It’s Spin Awhile

This is my last week of spin before I have some vacation time, so I’ve hunted down new music to make my class really work! If you need some new workout tunes, these are some old and new favorites…. Now go out, get in a spin class, a Jingle Bell run, or hop on the elliptical! Don’t gain, just maintain during the rest of the holidays…

Warm Up:
I Want You to Want Me – Save Ferris (3:26)
Don’t Stop – Foster the People (2:56)

Workout:
DJ Us Falling in Love (3:40) Surges and Cadence: Focus on 80-90% effort for the surges, and then return to a steady, quick pace
:40-1:12, 1:44-2:16, 2:56-3:36
Enjoy the Silence (4:15) Climb
Tonight is the Night (3:10) Running Flats. Stand up, and pick up the pace for this flat run.
:48-1:04, 1:36-1:52, 2:16-3:04
Tune the Levels – Germany Mashup (4:07) Interval Ladder
10off -20sprint 10off -30sprint 10off -40sprint 10off – 30sprint 10off – 20sprint
Sunday Bloody Sunday (4:42) Climb
Blackout (3:30) Sprints
:27-:43, 1:07-1:38, 2:28-3:29
Sinnerman (4:35) Cadence. Pick a fast and a little uncomfortable pace. Hold on to that pace the whole song
On the Floor (3:51) Circuit. Rotate every 20s, adding tension every other move. Sitting, Standing, standing climb, hover.
Kiss (3:46) Cadence and then transition to the hover position for the choruses.
Kung Fu Fighting (3:35) Running Flats
:52-1:23, 1:57-2:29, 3:05-3:29
Jump That Rock (3:24) FAST Climb. Standing the whole time, stay with the pace of the song as best you can, adding every 45s.
We R Who We R (3:25) Hover and Sprints. Transition from hovering to a seated sprint
Hover: :40 Sprint: :56-1:11
Hover: 1:44 Sprint: 2:00-2:15 Stand and Jog
Last Sprint: 2:48-3:20

Cool Down:
Let’s Stay Together (3:18)
When She Loved Me (3:05)

Hope you guys get in a great workout, and then enjoy some time with your family!

Ho, ho, ho! 🙂

30 Seconds to Mars

Last week I gave you guys a Minute to Win It Workout… well this week I thought I’d downsize the time but kick some serious butt, minimal rest, and quick transitions.

Usually when I teach boot camps we switch between the aerobics room and the field house. Today was a mandatory field house day. We needed the space and room to run. If you’re knocking this baby out at home then you can substitute with some plyo or evening just running in place. Focus on getting your heart rate up during the cardio bursts!

Formula is 3 minutes of weights, 2mins of cardio. I had a heavier set of weghts: 10lbs, and then a lighter set (for shoulder stuff): 6lbs. Higher weight is great for these since they are short bursts but focus on your form. Drop your weight if your form is compromised.

Let’s get to it!

30s for each:
Bicep Curls

Bent Rows
Squat with Figure 8 weight pass
Plank Rows
Burpees with Overhead Press (light weights)
Lunge Jumps

Cardio, 1min each:
Back Pedaling
Squat Jumps

30s each:

Chest Flys
Tricep Press
Concentric Curls (30s each side)

Squat with Arm Swings
Pelvic Thrusts with weights
Shoulder Raises

Cardio, 1min each:

High Skips
Nordic Skier

30s each:
Wide Bicep Curls
Lunges with Overhead Press
Jumping Jack with Front Punch (light weights)

Deadlifts
Push-ups
Sumo Squat with Lateral Pull

Cardio, 1min each:
High Knee Run
Sprint (we did a suicide run, down and back from each goal line)

For my hour class we repeated the first two sets of weights and cardio. Then, its was time to really finish the workout, time for abs!

Abs, 30s each:
In & Outs
Bicycles (legs only)
Scissor kicks with 3s hold before switches
Side Plank with Hip Raises (each side)
Plank (hold one leg up for 15s each)

My heart definitely got pumping on the cardio bursts and by using a heavier weight for the strength circuits I knew I was challenging myself. This would be a perfect workout if you’re on your own, or grab a friend and push each other.

