Workout Style: Solo or with a buddy?

In the July 2011 issue of Shape magazine, a BFF workout was featured showcasing Kelly Rowland and LaLa. Different exercises are shown that you can do with a friend.

There are pros and cons to exercising with a friend or solo. Some people like the accountability of meeting a friend at the gym. Others like the time to catch up with a friend while exercising. I always enjoyed exercising solo. I guess it's the only child in me. I like to have my workout as my time. Put on my headphones and push myself. I don't want to talk too much and don't want anyone to hold me back. Group fitness is a good balance since I can be motivated by an instructor and meet some friends, but I can still do my workout later on my own.



Photo: Shape Magazine


 Do you like to workout solo or workout with a buddy?

Turn it Up Tuesday

Another pop tune I enjoyed using in spinning class. We had medium resistance and did a standing jog during the chorus. It's catchy, you have to admit it.

Avril Lavinge-What the hell

Fit Momma Fridays

I am so inspired by other mothers who make time for taking care of themselves with all the responsibilities of motherhood. Every Friday I will feature a Fit Momma who makes time for fitness. Let's meet:

Mimi of Lip Gloss and Binky

Name: Mimi

Children: Lil Man 6 and Lil Mama 1

Occupation: SAHM/Freelance Writer/ Photographer/ Jill of all trades, master of none

Favorite Fitness Activities: Running

How do you find time for fitness?: I have to make time, and sometimes it’s very difficult. I belong to a gym, and dependent on my schedule I sometimes am able to run outside which I prefer. However, that is not always feasible. If my day gets crazy and I can’t fit in my exercise during the day I go to the gym after the children have gone to sleep.

Tips for other moms: Being well and healthy is important. Schedule this time. It’s necessary for your health and gives you some alone time. Find an activity you like and stick with it. You’re more likely to be consistent if you are doing something you enjoy.

Blog address: http://www.lipglossandbinky.com/

Are you a Fit Momma? Contact me to be featured!

Turn it Up Tuesday

I used this song last week in spinning and love how it has a feel good upbeat energy to it. Added some resistance and did some running with resistance to finish off spinning class.

Beyonce-End of Time

Follow up: Performance Review

I am following up on my post the other day Performance Review. I expressed my concern about my spinning class at DRHC. Well, God must have heard my prayer because on Friday evening, I get a call from "my boss" ( I have never met him, he is the new fitness director). He asked me how the class was going, I told him it was fine, attendance was low and he said he noticed this too. He mentioned he got some feedback from some of the members regarding my spinning class. He said that there is some silence during the class and members think I could be more motivating...I agreed with this. Also, that some of my spinning moves don't match the music...umm, nope, don't agree with that. I have actually received compliments on my music fitting well with some of the moves, but whatever. I have been doing some research on spinning moves and coaching/cues. I do find the motivation aspect difficult with spinning. Being a group fitness instructor is more than just showing up with a smile on your face and a challenging workout. A group fitness instructor needs to motivate an entire group of people to give a little more when they have nothing left to give. Still fine tuning that. Do you have a favorite group fitness instructor? How do they motivate you to push further?

Fit Momma Fridays

I am so inspired by other mothers who make time for taking care of themselves with all the responsibilities of motherhood. Every Friday I will feature a Fit Momma who makes time for fitness. Let's meet:

Necia of I can blog if I want to

Name:  Necia

Children : My children are affectionately referred to as Thing 1 who is 9, and Thing 2 who is almost 2 years old.

Occupation:  Trim Coordinator in the Garment District in NYC.

Favorite Fitness Activities:  Running, Inline skating, bike riding, and weight lifting.

How do you find time for fitness?:  For me, I have to get up early.  If I'm not up early, my me time, my fitness time suffers.  If all else fails, I try to fit it in with activities with the kids, if the weather is nice.

Tips for other moms:  Don’t undervalue YOURSELF.  It’s natural as a mother, to want to put everyone's needs and wants first, before ourselves. Between parenting, managing the household, spouse duties, and any outside duties like WORK, it’s real easy to lose ourselves.  Make yourself a priority, and make time for YOU.  Just 30 minutes a day can work wonders on our beings. When we thrive as a person, everyone and everything surrounding us will also thrive.

Blog address:  http://www.icanblogifiwantto.wordpress.com/

Performance Review

When I started out on this group fitness instructor journey, I only wanted to teach spinning. Let me sit and hold on the bike and not move across a floor. Opportunities presented themselves and I have taught bootcamp, cardio sculpt and subbed weight and ab classes. It has been almost 6 months and I am wondering how I am doing as an instructor. I love teaching. I take planning my classes very seriously, from the music to the moves. I try to learn people's names and smile and be friendly, but tough.

I teach at 3 different gyms. I have been noticing that the attendance at the spinning classes at Dearborn Racquet and Health Club have been very low. I teach on Thursday at 6am and 6pm. This morning there were 5 and this evening, 2. 2?!? Only 2 people?!?

I envisioned my class full like this.

