May 4, 2013

BodyPump 85 Review

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I’ve done BodyPump 85 twice now and it’s one of my favourite recent releases. Here’s my review of each of the working tracks:

bodypump-85

Squats – the music is pretty monotonous but at least it’s not Adele again. Like some of the other more recent releases, the squat track in 85 is comprised of two really long sets. My legs started burning like crazy just before the halfway point – definitely a tough one.

Chest – the song (a cover of Muse’s “Uprising”) is one of my favourites and perfect for the chest track. Two of the four sets start from the bottom instead of the top and just that small tweak makes a huge difference. I used a slightly lower weight for this one and was still struggling through the final set.

Back – The first time I tried this release, I used my regular back weight and found it too easy. For the back track, I typically struggle with rows the most and there aren’t as many as usual here. There are, however, lots of dead lifts, clean and presses and power presses. I added weight the second time around and it made a big difference. I think this is the track I want to focus on adding the most weight for this release.

Triceps - As in the last release, you only use the bar for presses so most people can probably go a little heavier. I recently increased my triceps weight so I kept mine the same. After two sets with the bar, there are tricep dips and overhead extensions with the plate. The hardest part is the tricep dips – ouch!

Biceps – nothing too crazy in this track until you get to the end and have to do back-to-back sets when you’re already fatigued. So far, I’ve had to skip a few reps at the end so my goal for this release is to just get through it without skipping reps.

Lunges – this one is nuts. Sure, there have been plyometric lunges and squats in several releases but none have jacked up my heart rate as much as this one. After two pretty long sets of squats and lunges with the bar, you do two sets of plyometric jumps on and off of your bench followed by a short rest and then two more sets of plyos. Welcome to BodyPump boot camp.

Shoulders – this one begins with a crossover push up, followed by plate work and bar work. I actually managed to add a little weight to my bar, which made it really hard.

Abs – bleh. Both the song (“One More Night” by Maroon 5) and choreography are pretty boring here, not to mention easy (no planks in this one). You’d probably be better off using this time for some extra stretching.

Overall, a great release. The only track I’m not crazy about is abs but working out my abs isn’t really at the top of my priority list. All of the other songs are challenging and have something new and different about them. I like the music a lot too.

To conclude, here’s a little sampler of the workout from Les Mills:

Filed Under: Strength Training · Tagged:
Apr 25, 2013

Progress

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Josh and I went to the climbing gym on Sunday morning and since it was practically empty, we decided to make some videos of ourselves climbing. During the session, I finally finished a route I’d been working on for the past few weeks.

For the record, this is not actually a hard route in the grand scheme of things. It’s a yellow, which is the second easiest out of six levels (some climbers probably use it as a warm up route).

But for me, it was a huge accomplishment. When I first attempted it a few weeks ago, it seemed impossible and my inability to complete it (I could barely get halfway up the wall the first few times I tried it) had me so frustrated. I didn’t think I had the upper body strength to get to the top, especially since it’s on an incline, so it felt really good to get there.

I would say that’s my favourite thing about climbing – the sense of accomplishment you feel when you complete something you failed at so many times before.

So yeah I just wanted to share that little video, as well as the quote above (one of the few fitspiration sentiments that doesn’t make me roll my eyes). I’ll post the rest of my workouts for this week on Sunday. In the meantime, I’ve finally updated the static pages on my bog so check that out if you’re bored. ;)

What’s the latest fitness feat you accomplished? 

Filed Under: Motivation, Strength Training ·
Mar 9, 2013

Saturday Boot Camp

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I tried a new boot camp class this morning and was pleasantly surprised by it.

I usually stay away from boot camp style classes because I find them too intense. I like my workouts challenging but not to the extent that I can’t walk for three days and have no energy to do anything else. Workouts should give you energy, not leave you completely exhausted.

I also don’t like how quickly boot camp classes tend to move because it’s hard to focus on form when you’re moving at such a fast pace. For those two reasons, I don’t do boot camp classes very often.

This morning’s class was good though. It did move at a fast pace but before we began a new circuit, the instructor had us pedal on stationary bikes while he showed us how to do each exercise. The moves themselves weren’t too complicated so I feel like I was able to do each of them properly. The class was also small enough that the instructor could keep an eye on everyone’s form.

My favourite part of the class was being introduced to a few new pieces of fitness equipment I’d never used before:

1. Training Ropes

Rope-Workout-GoFit-2

I’d seen these in use many times before (they’re set up near the women’s change room at my regular gym, so I’m constantly trying not to trip over them) but had never used them myself. These were the most challenging of the new equipment I tried. We didn’t have to do the movement for very long (30 seconds max), but it was still hard to keep the ropes moving the entire time.

2. Bosu Ball

6a00d8341ceb4553ef010536650fab970c-320wi

We used this for squats, push ups and planks. Squats were definitely the hardest and I found myself struggling to keep my balance. The other two I actually found easier using the ball.

3.  Pilates Ring

pilates_ring

I hated this exercise. You’re supposed to squeeze it together with your arms extended straight in front of you, the goal being to work your shoulders. I think I was doing it wrong because I didn’t feel a thing.

4. Medicine ball

Fitness_Medicine-Ball-Workouts

We had to throw the ball in the air and catch it in a squat. I smoked myself in the face with it on my first rep. Other than that, I really liked this exercise. :)

Other exercises we did: cycling, burpees, jump rope, running and kettlebells.

Overall, a great workout and the variety of the exercises (and different levels of intensity from move to move) made it really enjoyable. I feel mildly sore but full of energy, which is great because it’s finally starting to feel like spring and I want to get outside and enjoy the day.

So that caps off my week of workouts. I haven’ t been doing weekly workout recaps lately but I’d like to start getting back into the habit, if anything because I like to look back and reflect on what activities I was enjoying at any given time. At this time last year, I had just gotten really into hot yoga and looking back, I recall it had a really positive effect on my overall mood and outlook. As such, I’d like to start doing a few karma classes every now and then (since I’ve taken advantage of intro specials and Groupons at pretty much every yoga studio in my city).

This week’s workouts included:

Sunday – RPM + Bouldering
Monday – Off
Tuesday – Yoga
Wednesday – BodyPump
Thursday – BodyCombat
Friday – Bouldering
Saturday – Boot Camp

Tomorrow, will be either a rest day or a hot yoga day, depending on how I feel (and how much I drink tonight – I’m going out with my girlfriends tonight and have already secured a promise from Josh to drive me home if I get too tipsy).

Enjoy your Saturday!

Filed Under: Cardio, Strength Training, Week in Review · Tagged: , ,
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