You all know I love to exercise and what I love the most are the workout classes at my gym. I've been a member for over 6 years and manage to go about 5 times a week, so I definitely get my money's worth (it's only $19.99 a month and my health insurance reimburses $150 per year).
Over the years, there have been trends in the classes. When I first started, kickboxing ruled the class schedule, then yoga became the cool workout, spinning was the fad for a while, kettlebell classes were short-lived, and now a lot of the workouts are full body toning and cardio style classes. I love them. You basically get a weight workout with little sprints of cardio mixed in so your heart rate stays up the whole time.
Even in these classes I've noticed that the trend went from using handweights to using mostly your own body weight. We do tons of pushups, situps, squats, lunges, jumps, planks and burpees. I never even knew what a burpee was until two years ago, but it is such a good workout that I thought I'd share:
There are variations to the burpee, you can do a pushup in the middle, jump at the end, whatever you want. Burpees definitely work out your whole body and they're pretty fun to say. Start by doing as many as you can, and then add one more each day - no gym membership or weights needed!
Ohh I can not stand burpees :) Have you done it with a bosu ball? I think you'll like it even more, you carry the bosu ball with you through the whole thing (lift it over your head)!
ReplyDeleteThat is a good idea - I've done it with weights before - yowza!
DeleteOh yeah... that looks like fun. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt is! Sort of! Not really! But it's fun when it's done!
DeleteMy husband does those, and mmmmm can I tell you they do give good results! ;)
ReplyDeleteHa!
DeleteWe always had to do burpees in school when I was a kid. I hated them. Still do.
ReplyDeleteIs "spinning" the stationary bike?
Yes, spinning is just taking a class where everyone is on a stationary bike, and the instructor tells you what to do (stand up, sit down, increase resistance, increase speed)
DeleteDo as many as you can....ha, how about 1? Hey tomorrow ill be up to 2! I really admire you and your husband's commitment to stay active and help the other one make exercising a priority! Wish I could get my husband on the same page :). Makes it so much easier to do!
ReplyDeleteYup, start at one! Do it with your husband while watching tv - it'll be a bonding experience :) I think we both exercise because we're competitive with one another and not necessarily supportive of one another ;)
Delete5 days a week? wow, that's great!
ReplyDeleteIt's for my mental health - I can ward off depression and anxiety for the most part by exercising regularly. I'm addicted to the feel-good endorphins and the "me" time :)
DeleteOh, I need to start!! But, It's just so hard every time I visit on a blog something is always baking... I need to just take the bull by the horn!
ReplyDeleteI think those skinny girls bake but don't eat it, right? I mean how can you bake all day and be thin??
ReplyDeleteI am living proof that you can't . . . . I love baking, but seriously have had to limit it. When I do bake, I pretend it is just for the family, but I always sneek some.
DeleteI had honestly never known what those were. Thanks for sharing!! I can't wait to do sets of these while waiting for the outdoors to thaw. :)
ReplyDeleteUmmm, I don't think YOU need to be doing any burpees!
DeleteHe makes them look too easy! I like the bosu idea . . . I will have to try that, seems like it would give more "bounce" on the push up part.
ReplyDeleteYes, he's very flighty when he does them, I'm more of a slow and steady kind of gal.
DeleteHave you seen this? We are doing it tonight. *gulp*
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AimPOSXe7n4
That's great - basically my class is like this but for an hour and slower with more rests!
DeleteAnd this is all I have to say about that...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/zeropeoplelikethis.jpg