Now Live: My Airbnb Fitness Experience in Toronto Your chance to train with an IFBB Pro while traveling or staying local.
I’m so excited to officially announce that my Airbnb Fitness Experience is now live — and open for bookings!
This has been in the works for a while and I’m proud to finally share it. I was selected by Airbnb Global as one of their official Experience Hosts as part of their international launch across 70+ cities... and I get to represent Toronto through movement, mindset, and energy.
Whether you’re visiting the city or you live here full-time, this experience is for you.
What is the Airbnb Fitness Experience?
Think of it as a high-energy, feel-good sweat session with me — Alicia Bell, IFBB Pro Figure competitor, celebrity trainer, and founder of Train It Right.
We’ll meet at Push Pounds Sports Medicine (481 Danforth Ave, Toronto), a private performance studio where I coach athletes, celebrities, and clients of all levels. From warm-up to finish, you’ll get a full-body session that challenges you, motivates you, and meets you exactly where you're at.
No cookie-cutter class. No judgment. Just vibes, movement, and results.
Why Book a Fitness Experience While in Toronto?
Fitness travel is on the rise — and for good reason. When people explore new cities, they want to experience more than food and photos. They want something real, something personal, something they can feel.
This Airbnb Experience in Toronto is perfect if you're: • Traveling and want to stay active • Looking for unique wellness activities in the city • New to fitness but want to try something different • Local and craving a fresh way to train • Visiting for business and need a reset between meetings • A fan of my coaching and want to finally meet in person
Whether you're solo, with a friend, or planning a girls' trip — I’ve got you.
What to Expect
A 60-minute workout designed by me
Bodyweight and functional movement
Options for all fitness levels
Private studio environment
Toronto's east end — close to transit and local cafes
Post-session Q&A and real talk about fitness, mindset, or anything you want to ask
Spots are limited, and I’d truly love to have you join me. If you’ve followed my journey online or worked with me virtually — this is your chance to connect in person and move together.
I don’t take this opportunity lightly. To be selected as a host means a lot to me... and I want to make it something unforgettable for every single person who walks through the door.
If you’re planning a trip to Toronto, love wellness-based experiences, or just want to book a session that hits different — come through.
Let’s train. Let’s vibe. Let’s make this your favorite hour in the city.
Get fit with your partner/soul mate/swole mate/boyfriend/girfriend and sign up! We start January 15th!
Email me: alicia@trainitright.com for registration info and forms!
Train It Right's September Calendar Challenge
Check out the Train It Right's September 30 Day Full Body Challenge! Print off your calendar and get to work each day! Don't forget to hashtag #trainitright in any of your posts! Enjoy training it right!
1. Neck Stretch Description: This gentle stretch targets the sides of your neck. Benefit to driver: A stiff neck can cause headaches and upper back pain so it’s important to loosen up to aid comfort ahead of a long drive.
2. Eccentric Upper Body Push Up Description: This is an inclined push-up in which she will slowly lower herself onto the car until her chest is almost touching the hood or front panel, and then return explosively to the starting position. Benefit to driver: Strengthens chest and back muscles while engaging the core. Increases blood flow to arms and upper body. Returning explosively to the starting position increases blood flow, heart rate, and boosts overall alertness.
3. Eccentric Lower Body Squat Description: Standing close to the back bumper with your back facing the back of the car, slowly lower down into a squat until your butt just touches the bumper. Then quickly return to a standing position. Benefit to driver: Builds strength in your legs. The quick return to a full standing position awakens the senses by increasing heart rate and blood flow, elevating one’s focus and attentiveness.
4. Back Mobility Description: With your arms reaching back behind you, slowly bend your back towards the car until you can place your hands flat on its surface. (It is not necessary to go into a full “bridge” position.) Finish the exercise by returning to a standing position — and then performing a forward toe touch. Benefit to driver: Sitting for long periods builds tension in the lower back. This exercise releases that tightness in the lower back. The forward toe touch serves to loosen the hamstrings.
Akin teamed up with model and client Nina Agdal to demonstrate some of these key moves on site at Buick's Studio Envision in East Hampton this past weekend where the “Joy to Drive” video was screened for the first time. An intimate group of hosted guests at The Buick Studio Envision, an immersive experience in the heart of the Hamptons, also underwent a “Joy to Drive” work out with Akin Akman and Nina Agdal (pictured above).
