Can exercise equipment for £1 be any good?!

January had passed, but I am still trying to be strong with my health kick. The other day I did a blog post about Missguided launching their Active Wear collection and with that I looked into other retail brand that are taking a piece of the sportswear pie and Poundland are no different with the 'ActiveLife Sport' collection. 

Now I like a bargain, but can weights for only £1 really be any good?

The ActiveLife Sport range Poundland has introduced not only includes weights and training equipment but protein shakes and supplements.

I tested out some accessories and equipment to help you work out at home on a frugal budget:

• Water bottle – this was a little fiddly to open, not an easy pop-top one but a perfect size for a workout.
• Exercise band - These sweat bands do the job nicely and in a simple black colour, they go with any gym outfit. 

• 0.5kg Weights- These are great little weights and if you are a beginner like me, the weights are ideal to use during work out videos.
• Weight lifting gloves - Not sure when I will lift heavy weights? But these pink foam gloves will make you look the part.
• Stopwatch – Consistent exercise is key, so a stopwatch is essential to keep you in time with your different exercises and I can’t fault this one.
• Pedometer - I don't think the ActiveLife Sport peometer is that accurate and it’s easy to gain steps by shaking it, but which pedometer is accurate. The Fitbit which costs around £60 has been noted to be quite inaccurate so for just £1 and to keep you motivated this is a great little gadget.
• Skipping rope – I used to love skipping when I was younger and it’s such a fun exercise to keep you motivated. The skipping rope keeps track of your skips so you can set targets. This will definitely be added to my exercise regime.

Remember all of these products are only £1!

 

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Missguided Active

Fitness is on the tip of everyone's tongue, not only because it's January with 'New Year Resolutions' but because we live in a new age of where being healthy is… kind of cool. Now supermarkets instead of having a shelf of healthy options have entire aisles loaded with herbal teas, coconut oil and gluten free goodies.

Now popular retail brands are making sure they get a piece of the pie with a new type of offering of fitness gear rivaling the expensive alternatives such as a Nike sports bra which I paid over £30 for....

I have been touching on being healthy in a number of posts like exploring Soya and ways to make water more interesting and will hopefully move into more fitness inspired posts over the coming months.

But Without further ado, let’s talk about the launch of the eagerly anticipated launch of Missguided Active and it has hit us with a pretty sexy bang if you have watched the advert.

Missguided Active is an exclusive sportswear collection with 53 pieces in the collection and I am sure there is more to come as we move further into 2015. With prices starting from £9 (what a bargain) and vibrant prints mixed with edgy slogans, Missguided have created a winning combination in the field of sports-luxe.

Some of my favourite pieces from the collection are below; it would be great to know if you have seen the range yet?

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The Frugal Way To A Luxury Holiday

Luxury doesn't often come cheap, but if there is one time you want a taste of the high life, it's when you're on holiday. Luckily, there are a number of tricks and little-known secrets you can use to add a touch of luxury to an otherwise average trip.

Better flights, the VIP airport experience and a swanker hotel could all be possible - for much less than you imagine. A few smart moves can make the luxury getaway you've always dream't about a reality.

Get a free upgrade to first class

First class isn't what it used to be with many airlines, and the truth is it's harder to get bumped up for free these days. But there are a number of tricks you can use to try and bag yourself a more comfortable flight - from dressing up like an investment banker to keeping a keen eye out for any problems to report.

Pay for a VIP airport lounge day pass

The first class travel experience isn't reserved for aircrafts and some airport VIP lounges will put your entire holiday to shame. But you don't have to fork out for a first class ticket or expensive annual membership to add VIP luxury to your wait at the airport. Many airlines let you buy a day pass for much less than you think - especially if you speak to them before you set off.

Blag yourself a discount 5-star hotel

After a free upgrade to first class, and a few hours living it up in a VIP lounge, the last thing you want is to crash back down to earth by staying at an average hotel. Luckily, there are a number of places to go for a cut price deal on luxury hotels. You can also often get a swanky pad for less if you book a local apartment or consider luxury house sitting.

Find luxury in a cheaper economy

Spa days and luxury massages can cost you much less in some exotic locations around the world. Southeast Asia is a favourite amongst travellers with all types of budgets, and you can find some real gems when it comes to services you normally couldn't afford back home. So next time you find yourself pondering where to go for a getaway, keep a keen eye on the local economy and what you can get for your money.

Get to know some of the locals

Even in the cheaper parts of this world it pays to know locals, who know exactly how to get more for less. This is easier than ever, thanks to the internet, with a huge range of language and culture exchange sites out there that make it incredibly easy to meet English speaking local people who usually love the fact that you’re showing an interest in their home country. You can frequently even stay with locals who rent out their homes to travellers with a quick search on Airbnb.

A little research goes a long way, and a quick look on travel forums, blogs and social media can offer up a range of other ways to save money or add an extra bit of luxury to your travels. Last minute deals and local wonders are everywhere to be found and all you need to do is ask the right people. You'll be amazed at what you can find!

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