Get Physique-a-licious

Archive for June, 2009

I mentioned back in a previous posts that a variety workout helps with plateau.

I have been doing Turbo Kick for awhile as a matter of fact I like the workout so much that I got certified as an instructor.  I think I mentioned that I get bored really easy.  It is time for a change.

Yesterday, I decided to go take an “Indoor Cycling” class.  Now, I used to teach this class also, but since I do not have any bikes at my studio and there are not any bikes at the colleges, I had to go take the class on base.

It is so hard to get out to the base.

I worked harder in the class than I wanted to because she kept pushing me to work harder.  So, I did.  yep.  Did you ever get to working out by yourself and just easily give up?  I know I do anymore.  I need that extra motivation and someone telling me I can do it.  Never give up.  So glad I went.

Let me tell you a little something about indoor cycling.  It is a great exercise of people who have bad knees, don’t like to run but need a kick in the butt cardio exercise.  Great for training for events (cross trainer) and just for people who like to ride bikes for fun and can’t go outside due to weather.

If you don’t know what indoor cycling is, it is an organized activity, is a form of high-intensity exercise that involves using a stationary exercise bicycle in a classroom setting.

Not only does this type of activity builds strength and endurance, it can burn mega calories.  Anywhere from 400 to 600 depending how intense you are working maybe even up to 1000.

The intensity lies with the fly wheel in this class. Turning the knob for more resistance to simulate climbing a hill, and letting off just a tad to simulate going down hill.  Changing up the resistance and doing a variety of exercises to simulate the outdoors with some awesome keeps this rider going.

If you do not want to take a class you can buy what is known as a trainer to get the training or workout that you like.

Which ever you decide make sure you have a towel and some water to hydrate.  Drink the H20 is key.

Be sure to properly set the bike up right and have fun riding.

Remember “A year from now you’ll wish you had started today.”  -Karen Lamb  I love this quote.

What?  Getting all wet, what the heck is this crazy women talking about?

People, lets talk about swimming.  Changing the variety of you exercises or your workout.  Are you finding that your workout needs a little somethin, somethin?

I have always enjoyed swimming ever since my mom made me take lessons because we lived by the lake and a river.  Lots of lives have been lost in the Kern Valley River.

Did you know that swimming is dated by 7,000 years ago in the Stone Ages.  The front crawl or also known as the freestyle was originated from the Native American.  Yeah!   Swimming first became part of the Olympics in 1896.

Let’s talk about swimming as a way to exercise.  Swimming uses the whole body to execute each stroke.  Using swimming as a form of exercise can burn mega calories.  Swimming or using water as an aerobic exercise is very gentle on the joints and bones.  Swimming can improve posture and develop a strong lean physique, often called a “swimmer’s build.”

There are several different types of strokes that you can use for your swimming workouts.  The first of course is the freestyle stroke or also known as the “Front Crawl.”  It is the fastest of the other strokes.  I was told that I have a beautiful stroke.  That made me feel good.  I could have really been a competitive swimmer.  I have the build for it.  Our little high school did not have a pool or a swim team, so I lost out.  I did not even know you could swim competitive.  Instead, I feel in love with basketball. 

The second is ” The butterfly, (fly for short) is a swimming stroke swum on the breast, with both arms moving simultaneously. The butterfly kick was developed separately, and is also known as the “dolphin kick“.

Next is the

The breaststroke is a swimming style in which the swimmer is on their chest and the torso does not rotate. It is the most popular recreational style due to its stability and the ability to keep the head out of the water a large portion of the time. In most swimming classes, beginners learn either the breaststroke or the front crawl first. But in competitive swimming, the breaststroke is regarded as one of the most difficult strokes, requiring comparable endurance and leg strength to other strokes.

“The breaststroke is a swimming style in which the swimmer is on their chest and the torso does not rotate. It is the most popular recreational style due to its stability and the ability to keep the head out of the water a large portion of the time. In most swimming classes, beginners learn either the breaststroke or the front crawl first. But in competitive swimming, the breaststroke is regarded as one of the most difficult strokes, requiring comparable endurance and leg strength to other strokes.”

Let’s not forget the backstroke.  I love doing the backstroke.  I am actually really good at this.  “Backstroke is an ancient style of swimming. It was the second stroke to be swum in competitions other than the front crawl. Backstroke was first inducted into the Olympics at 1900 Paris Olympics. Those Olympics included a 200 m backstroke race. The backstroke is also usually swum with bent arms underwater.”

And finally, the doggy paddle, which kids learn to do before they actually learn how to swim.  The dog paddle or doggy paddle is a simple swimming style. It is characterized by the swimmer lying on his chest and moving his hands and legs alternately in a manner reminiscent of how dogs and other animals swim.^[1]. It is effectively a “trot” in water, instead of land

As I was researching the strokes of swimming, I found like more strokes that are used but way too many for this article.  If you would like to know more about swimming strokes, please go to wikipedia.org

With all of that being said, let’s go swimming and get all wet. OH and of course let’s go burn some calories and get a lean Physique. Yes, let’s get our Physique-a-licious body on.  LOL

“A year from now you’ll wish you had started today.” - Karen Lamb