Summer Travel Workout: No equipment needed

Over the last few months I've been traveling a bit more than usual. When I'm on vacation I love to relax, but I also sometimes feel like breaking a sweat. I love finding local places to hike or explore, but if I wake up early and want to sweat a little I try to get some energy out by doing a bodyweight workout like this.

Warm up: (be sure to do a short warmup and stretch out)

Complete A,B & C then rest for 30 seconds repeat for a total of 3 times through this circuit

Circuit 1 (complete 3x)

A) 20 squats

B) 20 side lunges (10 each leg)

C) 20 glute bridges (or hip thrusts) lying on a mat 

Circuit 2 (complete 3x)

A) 15 push-ups

B) Plank with 20 shoulder taps (tap your opposite hand to opposite shoulder while keeping your hips neutral)

C) 15 burpees

Circuit 3 (complete 3x)

A) 20 walking lunges (10 each leg)

B) 20 walking plank (hold a plank walk to your left for 10 and to your right for 10)

C) 40 mountain climbers 

Circuit 4 (complete 3x)

A) 15 full sit ups 

B) 30 Russian twists

C) 15 leg raises (both legs together)

Say you have a trip planned, make 30 minutes of time for this. Maybe you don't have a trip planned, but need a short workout to do in the park or in your living room- this is perfect!

You Think You're Fit? Try this!

I killed myself in the gym yesterday and thought I'd share what I did. Who is ready for a challenge?

Warm up:

0 incline

1 min 4.0 side shuffle

1 min 6.0 run

1 min 4.0 side shuffle

1 min 7.0 run

1 min 4.0 side shuffle

1 min 8.0 run

1 min 4.0 side shuffle

1 min 9.0 run

1 min 4.0 side shuffle

1 min 10.0 run

1 min 4.0 side shuffle

1 min 11.0 run

1 min 4.0 side shuffle

1 min 12.0 run

Workout:

CIRCUIT 1- complete 3 exercises then rest 60-90 seconds after all 3, then repeat 2 more times

15 Sumo squats

15 Leg or Hamstring curls

30 Pop squats (good video demo here)
CIRCUIT 2- complete 3 exercises then rest 60-90 seconds after all 3, then repeat 2 more times
15 Leg press (1 leg)
15 Leg press (other leg)
15 reverse lunges (1 leg)
15 reverse lunges (other leg)
30 ice skaters
CIRCUIT 3- complete 3 exercises then rest 60-90 seconds after all 3, then repeat 2 more times
15 Dumbbell deadlifts
15 glute kickbacks (1 leg)
15 glute kickbacks (other leg)
15 squat jumps

CIRCUIT 4- complete 3 exercises then rest 60-90 seconds after all 3, then repeat 2 more times
15 Leg extensions
15 Air squats (squats without weight)
30 jump lunges

Cardio finisher:

0 incline

1 min 5.0 

1 min 6.0 run

1 min 5.0 

1 min 7.0 run

1 min 5.0

1 min 8.0 run

1 min 5.0 

1 min 9.0 run

1 min 5.0 

1 min 10.0 run

1 min 5.0 

1 min 11.0 run

1 min 5.0 

1 min 12.0 run

Outdoor Circuit

The weather here in California has been beautiful the last few weeks, which has inspired me to take my workouts outdoors. I've been hiking, going on long walks to the Golden Gate Bridge, playing volleyball at the park, & doing circuits like the one below. Try taking your workout somewhere new this week!

10 exercises, 10 repetitions of each

1. Pushups 

2. Low Plank with hip rotation 

3. Sit ups 

4. Mountain climbers 

5. Burpees

6. Squats

7. Back lunges (reverse lunge) 

8. Broad jumps (squat jump for distance)

9. Floor jacks 

10. Plank alternating knee to elbow 

26 reps 26 exercises, because I'm 26!

Here's a little bit of my birthday workout. I  just turned 26, so I thought it would be fun to do 26 exercises and complete 26 reps of each exercise. My goal was to keep moving, and take as little rest as possible.

The structure is an upper body exercise, followed by a lower body exercise, next a core exercise, and finally a "cardio" exercise. 

Enjoy! 

"26"

1. shoulder press

2. Squats

3. Sit ups 

4. Double unders (jump rope)

5. dumbbell row

6. Walking lunges 

7. Leg raises

8. Box jumps

9. dumbbell bicep curls

10. Side lunges

11. Plank with hip rotation 

12. Dumbbell tricep extension 

13. Back lunges 

14. Left side plank with hip dip

15. Ice skaters (speed skaters)

16. Shoulder pushup ( pike position)

17. Sumo squat

18. Right side plank with hip dip 

19. Toe taps on box 

20. Dumbbell reverse fly

21. Kettlebell swing

22. Toe touch crunches (lay on mat, feet in air, touch your toes) 

23. Mountain climbers 

24. Ball slams (med ball or sandbag)

25. Curtesy lunges

26. Burpees

Workout of the Day: 20 Min AMRAP

MetCon via Thea

What's a MetCon?