We’re headed into Food Heaven Holidays, I love my cinnamon rolls and gravy, so I just keep myself on track as best as possible with high intensity workouts that get great bang for the buck.

Mentality check is just maintain, don’t gain.

Have a great Wednesday!

Minute to Win It

Sometimes you have an hour to work out and sometimes you have about 20 minutes. An arsenal of versatile workouts, especially ones that are total body, are pretty much the best thing you can do for yourself.

I’m a 5 day a week workout kind of girl. I try and knock them out during the week so that weekends are prime time for hanging out with Trevor and friends. Its just a bonus if I get an extra one in 🙂 But just because I have 5 days to work out doesn’t mean every work out is created equal time wise. Some days are an hour, some are that 20min high intensity to get the job done.

So today in honor of being time conscious, here’s a workout that’s all about the MINUTE. 60 seconds of work, each exercise, and then you move on to the next. Keep it going, keep it moving, and keep your form!

*Be conscious of your fitness, what you’re safe to do, and don’t do anything that is painful.

Cardio 5 Minute Surge:
1 min Jog in place
1min Jumpe Rope
1min Quick Feet (think football!)
1min Straight Leg Kicks
1min Mountain Climbers

Weight Circuit:

1min Single Leg Lift Full Extension (switch sides at 30s)
1min Plank Walks
1min Hip/Leg Extensions (switch at 30s)
1min Leg only Superman Hold (add kicks 30s in)
1min Squat Hold with Weights
1min Walking Lunges with Weights
Source
1min Chest flys on Fit Ball
1min Tricep Press-Tricep Kicks Backs (stand at 30s and finish with tricep Kickbaks)

1min Sumo Squats with Lateral Raise
1min Front Raises
Source
1min Arm/Shoulder Circles
1min Sumo Squats with Lateral Raise
1min Side Plank (1min EACH SIDE!)

We started by going through the 5min cardio circuit, and then stretched out for a few minutes. Aim to complete both cardio and weight circuits twice! This is heavy on the shoulders, so lighter weights work great. Or if you want to challenge yourself go to lighter weights only when your form can’t be maintained.

Hope you’re having a good start to your week! Get some good workouts in before the sugar coma comes this weekend!!

Brutal Boot Camp

Told you guys that I went to several spin classes while I was home, but I did NOT say that I went to any boot camp classes.

I wrote myself a pass to do some cardio and spin, but take a nice hiatus from squats, burpees, and all things boot camp.

Boy did I pay the price on Wednesday.

If you think that instructors are invincible to the force that is soreness then I guess I’m a real pansy. I am still outrageously sore from Wednesday’s class. I am currently waddling, and gingerly lowering myself down when I have to sit. My legs and butt are in severe protest of movement.

So I hope that encourages you to kick some serious butt and give this a try. 🙂 The work out can be broken up for anywhere from a 15min work out, to a whole hour. The hour is ROUGH. But I know I worked to my max, and not only got in strength training but some intense cardio as well.

Be safe, find your limits and always listen to your body…. but push yourself!

Set 1:
3mins Jogging
25 regular squats (with weights, I did 15lbs)
15 push-ups
50 Jumping Jacks
High Knee Skips for 50 yards

Set 2:

 

 

 

 

 

 

25 Squat plies w/ weights
15 forward lunges (ea side)
20 leg lifts ea. side
Leg Bounding for 50 yards

Set 3:
25 Bicep Curls
25 Dips/tricep kick backs
1 min Plank

Tabata Interval:

20s sprint
10 walk

20 tuck jumps
10 walk
20 basketball shuffle
10 walk
20 squat jumps
10 walk
20 sprints
10 walk

Set 4:
5 jumping jacks, 5 push-ups (x5)
25 bent over rows
15 step back lunges (ea leg)

Grapevine for 50 yards

Set 5:
25 Overhead Presses
20 standing oblique crunches (ea. side)
25 chest flys

Repeat Tabata Interval

Ab Set:
25 Leg Throws
25 Scissor kicks
25 Crunches
25 Oblique Crunches (ea. side)
30s Side Plank with hip lips (ea. side)
1min Plank

Save the ab routine for last, and repeat other sets and cardio runs for the time you have available.

