Girly: new workouts

I’ve wanted to write this post for a while but there was always something more interesting to post, until now. This weekend has been low key…. a lot of sleeping (~11 hrs a day), watched The Lincoln Lawyer (which was entertaining) and walking around.

Knee issues update: I’ve done a x-ray and a MRI, both came out normal except that my right knee bone is slightly toward right although still in the normal range (but the pain has always been on the left knee, so I need to see a Orthopedic to figure out). However, I’ve been running outdoor again, twice to be exact. The first time I did 35 min and the second time 40 min. No pain!!! 😯 I don’t know what I did for this magic to happen, maybe the new workouts (below) that I’ve been doing? I dunno, whatever it is, it’s working!!! 😆

Actually I wouldn’t classify running as workout because I love it so much, just for the sake of doing it! I’d say it’s a hobby or even a luxury to be able to do it! Now that the weather is so nice, I feel the urge to run outside.

Pilates Mat: I started doing this a month ago because I found yoga boring lately (sorry!) and not challenging. During the 60 min long class, I’d find myself checking out the clock constantly and couldn’t focus on what the instructor is saying. That’s a sign of time to take a break!

I’ve never thought I’d be a pilates girl. Although I’ve heard that models do pilates and it makes wonders to your body. Well…. I kind of understand why they do and say so. Pilates is challenging! The above pic is the hundred exercise, the warm up exercise and it’s killing! I’ve always had strong core but pilates takes it to another level! 40 out of the 60 min class you’ll be doing core work, not crunches, but real core work, no easy exercise, all tough core work!!! I feel my core is already more defined in just few weeks. The remaining 20 min of the class will be dedicated to butt, legs and hips. I think it was the hip work in pilates that helped me to run pain-free. A sport doctor once told me that I need to develop my hip muscles in order to run in form, otherwise I’d make my knees overwork.

Pilates Reformer: The resistance created by the pulley and spring system can provide a more challenging strength and endurance workout than mat classes. It may also produce visible results sooner — arm, leg and abdominal muscles can look more firm and defined within a dozen or so regular sessions.

I got 3 free sessions, tried it once and two more to go. It’s definitely more challenging than mat pilates and also the instructor pays more attention to you (~3 persons at one time)

Trady Anderson Mat workout: I bought this mat workout and the cardio dance because I thought I was going to Argentina, so I needed alternatives to the gym. I first heard it in Karen’s blog. She wrote about it here.

Her method for transforming the body is based on targeting the accessory muscles (the small muscle groups). Strengthening the accessory muscles help to create a tight knit group of small muscles that actually pull in the larger muscle groups. Tracy has also found that muscles become bored quickly. To fight this, she always keeps the muscles guessing by routinely changing up the types of exercises and programs each client does. This results in a lean figure without the extra bulk – which gives women a tiny dancer body and men a skinny ripped body.

After reading many reviews (people either love it or hate it) I decided to give it a try. I have a small frame. Although I don’t like bulky muscles, I do like defined arms and shoulders. I’ve done it twice and I like it a lot! The arm work is really really challenging!!! It involves a lot of rotational movements and almost none weights. I could definitely feel my muscles working! The core segment is pretty easy, she said she doesn’t like the six-pack and her core is not as defined as I want, so I can understand that she doesn’t focus on the core. The leg segment is also challenging and interesting. Again,  many rotational exercises to work the accessory muscles (a new concept!)

I wouldn’t recommend it for a beginner, but for someone who is fit and has done conventional workouts for years, it worths a try. 🙂 I’ll report the result in few keeps! 😉 I haven’t tried the cardio dance workout yet. I’ll keep you posted it.

Q: Have you tried a new workout lately?