Buick Celebrates new compact luxury SUV, the first-ever Buick Envision, with "Buick Envision Joy to Drive" Video Nina Agdal and Akin Akman design custom stretching routine to aid with comfort on long drives
Health and wellbeing are top of mind for more and more Americans today, and for Buick as well. The first ever Buick Envision five passenger compact luxury SUV feature's signature Quiet Tuning, advanced driver assist technologies, and soft-touch materials, designed to contribute to a more relaxing, calm and happy driving experience.
The"Buick Envision Joy to Drive" video delivers a special stretching routine created by super trainer Akin Akman alongside his client, model Nina Agdal. The duo designed the routine specifically to aid comfort before, and after, long drives.
“I travel a lot for work with much of it being long distance whether it be driving or flying and I know first-hand the value of making sure that pre and post journey I look after my body – stretching helps deliver that comfort that allows me to relax and make the journey a joy,” said model Nina Agdal.
Speaking on the routine he created with Agdal and the need to stretch to create driving comfort trainer Akin Akman said, “These moves were designed to support core strength and increase blood flow and heart rate to stimulate alertness which is helpful both pre and post long drive.”
The "Buick Envision Joy to Drive” video celebrates the design details within the Buick Envision including premium soft touch materials, sculpted surfaces, ambient lighting and ample leg room which combine to deliver comfort for driver and passenger and thereby a happier drive.
The custom Nina Agdal and Akin Akman "Buick Envision Joy to Drive" Stretching Routine consists of the following four maneuvers, to be done both pre and post drive:
1. Neck Stretch Description: This gentle stretch targets the sides of your neck. Benefit to driver: A stiff neck can cause headaches and upper back pain so it’s important to loosen up to aid comfort ahead of a long drive. 2. Eccentric Upper Body Push Up Description: This is an inclined push-up in which she will slowly lower herself onto the car until her chest is almost touching the hood or front panel, and then return explosively to the starting position. Benefit to driver: Strengthens chest and back muscles while engaging the core. Increases blood flow to arms and upper body. Returning explosively to the starting position increases blood flow, heart rate, and boosts overall alertness.
3. Eccentric Lower Body Squat Description: Standing close to the back bumper with your back facing the back of the car, slowly lower down into a squat until your butt just touches the bumper. Then quickly return to a standing position. Benefit to driver: Builds strength in your legs. The quick return to a full standing position awakens the senses by increasing heart rate and blood flow, elevating one’s focus and attentiveness.
4. Back Mobility Description: With your arms reaching back behind you, slowly bend your back towards the car until you can place your hands flat on its surface. (It is not necessary to go into a full “bridge” position.) Finish the exercise by returning to a standing position — and then performing a forward toe touch. Benefit to driver: Sitting for long periods builds tension in the lower back. This exercise releases that tightness in the lower back. The forward toe touch serves to loosen the hamstrings.
--- About Buick Envision: Buick Studio Envision takes inspiration from the Buick brand values of quiet, calm and comfort and continues the support of the growing trend for wellness and the pursuit of happiness, a core American value. The all-new Envision is a perfect blend of style, refinement, versatility, and safety. These attributes give passengers a driving experience that creates a harmonious and spacious environment and a sense of wellbeing.
About Buick:
Buick is an international modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors and thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet- efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models in North America and China. Learn more about Buick cars and crossovers at www.buick.com, on Twitter @buick, on Instagram @BuickUSA, or at www.facebook.com/bu
TORONTO, ON – Kanye West and adidas Originals start 2016 with the release of the highly sought-after black version of the YEEZY BOOST 350.
The lo-top YEEZY BOOST 350 features a Primeknit upper: a break-through material developed using adidas’ most advanced digital engineering techniques to fit like a second skin. Colour-coordinated outsoles leverage adidas BOOST™’s highly responsive properties to offer an unparalleled level of comfort, performance and style.
The YEEZY BOOST 350 combines the forward-thinking technologies of adidas with a classic aesthetic and represents a bold new design ideal.
The black YEEZY BOOST 350 will be released on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 through adidas.ca and select global retailers worldwide and will have a suggested retail price of $265 CAD. Visit any one of our adidas Originals stores (Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal) on February 16th to enter the silent raffle. The raffle officially closes February 18 at 12 p.m. and the winners will be contacted that afternoon.
Shoulder dislocation injuries can be very disruptive to your fitness regime - not to mention painful! And, although carrying on with your regular workout routines is going to be difficult, you can still stay fit. In this brief guide, I’m going to go through what you can expect from a shoulder dislocation injury. Let’s get started with some basic info.
The injury
First of all, the shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in your body - but this can come at a cost. When it comes to contact sports like football, basketball, or martial arts, it can be vulnerable to being popped out of its socket. I won’t beat around the bush - it can cause extreme pain. And, when it has happened once, it is more likely to occur again. So, it’s important that when you start working out again, you don’t overdo it.
