Military Push Ups, Side plank, repeat push up, Side plank on the opposite side… repeat 10 sets!

Stretching the Quadriceps after single leg squats.  Next Boot Camp is Tuesday night August 11, Open Doors Weymouth landing, sign up early!

Another morning at 24 hour Fitness…

Sometimes getting on the elliptical machine seems like such a chore.  If you get bored with your routine, try breaking it up into interval training.  Today I did the elliptical for 10 minutes followed by a  1/2 mile run and repeated it 5 times.  You don’t need to be at a gym, try running/walking/jump roping/plyometrics.  You could also try it with cardio and weight training.

In the afternoon I went to Nicole’s dress rehearsal with Off Broadway Academy of Dance, what an amazing show!  Following the show I headed back to Core Power Yoga and took a Yoga Fusion class.  I read the description and it sounded very appealing. The class I took wasn’t anything like it’s description, but…  any yoga is better than no yoga!

Friday 6/12, up at 5:00am and off to Core Power Yoga in Parker for a “Yoga Sculpt” class with Terri.

I was looking for a Vinyasa Class but this worked into my schedule so yoga sculpt it was.  Class was a combination of yoga postures and muscle conditioning with weights, in the heat and steam of course.  I was sore from yesterday’s boot camp and then once again got my butt kicked!  From there I headed to 24 hour Fitness for an hour on the elliptical.

The rest of the day was spent with my niece Nicole, a typical girl’s day; nails, lunch and shopping.  After that, hip hop class.  From class we headed to our friends Al and Brenda’s restaurant, Al Vino’s Wine Bistro… (more…)

In order to properly align my body and protect my joints, I choose the sneakers and footwear I work out in very carefully.  I have had a heel spur, a sliding patella and a slight tear in my meniscus.  I also have very tight hamstrings and hips so anything I can do to help protect my body, I’m in!  I taught Step Aerobics for 18 years but because of my knee issues an orthopedic surgeon recommended that I discontinue teaching this style of class.  He also told me to be sure and wear the appropriate footwear that would allow me to continue teaching other classes and enjoy my own workouts, especially running.

From right to left, these are the shoes I wear for a typical week of working out:  Bloch Jazz sneakers for Zumba Dance class , Pearl Izumi for Spinning and Cycle Reebok, 2 pairs for  Running, Asics and New Balance, Reebok for Cross Training/Weight Training, and flip flops for after Yoga.  (more…)

What you’ll need:  A jump rope, a bench or a low wall or even your coffee table.

Life gets busy and fitting in a workout can sometimes seem impossible.  If you can’t get to the gym or your favorite power yoga class, try a 10 minute fitness routine. 10 minute workouts can really add up burned calories and strengthen muscles. Perhaps get up 10 minutes earlier or work it into your lunch break.

Today’s 10 minute fitness routine includes  jump roping, tricep dips, and modified push ups.  Jump rope for 3 minutes using a two footed jump or a skip jump. Try alternating two feet, and the skip jump with the right leg and then on the left.

For Push ups, I used a log at Pond Meadow Park in Braintree.  Pond Meadow has a great 1.6 mile walking trail with benches along the way.  You can change the width of your hands, wider for more chest, closer together for more tricep work.  Stand far enough away so that your chest comes down between your hands.  Slowly push back pack engaging the pectoral muscles. Do as many reps as you can!  For more of a challenge you can do a push up on the floor/ground. read more of this entry (more…)