One of my favorite things about summer (besides having more free time since school is out) is that bootcamps seem to start popping up, and everyone is in full on workout mode due to the realization that it's not appropriate to wear hoodies and long pants on the beach all day. Everyone is looking to get toned, in shape, and in essence, that bikini-ready body!
Luckily, I don't have to give up TRX during the summer for a less exciting workout. During the summer, TRX hits the pavement ( or track in this case) and becomes an outside bootcamp at Newnan High School! I haven't been fortunate enough to be able to enjoy it this summer since I had a baby recently, but I loved it last summer!
Bootcamp begins with a warm up on the track. I would always run a mile and then stop and walk. I liked knowing I at least had a mile in before we started anything else. Once it was time for bootcamp to begin, it was a free for all. We were at the mercy of Sandra Holt, and you better believe she will push you and make you challenge yourself.
There were TRX handles attached to the stadium for some TRX training (which we did plenty of!) We also got the privilege of running up the home side bleachers all the way to the crows nest and back down. If you're looking for a challenge, running to the crow's nest is a challenge! I run a lot, and I had to stop a few times, because it really takes it out of you! We did a lot of partner work as well. I've seen on The Biggest Loser where Bob or Jillian would hold a giant looking rubber band with the victim trainee in the middle, and as the trainee runs, they would pull back on the band and add resistance. I always thought it didn't look very hard. I WAS WRONG! It is extremely hard! Having someone trying to pull you backwards while you are running forward at full speed is no hard!
Amidst the crows nest fun and the partner workouts, we would also do circuit training. For instance, one group would do ab work on yoga mats on the grass while the other group does TRX or something else.
I've really missed it this summer, because it was such a great workout, and everyone really tries to keep the mood upbeat and positive. We would sing songs as we're running to the crows nest and make jokes to keep the mood light, anything we could do to get our mind off of our bodies telling us to stop. You really bond with people when you're sweatin' it out and pushing your body to its limits right next them. I cannot wait to be back out there next summer sweating, singing, and keepin' it positive!
Get out and Sweat and push your body before the day is over!
One of the hardest things about being a runner is working
around Mother Nature.In the summer, I
have to get a run in when it isn’t too hot.This means, I have to get up and be running while the sun comes up.Obviously, this isn’t the ideal running situation,
but there is something extremely relaxing and peaceful about getting to watch
the sunrise as you run.It is truly
breathtaking!Unfortunately, it’s not
always easy to get out and get running at a certain time when you have a 2
month old.He pretty much dictates my
running schedule.Let’s face it, he
dictates the schedule for my entire life.
Another problem with only running is, believe it or not, the
monotony of always running at a certain time, on the same course, and in the
same place can make it start to get boring.Don’t get me wrong, I love running, and I wouldn’t give up running for
anything in the world.However, it is
important to vary your workouts.I found
the best way to do this was to find another type of workout to do in conjunction
with my running.I did classes at the
gym for awhile, and that was working out great.I had a schedule and a routine, and I was fine with all of that, but
like most gyms, the classes were released on a certain schedule.Meaning, once a new workout was released, we
would do it repeatedly, every class, for at least a month.This also became boring, so I began a search
for something that would allow me everything I loved about working out without
all the monotony of repetition.
Mother’s Day 2013 I found the answer I was looking for.I love getting people cool and interesting
gifts.I spend weeks and even months
planning the perfect gift for someone based on what I’ve observed them liking,
heard them say they like, fits their personality, etc.I was searching for the perfect gift for my
mom.She’s one of those people who wants
to be in shape, but doesn’t always put forth all the effort it takes to get
there.She will get on a good schedule
of working out for about a week or two and then stop when, supposedly, an
injury flares up.I was tired of hearing
her excuses about why she couldn’t make it to the gym for even 30 minutes to
make it onto the treadmill.I needed
some way to motivate her to workout where it wouldn’t be as easy to quit.I finally realized she needed a personal
trainer.She had to be accountable to
someone who wouldn’t take the excuses and just let her quit.Thus began my search for a local personal trainer.
You might wonder how one goes about finding a personal
trainer.I simply posted on Facebook
that I was looking for one, and asked if anyone knew of one.Almost instantly a friend responded with the
name of a trainer she used.This trainer
owned a studio, Synergy Fitness (http://synergyfitness.biz/), and taught
something called TRX.I had never heard
of it before, but it was worth a shot.I
called the trainer, Sandra Holt, and we arranged the purchase of the gift.My brother and I surprised my mom with it on
Mother’s Day, and she started going.
I was curious about this TRX I had never heard of.I was intrigued there’s a workout I haven’t
done that could be exciting and new.I
listened to my mom describe her experience to me.I decided I had to go and try a class.From the first class, I was hooked.It was unlike anything I had ever done
before. TRX uses handles suspended from
the ceiling.You aren’t lifting
weights.All the weight you’re lifting
and maneuvering is your own body weight!
Thus began my love affair with TRX.I’ve loved all the ways I’ve seen myself grow
stronger and how lean my body has gotten.I also love having a personal trainer, because she makes sure to mix up
the workouts.I’ve been going for over a
year, and I’ve never done the same workout twice.She combines TRX with circuit training.We do some TRX and mix in some circuits of
pilates, cardio, yoga, etc.When it’s
nice outside, we will even venture outside to run and do some workouts out
there.
TRX has been one of the best things that has happened to me
on my fitness journey.I hope you have
something you love as much as I’ve come to love TRX.I would encourage you to always keep pursuing
new ways to challenge your body and push yourself.Your body is capable of much more than you
think ( childbirth is proof of this, but that’s a post for another time).Please find what makes you happy, and stick
with it!No, your body isn’t going to
transform overnight, and no, you won’t become strong overnight, but the more
you stick with it and push yourself, the more of a change you will see on the
inside and out.
