Pilates Cross-Trainers: DECEMBER

[txhsmom]

Friday's workout was the "advanced" workout in Cathe's 3 DVD set that came with the Fit Tower:

Cathe - Fit Tower - Lean & Mean - 35 minutes

Although a true Cathelete would not call it advanced, it was clearly more difficult than the other two workouts that came with the Fit Tower. I don't think I've done it very many times before - maybe once or twice.

For next morning, I've cobbled together a rotation of the three basic Fit Tower workouts, some Chris Freytag walks, a few of the LITE workouts and one or two of the ICE workouts. We'll see how long I stick with it.

Linda - thanks for the pullup progression info. I guess I'm a dummy - I was thinking that pullups primarily worked the arms (depending on the grip) and not the back. Duh! I can certainly inplement some of those exercises while Cathe and crew are doing pullups on the Tower.

Christine - nice stretch! And yes, bigger is not always better.

Donna - Lots of time before DD has to make her college decision. You never know.


Waves to all ~

Carol

[Usia]

Good morning!

Checking in with:

GHUTV Walk & Tone 2 Mile Endurance Walk - 30m
ePilates Fast Toning Class - 28m

Great combo, but I may not complete the entire GHUTV Walk, Sweat & Sculpt calendar. I think that maybe 2 weeks will be enough and I'll move on to another calendar. Walking workouts are just that, one foot in front of the other but this lack of "real" music in these videos is just not inspiring. I'm getting bored.

However, I'm very happy to say that I pretty much did every single class scheduled for December on ePilates calendar! I've never been so consistent with anything before. I feel great, have no aches and pains and my lower back feels great. Not only I have no dread with ePilates, I actually look forward every day to work out with Emma.

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

[furmomof6]

I planned on going for a walk today, but when I got to the park with my dog, there was no leash in the car! DH had taken it out when he cleaned the car out and forgot to put it back in. So, I ran errands instead but my dog enjoyed the ride. It's nice here today, in the 50's, so she got to hang her head out the window.

Dana, thanks for your review of the walking program. Good for you for being consistent! I have to do more Pilates. While I have enjoyed the cross-training, there's nothing like consistent Pilates to keep my aches and pains away.

Donna, now I'm thinking for the new year I'd like to alternate the Shaped by Faith Pilates workouts with some reformer workouts. I may also try water aerobics again. I'm not sure I'll follow Michelle's workouts, but I'm looking forward to the spiritual aspect of the challenge. I really wish Theresa made more Pilates workouts. Hopefully in the future.

Carol, I remember learning so much more when I had a tutor after school for math. I was always so bad at it, but the one on one attention really helped things click for me, although it's still not my strong suit.

Linda, stretching feels so good, like a nice massage!!

[cherimac]

I missed you guys! My dog got really sick on Christmas (throwing up a lot) and still isn't completely back to normal. But he's on medication and improving. And, as of 6:30 today, I'm on vacation until January 6. So I will be able to post some, I hope. I am going to visit my inlaws and my son and daughter in law are coming for a visit.

Hope you all had a good Christmas.

[txhsmom]

Saturday's workout was

Cathe - LITE - Body Weight and Bands - 43 minutes

This was a tough workout for me. It would be a great travel workout as the only props needed are really a loop band and a flat band (and perhaps a mat at the very end). Cathe also uses resistance tubing, but I think you could use the flat band here as well. It was clear that I needed to use my lighter resistance band, because Cathe killed me with these exercises.

Cheri - Hope your doggy is feeling better! Enjoy your well-deserved vacation and your family.

Christine - Yes, pilates does make things feel better. I need to get back to adding on the shorter Pilates Nest workouts in the evening before bed. I really have no excuse, except I'm lazy. I wouldn't trust either of my dogs off leash ever. I see people that do and I'm amazed. Of course they aren't terriers. Seeing a terrier off leash that actually minds and stays close to their owner would be truly amazing. I call my two "terrierists".

