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.
The weight should be heavy enough that the rep range is challenging, but you are not hitting failure.
Seated DB Military Press
Setup: Sit tall on the end of a flat bench, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Hold the weights above your shoulders so elbows are at 90 degrees and slightly in front of you, palms facing out.
Action: Extend your arms to press the weights straight overhead. Lower back down with control and repeat.
Split Stance One-Armed Row
Setup: Hold a dumbbell in one hand and place the opposite hand on a bench for support. Stand with one foot forward and the other back with knees slightly bent.
Action: Bend your elbow and pull the dumbbell to your hip. Lower back down and repeat. Complete all reps then switch sides.
DB Low-Incline Bench Press
Setup: Adjust an incline bench to approximately 30 degrees. Hold dumbbells with an overhand, shoulder-width grip with arms locked above your chest.
Action: Bend your elbows and lower the weights with control until it makes contact with your chest. Press back up to the starting position and repeat.
Barbell Pendlay Row
Setup: Stand in front of a weighted barbell on the floor. If needed, place ends on platforms to elevate them. Hinge from the hips and grab the bar with an underhand grip.
Action: Bend your elbows and pull the bar to your waist quickly, then lower back down with control all the way to the floor. Reset your stance if needed and repeat.
Push-Up
Setup: Get into high plank position, keeping your neck neutral and forming a straight line with your body.
Action: Bend your elbows to lower your chest towards the ground. Extend your arms to press back up. Repeat.
Bent-Over Plate Row
Setup: Stand holding a weight plate with hands gripping the sides. Hinge from the hips and lean over, keeping your back flat. Extend your arms downwards.
Action: Bend your elbows and pull the plate towards your torso. Lower back down and repeat.
An injury can derail more than just your physical health. You need to take an injury seriously so that you don't experience chronic pain issues. Here are some of the strategies that you can use in order to realign your back and get things back to normal.
Alicia Bell IFBB Figure Pro and Bodybuilder
Seek Medical Aid
The first thing that you should do following any severe injury is to seek medical attention. Determining the extent and scope of your injury will give you more information about the best way to get your back realigned. Your doctor may recommend that you start with physical therapy in order to improve your injury. This generally involves a series of stretches and other types of exercises that will help you cope with your day-to-day life.
Visit a Chiropractor
In some instances, it can be to your best advantage to schedule a visit with a chiropractor. They can help you with your alignment issue so that you can more fully recover from your injury. A simple adjustment may be all that you require so that you can get back to living your life. For more serious issues, you may need to schedule several appointments in order to resolve your issue. Speak with Chiro about your goals to help you achieve the most out of your visits.
Enroll in Yoga
Yoga is a good form of exercise because it focuses on improving your flexibility. It can also help to increase your mobility so that your back will realign in a more natural manner. You may be able to prevent future injuries from occurring if you continue to practice yoga. There's nothing wrong with being more flexible and this is what yoga can do for you if you're willing to put in the effort. Another benefit of yoga is that it can help to strengthen your core muscles.
Invest in Core Strengthening
There are a variety of different types of stretches that can help with your adjustment issue. Pelvic floor exercises, planking, and side to side stretches with weights can help you. Another option is to get an exercise ball and work on your balance. It may not seem like much, but over time, these types of exercises are increasing your core strength so that you can recover from any injuries or prevent them from occurring in the first place.
Back problems can get worse over time if you don't work towards improving your health. Use these ideas so that you can realign your back and return to your previous physical abilities.
All runners need to work on posterior chain strengthening during the off season. Whether you are already doing a strengthening routine or off season weight training is brand new to you the following 3 exercises should be implemented into your routine. These exercises will strategically strengthen the glutes to aid in better running economy, strength and speed in the spring. If you are lifting heavy please make sure to use a spotter. Correct technique should always be used when performing strengthening exercises. Make sure that you perfect your form first before increasing the amount of weight used. Once technique is mastered add weight to these exercises and your glutes will primed for the spring running season.
Box Squat
3-4 sets x 8-10
Contrary to popular belief simply performing regular squats are not always the best thing for the butt. When the average person squats only a small portion of the movement targets that area. It’s mainly a quad dominant exercise. Box squats are primarily posterior chain and therefore the glutes are doing most of the work.
Technique:
Place an appropriate amount of weight on the bar. Make sure to use a wide stance, leaning forward and sitting back this stretches the posterior chain. Do not lose tension of the muscle by sitting down fully. Maintain tension of the legs and hips, and make sure to keep the bar over your toes. You will have an arched back and will be leaning forward at the hips. Do not to rock back in the squat when initiating the upward movement.
