Most of the time, I have no problem getting motivated to go to the gym after being stuck at a desk for 8 hours. However, for the first few weeks in January, it's pretty much the last place I want to be.
No matter how hard I try to be positive and to welcome the January Joiners with open arms, I fail. Fighting crowds and waiting for machines is definitely not a stress reliever, and I end up leaving the gym tense and frustrated.
Luckily I have lots of workout equipment at home, including a treadmill, weights, and a step. So, rather than give the newbies at the gym the evil eye, I generally do most of my weekday workouts at home at this time of the year.
On the bright side, it gives me an opportunity to switch up my routine and I've discovered how much I love circuits! It really should have been a no-brainer considering how much I dislike strength training but breaking it up with bursts of cardio makes it so much more fun!
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It's no secret that I love Cathe Freidrich and the fact that you can download her workouts so you can try something new right away! I recently purchased Basic Step and Body Fusion and Intensity Series: Cardio & Weights and I love them both.
If you're new to step workouts, or haven't done one in a while, I'd suggest starting with the Basic Step and Body Fusion. The choreography in this one is pretty simple yet you still get your heart rate up. I was able to do this one the first time I watched it without having too many moments of utter confusion or tripping over myself to get to the same side of the step as Cathe and her group ;)
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There are a lot more over-the-step moves in this one, which is not ideal for me given that I have a limited space to workout in, but I managed to modify the steps to make it work. It took me a couple of tries to get the hang of this one but, lets face it, I'm not the most coordinated person on the planet to begin with :P
Any other step lovers out there?
Are you better at coping with the January Joiners than I am?!
I have never ever tried Step!!
ReplyDeleteThey have free classes at my gym for it, but I'm super intimidated to go since I'll be just lost! hmm. :(
It is definitely unbelievably packed at the peak time this month!
You should try it! You might feel a little lost at first but you'll get the hang of it in no time I'm sure :)
DeleteUgh, I would be skipping the gym too! Don't worry, it won't last long!
ReplyDeleteDo you know, I bought a step at a yard sale years ago and never used it once! I actually threw it away a few weeks ago! Now I kinda wish I had held on to it and at least tried it out!
Yeah, I'm thinking the crowds shouldn't be quite as bad this week. It's too bad you got rid of your step :(
DeleteI am not a huge fan of the gym any time of the year for this reason. I don't like fighting other people for equipment or space. I tried a Jillian Michael DVD that involved a step. I am always so uncoordinated I always kick it at least once or twice and almost take myself out. I use my step for doing step up with weights for strength training. It is great you have found an alternative instead of just skipping working out. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteJillian has a step dvd?!?! I had no idea, I'll have to look for it.
DeleteI love how you found a solution to avoid the crowded gym, but not avoid working out. I haven't tried step before, but I worry about my coordination ...
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you could do it! And if you get lost in the choreography you can just go back to stepping up and down until you feel more comfortable.
DeleteI like the normal step classes, but once I got too cocky and tried an advanced one...I was put in my place very quickly. I was mortified.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried a Cathe video...I like the idea of working the strength and cardio in together. Luckily there haven't been many JJs in my gym that I've noticed- at least not at the time of the morning when I'm there!
Haha, yeah there are some moves where my first reaction is "you want me to do what?!" lol And you rock for going to gym before work!
DeleteI'm just continuing with my daily runs! I figure that's enough sports for the day.
ReplyDeleteThat is plenty! Good for you :)
DeleteI've never tried step.. I am step virgin.. blushes.. I might try this out soon..
ReplyDeletelol, you should try it and let me know how it goes :)
DeleteI loved step a few years ago. I do not have a gym membership but bought a 5 visit pass on Groupon a few weeks ago but will wait to use it until the crowds die down.
ReplyDeleteOh nice, what gym did you get a pass to?
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