Tag: Cardio Kickboxing

This Week: Workouts, Moving is Hard Work & Things I’m Looking Forward To

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Phew. Is it really Monday already? I certainly wasn’t ready to get out of bed to go teach a 6am Muscle Class this morning after all of the moving/heavy lifting/etc. that I did for the past 4 days, but- it’s done, which means I have tonight to do whatever I want 🙂

For those of you who are also moving (or have moved), I’m sure you can relate to how hard it is. Thankfully I’m only on the second floor, but still- that’s a LOT of trips up and down the stairs, often times with a lot of weight in your arms. I wore my heart rate monitor on Thursday night (which is when we did most of the heavy lifting and moving) and I burned 676 calories in 2 hours. Not too bad!

Non-moving workouts were also good this week, and between my workouts on Monday and Tuesday, I was SORE. RM and I also went to the driving range on Tuesday night, so that definitely contributed to some of it.

BSC’s 40th Anniversary- This Wednesday!

I got an email last week that I thought I should share with you! The BSC is celebrating their 40th anniversary and are offering free workouts on THIS WEDNESDAY. You know what that means, right?? You can come to my class on Wednesday at 6:30pm at the Central Square location. Let me know if you’re interested 🙂

Boston Sports Clubs is proving that “good things last,” especially when you’re fit! On September 17th, Boston Sports Clubs is celebrating 40 years strong as a fitness industry leader and opening their doors and offering free workouts to all Bostonians. Already a member? Bring a friend to join you in this special birthday sweat-sesh. During this open house celebration, BSC will be offering members and nonmembers alike free fitness classes and demos, meet & greet with top fitness instructors, giveaways, prizes, and fresh post-workout snacks.

Last Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- I did 15 minutes on the elliptical before doing some random exercises in the UXF Zone. I did 3 sets of 1 pull-ups AND chin-ups. Someday I’ll be able to add on haha I also subbed Cardio Kickboxing at the Watertown BSC. Great crowd!
  • Tuesday- I taught my bootcamp at the Wakefield lake and boy did we work hard! The girls were all feeling like they were so out of shape so I had to remind them that I was huffing and puffing and dripping sweat, too. I’ll post the workout hopefully this week as it was good and didn’t require anything but yourself!
  • Wednesday- I tweaked my knee when I was at the driving range and although it was feeling mostly better by the end of the day, I took it easy at the gym. I just did 22 minutes on the Arc Trainer and a pull up and chin up (they felt easier!) before teaching UXF Burn. I did the low-impact modifications and skipped out on the lunges and squats. Luckily my glutes were already sore so it was nice to have a break. It’s funny because whenever I tone it down or do the low-impact version, there are so many other people who join me… some of which I know are doing it only because I am!
  • Thursday- Rest day from the gym, but walked 20 minutes at lunch (rain set in at that point) and moved all of the big stuff into my new apartment. In 2 hours, I burned almost 700 calories… I had no idea moving was such a good workout!!

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  • Friday- I ran 3.5 miles during lunch- it was a gorgeous- almost cool- day and the miles were easy… can’t beat that! After work, I made another thousand trips up and down the stairs to continue moving stuff.
  • Saturday- I couldn’t sleep on Friday night so I was up before 7 on Saturday, again making multiple trips up and down the stairs. I thought moving in the same building would be easier, but it’s really not because you don’t end up packing things up… you think of something you need and run down to get it. That happened all morning! I also taught kickboxing at the Y- the fall crowds are back! We had a blast.
  • Sunday- A much needed rest day. I did some final trips up and down between the apartments and did a preliminary clean of my old place, but my body was SO TIRED.

This Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- I will have taught my 6am Muscle Work class and probably have done some cardio by the time this post goes up.
  • Tuesday- Teaching my bootcamp! If you’re in the Wakefield/Saugus area and want to join for the next session (starting on 9/23 at 5:30pm and runs for 4 weeks), let me know!
  • Wednesday- Probably some cardio before teaching my 6:30pm UXF Burn class at the Central Square BSC
  • Thursday- I’m on the waitlist for a free yoga class at Exhale Spa, so hopefully I can get in. If not, I’ll figure something else out 🙂
  • Friday- Not sure. I’m heading to Maine after work so I’d like to get something done during the day. Maybe a run or maybe go to the gym.
  • Saturday- I’ll probably go the YMCA near my parents house in the morning… and hopefully do a lot of dancing at the wedding!
  • Sunday- Not sure- it may be a rest day depending on how the rest of the week turned out.

Things I’m Looking Forward To

I’m excited to have the majority of the move behind me! It will be nice to finish unpacking, organizing and generally just getting more settled in. The nice part about moving in the same building is the address change is easy and I don’t have to get used to a new area or a new commute! Hopefully RM and I will have another mid-week date night since we don’t get to spend this weekend together… again… 😦 Lastly, I’m excited to go home for my cousin’s wedding! My sister can’t go, so it will just be my mom and dad and me, but that’s ok- we’ll have a blast I’m sure!

