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Post by niaru on Oct 7, 2010 6:55:04 GMT -5
I finally signed up at a gym. Gaah. I've already tried Pilates. When I saw the instructor come in I thought it'd be a piece of cake, she's a tiny, 50 (60?)+ year old woman...Not so. I was sore for 3 days afterward. She had us do stuff such as stay in a low plank for ONE. Full. minute. Sounds easy, uh? NOT. Then yesterday I tried Zumba. Oh my. All these steps to remember...Instructor this time was a young, small, sinuous brunette. Mixing hip hop with salsa with belly dancing with a few aerobic moves on those shakira and Beyonce and  songs... Great workout tho! Do I dare to take "BodyCombat" next ....  |
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Post by Lisa on Oct 7, 2010 14:07:52 GMT -5
I say try EVERYTHING they have to offer! You will get a overall better toning, and might find something you really like! Im joining the ymca over the winter. I also have fit tv, and love the different workouts. I get bored very easy.
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Post by niaru on Oct 7, 2010 14:40:49 GMT -5
Lisa I tried to use Fit TV but I really need a class to keep me motivated. So the Gym should do the trick if I can keep up!
The Zumba class was like being on "So You Think You Can Dance"! She had us do Bollywood moves and all kinds of difficult (for me!) dance steps/ choreography!
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Post by alisonph on Oct 8, 2010 10:23:24 GMT -5
Niaru,
The zumba seems like a lot of fun. I tried it recently, but my herniated disc didn't like it.
I've taken up swimming at the local Y. it's awesome! My swimming partners are both pushing 90 - seriously, and they outswim me by 20 minutes! It's motivating to have other people exercising in the same vicinity.
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Post by Kim on Oct 8, 2010 15:36:57 GMT -5
We have classes like that at the rec center at school, and I'm not brave enough to go! Haha, I'm not coordinated enough for Zumba, but I've been doing pilates videos with my sister lately...it's hard!
Alison, that's crazy about your swimming partners!
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Post by niaru on Oct 8, 2010 17:36:33 GMT -5
Silly question for swimmers: if you wear a swim "hat" (what do you call these things anyway? a bonnet? lol) does it prevent water to get into you ears? I have had too many ear infections as a kid which damaged my ear drums and I can't dive or go deep underwater anymore  Swimming the breast stroke isn't kind on my back and swimming the crawl I have to turn my head and I get water in my ears and then they hurt for days. So I was wondering...'cause swimming would be great for me and they do have a pool at my gym. I still have to try BodyCombat...but I am scared...lol |
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Post by adcooper on Oct 13, 2010 8:08:15 GMT -5
Claire, how about ear plugs? I think swimmers use those sometimes. Water in the ears is one reason I don't swim. Laziness is the other 99 reasons.
Body combat!?! You have to check it out and tell us what it's like.
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Post by Lisa on Oct 13, 2010 16:27:10 GMT -5
I am sooo uncoordinated for any type of dance type class. I did however get dance party for the wii, and after 45 mins of that I'm tired! And I have dancing w/ the stars latin workout, but I would rather WATCH max's hips than dance!!!
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Post by niaru on Oct 13, 2010 17:14:18 GMT -5
hahaha! I can't do those "booty shakes" or "upper chest shakes" (or whatever they are called) to save my life! Last night's class was hard . It was a different instructor, lots of hard steps sequence and belly dancing moves - I don't think those are good for my lower back...!!
All three instructors so far are amazing tho. Fun to watch!
Ann thanks for the tip on ear plugs. I will try that.
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Post by abowls on Oct 14, 2010 16:02:19 GMT -5
You've got to try spin class if your gym has it. It's a great workout. It will make your butt hurt in a non-muscle way the first few classes but after that it's not too bad.
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Post by niaru on Oct 15, 2010 16:42:23 GMT -5
I spin a cycling exercise? if so I can't do it (bad knee).
So I tried the "body combat" class. It is exHAUSting!
It's similar to the Tae Bo class I took many years ago but with less "choreography" so easier to follow. Lots of boxing / kicking an imaginary foe (although there were so may people in that class I had to be careful not to kick someone by mistake!) on very loud music. Then when I thought the class was over she had us take mats for 5 - 10 mn of abd exercises. Aaargh! My shoulders and back muscles are sore today but in a good way.
I'll go again, it was fun and energizing!
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Post by alisonph on Oct 18, 2010 7:59:45 GMT -5
Claire, I'm not sure about the ears and water thing. Right now I have water in my ears and my throat hurts from the chlorine. It has taken me a few weeks to get the rythm of the swim. Now it's like running and I am up to 1/2 mile in the pool. Google pool workout and there are all kinds of non-swimming exercises you can do. I use the kickboard a LOT to exercise my legs. My arms tend to be big and muscular (not a good quality) so increasing that isn't my goal. The legs however, need some work  |
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Post by filly on Oct 18, 2010 15:30:47 GMT -5
As far as swimming, the rubber swim caps won't help keep water out of your ears but if you go to your local sports store, they should have what you need (ear wax). Heck, they even have underwater earphones so you can listen to your IPOD or mP3 players! lol I swam for many many years and it's the best workout ever. It works most sections of your body and your core becomes rock hard of you start doing the butterfly! ;D I swam competitively for many years and even in the adult program but my neck and back was killing me from all the kick board crap and the flip turns. ;D If you really want a work out, get yourself some hand paddles and also some short fins. I have both and they really help build your muscle power and endurance. Or you can do the old fashioned wear pantyhose in while swimming laps but that will definitely get you some looks! ;D |
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Post by niaru on Oct 18, 2010 16:33:49 GMT -5
Or you can do the old fashioned wear pantyhose in while swimming laps but that will definitely get you some looks! ;D um...what? ( i think I need a visual...lol) Thanks everyone for your advice. I will look into those ear plugs/wax. The pool at the gym is a salt water pool and I want to try it! Filly I didn't know you were a competitive swimmer. Good for you! Because of my lower back I can't do the butterfly at all. I tried...didn't go too well. Back stroke is fine, as would the front crawl if I can just keep water out of my ears, haha! |
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Post by filly on Oct 18, 2010 18:21:29 GMT -5
Ha, you need better abs for fly as I have a horrible lower back as well but butterfly is ALL ab work using your legs to propel you out of the water, not bending your back to come out. ;-) Just do some dolphin kicks on the board with short fins and you'll have a 6 pack in no time! ;D Oh, and make sure with the kicks you USE your abs, not bending the knee too much or you won't get the workout you are looking for. ;D |
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