Workouts This Week

Gym inspiration, I never used to work out when I was young, so developing a habit to exercise is something I have had to work on a lot as an adult. The first time I started to work out was during my second year of university, I had a good routine going on there - pilates, jumping rope and walking everywhere. After that I have been running, going to the gym, and testing yoga. I am quite proud that I get back on track after shorter breaks - it means that exercising has become a lifestyle for me. The pleasure it gives me is important - I often miss the gym when I haven't been there for a while and I love the feeling of being completely focused on the training. 

Workouts this week

• Wednesday: 40 minutes strength training + 1 hour tai chi
• Thursday: 100 min gym (rowing 30 minutes + upper body)
• Saturday: 40 min pilates

And next week... 

• Monday: gym - pilates 40 mins
• Tuesday: gym - strength training (upper body 40 mins) 
• Wednesday: gym - rowing 40 mins + tai chi 60 mins
• Thursday: gym - rowing 30 mins, strength training (legs) 40 mins, stretching (20 mins)

As you can see, there is quite a bit of pilates there. Yesterday a friend of mine (who is an authorised instructor) gave a class of pilates and it felt so good. There was a time when I used to train pilates quite often - either at the gym or at home. For some reason, I forgot all about it. However, it's a nice change to "normal" strength training, so I decided to incorporate it into my training program. Variety is key, right?

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Yesterday's Workout

Yesterday's pilates-inspired strength training consisted of a circle emphasizing the lower body, yet including the whole body. So now my body is completely sore. Actually, I would love to go to the gym but currently - with us jumping back and forth between two-three places - it's not really possible.

The workout: three times three circles, consisting of three exercises. A little bit of rest between each circle.

Circle 1: chest, bum/legs and core. 

• Traditional push-ups x max
• Goblet squat x 15-20
• Kneeling arm and leg reach  x 15

Speaking of flexibility - I'd like to be able to do this :) Picture here

Circle 2: shoulders, bum/legs and core. 

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• Shoulder front raises with dumbbell x 15
• Hip raises/the bridge x 20
• "the V" x 10 (sloooowly)

Circle 3: triceps/biceps, calves and bum/legs

• Lying triceps extensions (2 x 12) and hammer curls 2 x max
• Double leg calf raise x max
• Dumbbell swing (one arm at a time) x max/arm