My Newest Fitness Obsession: Pure Barre

A Pure Barre facility opened near where I live about a year ago, and I had been wanting to try it out for quite some time.  I finally made the time and took a class together with my oldest daughter.  Guess what? I loved it! And so did she.  Never before had I enjoyed a workout like I did at Pure Barre and I couldn't believe all the muscle groups/body parts that were targeted.  I thought getting out of bed the next morning would be tough, but it was actually day 2 that challenged me the most.  Oh, and when I sneezed,  I felt my abs ripping apart or coming loose or something equally as dramatic.

The instructor was perhaps the best part of the overall experience.  She greeted Meg and I first asking if we had taken one of their classes before. She explained everything with a smile, helped get our equipment, showed us to a space and then kept touching base with us during the class.  It wasn't overkill either - it was much appreciated.

The class is fast-paced set to music and incorporates varying moments of working all leg muscles, glutes, arms, shoulders and abs....lots of abs.  After working each of the targeted groups, you take a moment to stretch and relax.  I wasn't sure I was going to make it after the first 12 minutes, but then found myself forgetting the time and really enjoying the experience.

Not only will I be back, but I've scheduled myself for 3 additional classes and plan to attend one class every week as part of my strength training for the upcoming half ironman.  As a girl with occasional knee problems, I loved that Pure Barre focuses more on building core strength and balance without all the jarring involved by exercises like plyometrics.

Workout Wednesday: A Ladder 100

I've been keeping up this strength training routine at least 3 times each week for the last three weeks. The first time I tried it, I almost gave up after completing the 100 jumping jacks, then seriously considered throwing in the towel after 80 squats! I've noticed that, while the routine is still exhausting, I am shaving a few seconds off each time I complete the entire series. Give it a try and see what you think!

100 jumping jacks
90 crunches
80 squats
70 leg lifts
60 jumping jacks
50 crunches
40 squats
30 leg lifts
20 jumping jacks
10 minutes running

Workout Wednesday: Power Yoga Moves

Just returned from a short, little family trip to Phoenix to visit the relatives in the land of sunshine. We had a weekend of wonderful conversation, delicious food and a killer workout. Kim, Megan and I took a Power Yoga class at her gym. Let me tell you, there was no power left in this body after the class was finished! The best part, though, is that I took away a few helpful moves that I can easily incorporate into my 3x/week strength training that I've been doing. My favorite power yoga moves were:

1. While in plank position, we did jumping jacks. Amazing how hard this was, yet will make such an impact on my weak core.

2. The second killer move was also in plank positon, then you twist your right hip to touch the floor, move back into center plank position, then left hip twists to touch the floor. I collapsed on the first one, but kept giving it a try. I'm kind of excited to see how much I can improve over the next several weeks.

3. My third favorite take-away move was a variation of lunge. Hold the lunge position for 5 breaths, then do 20 knee lifts bringing the arms down to meet the knees, then move back into lunge for 5 breaths. I couldn't believe how much my thighs hated me!

Do you have a favorite strength training move you'd like to share?

Great Little Strength Workout

I'm always on the lookout for a good strength workout. I tire easily of the same old, same old. How can I keep my muscles guessing if I do the same workout in the same order? I tried one round of this core workout after my lunchtime run and I want to hurl. Something tells me I should keep this up if I want results!

50 crunches
20 squat jumps
1 minute plank
2 minute wall sit
30 side crunches
20 push ups
150 calf raises (90 regular, 30 left, 30 right)

Repeat for 2-3 sets (are you kidding me?!).

What mini sessions have worked for you?

OST Begins Today

Operation Strength Training (OST) officially begins today. In my quest for fall PRs, I know I have to strength train. In my past training plans, I have always made sure I log in my log runs. But I've been lax in building up arm and leg strength, both of which are key to building speed. Fortunately, I have found two different 15-20 minute plans, one incorporating weights and medicine ball and the other incorporating yoga moves using your body as resistance. And I like doing both of them. So I have penciled in four weekly sessions, alternating between the two plans. Since each plan is short in time, I can do them while Bridget is watching a Strawberry Shortcake or My Little Pony and never be missed!

So what's your secret to fitting in strength training?

Gorgeous Core: DVD Review

First of all, I'm not good about fitness DVDs. Don't get me wrong, I have quite a collection, but I'm terrible about watching them. This one is different. It arrived yesterday in that wonderful little brown box with the "To Robin. Love Amazon" label. I tore it open and prepared myself for the first session: long, lean and strong. Each session is only 12 minutes (my attention span exactly, give or take a few minutes) and packs quite a wallop in those short 12 minutes. Tomorrow is Classic Abwork and I'm not dreading it. Isn't that what a fitness DVD should do - 1) fit easily in your already-crammed schedule; and 2) be challenging, but not discouraging. I can say this DVD is both!

Do you have a go-to fitness DVD?

Today's guilty pleasure: fresh crunchy gala apple. It was my snack today and it was perfect!