Personal Training Session #2

As I shared in my first post, Bo and I are both investing in our health by training with Eric and Lauren, our trainers at Equinox 19th street, 1-2 times per week, depending on our schedules. IMG_1134 (640x478) (640x478)

We both have set very clear and reasonable goals for ourselves over the next few months as we look to improve our strength, health, and physique.

Thus far, each training session has been very unique. One session may be spent focused on strength while another revolves around dynamic movements and includes more cardio which keeps are heart rate up between sets.

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On Saturday, I sweat through my second training session with Lauren. This session pushed me harder than the first session because it incorporated fast paced exercises, including body weight and free weights, while surprising my muscles with new movements such as the one above.

Lauren has given me permission to share our workouts with my readers. Of course, I do request that you ask your doctor and or gym staff before attempting new workouts which are unfamiliar.

Saturday’s workout consisted of the below exercises:

Set/Reps Exercise
3×12 Walkout with Deadlift
3×12 Bodyweight Row
3×12 V Up
   
3×12 Bar Clear
3×12 Push Up
3×12 Alt Plank Hold
   
3×12 Curtsie Bench Clear (hardest thing ever!)
3×12 DB Uppercut
3×12 Back Extension

 

I’ll do my best to go back and provide links to these exercises so you can see exact form and description. For now, please enjoy the lovely pictures of me completing the back extension on the ball.

Question: What type of workout do you find the hardest? Strength, cardio, or dynamic workouts which involve a mix similar to boot camps or the above?

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A Monday Double: Spinning and Core Fusion

The hunger monster is in rare form tonight! I want to eat everything in sight but have limited myself to this delicious glass of homemade granola, peanut butter, and yogurt instead since dinner is still in the oven.

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I hold today’s workout schedule responsible for my hunger level! This morning Bo and I enjoyed another Dave M spin class which was an absolute sweat fest. By the time he blasted a Girl Talk mash up of Ludacris around the 40 minute point I was sweating, sore, and exhausted. Luckily, I was able to find today’s Girl Talk song and have already downloaded them to my computer. They will definitely make their way into my National Half Marathon playlist.

After a long Monday of work, I enjoyed an amazing Core Fusion class at Exhale on Madison.

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It had been ages since I’ve taken a class with Fred. He spent the entire time adjusting students, making everyone feel like they were in a personal class. I felt like his class was more demanding than a few of the other ones I took in December but I loved every minute of it- even when my legs were burning and quivering.

Tonight’s class reinforced the benefits of strength training and cross training. The arm section was much easier today than it was in December, after the marathon. Due to the arm work I’ve been doing the past six weeks, I was able to do the arm portion of the class with 4 pound weights. My c-curl form has also improved greatly since my last class in December. I’m looking forward to working with Fred to develop a cross training, stretching, and restorative plan I can use to balance the running and spinning. I’m very curious to see what he recommends to keep my hip flexors, ITband, and glute muscles in check.

What is the best food to silence your hunger pains when nothing else seems to help?

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A Hot Date with Weights

I had a hot date this morning with some new friends! IMG_0801After a 3 mile run that went by faster than normal, I decided to back out of Whipped with Sara in favor of some time in the weight corner. I’m still not feeling 100% so a tough class didn’t sound appealing. However, I was proud of myself for spending time in the weight section instead of cutting my workout short. IMG_0800

Like many people, I find the weight section to be intimidating when I am not prepared with a plan of attack. There are many different types of weights, both free weights and machines, which can be confusing and dangerous if not used properly.

Since committing to cross training, weights has been part of the reason I’ve become faster. Most of my weight work has been through classes such as 30/60/90 or Corey Hill’s classes. However, this workout, which Sara shared with me, is also a perfect way to fit in weight training, especially when there isn’t a class on the gym schedule. Don’t worry, no will is looking at you while you’re lifting weights. There is no reason to be intimidated, scared, or shy of the weight section even though most females avoid it like the plague. Why should boys have all the fun anyway?

Print this post out with you so you can carry it to the gym. Also, I’ve linked each one to a website which shows how to do the exercise.

Strong, Shapely Arm Workout

Set 1:
Ez bar curl
Cabel Reverse grip single arm tricep
Hammer grip dumbell curl
Set 2:
Close grip barbell benchpress
Rope cable curls
Complete 12 reps of each exercise and complete the sets 3 times.IMG_0802

In addition to the arm work today, I spent a few minutes focusing on building my leg strength. I followed this simple workout, which I found online.

Quick Leg Workout for Weight Room Beginners

Walking lunges with 5 lb weight in each hand

Leg extensions

Incline leg press

Complete 12 reps of each, 3 times total.

This entire workout took me a total of 35 minutes, including stretching and foam rolling at the end. My muscles felt fatigued and I felt stronger overall, knowing I was focusing on an area that still needs a great deal of work and will help my running immensely.

If you’re looking for more weight room advice or running oriented weight workouts, check out these great links!

Question: What is your favorite single strength training move?

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