I can’t emphasize enough: STRETCH OUT after this work out. Make sure to hold each stretch and reach. The intervals teamed up with the sets will definitely leave your legs feeling wiped, so stretching will do some much needed TLC.

Have a wonderful, spectacular weekend! Trevor and I have an Oktoberfest party tomorrow, so get ready for some rockin’ Lederhosen outfits next week 🙂

Spin-spiration

Two weeks away from my normal spin routine, that’s 4 classes that I normally teach, and I was RAWRing to go last night.

I hit up my favorite gym at home and Shazam-ed songs that I liked during class. I constantly use my iPhone and this app all over the place. If I hear a song on a TV show that I think can work, I pause it and get my phone queued up so that I don’t forget it.

So between new instructors and having a wider range of radio stations to listen to, I was really excited to have a completely brand spankin’ new playlist for my first class.

After the elevation in Colorado, I thought I’d have a bit of an edge on this work out, but in the end I was a drenched sweaty, panting pansy. This is tough, but awesome….

As the weather gets colder (other places are getting colder, right? Just say yes), get inside and find a spin class that motivates you… Or print this out and push yourself! Either way, let’s do this..

Warm-Up:
I Don’t Feel Like Dancing (4:49) Flat road, get your legs moving, and do some easy stretching during the last 2 mins

Pump It (3:33) Intervals, 20s race speed (90%) effort, 10s rest. Keep this pattern going for the whole song
Now We Found Love (4:16) 4 count jumps -standing to seated for 1min, standing to hover for 1min… repeat
Grenade (3:42) Climb, turn it up and out to position three for the chorus, don’t touch the dial and sit back down for the verses
Titanium (4:05) Rolling Hills, build up a hill until :45 HOVER, turn it back down to a flat road at 1:16-1:31 and sprint it out, build up the hill again, 2:02 Hover, turn it down and sprint at 2:32-2:48, turn tension back up to an 8/10 to hover 2:48-3:10, standing jog, sprint with high tension on 3:33-4:05
Valerie – Glee Cast Version (3:35) recover for 40s, circuit track, 20s in each position, seated, standing, position three (standing climb)
Should I Stay or Should I Go (3:09) seated climb, with surges (80-90% effort) during the choruses
Paralyzer (3:25) Standing climb, add on resistance every 30s.. by the last 30s it should be really grinding, and pushing hard to keep moving
New Year’s Day (4:19) Cadence, if you have a distance moniter, track how far you can go during this +4min song. Try and stay with a consistent pace the whole way!
Jump for My Love (4:26) Jumps! Start with seated to hover jumps, then standing to hover, then standing to seated. All 4 counts, 2 counts for choruses. Enough tension must be on to stay in control!
Harder To Breathe (2:54) Circuit climb, 25s each position, and turn it up every time you move
You Make Me Feel (3:36) Hovers and sprints. Hover :40-:58, sprint :58-1:12, Hover 1:42, sprint 2:10-2:40 2:41 Hover, 2:59-3:27 sprint
Without You (3:28) circuit sprints, seated easy climb, seated sprint 1:15-1:37, Standing Climb and add tension, at 2:25 move out to position three add more tension, position three sprint 2:41-3:12, finish the song with a low and SLOW hover
My Body (4:04) SPRINTS!! 30/60/30 Add tension before each sprint to keep from bouncing. 1:00-1:28  1:58-2:58   3:28-4:00

Cool Down
Drift Away (4:16) Cool down, keep at least a 6/10 for tension on, let your heart rate come down, go through an easy circuit.
If I Ever Lose My Faith In You (4:32) take tension completely off, stretch out!

Push yourself to add the tension on… Your hills should be built gradually but each turn should make a difference in the amount of effort. Knock out those last sprints like its the end of the race and push to the finish line!!

Its great to be back in my classes and hopefully these playlists will get you moving too. I’ll be back later this week with a boot camp routine that was seriously a butt-kicker!

Have a great Wednesday!

Pop-Tastic

My legs have been burning this week and I can’t blame anyone but myself 🙂

It’s a nice feeling to know that if I’m sore, the people who took my class must be too. Monday was an intense day of jumping, pumping, squatting and curling.. But last night wasn’t much of a break 🙂 It was time to bring the heat and put the pedal to the metal.

