Nike Bionic Free and the FinishLine Women’s Community

Disclaimer: this is a sponsored post by the Finish Line Women’s Community; I received a pair of Nike Bionic Frees at no cost to me, but all opinions and thoughts expressed are my own.
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Since I started blogging, I have been extremely fortunate to fitness communities online for a number of reasons, all very different yet important in each of their own ways.

Accountability

While I have been a self-starter in my health and fitness journey, it is great to be able to share what I have done with others in the hopes to encourage and inspire others. By posting goals online, as well as talking about the choices I make when it comes to working out or eating, I feel a sense of responsibility in keeping up with what I am doing, not only for me but for my readers.

Friendships

Through the online communities of Sweat Pink and Girls Gone Sporty, and even via my blog comments and Twitter I have “met” so many strong, inspiring, and motivating women that help to push and encourage me.

Networking

For me, blogging started as a fun way to share my story, but it has expanded into somewhat of a mini-business. I did not know that there is so much marketing involved in blogging, and it can be so much more than just an online journal! I have had so many amazing product review opportunities and chances to work with some great companies.

So when I was recruited to help promote the Finish Line Women’s Community and offered a pair of shoes to take for a test run, I did not even hesitate to say yes!

I have been wearing my inov8s from TheClymb for both running and Crossfit, but put them back on the shelf while I took my new shoes to Crossfit, since these are marketed as a cross-training shoe.

My initial reaction to the pair I was sent was that they were super bright! It was a big step buying my purple Inov8s since I typically stick to neutral colors, so bright pinky orange was a major adjustment for me! I did later find out they do come in three different color patterns, so likely you can find a style that is fitting to your personality.

I channeled the attitude of a fellow Crossfitter at my box who says that her bright orange Nikes make her WOD harder and faster, so of course, I had to think the same with these! I tried them on and found them extremely light and comfortable, with a very similar feel to my beloved inov8s. My prior lifting/cross-training shoe were Merrell Barefoots, so I have become accustomed to the light, minimalist feel and these shoes fell closely behind that category.

These shoes were a great addition to my gym bag and for rotating with my current shoes. I wore them for a WOD with running, box jumps, burpees, and sit-ups. I wore them for front squats, and I wore them for deadlifts. I wore them for bench presses (and PRed!) and overhead presses; sled pushes and sprints. I wore them for Barbara, Diane, Grace, and Isabel, and even in post-WOD practices.

I will absolutely keep these shoes in the rotation for Crossfit workouts; but even though I loved them for most Crossfit things, I was not a fan of running any sort of distance in them, outside of short sprints. However, for everything else, they get a big seal of approval!

To help spread the word about the Nike Bionic Frees, the FinishLine Women’s Community on Facebook wants to encourage you sign up and add your Twitter or Instagram handles to your profile. Once you do that, post on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #FNLTRAINFREE; through the end of June (hurry, it’s not too late!), three lucky participants using the hashtag will win their own pair! So really, go now!

Be sure to check out their Facebook page and join the online discussions each month for a chance to connect with other fitness-minded ladies!

Your turn..
Are you a part of any online health or fitness networks?
What is your favorite part about these networks?
Do you use a minimalist cross-training shoe?