The term "MetCon" became popular as CrossFit became popular. MetCon workouts have been around forever, and simply stands for Metabolic Conditiong. MetCons are designed to be fairly short and extremely intense. During these workouts you shouldn't be resting if you can help it, and you should be pushing your limits.

Here's one I designed this week.

Try it out!

"OMG! I heard that's like so dangerous and really bad for you" ie. CrossFit

First things first, bashing someone's workout isn't cool. Just because you don't like something doesn't mean no one else should do it or it's "bad for them". I want you to know I am not "pro" or "anti" CrossFit, but I will tell you how I feel about some of the things I've heard people say the sport.

***Let me also remind you before you go on to think "well of course she's a CrossFitter writing about Crossfit". 

My background: No, I don't go to a CrossFit box. Yes, I think CrossFit is good to mix to your routine if you are an athlete, which I am. I grew up playing soccer, volleyball, & track. My mom is a P.E. teacher, dad is a 15 time world & 45 time national champion cyclist, my sister is a triathelete & Ironman finisher. I ran Division 1 Track & Field, got my B.S. in Kinesiology, work as a personal trainer, have competed in NPC fitness competitions, & got a CrossFit Level 1 Certification to learn more about CrossFit (not to become a CrossFitter) .

Myth Busting: Let me debunk some of the opinions I've heard and share some perspective. 

1. "CrossFit isn't a sport":
A sport is defined as "an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment." These athletes train just as hard as individual would for the Olympics to make it to The CrossFit Games. Try one of these workouts and then you come tell me if it's a sport.

2. "CrossFitters have horrible form and could hurt themselves":
Go to any group fitness class in any gym, yoga studio, or outdoor activity and you will see people will poor form. I've done half marathons where people drop down to the ground due to lack of proper fitness, and running form. I've gone to yoga classes where many poses around me are held wrong. I've gone to group fitness classes at the gym where I notice form is lacking. That being said, WE ALL HAVE HAD BAD FORM until we learn good form. CrossFit is only getting a bad wrap because it's new and people want to bash it. It is up to individuals to work on their form as often as they can to become great. I do, however, believe this is a sport for athletes, and in my own personal opinion shouldn't be taken on by people new to fitness. Yes, it's intense. Yes, it's competitive. Only you can be the judge of if it's good or bad for you. If you aren't intense, or competitive you should just go to yoga or barre class.


3. "It's a cult":
Weird. Last time I checked a cult had to do with religion. CrossFit is a community. If you have never been on a team you wouldn't understand. If you've been on a team you totally get it. Waking up for morning workouts even though you would never be there if there weren't people expecting you to show. Not slacking, because everyone else around you is busting their butts. Finding friends with common interests. Having a group of people who are happy and healthy. The CrossFit community is full of supportive and loving people.

4. "The Programming sucks!"
Ok, I will admit I think some of the programming needs work depending on which Box you go to. That being said, it also depends on the coach who is programming. Some trainers at normal gyms tend to have really poor programming (yes, even with certifications). There are even some college or pro level trainers that are fired for the programs they write not resulting in great performance. Naturally, since CrossFit is new there will definitely be some trial and error. Know your body, know your limitations, and try to get good at everything. The best part about CrossFit is the variety in the workouts. Nothing is off limits.

The reason I decided to write this is because as an athlete it was engrained in my brain to be the best, and "pick" my sport. My soccer coaches wanted me to quit every sport outside of soccer, but I truly find value in variety. I wouldn't have the skills I learned from swim team, basketball, volleyball, or track. CrossFit is about being fit at all levels. Getting your body doing things that you never knew you could do. For this reason, I love the variety and challenge. I am here training for life.

Watch the CrossFit Games this week for some motivation here.

 

Ready For Monday Workout

Are you planning for your crazy busy week ahead? What days have you committed to working out? Try this total body woktout to jump start your week:

.5 mile run every other minute pick up the speed by 1%

20 squats (or squat jumps)

20 pushups 

20 v-up sit ups 

.5 mile run every other minute pick up the incline by 1% 

20 lunges (or lunge jumps)

20 tricep dips (on bench or ground)

20 sit ups with a twist at the top

.25 Mile faster run EVERY minute pick up the speed by 1%

20 side lunges (each leg)

20 mountain climbers

20 plank hip dips (each side)

.25 mile run EVERY minute pick up the incline by 1%

20 sumo squats (wide stance, toes pointed out) 

20 burpees

20 plank jacks (hold a plank, jump both legs wide, then both legs back together)

1000's Workout: Partner Workout

Partner Challenge: This should be completed with 2 people. Grab your bestie, your boyfriend, hubby, or sibling! 

LEG AND CORE WORKOUT

In a group of 2 you must complete between the two of you ( only one person can work at a time. Break up the number of repetitions however you want).