Here’s this week’s spin-fest!

Need You Tonight (3:06) Warm up
Cooler Than You (3:33) Circuit run through, stretch

Rolling In The Deep (3:48) Climb
Pace pick-ups (standing) at 1:00-1:18,return to pace and seated, 1:55-2:30, HOVER,2:50-3:08, pace and sit, 3:08-3:48
Keeps Gettin’ Better (3:03) Jumps -four count
What the Hell (3:40) Sprints 25/25/35
:45-1:10, 1:55-2:20, 2:53-3:30
Gimme Sympathy (3:55) Circuit, change positions every 20s, quarter turn increases
E-Pro (3:28) Climb, Slow and steady, build a steep hill
I Like to Dance Climbs with Surges, choruses pick-up your speed, stay seated until the last surge
:51-1:06, 1:39-1:54, Standing Jog, 2:09-2:52
One More Time (3:51) Cadence, focus on a pace that is out of your comfort zone, maintainable for only a few minutes. Hovers: 1:35-2:15, 2:38-3:12 (sink down from a jog, so that you’re in a squat on the bike, upper body as still as possible)
DJ Got Us Falling In Love (3:40) Jumps and sprints, Jumps on the verses, choruses to sprint
:40-1:12, 1:44-2:17, 2:56-3:36
Bon, Bon (3:36) Keep those jumps coming!
Disease (3:40) Rolling Hills, build a quick hill and take only 1/2 turn off for the downhills. Downhills at 1:02, 1:50, and 3:15… sprint it out for about 10s and then return back to climb the next hill, steeper each time
Kissed It (4:37) Standing Climb… A MOUNTAIN. Stand the whole time and keep adding til you’re really pressing to get through the hill.
Hello (4:41) Cadence, with slight pick-ups at the chorus
Til the World Ends (3:58) Final Sprints, kick it into gear and finish it fast!
:53-1:23, 2:06-2:50, Jog, 3:23-3:58 (option on last sprint to hover out of the saddle for 20s sprinting then go to seated sprint)

Look After You (4:29) Cool Down, circuit run through slowing down
Curious George (3:02) Stretch it Out!

This is a pop mix that really kicked my butt.. By the 2nd to last song I was tired and ready to melt off the bike. But the final sprints are my favorite. Be tough, add the tension on and work it out.

Hope you enjoy it!

Mix ‘n Match

Strength training has a bad rep. A lot of women think that the more weight you work out with the more you’ll bulk up. Sames-ies with protein powders.

Believe me, I feel the same way about some of the protein, muscle building, chalky crap. I also know I don’t want to look like this…

I definitely admire the mental and physical strength it takes to become these ripped creatures but I don’t pull off that dark of a tan well, and I have no will power to stop eating candy for X number of months.

But I do know and understand the importance of lifting and getting enough protein everyday.

I’m a chicken, seafood, and meat eater but not at every meal. I know that throughout my day I’m probably not consuming enough protein to keep my energy level and nutrition level happy.

Here’s how to figure out what you need: Take your weight in pounds and divide it by 2.2 to figure out your weight in kilograms. Then multiply that number by 0.8 (not very active) through 1.8 (extremely active), depending on how much exercise you get.

I calculated mine and I need somewhere between 73g-85g of protein a day. Check out this chart and article if you want some guidelines too.

Its pretty important to get that quantity met and I know I’m not pulling my weight. So I’ve gotta up my intake if I wanna keep my guns…

I take this protein supplement, and mix it into my yogurt in the morning. I’m not a big chug my protein kind of girl, and this helps mask any hint of chalky-ness.

It’s pretty low cal as far as protein supplements go (80calories for 2 scoops) and its a nice vanilla flavor, which is great for breakfast mix-ins. This one is also formulated for women, and is packed with great extras.

Some other recommended ones are the Biggest Loser Protein Powder (chocolate), and Sun Warrior Protein Powder. Try tracking your protein intake for just one normal day and see how you’re doing.

Now back to lifting… I know its intimidating to hit the weight room. The gym rats, muscle rippling, body shaving sweat box can be a little freaky. No worries! Head into the fitness room where classes take place and hit up the dumbbells. You don’t need big weights, or giant machines just two sets of dumbbells (one heavier, one lighter).