Treatment
The first step in your treatment is to get your shoulder back in place. Again, this can be a painful experience, even when a skilled physician or nurse is performing the task. Take a look at this shoulder dislocation treatment by Dr Siow Hua Ming to see what you can expect. You will wear a sling, and you won’t be able to move your shoulder for a while. You can also expect a fair amount of swelling, pain, and discomfort. It’s important to keep your shoulder immobile during this period, which can last up to a couple of weeks. Once it subsides, you can start with some rehab exercises.
Exercises
There is a range of exercises that can help you recover quicker from a shoulder dislocation. In the initial stages, you should try isometric exercises - or static contractions. These are exercises that work the joint without moving it and are perfect for building a little strength. The next stage is to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder with internal rotation exercises. These involve moving the arm in front of the body, rather than the outside. Only then can you start external rotations - such as pushing out with dumbbells.
Basic fitness
Your fitness levels are going to drop when you have any dislocation, due to the fact you need to rest the injury. However, with good strapping in place, there are a few ways you keep fit - to a certain extent. Running will be out of the question for a while, but you might feel comfortable with brisk walking. You might be surprised how many calories you can burn off. One thing you have to watch out for is your heart rate. Once it starts pumping fast, it can cause throbbing in your shoulder, so if this starts happening, slow things down a little. As the shoulder pain begins to recede, you can begin to up the intensity of your exercise. Just be careful not to overdo it, and if you have any shoulder pain, stop.
Diet
Finally, don’t forget to adjust your diet to suit the lower levels of exercise. If you’re still consuming a lot of calories to support a serious training program, it’s just going to make you put on weight. And, that means it’s going to take you far longer to get back to your original condition. Good luck with the recovery!
How To Keep On Track With Your New Year's Fitness Goals
OK, so just over a week ago, a lot of you might have made yourself some new year’s resolutions. And, by now, you may already have given up on them. If so, worry not. There’s still time to get yourself back on track without too much damage - and these tips should help.
We all have different reasons for getting fitter and healthier, and all of them are emotional. It might be so that you can fit into your old jeans again, or it could be because you are tackling a charity marathon and want to do your best. Whatever your personal reasons, always keep them in mind - especially during tough workouts, or after a busy day. All you have to do is turn up, push yourself to your limits, and you will soon catch that dangling carrot.
Read everything
Read about people hitting their fitness goals, and you will want to keep going yourself. I’d like to think there is more than enough inspiration on this blog, but there are hundreds of others. Fitness Edge is a new one I have recently found, but there are plenty more. Read up on everyone’s success stories, and picture yourself in their shoes. If you can understand the possibilities, then making it happen will be much easier for you.
Go faster
‘I don’t have enough time’ is an excuse I hear a lot from people when it comes to breaking their fitness goals. Well, if you are short on time, just work harder in the time you have. You can get more out of a high-intensity workout over twenty minutes than you can from an hour long jog anyway. So, push yourself faster and harder, for shorter periods of time, and you will see results.
Plan your week better
Another big reason people don’t achieve their fitness goals is through lack of planning. We’re all busy, but if you want results, you have to make time. Plan your week or month long in advance, and identify times when you will workout. Don’t miss them - for anything. Treat them like you would an appointment with the doctor or even part of your working day. Once you get used to it, it will feel like it is part of your life. But, you can’t get to that stage without including your workouts in your calendar or diary.
Get a support network
OK, so getting a support network means two things. The first one is obvious. You just hang out with people that understand what you’re doing and give you help and encouragement. But the second one involves keeping yourself away from those that don’t understand. You know who I’m talking about - it’s the guys that doubt you. It’s the people that enjoy a drink a little more than the next person, and encourage you to tag along. It can be tough to keep good friends at arm’s length, but it won’t be forever. Once you have got past a certain point, you mind will be a lot stronger to deal with these issues. And, when it comes to drinking, you can always have one of these.
Hope this has helped - let me know how you are getting on!
Who is Alicia Bell? She is a Toronto based Social Media Influencer, Kinesiologist, Strength Coach and Track and Field Coach who has devoted her life to helping people reach their goals in fitness and sport. She is a nationally recognized track and field coach who coached team Canada at the Maccabi games in Israel in July of 2013. She lead the team to 13 medals. Alicia has over 10 years of practical and educational experience and is a published Fitness model for Zenzation with her pictures gracing their equipment and she leads their product DVD instruction.
