Get Out of Your Rut

If you are anything like me, doing the same workout day after day can become excruciating. For some reason during my dance career I could take class everyday and never tire of trying to achieve that elusive perfection that all artists strive for. When I retired from dance I found myself obligated to go to the gym and sweat off those extra pounds. This may come as a surprise, but when you have lived a life of intense activity, the body does not take to a sedentary life well at all. It is almost as if your body has become used to a certain level of activity and needs that intensity to maintain good conditioning.

I tried so many different workouts and none really peaked my interest. I became an expert at Pilates, aerobics, tae-bo, swimming, and every aerobic machine in the gym. I think I had exercise ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). My sister talked to me about the benefits of running and as of now I am still running three times a week at a very intermediate level.

Then like a gift from above I stumbled upon circuit training. It was the perfect package for me. Just enough of core work, strength training and aerobics all combined in an exciting arrangement that never allows a participant to get bored. The flexibility of this type of training is phenomenal. One week I can do squats and lunges and the next week I can switch it up and do dead lifts and mountain climbers. And the calorie burn is great. Most circuit training can burn between 500-600 calories per hour. Now that’s worth an extra cookie. So go ahead and be creative. Exercise should be fun and stimulating. If you are in a rut doing the same old routine every day give circuit training a try. I promise it will be a great journey.

Below is my beginner circuit workout. This circuit should be repeated up to three times a session, but beginners should begin with performing it just once. Any aerobic activity or strength exercise can be replaced with another like exercise. It is the general pattern that is important as it continues to trick the body and the bursts of intensity burn more calories.

Lavinia

Exercise Time
Run/Step 2 Min
Push Ups 1 Min
Run /Step 2 Min
Dips 1 Min
Run/Step 2 Min
Squats 1 Min
Run/ Step 2 Min
Walking Lunge 1 Min
Run/ Step 2 Min
Reverse Lunge 1 Min
Run/Step 2 Min
Crunchs 1 Min
Run/Step 2 Min
Planks 1 Min
Run/ Step 2 Min