Have A Little Soul
January 22, 2010
It’s my policy to only post about things that I have personally tried/can’t live without – this blog isn’t meant to promote or push products nor is it designed to drive certain trends (although I do like to consider myself a bit of a trendsetter…that’s just my modest opinion). However, every brief once and a while (read as RARELY) I take a break from being so self-absorbed and consider other people’s interests – today being one of these rare occasions.
I don’t cycle/spin/bike etc. It hurts (and you know exactly where…) I have tried it exactly two times and wanted to hurl my bike seat…excuse me…my “saddle” at the instructor. However, for those of you that like to work work work but never move move move forward, then I DO suggest you try SoulCycle. I have never gone and am still pretty skeptical, but from the recent chatter, their innovative and holistic approach to cardio is refreshing…almost enough to peak my interest.
SoulCycle, about as celeb saturated as Monkey Bar, keeps New Yorkers in tip top shape at their various studios (Upper West, Upper East, Tribeca, Scarsdale and summer classes at Bridgehampton’s The Barns At Butter Lane). Unlike most standard spin classes, the candlelit studios house a more fluid practice in lieu of lots of hops/bouncing into jumps (i.e. the most obnoxious part of a cycle class). incorporating hand weights, seat crunches and maybe even a few resistance bands, instructors promise a full body workout to maximize time and energy.
The 45-60 minute classes cost $32/class (cycling shoes also available for $3 rental). SoulCycle etiquette restricts the use of cell phones, Blackberries (including typing or texting) and…wait for it…wearing DIRTY LAUNDRY (reason enough for me to attend class).
Have a little soul and check it out…if you do, please report back so I know if it’s worth tackling attempt number 3 in the spin studio.
Kick The Couch
January 5, 2010
So many people tell me that they “can’t” run. Even people who don’t have legs find a way to log the distance (seriously, Google: Flex Foot Cheetah) so there must be a way to make it work for everyone. One guy even voluntarily cut off his own foot to stop the pain that was getting in the way of his running (seriously, Google: Tom White Life & Limb). Basically my point is, if the biggest obstacle keeping you from running is a bag of potato chips and a plush leather couch…seriously, then find another excuse.
There are lots of basic intro training guides online but the ‘Couch-to-5K’ plan at http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml is a great manageable start, not to mention the name says it all. This is more of a walking/jogging program to introduce people how to endure a 3 mile or 5K distance. Focus on a gradual start to avoid injury and stick to this 20-30 min plan three times a week.
…besides, sitting on the couch was SO 2009.
Fifth Element
December 9, 2009
In an effort to repair a running injury, I’ve been working with a trainer for the past month (sorry everyone, this involves dipping into my Christmas Shopping Fund). Aside from learning more about my tendons, muscles and bones than I have ever wanted to know, my trainer has me complete everything in sets of five…must be a magic number because I’ve noticed an incremental difference in my strength and flexibility. FIVE sets of FIVE holding each rep for FIVE seconds (can’t tell you how sick I am of hearing that). It doesn’t seem like a lot at first, but by the final set I’m dying. The biggest change for me is holding each rep for the extra few seconds, causing me to focus instead of mindlessly going through the exercise as well as working longer at the point of resistance.
Next time you hit the gym, instead of powering through the machines or free weights…embrace the power of FIVE (include a 20 second rest in between).
…And THAT’S How We Cross The Bridge!
November 22, 2009
I knew when I received my confirmation email for the Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp that I was in for a tough morning:
“You are confirmed for the 9am Saturday 60 minute class. Cheers, I look forward to KICKING YOUR BUTT!”
…and kick my butt (plus every other muscle) she did. Ariane Hundt, Personal Trainer and Nutritionist, trains her clients military style (imagine workout Barbie with a German accent) across the Brooklyn Bridge and back – 2.2 miles of interval sprints, stair climbs, squats, plies, lunges and upper body exercises using resistance bands (my triceps and traps are killing me today!) plus the structure of the bridge. I barely got a second to enjoy the view and fresh air as Ariane yelled over the noise of the traffic to ‘make it shake’ (your legs that is) during our chair sits against the middle tower wall.
I doubt the original engineers of the Brooklyn Bridge anticipated that their 5,989 feet of suspension would be infested with spandex clad yuppies. Having scaled back my exercise considerably in the past two months, I was definitely feeling the burn in the 60 minutes…but felt a little better seeing class regulars (even the men) also collapse after our repeated reps of push ups and firecracker jumping jacks. What I loved about the class was that it was dynamic and interesting, keeping us on our toes (literally) as to what the next hellish exercise would be. Ariane’s warm German accent (is that an oxymoron?) was encouraging and motivating yet still challenging enough to push me to my max.
I’ll definitely be going back to get my butt kicked…that is if I can ever stand back up again.
http://www.brooklynbridgebootcamp.com/
The Ball’s In Your Court
October 15, 2009
When I go to the gym after work, I have to actively force myself to not run on autopilot. It’s so easy to fall into a routine and forget to be creative with new machines and equipment (not to mention I feel like an idiot when I’m using something completely wrong for the first time). However, there is a huge pay off to mixing things up and not letting your body be able to predict every next move.
The bosu ball is a great prop for the gym because it’s versatile enough for an all body workout plus portable (walk it to another part of the floor to get away from the crowds…or that heavily sweating guy who thinks its OK to workout in a crop top). I have a hard time building out my lower ab muscles and sculpting definition in my arms (which I’m paranoid look like limp string beans), but push ups and planks on the bosu (flipped with the bubble side down) really help to work my entire core and upper body at once.
Alternatively, you can work on your balance and stability while activating your quadriceps (think tight thighs) and glutes by doing squats on the platform of the flat side. This may sound nerdy, but go online to their website and look at different kinds of exercises for additional ideas.
Everyone Fart…leks
October 9, 2009
Ok, get your giggles out now…go ahead, say it…FART FART FART FART FART FART. Better? I know, fartlek sounds amusing and on a Friday especially, it’s hard to say the word without smirking. However, fartleks have nothing to do with last night’s bean burrito…rather, it’s a Swedish word meaning “speed play” and refers to a kind of conditioning that varies exercise intensity. A less precise form of interval training, fartleks are meant to put aerobic sand anaerobic systems (read below for more info) under stress using short and frequent bursts of exercise that increase your heart rate. Not being able to think of an appropriate picture for this post, I chose one of Usain Bolt (per usual, several strides ahead of his opponents looking pretty confident…rightfully so), considering that he represents speed and dynamism. You don’t need to be a three-time Olympic gold medalist to benefit from fartlek training. The beauty of this kind of conditioning is that it is highly flexible (great for walkers, runners, cyclists, football players etc) and only involves increasing varying levels of endurance and speed (can be done across any kind of terrain/elevation/distance).
Example of a Fartlek: Jog for 60 seconds/hard run 30 seconds/jog 30 seconds/sprint 10 seconds/walk 30 seconds – repeat for 20-30 minutes
Benefits of combining aerobic (when body uses oxygen to create energy) and anaerobic exercise (when body creates energy without oxygen) activity: anaerobic exercise is thought to burn more calories than aerobic on a 5 to 1 basis with aerobic exercising burning 25% muscle/75% fat vs. anaerobic burning 100% fat. Examples of aerobic exercise include dancing, jogging etc. while anaerobic activities require weight resistence like lifting dumbbells or hill sprints. The aerobic process of exercising the cardiovascular and circulatory system coupled with anaerobic work of building lean muscle make fartleks a much better workout than they sound.