Questions for you: Did you move this year? What’s your least favorite part about moving? What’s your favorite part? What was your best workout last week? What are you looking forward to this week?

Wednesday Workout: My Favorite Kickboxing Combos {Take 2}

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A while ago, I posted some of my favorite kickboxing combos (with videos) and have received a bunch of great feedback, so I thought it was probably time to post a new set of combos! Back when I was teaching 2 kickboxing classes a week, I was coming up with a LOT of combos; some I loved and repeated and others got used once and I realized they just didn’t work how I wanted them to so I didn’t used them again. It’s hard to know what works and what doesn’t when you’re making them up in your head at your desk 😉

Check out my previous post on “how-to’s” for the various basic punches!

Shuffle & Jabs, Up, Up, Down, Down Jabs & Steps, Knees & Burpee

  • Shuffle & Jabs 4 times to the right, then back to the left
  • V-Step forward and back with high and low punches (twice)
  • 2 right knees, 2 left knees
  • Burpee

http://vimeo.com/104861313

For this one, you start with 4 jab and shuffles right and left. I do this a bunch of times for us to get warmed up and ready to add on. From there, you step up with the right foot and punch up with the right arm. Do the same thing with the left and then step back with the right and punch down with the right and again with your left so you’re back where you started. Next, add on 2 knees on the right and 2 on the left. Lastly, add in a burpee, then start from the top!

Alternating Quick Jabs, Squat, Double Jabs, Hops, Burpee & Kick

  • 4 alternating quick jabs, 1 squat
  • 2 double jabs, 4 hops forward and back
  • Burpee, kick right, Burpee, kick left

http://vimeo.com/105595238

(This video is formatted weird… if you press play, then pause, then play again it will show up how it’s supposed to. sorry about that!)

This one starts out pretty basic: alternating jabs, focusing on strong arms and a tight core. From there, you add on a basic squat: 4 jabs, 1 squat. Taking the same theme, you switch to double jabs right and left and then with your guards up, hop forward and back twice. I love this move because I can feel it working my inner thighs a lot! The last part is killer: burpee, front kick right, burpee, front kick left.

Side Facing Quick Jabs, Squat, 4 Alternating Wide Knees, Hooks, Upper Cuts, 2 V-Jumps

  • 4 quick left jabs in a low squat position, 1 squat
  • 4 alternating wide knees
  • 2 hooks, 2 uppers (twice)
  • 2 v-jumps with 2 hops back

http://vimeo.com/104860957

We turn to face the side of the class on this one and start with left quick jabs. I usually do about 3 sets of 8 to start so the shoulder really feels a burn! From there, you do 1 squat. Adding on, you’ll do 4 alternating knees, right hook & left hook and right upper cut & left upper cut- repeat the hooks and uppers once before doing 2 V-jumps forward with 2 hops back.

Jab, Jab, Elbows, Knees, Jump Squats

  • Right & left jabs with jack feet then 2 elbows (twice)
  • 2 right knees, 2 left knees
  • 2 jump squats

http://vimeo.com/104860480

This one is high cardio, so you may want to take it down a level before adding in the jumps. You jump your feet out as you jab with the right, back in as you bring your arms back in and back out as you jab with the left. Then you jump your feet out and bring your elbows back two time: jab, jab, elbows, elbows- do that twice through before you add in 2 right knees, 2 left knees and end with 2 jump squats.

Speed Bag, Shuffles, Knee & Kick, Kick Front & Back, Kick Touch Down

  • Speed bag with shuffle feet (right, left, double right, left, right, double left)
  • Right knee & kick (twice)
  • Right front kick, left back kick (twice)
  • Right front kick & touch down (twice)

http://vimeo.com/104860860

Start this on by just doing the feet shuffles: right, left, double right, left, right, double left. From there, add in the speed bags. After doing it on the right and the left, do a knee & kick on the right and then the left. Then do a right front kick, left back kick (2 times) and then right kick & touch down (2 times). So it looks like this: Speed bag & shuffle right, then left, knee kick right then left, front right kick back left kick (twice), right kick and touch down (twice).

For all of these combos, you’re going to want to do them on the left lead, too, so that you’re training both sides evenly. Also, I realize I messed up in a few videos (didn’t repeat things enough), so pardon me for that! I was too far in to re-film them as  my sister was losing her patience for helping me 🙂

So, there you have it! I hope you like these and are able to incorporate some of the combos in classes you teach or if you’re working out at home! Everything I do with a right lead gets repeated in the second half of class with a left lead. I usually do 3 combo sets with the right lead and the same 3 with the left lead- I hate being uneven!

Edited to add: I recently posted my 3rd post of kickboxing combos which can be found here.

Questions for you: What’s a kickboxing combo you like?

This Week: Workouts, Preparing To Move & Things I’m Looking Forward To

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Good morning! Happy Monday! Although I love getting my workout in early on a Monday morning, I was thankful for the extra sleep this morning. After an incredible weekend celebrating Sheila and Bryan, to say I’m still recovering is an understatement. I can’t wait to recap the day, but until then, let’s get back on track this week!