Deep Walking Lunge
3-4 sets x 8-10
The deep lunge like the box squat when you are at the bottom of the movement the glutes are stretched. This causes you to use the glutes to get out of the bottom position and will help you strengthen them.
Technique:
Place the weights in each had. First take a big step forward causing you to lean forward at the hip. Lean forward the entire time, press through the heel and power into your next lunge staying in a straight line.
Glute Bridge
3-4 sets x 8-10
This exercise also helps target your glutes specifically because you are contracting them at the end range of the motion.
Technique:
Place the weight safely above your hips. You may use a towel or foam covering for protection. Then place your upper back across a low bench, soft box or floor if the others are unavailable. Your feet should be placed shoulder width apart, with your toes pointing
slightly out. As you push your hips up focus on squeezing the butt to lift the weight.
Hold for one second at the top of the movement.
Training Tip Tuesday - Squat Variations
Did you know that Squatting is a fundamental human movement pattern that involves nearly every muscle in the body. Squatting improves fitness, performance, and mobility for daily-life tasks. But do you always do the same squat? You shouldn’t and here’s why:
Have you ever noticed that when you do an exercise or even squats when you haven’t performed them a few weeks or even months, you get intense delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) for two or three days afterwards. Well that is because your muscles are moving in a slightly different plane of motion than what they are used to, and they’ve become unaccustomed to this newly reintroduced movement. Don’t get stuck doing the same exercises each and every week. Change it up so that you can wake up muscles that may not be getting used if you are continually doing the same exercises.
When you add variations into your workouts what will happen is you will have more gains, potentially progress faster and see development and changes. Try new exercise movements that target the muscles in your program, or try to add extra weight. You can even perform more sets and reps each workout. It’s all about the variation. Variations also help keeps you mentally stimulated and non stagnant in your workout regime. This keeps the workouts fun and exciting as well as challenging. When you add variation exercises you will hit the fibers from different angles and create that nice and full muscle so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Try these following variations for Squats remember to engage the muscles in the exercise and focus on the contraction. Don’t rush through the reps keep everything engaged and firing to get the full benefit of each exercise.
Front Squat
Place the barbell upper chest height in the rack. Step forward and position bar in front of shoulders. Cross your arms and place hands on top of barbell with upper arms parallel to floor. Then move the bar from rack. Squat down by pushing your hips backwards while allowing knees to bend forward, keep your back straight and your knees aligned with your toes. Squat down until thighs are just past parallel. Return to the starting position and repeat.
Bulgarian Split Squat
This can be done with a barbell across your back or dumbbells in both hands. Stand with dumbbells in your hands or bar across your back. Extend leg back and place top of foot on bench. Lower yourself down by flexing both the knee and hip of front leg until knee of rear leg is almost in contact with floor. Return to your starting position and repeat. Then switch legs.
Hack Squat
Position barbell just behind your legs. With feet flat on floor shoulder width apart, squat down and grasp barbell from behind with overhand grip. Lift bar by extending hips and knees to full extension to stand up tall. Squat down by bending hips back while allowing knees to bend forward, keeping back straight and knees pointed same direction as feet. Squat down as far as you can possible while keeping your head and chest up. Repeat.
Heels Elevated Hack Squat
Place some plates or a step behind you. Position barbell just behind your legs. With toes on the floor and your heels on top of the step making sure that your feet are shoulder width apart, squat down and grasp barbell from behind with overhand grip. Lift bar by extending hips and knees to full extension to stand up tall. Squat down by bending hips back while allowing knees to bend forward, keeping back straight and knees pointed same direction as feet. Squat down as far as you can possible while keeping your head and chest up. Repeat.
Goblet Squat
Stand holding a dumbbell or kettlebell close to your chest. Then squat down between your legs until your hamstrings are on your calves. Keep your chest and head up. At the bottom position, pause and make sure that your elbows are on the inside of your knees and legs. Return to the starting position, and repeat.
Sumo Squat
With bar upper chest height, position bar on the back of your shoulders and grasp bar to sides. Place feet wider than shoulder width apart and make sure to point your toes outward 45° to 30°. Begin by squatting down by bending hips back while allowing knees to bend forward. Keep your back straight and your knees aligned with the direction that your toes are facing.. Descend until thighs are minimally just past parallel to floor. Return to the beginning position and repeat
Curtsey Squat
Stand with your feet hip width apart and hands on hips, weights in your hands or barbell across your back. Move your right foot behind your left leg, as far past your left foot as is comfortable. Using a "curtsy" motion, squat down. Keep your weight in the front leg, head up and chest up. Return to the beginning position of standing and repeat.
