Bring-a-friend-to-the-gym Day

My fitness club ran a promotion to get new members by offering a "Member Appreciation Day," allowing members to bring guests free of charge.

Hubby and I worked out a lot together this weekend.  We ran on Friday and went to our usual Power Vinyasa on Saturday.  With the cold weather finally breaking, Hubby's been spending a lot of time out on the trails but recently began to experience shin splints.  Hubby was an all-star track runner in high-school, passing up college scholarships to focus on his career.  His family even dubbed him the Fitness-Freak so even if shin splints slowed him down, he needed to get a solid workout that spared his legs.  I decided this was an excellent opportunity to bring Hubby to where all the magic happens for me.

We paired up at the elliptical machines and did a cardio session for 45 minutes.  He enjoyed UFC fighting on his tv while I watched FoodNetwork.  Then we hit the abs hard:

Abs & Arms routine for me and Hubby

Full body V sit-up:  20 reps
Push-ups (modified for me): 20 reps
Bicycle crunch: 20 reps
BOSU Balance Push-ups: for me 15 reps / Perfect Push-ups: for Hubby 20 reps
Full body V sit-up: 20 reps
Leg throw downs: for me 20 reps / Hubby skipped this
Squats with 10 lb. kettle ball: for me 20 reps / BOSU Balance Push-ups: for Hubby 20 reps
Kettle ball shoulder lifts: for me 20 reps


This workout totally kicked our butts and we'll probably sleep soundly tonight.  I can already feel my shoulders are going to be a little sore tomorrow but it was totally worth it!

Cardio, Abs, & Legs 3-24-2010

I used today's workout to get some real focus on my Abs, but I always have some element of cardio to keep my workout more dynamic.  Considering the amount of legwork I did during cardio, I laid off the weights.

35 minutes, intervals: elliptical
10 minutes, walk/run treadmill

Abs:
20 straight crunches
20 punch sit-ups (in the up position, "shadow box", punching right cross then left cross and return to the reclined position)
20 twists with 10lb weight (in the up position, hold the weight at chest level with your elbows pointed outward.  Twist the upper body to the left and touch the weight to the ground, twist to return to center.  Repeat this same movement to the right and return to the center.)
20 oblique crunches with 10lb weight
2 minutes of slow leg drops (on your back, legs extended into the air creating a 90 degree angle, slowly lower your legs until you are an inch from the ground, and bring your legs back up to the perpendicular position and repeat for 2 minutes)

Core:
1 minute - Plank
2 minutes - Side Plank (1 minute on each side)
2 minutes - Leg/Arm balance (from a table position, extend and lift the right leg to create an even plane with your spine.  Balancing and using your core, left your left arm straight out infront of your body.  From a side view, your limbs should create a table inline with your spine.  Repeat on the other side.)

Legs:
1 minute Squats with 10 lb. weight (perform squat, upon returning to standing, press the weight above your head.  Slowly lower and return to squat)
20 reps Jane Fondas (from table position, kick your heel straight up above your hip squeezing your gluts to focus energy)