There are so many exercise routines one can have. Ever feel like there are just too many different exercise programs to choose from? Well, if you cannot decide which type of exercise you think you would most enjoy and benefit from, some of these tips may aid. My current favorite: BARRE and CLIMBING!
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| Photo Credit to pinterest.com |
BARRE: Barre is a fast-paced, calorie-burning, muscle-shaking, high-energy class. It's awesome. No exercise course, no group training classes, no individual circuit training, no sports practice has really ever kicked my butt (ok, some sports practices certainly have), but let me tell you, Barre will be the first to kick your booty, even if your fitness level is pretty high. You work almost every muscle group in your body, and you really feel the burn! In most classes, breaks are not given, but you're allowed to modify the practice to your own comfort level. My tip would be to push yourself to fight through every rep, as it is 'mind over matter'. Xtend Barre's slogan is "body on point" - it incorporates ballet and dance techniques using the floor, a yoga mat, the ballet bar and the wall. Exercise bands, hand-weights and exercise balls are incorporated into the regimen. It's nothing but modern in today's society.
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| Photo Credit to inthetreetops.com |
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:Cardio: There are a VAST variety of cardio exercise routines, such as...
1. ZUMBA [Tip: Truly bust-it-out when you're performing, whether it be at home or in the studio. You won't burn many calories unless you are really giving it 100% of your all. Try different instructors as you may find that you like one instructors moves, dances and positive ambiance over another.]
2. Kickboxing {BOOM! You can find these classes almost everywhere...and you'll be able knock out anyone once you master the punches and kicks.}
3. HIIT - High Intensity Interval Training {Usually around 30 minutes of intense activity. Very good workout regimen. Similar to Tabata.}
4. Aerobics {Try enrolling for a step aerobics class if you are a beginner. It's an easy introduction to cardio. Don't trip over the step! It is easy to adjust the height by moving/removing blocks underneath. You can amp-up "aerobics" by enrolling for a general aerobics course.}
5. Spin Class {Get ready to work on a machine that resembles a bicycle, and no, you won't get dizzy from spinning here!}
6. Swimming - {The best for your body overall, super light on the joints. Aim for 40 laps of various strokes each practice with minimal stops.}
Boot-Camp classes are beneficial too. These typically involve jogging, strength circuits, abdomen work-outs and many variations of planks.
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:Yoga: Yoga is truly, one-hundred percent, a soothing and relaxing type of exercise that awakens all muscles in the body. It does, however, require core body strength, both the lower and upper extremities. DO: Give in to yoga. Gently, close your eyes. Inhale and exhale deeply. Feel the heat of the room rise from every inch of your skin (some instructors prefer to have a more realistic temperature of about 70-75 degrees fahrenheit, where as some raise the temperature up to 80-85 degrees fahrenheit - and you sure can feel the difference). Some yoga classes are even offered outside! You can take in the fresh breeze from the air, listen to the birds chirping, hear the stream down the river. Really try to engage and listen to what your instructor is saying. One hour will fly by so quickly, and you'll feel completely rejuvenated afterwards! I recommend taking a beginner yoga course before you invest in Slow Flow, Slow Flow Vinyasa, or any Ashtanga or Yin. This way, you can freely master the different yoga positions, such as the "downward dog" or "warrior 3" pose, for example. If you like P90X, Tony Horton even uses yoga practices in some of his DVDs. Do what is most comfortable for you and advance from there on out. I did happen to perform a stretch that left my upper thigh tingling for a few days, so yes, you can hurt yourself in yoga. Realistically, you can hurt yourself in almost anything, which is why it's of most utter importance to be careful in all that you do, especially when it comes to sport and exercise.
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{Personal Touch} I had an advantage growing up competing in Synchronized Figure Skating and playing Competitive Travel Softball...these sports were most rigorous and demanding on my growing body and with my time. Generally speaking, I became very well-rounded in + educated in the vast majority of sports, since I played just about every sport in the book. I loved it. I still do. Yes, once an athlete, always an athlete, and once a learner, always a learner. I've even gotten to try some adapted sports, like adapted wheel-chair basketball and wheel-chair tennis. If you were never really an athlete, trust me here, you can push your body to do anything.
So, as the collage says below... WAKE UP, KICK ASS, (BE KIND!) AND REPEAT!!
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| Photo by Julia S Side note: Check out my good friend Anthony's blog on living life positively! He is a big yogi, be sure to pay his articles a visit! www.starttheweekstrong.blogspot.com  |
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