Most of us, by the time we are in our forties (some even earlier), have discovered that losing weight or even maintaining our ideal weight can be more difficult than when we were younger! Metabolism starts to slow, exercise routines become routine, and even our attitudes need revamping as we age. In other words, most of us understand the meaning of hitting a plateau when it comes to our weight. However, knowing what to do when this happens can be confusing. There are lots of diets out there claiming to be the answer as well as plenty of promising new exercise programs designed to recharge our system. It’s hard to know where to turn. [Read more…]
Part 4 of 4; Comparing Some Trends in Fitness…A Final Analysis
June 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Time to weigh in on some of the newer trends in fitness.
I recently wrote about some of the newer trends in fitness – P90X, CrossFit, and Pure Barre, and have come up with my own opinion in a kind of “final analysis” blog post. For the sake of simplicity, I have looked at each kind of exercise in terms of four things: how easy and convenient it is to use and keep using, how thorough a workout it is (all-body), how costly it is, and how effective it is (physical results). While some of these things are harder to measure than others, I believe that my own experiences with them, coupled with my conversations with many others who use them, have given me insight so that I can come up with a fair analysis. For each category, I will look at the various types of exercise, and then rate them 1-3 (1 being the lowest and a 3 being the highest). [Read more…]
Part 3 of 4: Comparing Some Trends in Fitness: Pure Barre!
June 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Seat work at a Pure Barre class. Believe me, it's harder than it looks!
For the third part in my series on trends in fitness, I take a look at Pure Barre for a totally different kind of workout. I first tried Pure Barre about a year ago and immediately knew it was not like just another group exercise class. I can’t really say I enjoyed it (until later). Actually, that first class was like an introduction to a foreign language…all I could really do was observe and attempt to imitate the instructor’s moves…they were unlike any kind of fitness exercises I had ever done. Although I would never describe myself as a graceful person, I have always been intrigued by dancers…the way they carry themselves with poise, and the way their posture seems to reveal a kind of femininity and grace. Maybe that is what drew me to Pure Barre…I was hoping to get some of that poise and grace!!! [Read more…]
Part 2 of 4: Comparing Some Trends in Fitness; CrossFit!
May 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Cory...the instructor at my first ever Cross Fit class...and yes, he is suspended in mid-air!
“Does your workout make you nervous?…It should.” -CrossFit Quote
Continuing my series about trends in fitness, I write today about CrossFit. As an athlete, I am intrigued by CrossFit because I can immediately see the challenge it poses. [Read more…]
Part 1 of 4…Comparing Some Trends in Fitness; P90X!
May 17, 2012 by 4 Comments
Tony Horton P90X
Trends are not only for fashion…we see them in the world of fitness as well. Some fade, like stirrup pants and shoulder pads, and others stand the test of time. While I believe that when it comes to fitness, there is more than one way to skin the cat, most of the workouts that are currently popular share a few of the same characteristics.
I have always been curious about which kinds of workouts are the most effective and why people choose them. P90X, Cross Fit, and Pure Barre, are three currently popular “trends” in fitness routines. While they are actually very different types of workouts, they share a common purpose…fitness that is effective and brings about a change in the body. When I talk to people who do one of these types of exercise programs, I hear many of the same things…they do them because they “see results“. [Read more…]
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