Box Squat
From rack with barbell at upper chest height, position bar on back of shoulders. Grasp barbell to sides. Dismount bar from rack and back up until contact is made with box immediately behind. Stand with either a regular squat position with feet shoulder width or a wide stance with feet flared out slightly. Then sit back onto box by bending hips back while bending knees, keeping your knees in light with your toes and your head and chest up. Using a controlled movement then lower your glutes onto box. Once contact is made stand back up returning to the starting position and repeat.
Much of how you use the above squat variations comes down to what you are currently doing. I am not suggesting completely changing from one style to another. I am simply saying there is value in adding some variation in a small percentage of your training sessions so that you can see changes and spice up your routine.
At the end of the day, it is important to realize that no matter where you are in your training experience, there is value in occasional variation adjustment. Whether it is to bring up weak points or to keep your body healthy and in balance, varying stance and bar placement, using dumbbells instead of a barbell can add that missing element and help with your progress.
Happy Training!
Top 5 reasons your fitness program can fail
Whether you are starting a new fitness routine, an experienced vet or even a recreational gym user your fitness program can fail. There is a risk you may get bored, not see results or even over train. All of these things can cause you to lose commitment, stress out, become demotivated or fall off your fitness routine. The following are the top 5 reasons that your fitness program can fail and how you can prevent that.
You have not set any goals
You are in the wrong training environment
You don’t have a support system
Not allowing for ‘fun’ time
You Don’t have a training schedule
1. You have not set any goals
In order to succeed at whatever your fitness goal might be it is important to set specific goals. These goals will help you attain your end goal. It usually helps to also set a timeline to achieve these goals. One of the best ways to do this is to set what is called a S.M.A.R.T goal. Often times we head into the gym with no idea what we are trying to accomplish or vague goals like "losing weight", "toning up", “working on my upper body….” S.M.A.R.T stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. When a goal is measurable it helps to establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of the goal you set. An attainable goals is important because when you choose goals that are most important to you, you will be able to figure out ways you can achieve them. A realistic goal means that you will be able to reach it and it. You can always reassess once you achieve it and set new goals. And finally the goal should be timely and set within a certain time frame to make sure you stay on track it should be written down.
2. You are in the wrong training environment
Going too extreme, too soon. i.e. forcing the body adapt to too much stressors all at once. Make changes gradually. Or you are in the wrong training environment and need to make a change to the right environment for you. If you don’t like big corporate gyms, then join a small studio. If you don’t like training alone, then try group fitness. If you only like training at home, then investigate that option. Whatever it is, you won’t continue going somewhere that you don’t enjoy walking through the doors.
3. You dont have a support system
If you don’t have a support system in place to keep you accountable you are setting yourself up for failure. Training partners, friends, spouse – people that are supportive of your goals. Too many roadblocks on the path can lead to failure. When you have a support system you are more likely to stay on track, be motivated and stick to a regular routine. We never want to let our friends or loved ones down, and we definitely don’t want to leave them waiting at the gym for us!
4.Not allowing for ‘fun’ time
Whether it’s a cheat meal or time away from the gym, the body and mind need temporary breaks, not pushing it 100% all out all the time. Allow for some things you enjoy and the program becomes much easier to follow. Plus this allows your body time to recover, regenerate and be prepared for the next week of workouts. I like to take Sunday and use it as a family day that way I enjoy my time and have some time away from the gym.
5. You Don’t have a training schedulePick a plan and stick to it for the duration. i.e. trust the process. Far too many try something for 2 weeks decide it’s not working and jump over to the next latest thing. One of the best ways to do this is to get a one-on-one personal trainer. If you would rather workout on your own maybe hiring an online coach like Me is an option. Online training programs like Trex do customized programs for you and you do them on your own. It’s a great option if all you need is to have someone to be accountable to.
There are a lot of different ways as you can see that your program can fail but you can succeed. Remember to set goals, write them down, get in the right training environment, find a support system, stick to a schedule and allow yourself some fun from time to time. You will be much more successful and happier with your results if you follow those steps! Happy training!
Summer is just around the corner and it is getting warmer and warmer. That means here In Canada we can start exercising outside.