Alicia has experience working with many types of clientele. She has worked as a Kinesiologist and an Exercise Rehabilitation Specialist. She is also experienced at weight loss, strength training, toning and athletic conditioning. She has worked with clients such as Dwight Howard (NBA), Rashad McCants (Former NBA), Geoff Harris (Olympic 800m runner), Lil Jon (Rapper/Dj), Karla Moy aka HustleGrl, Hill Harper (actor, author) and even the mother of the Toronto rapper Drake.
Alicia Bell and Telus Present - Living Better With Samsung S6
I have such a busy schedule! Not only am I a personal trainer in busy downtown Toronto, Canada, but I also work for a water company (GP8 Sportwater) and I am also an athlete who trains to compete in the Ontario Physique Association (OPA) bikini category.
My life is filled with fitness, nutrition, travelling and social interactions. Sometimes it is hard to keep track of not only my own goals and activities but also my clients and other business adventures. I have to keep a very tight schedule, so for me timing is everything.
Since getting the new Samsung S6 from Telus I have been living better! I love to take pictures and video of my clients training, my own workouts, the food I eat and the day to day activities and events that I attend. I have found that the Samsung S6 really captures these moments. Its dynamic, ultra-responsive camera captures the true-to-life brilliance of any moment throughout my day. It also has a quick launch camera so that I can pull out my phone and quickly (under a second) launch the camera to take an in the moment photo.
Another convenient feature for me is the quick unlock finger print option. Instead of keying in a password (which you can also do) you can use your very own finger print to quickly unlock your phone. It was very easy to set up and when I need to open my phone fast to read a message it only takes a quick second to unlock from being secure.
Another one of my favourite features is that it has a super charger. What does this mean? It means that because I am always on the go I can plug the S6 in for just 10 minutes and get up to 4 hours of battery life!!!! When you take as much photos as I do and you are constantly travelling from one place to another and listening to music this is crucial. I don't have the time to leave my phone plugged in for hours at a time.
The apps that I have found useful on the Samsung for my busy and active lifestyle are:
S- Health: This app you can personalize and sync your health data with your Samsung account. You can choose your personal units of measurements and receive notifications of events in the status bar. Within the app you can download extra things. I use the Workout Trainer (if I need a quick workout for myself), Recipes & Nutrition(for finding healthy recipes) and the Hydro Coach (for recording my water intake). There are so many useful apps to help with staying on track and these three are just a few. You can completely personalize the S Health and the apps that you use within it for whatever your goals are.
The phone can also counts your daily step count and allows you to adjust your goals for the count. I have it at 10, 000 steps per day. The only downfall is that if you don't have the watch to go with the phone you have to have the phone in your hand or in your pocket for it to keep track.
The sleep tracker is also key. As an athlete and trainer I cannot express how important sleep can be. If you don't get enough sleep your body will be high in cortisol. A stress released hormone that can trigger your body to store fat. Keeping track of your sleep will help you with your fitness goals.
Another awesome feature with the phone is that it actually has a heart rate sensor that allows you to instantly measure your heart rate and record it. This is great when training because it allows you to check if you are working in the right zone for your goals when you are doing an intense training or cardio session.
I also use the food recording within the S Health application. This can let you see what you are eating and how many calories are in it. Its great to achieve your goals. Whats also really cool is that if you haven't recorded anything for the day it will ask you if you feel like tracking your food? It will also remind you. Which is great if you are as busy as I am and often forget.
Check out the phone for yourself in this video from Samsung:
GIVEAWAY CONTEST AND ENTRY INFORMATION
Two ways to enter:
1) Tweeting a contest-specific entry:
If I win a Samsung Galaxy S6 from @trainitright & @TELUS, I'll USE IT TO HELP ME REACH MY GOAL OF_____ #TELUSS6
2) Either sharing or commenting on my Facebook post for this contest on the Facebook page. www.facebook.com/trainitright
The contest is Canadian only, no Quebec entries, 18+
A random winner will be selected
Check out my fellow bloggers perspectives on how they use their Samsung phones as well. The phone is so versatile for whatever your life may bring. You can completely personalize the Samsung S6 and for me that is what makes it such a great phone.
Working out is challenging. Sometimes getting to the gym can be challenging, and if we workout on our own we don’t get that extra push that a personal trainer or an exercise class would give us. Do you have an old dusty exercise ball that you have had sitting around for months but havent touched? If you have an exercise ball at home here is a free DVD that you can follow. There are beginner, intermediate and advanced options for all of the exercises. This video was shot with Zenzation/Pur Athletics some time ago. It was a learning experience. Go check it out! #trainitright
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