I get paid the same no matter how many people, but it makes me think...what is going on? Other spin instructors at DRHC have told me they heard good things about me, people who come to my class always say good things, great workout, even heard I had a rep of being tough but the attendance is low. I wonder if it's due to the summer, the day, time, not sure. But, I am now questioning my spin instructor skills. My Cardio Sculpt class at The Summit has 15-20+ people every week. Cardio isn't even what my training is in...I don't know.

So, I am doing a performance review of myself as a group fitness instructor.

Music:  A-
I think my music rocks! I do lots of different genres and always get compliments.

Creativity: A-
I think my classes are pretty creative. I spend a lot of time planning my classes.

Great Workout: A-
I like my classes to be tough for me. I always offer different options to make sure no one feels left out.

Motivation: B
This is where I think I need some help. I try to think of unique things to say in spinning, but it can be tough. Plus there isn't a mic in Dearborn and I wonder if they hear me.

I want to be more motivating, but not like this!

Friendliness: B+
I am pretty nice, tend to remember names but sure I could do better.

Overall: B+

I do think I am doing pretty well. I would love to get feedback from some of the class participants at different gyms. Hopefully spinning class picks up in the fall in Dearborn..stay posted.

Turn it Up Tuesday!

I went in a different direction with my spin class music this week, more Motown soul. This is a great song to do a heavy climb to, then lower the resistance and sprint! And Tina's legs...LEGENDARY!

Tina Turner (and Ike)-Proud Mary

Fit Momma Fridays

I am so inspired by other mothers who make time for taking care of themselves with all the responsibilities of motherhood. Every Friday I will feature a Fit Momma who makes time for fitness. Let's meet:

Latoya of Quarter Life Chronicles

Name: Latoya

Children:  Mariah, 3 months

Occupation:  Undergraduate Services Coordinator (advisement and administration for higher ed)

Favorite Fitness Activities: Dance, Pilates, yoga

How do you find time for fitness?  I find time by carving out time for myself.... particularly when the baby is sleeping.  My daughter  goes back to sleep after her 4 a.m. bottle so I usually stay awake and work out at 5 a.m. It is a great way to start a productive day. It is also a great way to be consistent (and stay committed to your workout plan) since evenings can differ day by day.

Tips for other moms:  My best advice is to take time for you. It is very easy to be caught up in meeting every one else‘s needs, but to be a great mom you have to take care of yourself as well. I also recommend participating in activities you joy.  Exercise CAN be fun...

Blog address: http://toya-quarterlifechronicles.blogspot.com/

Are you a Fit Momma? Contact me to be featured

New spinning shoes!

I have been teaching spinning for 5 months now and did not have spinning shoes yet (I know, awful). But, since I will have 4 spinning classes per week in the fall, I figured it was time. When I completed my spinning certification, our instructor gave us some great websites that have cycling shoes for a great price (they can be SUPER expensive).

http://www.performancebike.com/
http://http://www.nashbar.com/

I got my shoes from Performance bike. They are the Cannondale Women's Range MTB shoes. I selected the shoes because they were inexpensive and looked nice (real deep here). Since using my shoes, I feel like my spinning experience has went to another level. Using the shoes helps me get a great workout and you can really push and pull on the pedals.

Do you use cycling shoes when you are in spinning class?

Turn it up Tuesday

Adele's voice is like smooth buttery soul and some of the songs work great in spinning. Here is one my favorites:
Adele-Rumour has it

Fit Momma Fridays

I am so inspired by other mothers who make time for taking care of themselves with all the responsibilities of motherhood. Every Friday I will feature a Fit Momma who makes time for fitness. Let's meet:

Marcia Grajeski of Mom.Wife.Fitness.Life

Name:  Marcia Grajewski

Children:   Amara – 7 and Miles – 3 ½

Occupation: Owner of a small fitness company- On The Spot Health and Fitness, Group Exercise Instructor, and Mom.

Favorite Fitness Activities: Running, Cycling, Boot camp like classes, lifting and hot yoga.  I teach Spinning, cardio classes and toning classes (5-7 a week).

How do you find time for fitness? I make the time!  Just because I am an instructor does not mean I don’t have to find time for my personal fitness.  I get up early to get my workouts in.  I rely on my husband, dad and brother to entertain the kids  1-2 times a week so I can run or do hot yoga ( evenings).  I know that every little bit counts as well.  If I can’t fit in the 60 minute run I know I planned, and if 30 minutes is all I have, I will do my best to be active and to make that workout count!   I have also learned that the world will NOT end if I don’t exercise.  Fitness is something I need in my life, but rest days are essential for growth.
 
Tips for other moms: Make a plan and stick to it.  Make it a priority.  Find something you really enjoy doing.  Be flexible with your time. It's time to start putting yourself first, making it a priority and finding time to exercise. It will make you feel better and you'll be a better mom for it!

Blog address: http://momwifefitnesslife.wordpress.com/

Are you a Fit Momma? Contact me to be featured!

Turn it Up Tuesday

There are some songs that I don't like just to listen to, but in an exercise class, I love it! I have a great routine planned for this song.

LMFAO-Party Rock Anthem