Here are a bunch of exercises that can be mixed and match based on what you want to work out for the day. I use 8lb-10lbs for my heavy sets and around 5-7lbs for lighter set (like shoulders).

Push-Ups with Knee Crunches (raise one knee to you elbow in plank position, then do the other side, then a push-up, repeat)
Leg Raises
Tricep Kickbacks
Bicep Curls
Overhead Press
Wall Squats with Stability Ball

Calve Raises on Aerobic Step
Bicycle Crunches

Dive Bombers

Superman/Swimmers
Lunges
Tricep Press
Wide Bicep Curls (elbows pinned to side, arms out in a V)

Regular Squat with Dumbbell
Leg Throws for Abs

Chest Flys
Dead Lifts
Lunges on Aerobic Step
Dips
Arm Circles with Light Weights
Sum Squats with weight
Oblique Crunches
Plank

You can do these exercises in the sets as I listed or mix to work just your arms or just your legs. Women should lift/strength train every week! It helps with bone density, weight maintenance, and obviously strength.

Don’t worry just because you lift doesn’t mean you’ll get HUGE! 🙂

A Quickie

Have you heard the saying that “Someone Busier Than You Is On A Run”?

I know it’s the easiest thing to make excuses for, but finding time to work out can sometimes feel like just another item to check off your to do list. The thing is that once it becomes part of your daily routine there is not as much room for excuses.

Believe me I know the tricks of how to talk myself out of hitting the gym. And sometimes my day is honestly too packed.. BUT I have a solid commitment to make it 5 days a week. That leaves 2 days of wiggle room.

I usually use the week days as consistent workout days, but if one day is too busy then I can shift it easily to the weekend. I also convince myself that if an afternoon is hectic but the early morning is available.. I gotta suck it up and go. Yup, out of bed, gym clothes on.. Time to get my sweat on!!

My top things that encourage me to go to the gym are:

1) Put on my workout clothes before I even try to make excuses. This way even if I only have 20 minutes I can do some quick exercises at home, and not have the excuses of driving somewhere!

2) Unless I’m sick, going to the gym is something I rarely regret. It’s important to listen to your body and relax on days you need some R&R, but otherwise the gym is quality YOU time. I always leave feeling accomplished.

3) I try not to think of workouts as a cause-effect equation. Just BECAUSE I ate ice cream or had a big dinner doesn’t mean I HAVE to go to the gym. I go to the gym because it makes me feel good, strong, and healthy. I go to clear my head and to pump some endorphins around my bod. Working out should not be a punishment!

If I’m headed out-of-town, have only a little time to spare or driving to the gym seems a little to hard here is a circuit that will boost my heart rate, get a little sweat going and requires zero equipment.

Warm Up: 1min per exercise
Jumping Jacks
High Knee Runs
Jump Rope
Walking Lunges

Circuit:
Bunny Hop Squat Jumps
Side Lunges
Plank Rotations
Russia Twist Abs
Mountain Climbers
30s Rest
Jump Rope
Sumo Squats
Leg Raises
Push-Ups
Mountain Climbers
Superman Raises
Side Plank (ea. side 30s)
Plank

Cool Down:
Jog in Place
Stretch out

The more time you have, the more you can repeat! Mountain climbers are the tough guys to really boost your heart rate. If you can keep transition time to a minimum you’ll blast more calories too.

Pat yourself on the back for getting workouts in where you can! Reward yourself with a workout instead of sitting on the couch! Sad but true, you burn more calories sleeping than watching TV. Get your butt moving 🙂

99 Problems

Not really.. I have very few problems.. that’s not true either. But I don’t have 99. 🙂

But I do have a killer 99 style work out. Its a descending-butt-kicking-hell of a work out.

It’s awesome. There are LOTS of squats. So if your booty needs to get blasted, here it is!

