Finding My Fitness Routine
The first step in achieving a active, healthy lifestyle is creating a routine and forming habits. This part I’ve had down for years. I am a morning exerciser. I like to wake up early and get my workout in first thing. That way nothing can get in the way: traffic, a late night at work, a really tempting happy hour. Doesn’t matter, it’s already done! And not only does that get it off of my mind, it gives me energy for the day.
The second part is finding a workout routine that keeps your body working hard, and changing that routine as your body acclimates. You know those gals you see at the gym spending hours on the dang Elliptical, day after day? That used to be me. Then I learned a little secret about fitness: if you can read a magazine, you’re not working hard enough! Don’t get me wrong, it’s certainly better than not exercising at all. But what it really comes down to…
My goal at the gym is to get the hardest possible work out in the least amount of time. If I don’t look like at least this sweaty when I leave the gym, you aren’t working me hard enough.
And if I can brush my hair and head out without taking a shower? Well then you’ve really wasted my time.
I’ve finally settled into a routine that keeps me working pretty hard and is a good balance of strength training and cardio:
Monday: Gary’s Boot Camp – Cardio Day! Lots of sprints, suicides, laps, jump rope and running up stairs. The hardest day at the gym in my opinion because there’s just no faking it!
Tuesday: Leticia’s Spin Class – Interval Day! Short spurts of intense exertion with breaks to catch your breath. I usually look like I just jumped in a pool when I leave this class.
Wednesday: Gary’s Boot Camp – Strength Training Day! Think lunges, squats, sit-ups, push-ups; all sorts of non-weighted resistance training with a good mix of cardio to keep the heart rate up.
Thursday: Leticia’s Spin Class – Endurance Day! Extended work periods with lots of hills and few breaks. This class is excellent training for outdoor cyclists.
Friday: I haven’t found a class that I love on Fridays. I usually either do a Chisel or Spin class, but there’s not a class I can rely on for a great work out.
Saturday: Nellie’s Chisel class – A good mix of free weights and non-weight resistance exercises. Could stand a bit more cardio, but sometimes I don’t mind if I’m nursing a hangover.
Sunday: Gary’s Boot Camp – Strength Training Day! This time with free weights. Again, a good mix of cardio to keep the heart rate up. This class gets voted ‘most likely to make me unable to walk.
And there you have it! I usually take one day off, either Friday or Saturday. I could stand to add in some additional free weight sessions for the upper body, but otherwise I’m finding this routine is fairly comprehensive. Once Fall comes, I’ll likely readjust to introduce some running back into the mix.
