WAKE UP YOUR WORK OUTS
Story by Jacquie Clancy
Photo from istockphoto.com
Finding the motivation to get off the couch and start exercising is always the hardest part. Once the workout starts it doesn’t feel so torturous, but getting there is the problem. That’s why trying different types of workouts to keep you interested and motivated is always a good idea.
Check out the different exercises I’ve tried recently to find something intriguing to test out yourself. Not only will your body react well to a switch up in your regular routine, but you’ll be surprised at how trying something new can really help you find the motivation needed to stay active.
Body Pump
LesMills Body Pump is a strength training class offered at Goodlife Fitness Clubs across Canada. This has been a regular class on my workout schedule in the past, and that’s because I always feel like I’ve had a good workout when I leave. You choose the amount of weight you want to challenge yourself with during the 10-track class, where you will work everything from your shoulders to your glutes. As long as you show up to work hard and make the most out of the hour-long class, you won’t be disappointed. If you can make it to a Body Pump class three times a week, you’ll notice your arms looking more toned and your legs feeling longer and leaner in no time. The music is always great and when you have an instructor who likes to switch up the routines each time, it’s even better. If you’re a Goodlife member and haven’t tried this class, you definitely should!
Fit Body Boot Camp GTA
If you’re looking to push your body to its limits and shake up your regular workouts, boot camp is definitely something you need to try. The Fit Body Boot Camp GTA sessions I tried comprised of three early morning workouts a week, and it was a serious wake up call. Steve Ashalou, the boot camp instructor, pushed everyone to do their best and not slack off (which is a serious task to take on at 6AM on a Monday morning). Most of the 45-minute workout was made up of quick, high intensity drills followed by short rest periods and then a stretch and cool down. Ashalou thinks that his indoor boot camp is so effective because it goes back to the basics. “As opposed to the traditional setting with clusters of big bulky machines (especially the cardio machines), boot camp training is known for going back to the basics using no machines,” he notes. It’s also definitely more motivating (and harder to quit) when you’re in a group setting and the instructor knows you by name. Ashalou points out that his “boot camps…address strength [and] resistance training, a lot of fun cardiovascular drills, and core work [and] flexibility, [becoming] a great change from the regular routine”. Not to mention, as I noticed personally, a difference in my cardio endurance after just a few workouts. I would definitely recommend checking out Ashalou’s indoor fitness boot camps, which are located across the city.
For more information, or to hear about a free One Week Trial, you can email Steve at fbbcnow@gmail.com or call 1877-FIT-1-NOW.
Indoor Cycling
To be completely honest, before I tried an indoor cycling class I would have rather been forced to go bathing suit shopping than sit on a bike for an hour (yes, the idea was that unappealing). But my good friend and certified C.O.R.E Cycling Instructor, Christina Zimbalatti, swore by what indoor cycling had done for her body, so I had to try it. After the first warm-up track I thought I was going to pass out and wanted to quit. But once I convinced myself to power through the first few tracks and get my legs warmed up, it was the best cardio workout ever. Zimbalatti points out that “adding indoor cycling to your regular weekly workout routine is beneficial because it can be the change you need to further your results once you hit a plateau”. Once the class was finished my legs felt like jelly and I could not have been sweatier, but I felt amazing. The only downside was a bit of a sore bum from the bicycle seat after that first class. However, Zimbalatti had an answer for that too. She says “you can’t let the sore bum turn you off of indoor cycling…it’s because those muscles are not used to the position of sitting in the saddle for a long period of time. [But] it will go away…just give indoor cycling a chance, two times a week for two weeks, and you’ll be hooked!” I should probably take Zimbalatti’s advice and regularly make it to an indoor cycling class – then the bathing suit shopping might not be so bad after all.
Insanity
In an effort to cut down on my gym membership costs, I thought I would give working out at home a try. There are so many different options when it comes to picking an at-home workout routine, but the one I started with was “Insanity” from Beachbody.com. I will say that it holds true to the name…it’s crazy! There is a 6-day schedule to follow and then one day off a week, and each day you rotate through one of the 10 different DVD routines. The perk of this is that there is no equipment necessary and all the drills are easy to follow, but most importantly you get a good workout. I didn’t think that working out at home would be for me because I find it hard to stay motivated alone when there is no one around to push me not to give up. However, Shaun T, the Insanity instructor, encourages you to “dig deep” and not quit, and it works! You’ll notice your cardio endurance will improve as well as your core strength, which most of the exercises are focused on. Also, the bi-weekly Fit Test lets you track your results so you can see how much you have improved. If you like working out at home you should definitely try this program, and as an added bonus, the dramatics of Shaun T and his Insanity students are totally entertaining.
