How To Look Great While Getting Your Workout On | ECCO Cool 2.0 GTX Shoes

I’ve been slacking off majorly with my workout routine lately. Life has gotten so busy that every minute of my day is accounted for resulting in little time for regular workouts. When I received my pair of awesome beetroot-coloured ECCO Cool 2.0 GTX shoes, I had no excuse but to get my butt back into fitness mode.

ECCO Cool 2.0 GTX Shoes

I put down my umpteenth donut, strapped on my Cool 2.0 GTXs and embarked on a long walk to the gym. It was gorgeous and sunny out, and I savoured every moment of it. The only drawback to my walk were the huge puddles everywhere…but my feet were happy. ECCO’s Cool 2.0 GTX Shoes are built to last with their GORE-TEX® SURROUND® Waterproof construction. Fancy! On top of that, their cool-looking soles are comprised of “TPU tubes” that provide awesome 360° breathability. You can kiss hot and sweaty feet goodbye thanks to these shoesies!

When I got to the gym, my feet were so happy! Even though these shoes were brand new, they didn’t need to be broken in – they are supremely comfortable. No blisters after my long walk, no tightness and no sore toes! I attribute this next-level comfort to the Cool 2.0 GTX’s design which is moulded and anatomically correct. These shoes also feature long-lasting cushioning that makes them feel like you are walking on clouds. I seriously want to hug these shoes.

Many of you reach out to me wanting to know my workout routine, so I’ve included a quick run down of a normal day at the gym for me. First and foremost, I’m a runner. During the winter months, I run indoors on the treadmill a couple of times a week (when life doesn’t get in the way) and I complement those runs with weight training. In the summer months, I take my fitness routine outdoors. I hit the trails behind my house for 5-8K runs, or ride my bike all over the city. Feeling free as a bird, cycling doesn’t feel like exercise at all and that’s the key to keeping up with your fitness regimen – making it fun! I also walk – A LOT. I work beside a beautiful river with gorgeous pathways. I often take 8K walks on these paths in the spring and summer from my office to my husband’s office where I hitch a ride home. It’s the perfect way to de-stress and clear my head, and trust me – I’ll be lacing up my ECCO Cool 2.0 GTXs for these marathons walks of mine!

My Workout Routine

So, before I get into my workout routine, I want to make it clear that this regimen works really for me. If you are new to working out, I highly recommend that you visit your doctor first to ensure that you’re good to start out on an exercise journey.

When I hit the gym, I do my weight and abdominal routine before doing cardio, except on leg days. I cannot run after doing a bunch of squats and lunges!

Abdominals

To keep my abs tight, I do the following:

• 2 sets of 75 ab crunches on the Swiss Ball; or
• 2 sets of 25 crunches on a mat while holding at 12.5-lb dumbbell
• 2 sets of 25 leg raises
• 2 sets of 25 “bum raises” (lying on the mat with your legs up in the air at a 90° angle – raise your bum in the air to work your lower abdominals)
• 2 sets of 12 crunches on the abdominal machine
• 2 sets of planks (1-2 minutes each)

Arms

I love the look of strong arms and toned shoulders on women. I achieve this look with:

• 3 sets of bicep curls with the 30-lb bar (first set – 14 reps, second set – 12 reps, third set – 10 reps)
• 2 sets of 16 tricep curls with 12.5-lb weight or 2 sets of tricep pull downs (20 lbs)
• 2 sets of 14 back rows with 10-lb weights

Shoulders

Shoulder workouts aren’t my favourite (ouch!), but boy – the results are worth it:

• 2 sets of 14 military presses (10-lbs)
• 2 sets of front barbell raises (10-lbs)
• 2 sets of leaning dumbbell lateral raises (10-lbs)
• 2 sets of deltoid flys (7.5-lbs – sometimes my right shoulder hurts so I drop the weight down)

Legs

I really, really hate working out my legs. I find them pretty weak, so they get tired and achy really fast.

• 3 sets of forward lunges with 15-lb weights (first set – 14 reps, second set – 12 reps, third set – 10 reps)
• 3 sets of backward lunges with 15-lb weights (first set – 14 reps, second set – 12 reps, third set – 10 reps)
• 3 sets of squats with 15-lb weights (first set – 14 reps, second set – 12 reps, third set – 10 reps)

If I’m not dying by this point, I continue with:

• 3 sets of hamstring curls on the machine with 50-lbs of weight (first set – 14 reps, second set – 12 reps, third set – 10 reps)
• 3 sets of leg presses at 190-lbs (3 sets of 15 reps)
• 3 sets of leg extensions on the machine at 85-lbs (3 sets of 15 reps)
• 3 sets of calf extensions on the machine at 85-90-lbs (3 sets of 15 reps)

Back

I don’t work out my lower back too much due to an injury, but will focus on my upper back:

• 3 sets of wide-grip seated pull-downs on the machine
• 3 sets of single arm dumbbell rows with 10-lb weights (first set – 14 reps, second set – 12 reps, third set – 10 reps)
• 3 sets of seated cable rows at 40-lbs (first set – 14 reps, second set – 12 reps, third set – 10 reps)

Cardio

The treadmill is my best buddy at the gym. I will run 5 kilometres at alternating paces to keep my legs challenged. Sometimes I’ll mix it up with 30 minutes on the elliptical or Arc trainer. When I feel inspired, I’ll challenge myself to a spin class or if I’m feeling punchy, I’ll sign up for a cardio kickboxing class.

Other Workouts

One of my favourite things to do is complete a class at The Dailey Method. Their low-impact Dailey Barre Class challenges you to stretch all of the muscles in your body while maintaining challenging poses. It’s a really nice alternative to the gym thanks to its calm and welcoming atmosphere. After completing a few months, you will see a great difference in your muscle tone.

How do you stay fit? Are you a “gym rat” or do you like to take it outdoors? Like to add a little style to your outdoor workout? How about strapping on some ECCO Cool 2.0 GTXs and going for a long, leisurely walk? Your heart and feet will thank you!

*Thank you to ECCO Shoes Canada for providing these pretty shoes in exchange for my honest opinion.