So here are my: Top 5 Benefits of Exercising Outdoors
Sorry gym rats but there are more benefits of exercising outdoors than indoors. Summer weather is upon us and there are so many activities you can now take outdoors. Running, swimming, park workouts, beach workouts and cycling are amongst the activities you can do outdoors when the weather cooperates. There are a vast number of benefits to taking the workout outside and here are our Top 5:
1. Sun exposure increases vitamin D levels in the body and helps optimize hormones.
2. Oxygen levels are higher in the fresh air outdoors than indoors.
3. Exercising outdoors has been proven to make you happier and lower rates of depression.
4. Outdoor greenery can raise serotonin levels.
5. There is more sensory stimulation with exercising outdoors than indoors.
VITAMIN D
According to the Vitamin D Council, the sun is a good source. Vitamin D is also especially important for good overall health and strong and healthy bones. I also helps fight infection by helping your in the muscles, heart, lungs and brain work optimally. According to the Vitamin D Council “a lack of vitamin D has also been linked to some other conditions such as cancer, asthma, type-II diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, Alzheimer’s and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s and type-I diabetes.”
OXYGEN
Outdoors air has more oxygen than the air we breath indoors. Indoors the air can be destroyed by tobacco smoke, city smog fumes, re-circulating air in buildings, improper ventilation, exhaust, and other pollutants. Aqua 4 Balance states that ome of the bad side affects from a lack of fresh air are caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain include, fatigue, drowsiness, dullness of mind and irritability.
DEPRESSION
Nature increases positive thoughts and feelings of happiness and well-being. Exercising outside has been shown to reduce depression or symptoms of depression. Research has shown that exercise is an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression.A current study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, followed a similar method to one from 2008 that showed that a one-hour walk in a woodland park improved memory and attention. Web Md states that endorphins that are released during exercise trigger “a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. For example, the feeling that follows a run or workout is often described as “euphoric.” That feeling, known as a “runner’s high,” can be accompanied by a positive and energizing outlook on life.” Regular exercise has been proven in studies to reduce stress, ward off anxiety and feelings of depression, boost self-esteem and improve sleep.
SEROTONIN
Serotonin levels are increased when you exercise outdoors or in green spaces. What is serotonin you ask? According to Australian Lifestyle serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is important in appetite control, sleep and our general metabolism.
SENSORY STIMULATION
The outdoors is constantly changing. You see birds, as you walk terrain changes, people you walk by have different faces, there are sounds and smells. Exercise is beneficial for physical and mental health and sensory stimulation can improve the quality of life for the average person and especially people with mental dementia according to Alzhemers.Org.
We hope that these 5 benefits of exercising outdoors motivated you! Don’t you just want to grab a pair of runners and hit the park for a workout session. Get up, get outside and get active!
Online Coach
As you have known I have been taking an extended period of time off from stage. There are a lot of things that I have learned about the sport from an outside perspective. In addition there are things that I have learned about life during this time as well.
1. When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. 2. Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires. 3. If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they’re yours; if they don’t they never were. 4. Truth is everybody is going to hurt you: you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for. 5. How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours. 6. The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them. 7. Sponsorships don’t care about your health…they will drop you on a dime. 8. The power is in consistency. 9. Good coaches are worth every bit that they charge. 10. The sport of bodybuilding is very narcissistic and self serving… don’t take it too seriously because esp as a female it does not pay well and you should have a backup plan.
Taking on clients now 💪🏾 serious inquiries only! Let’s work fam!
——————————————————— 💻 All links are in my bio ——————————————————— 💪🏾 Online coaching
Gyms are opening again in my area! I hope yours is the same! With that being said I have a few items that I have on my radar for when gyms open up on the 16th that I want to add to my gym bag and I wanted to share them with you!
PINK ankle weights!
2. Digital Jump Rope
3. Stretch Strap
4. Vibrating Massage Ball
5. Spin Bike
The first four items are for the gym bag and I wanted to include the last item on my wish list for home because time spots are limited for gyms in my area. 10 people per slot. So to maximize time in the gym having a few options for at home cardio may be great during this time. I use to have a spin bike before I moved to my new house however now I just have a treadmill and my next cardio at home will be another spin bike because I love the bike it is such a great workout! You dont need a peloton (they are expensive) you can just get a good quality at home bike and download a spin app or look up a good class on YouTube to follow if you dont want to control the ride yourself!
Anyway I hope you like the ideas for the gym! And Im so happy we survived another lockdown!
Stay happy and healthy and remember if you need training, diet and supplement advice I am taking on 1 on 1 clients now!