Dana - I'm going to incorporate one or two of the walking workouts a week with my Cathe rotation next month. the crappy music doesn't bother me too much, although not having music with a barre workout the other day really did bother me. How long are Emma's workouts, generally?


Carol

[fanofladyvols]

Yesterday was Hilliard studio Total body workout ( red pants.) I wanted a full body no impact. I got that. I also hoped I would enjoy it...I didn't. I won't use this as a full body workout again. I also won't use the upper body again period. Not only did it move too fast, it also
had too many reps. The standing leg portion had too many reps but the pace was better.

I will use the floor work for butt and abs. They will be excellent add-ons to a strength or circuit workout and saved me from pitching the DVD. The abs used my B3 ball so that may be why I liked it as well

I have decided I just may not like barre workouts. I love ballet workouts...just not the excessive Barre rep style.

Christine is Slim in 6 or the Slim series like a Barre workout? Gosh I hope not. I had collected these in the hopes of doing a rotation with them but will not if so.

Carol I have a love hate relationship with bands. They are deceptively tough.

Cheri you survived! I'm sorry to hear about your dog but glad he seems to be on the mend.

Donna I like your exercise plan of splitting your workouts out. You'll keep your body revved all day!

Dana was yesterday your birthday? If so, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELATEDLY!!

Hope all is well with you Cheryl and Brenda!

[Usia]

Hi everyone!

I have nothing to check in with yet. I have some running around to do this morning but may fit something in later.

Carol, Emma's calendar calls for 5 classes per week. There is usually one 30 min (although this week there was a 40min class instead), three 18-25min long and one stretching class that's 10-15min. Most classes that I've done this month were full-body regardless of length. Emma doesn't rep you to death and her classes are efficient and mostly touch on all body parts. I like her personality and can totally relate to her and her style.

Linda, thank you for birthday wishes! Yes indeed, yesterday was my birthday!

I may or may not check in tomorrow. My DH has his regular appointment in the morning and I may not have the time to workout in the morning like I usually do.

Waves to all!

[furmomof6]

Hello,

Rest day for me!

Dana, happy belated birthday!

Linda, no they're not barre workouts but more traditional strength training/endurance. The SI6 workouts basically include non-weighted squats, plie squats, lunges, standing abs, then upper body with a band and floor work (floor legs, push-ups & abs), and stretching. The Slim Series also includes a variation of those traditional moves, but they each have their own focus. Some do compound moves with upper/lower together, others alternate lower then upper, etc. I hope that helps!

Cheri, I'm so sorry to hear about Tucker!! I'm glad he's getting better. Enjoy your well deserved time off with the family.

Waves, everyone!

[txhsmom]

Today's workouts:

Pilates Nest - Joint Gentle Classical Pilates Workout - 30 minutes;
Cathe - PHA 3: Extended Lying Stretch - 10 minutes

One of my favorite workouts from Smriti - it really does feel good on my neck and back. And I loved the Extended Lying Stretch bonus from Cathe's new Step Boss set. This is the stretch bonus I was hoping would be in the LITE series, but those are yoga based and not my favorite.

Linda - I would add that the Slim in Six workouts and Slim Series workouts are extremely high rep, so in that sense they are similar to barre workouts. I had good results with them back in the day, but I think they would probably injure me now. I've always wanted to love the Hilliard Studio workouts, but it's just not happened for me.

Dana - Thanks for the information about Emma's calendar. And happy belated birthday!

Christine, Donna, Cheri & Cheryl - waves!

Carol

[Usia]

Good morning!

Woke up extra early this morning and had time to work out before I have to be out of the house for DH appointment.

Leslie's 3 Miracle Miles - 45m
ePilates Stretch Class 1 Ubud Bali - 15m

I needed a break from GHUTV walks today and Leslie fit the bill. I absolutely loved Emma's stretch class I did this morning. Filmed outside early in the morning with tropical palm trees behind and birds chirping in the background. Workout was efficient and felt great!

Waves to all!