1000's workout

100 squat jumps

100 Windshield wiper leg raises

100 burpees 

100 partner 1 leg lunge (one partner is holding the other partners back leg)

100 bicycle crunches

100 walking lunge with kick back

100 side plank with knee to elbow crunch

100 power lunges (back lunge with a jump)

100 v-up sit ups 

100 1 leg raises

This is a fun one, enjoy! 

Upper Body: Yesterday's Workout

Tabata battle ropes (20 seconds of work, 10 seconds of rest, 8 rounds)

Weighted rope pulls(3 rounds each arm)

- strap(knot) a weight around the end of a battle rope

- grab the rope with one arm and pull until the weight is towards you, switch sides 

Weighted Rope Sprints (5 rounds)

- grab the rope and tie a kettlebell on to the middle of the rope

- sprint 50 meters with the rope wrapped over your shoulder

-walk backwards back pulling the rope

15 bicep curls 

15 shoulder press

50 mountain climbers

12 bicep curls 

12 shoulder press

40 mountain climbers 

10 bicep curls 

10 shoulder press

30 mountain climbers 

15 pushups 

15 burpees

12 pushups

12 burpees

10 pushups 

10 burpees

20 push press

20 sit ups

15 push press

15 sit ups 

10 push press 

10 sit ups 

5 push press 

5 sit ups 

20 power cleans 

20 sprinter sit ups 

15 power cleans 

15 sprinter sit ups

10 power cleans 

10 sprinter sit ups

5 power cleans 

5 sprinter sit ups 

20 Bent over row 

20 ball slams 

15 bent over row 

15 ball slams 

10 bent over row 

10 ball slams 

5 bent over row 

5 ball slams 

20 double unders 

20 Barbell Lying windshield wipers 

25 double unders 

15 barbell lying windshield wipers 

30 double unders 

10 barbell lying windshield wipers 

35 double unders 

5 barbell lying windshield wipers 

SF INFINITY: Best Moves for Your Butt

We joke about calling SF Infinity a "Glute Building Community," but the truth is ... that we are! The muscles we sit on all day are some of the most important and biggest muscles in your body. And who doesn't like a nice toned bum?

Here are some exercises to work on those glutes:

 

-SQUAT

 

-DEADLIFT

 

 -FRONT SQUAT

 -STEP-UPS

-SUMO SQUAT

-LUNGES

-BRIDGES

-CURTSEY LUNGE

-BOX JUMP 

Workout Of The Week: Boulder Shoulders

This week I am feeling like bringing back my bodybuilding style workouts.  I want to share with you what I do when I take away the burpees, box jumps, and cardio. Typically, I love high intensity circuit training, but doing this sort of bodybuilding helps me build strength. Once I feel super strong, I tend to go back to circuiting my workouts to shed fat.

Here's what I did today:

(90-120 second rest between sets)
1. 5 sets X 5 reps Shoulder press (add each set, so it's HEAVY by the 5th set)
2. 4 sets X 12 reps Front Raise
3. 4 sets X 12 reps Lateral Raise
4. 3 sets X 10 reps Push Press
5. 4 sets X 12 reps Cable High Pull

Shoulder press a)

Shoulder Press B)

Lateral raises A)

 

 

Lateral Raise B)

 

 

Front Raise A)

 

 

Front Raise B

 

 

 

 

 

Barbell Press A)

Barbell Press B)

Cable High pull A)

Cable High Pull B)

Treadmill Plyos

Check out my video here: http://instagram.com/p/jzFl3pgHHc/  and learn how to do this treadmill plyo metric routine. 

I always found it a little odd seeing numbers of people on a "hamster wheel" in the gym. We move forwards and run on a device just like a hamster. I do it too.

It's time to make the treadmill a bit more fun and put it to different uses. 

I started playing around and figured out some ways to hit your quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves all while getting your heart rate up with cardio 

(Please start slow and hold on to railings when you first start. If you are still a beginner in the gym I would hold off on this routine)

Phase 1. (Beginning of video)

- turn the treadmill to 1.0mph 

- turn your body to the left so you have to side step to stay moving on the treadmill

- start to squat. Step your right door forward in to a squat then bring your left food together after the squat, and repeat.

- perform this exercise for 30-60 seconds then try it facing the right side.

Phase 2 (second or middle part of video) 

- turn the treadmill up to 1.5mph

- turn your body to the left so you have to side step to stay moving on the treadmill

- start to squat. Step by JUMPING your right door forward in to a squat then JUMP your left food together after the squat, and repeat. 

- perform this exercise for 30-60 seconds then try it facing the right side.

Phase 3

 -turn the treadmill up to 1.5mph

- start with your feet on the plastic platforms on the sides on the treadmill in a squat position 

- start a squat jump towards the treadmill. Land in a squat with both feet on the treadmill, and explosively jump back to the sides and repeat. 

- perform this exercise for 30-60 seconds .

Cardio Plyo workout:

1 min incline walk

1 min side squat (30 seconds each side)

1 min incline walk 

1 min side squat Jump(30 seconds each side)

1 min incline walk

1 min front jump squat 

Repeat 2-3 times