom
 

VISIT CodeOneCPR.com FOR MORE INFO

READ ANOTHER POST I WROTE WITH MORE DETAILS ON THIS COMPANY HERE

TO DECREASE THE RISK OF YOUNG PEOPLE GETTING POISONED, CONSIDER SWITCHING YOUR HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS TO A CHEMICAL-FREE OPTION.  CHECK OUT MY DIY RECIPES – HONESTLY TOO CHEAP AND EASY NOT TO DO.

ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS HOMEMADE PLANTAIN TINCTURE FOR BITES, STINGS AND CUTS.  IT WORKS SO GOOD!  

HERE IS ANOTHER GREAT OINTMENT TO HAVE ON HAND.  IT’S A KIT YOU CAN BUY TO MAKE THE SALVE, AND IF YOU REALLY DON’T WANT TO MAKE IT YOURSELF, BUY IT FROM SISTER SALVE!

OK.  THAT’S ALL FOR NOW.
THANKS FOR READING!