99s Jumping Jacks
99 Regular crunches
99s Wall Sit
99 Leg lifts

9 Push-ups

88s Mountain Climbers
88 oblique crunches (44 each side)
88 Squats (holding dumbbell in middle of your squat)
88 Bicep Curls (if you start to wear down, switch to alternating)
8 Push-ups

77s Skiers
77 Leg throw crunches
77s Wall Sit
77 Bent Rows

7 Push-ups

66s High Knees
66 Bicycle Crunches
66 Squats with weight
66 Tricep Presses
6 Push-ups

Water Break.. Only for a min! Keep your heart rate up, and stay moving!

55s Jumping Jacks
55 Regular Crunches
55s Wall Sit
55 Leg Lifts
5 Push Ups

44s Mountain Climber
44 oblique Crunches (22ea. side)
44 Walking Lunges
44 Bicep Curls
4 Push Ups

33s Skiers
33 Leg Throw Crunches
33s Wall Sit
33 Bent Rows
3 Push Ups

22s High Knees
22 Bicycle Crunches
22 Squats with weight
22 Tricep Presses
2 Push Ups

Finish it with 1 Minute of Plank!

Burn through this workout and you’ll have done some serious squat time 🙂 I felt this workout for about the last 3 days. Worth it!!

Spin Mojo

Last week I had a rough class. I was still sick. Still feeling rather foggy.

My class looked like they weren’t thrilled to find themselves on their bikes. They too were not looking forward to an hour of work.

I wanted to rally them. To bring their spirits up and have a great class.

But it didn’t work. Between my clogged head, some really cloudy gross Alaska weather, and their not so pumped attitudes we all had a blah day. I lost my spin mojo.

Tuesday though, I was on a mission. I needed my spin mojo back. I needed a confidence booster, to feel like my instructor glow was still going strong.

This mix brought my mojo back hard. I got that “je ne sais quoi” back 🙂

Warm Up:
Trouble Maker (3:58)
Rumour Has It (3:43)

Spider Webs(4:28) Sprints 15/30/60, get off the start line fast, have around a 7/10 resistance on where it feels like a little gravel is under your tires so that when you take off you can really push into the pedals :45-:58, 1:29-1:55, 2:36-3:44

Every Tear is a Waterfall (4:03) Rolling hills, don’t take it all off to sprint down, only take about a 1/2 turn off to come down a little of the hill. Turn it up 3 times every 20s, and then 1/2 turn for downhill.. repeat for the song

Til the World Ends (3:58) Jumps, switch between regular up/downs, with up/hovers

Edge of Glory (5:21) Climb/Sprints 30/30/60s Put your tension up to 8/10, like you’re in the middle of a hill already, then get ready to take off for sprints in between climbing, 1:04-1:34, 2:28-2:58, and 4:02-5:02

Where Them Girls At (3:15) Cadence track, focus on keeping a consistent pace, faster than your comfort zone, only maintainable for the 3 mins!

Bon Bon(3:36) Jumps

Crushcrushcrush (3:09) flat road with surges (surges are 80-90% of your max effort, sprint is all out 100%) :45-1:05, 1:45-1:59, Hover from 1:59-2:14, surge at 2:27-3:06

Fireburning(4:03) You’ve got four minute to really focus on pace. Pick something faster, not comfortable. You’ll really have to push to maintain it for the whole song

Rocketeer(3:31) Climb. Seated and out in position three climbing. Every 30s turn it a half turn. On the last minute make them big turns, make it steep and challenge yourself for the last 60s

Black Horse & a Cherry Tree (2:56) Have a little fun with this one and every time you here the “woohoo” change positions. Moving from seated, to jogging, to position three climbing. Push your pace for these intervals whatever position you are on the bike :45-1:05, 1:47-2:04, 2:31-2:50. Its an active listening/biking challenge!

Numb/Encore (3:25) Climb!! Last hill! Start out at a 7.5/10. By the end get about as close to 9.5 as you can. Its a slow slog but you’re almost done!

On The Floor(3:51) Last song, last set of sprints! Moving from regular seated, to a hover (jack up your tension) to sprints(take about half the tension you added off)
Hover at 1:22 Move down to sprint at 1:40-1:55
Hover at 2:32 Move out to sprint at 2:50-3:05
Last sprint at 3:25-3:45 ALL OUT!!

Cool Down:
I Try (2:56)
Angel (3:57)

A hard core hour of nothing but spinning. I got my mojo back.