Thursday, March 6, 2014

toned up thursday


I've never been one to especially enjoy the weight room. The free weights and machines area at our gym is always packed with Raiders, Haie players, and Hypo guys. Adding to the already enjoyable ambiance of professional athletes, is the occasional meathead or power-lifter on steroids. Unsurprisingly, I've done all I can to avoid the lower level at Body + Soul for the past 6 months. I'm much more comfortable on the treadmill instead.

But even this must change. And quickly. I've come to terms with that fact that I'm in a workout rut. I'm just not as excited about the gym lately. I feel good but not great. And although the endurance I've worked so diligently to build up easily powers me through a 10k run or a high-intensity TaeBo session, I'm ready to kick it up a notch.

Andy has spent the better part of our relationship trying to get me in the weight room and I have successfully fought it until now. What's different this time? It's my choice.

I'm feeling particularly inspired lately and asked Andy to share with me an introductory weights workout. He modified one of his existing USA Volleyball programs and generously gifted me with the following:

SUPER SET ONE
Single Leg Piston Squat (8e, 8e, 8e)
Russian Twist with 4 kg Medicine Ball (15e, 15e, 15e)

SUPER SET TWO
Single Leg Balance RDL with 2 kg weight in each hand (8e, 8e, 8e)
V-Ups (15, 15, 15)

SUPER SET THREE 
4-Way Hip Machine with weight at 25 or 30 kg (8e, 8e, 8e)
Alternating Supermans (15e, 15e, 15e)

SUPER SET FOUR
4-Way Shoulder with 2 kg weight in each hand (10e, 10e, 10e)
Hip-Ups (15 + 15 sec. hold, 15 + 30 sec. hold, 15 + 60 sec. hold)

As much as I hate to admit it, this workout was fun! I popped in my ear buds, cued up some high-energy tunes, and got to work. I'm definitely looking forward to strengthening and toning in preparation for a summer of bikinis and beach time, weddings, and a second go at the 2014 Nautica Malibu Triathlon.

Have you ever been in a workout rut? What motivates you to change things up in the gym? Any advice and insight is much appreciated!

1 comment:

  1. Love the weights, girl! And the kg cracks me up... how very euro of you! :-)

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