I had planned on taking this week off from the gym, but between subbing, teaching and moving, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. Hopefully it will soon. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it on here before, but I’m moving upstairs to the second floor apartment in my building this weekend! I’m SO excited to be out of the “garden level” unit (aka, basement). It’s a 2 bedroom and my sister is going to move in with me for a few months until she and her friend get a place of their own. While I love living alone, it will be nice to have her live with me for a bit (plus, the help with rent is never a bad thing 😉 ). So, it’s an exciting week, but moves- even just upstairs- are never easy, so it will definitely be a long and tiring few weeks getting settled in!

Last Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- I was home in Maine and ran 3 miles before doing the Shapleigh Corner Circuit.
  • Tuesday- I taught my second week of my outdoor bootcamp. It was SO humid… I literally looked like I had just gotten out of hot yoga!

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  • Wednesday- I ran 3 miles before teaching UXF Burn. It was a fun class!

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  • Thursday- After work I ran 4 miles and did some strength stuff in the outdoor gym at Piers Park. I did a full, unassisted pull-up! woohoo!

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  • Friday- I wasn’t feeling great, but knew I needed to get some fresh air so I walked a brisk 2 miles and did feel better! After, I did 25 reps of a bunch of different strength exercises before hitting the road to go to the Cape.
  • Saturday- I got up and ran 4 miles before the wedding festivities started. It was super overcast, super humid and misting a little… it was not very pleasant, but I did it! I also danced my butt off… literally! I haven’t danced that much in a LONG time. It was awesome!

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  • Sunday- Nothing. I hadn’t rested all week and my body was just sore and tired!

This Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- I’m subbing the 6:30 Cardio Kickboxing class at the Watertown BSC!
  • Tuesday- I’m teaching my bootcamp at 5:15.
  • Wednesday- I’ll do some cardio before teaching UXF Burn at 6:30. There’s a chance I may not teach, but it’s a very small chance. I’ll update my Facebook page when I figure it out!
  • Thursday- I’m taking the day off from the gym to move the bulk of my heavy stuff into my new place. RM is going away this weekend for a golf tournament on the Cape and therefore won’t be able to help over the weekend so I want to get the big stuff moved beforehand.
  • Friday- Not sure- I may go running or to the gym during my lunch break. I have to help my sister move her stuff that night so I don’t want to do anything TOO strenuous.
  • Saturday- I’ll be teaching the 10am Cardio Kickboxing class at the Oak Square YMCA. Hope the crowds are bigger now that summer is technically over.
  • Sunday- I’m not sure! Maybe a walk or jog with my sister?

Things I’m Looking Forward To

I think this week will definitely be stressful, but hopefully it goes smooth and we get settled quickly! I’m excited to see my parents again and have their help- my mom has always been the person who has made my bed when I move and has set up my kitchen, so it wouldn’t be the same if she wasn’t here to do that this time! RM asked if I wanted to go to the driving range at Granite Links, so if I get a sub on Wednesday it will be fun to do that with him!

Questions for you: What was the best workout you had last week? Did you try anything new? What are you looking forward to this week? What’s a tip you have for a smooth move?

This Week: Workouts, Short Week & Things I’m Looking Forward To

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Hi there! I hope you all had a great weekend… a great long weekend for those of you who had yesterday off! I spent it in Maine and it was just what I needed after a big week of teaching. The past couple of weeks/month have been much lighter on the workout front- both in length and in teaching. And you know what? I’m ok with that! It was a hard adjustment to make- that whole slowing down thing is really hard for me- but after having a week where I taught 6 classes in 5 days, I’m reminded of just how physically and mentally demanding that type of schedule is. It’d be one thing if I didn’t have a full time job, but after an 8+ hour work day, teaching that many classes, for me, at this time, is just too much. I’m sure last week won’t be my last week of a big teaching schedule because I love subbing and sometimes it just works out like that, but it’s a good reminder that I made the right decision by dropping some classes!

I only have 3 “real” days this week since I had yesterday off and am taking Friday off for Sheila’s wedding, which normally is a good thing, but this week I feel like I have so much to cram in in such a short amount of time! I’m moving next weekend and have done zero packing- whoops! Oh well. It will all get done, and the beauty is that I’m just moving up to the second floor so I can move things up in small shifts! I think I’m going to take a break from working out next week (besides my teaching) so that I have ample time to move throughout the week.

But, let’s get to the workouts!

Last Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- I taught my 6am Muscle Work class and then ran for 10 minutes on the treadmill. RM and I went for a walk later that evening, too.
  • Tuesday- I taught my first outdoor bootcamp in Wakefield! We had so much fun… or at least I had a lot of fun. There were 3 ladies and they rocked it- I can’t wait to throw new things at them this week!

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  • Wednesday– I ran 20 minutes before teaching, and doing, my UXF Burn class at Central Square. With the 90* temps, it was not the most enjoyable run, but I went out without my Garmin or Map My Run and just went for time. It was nice to not do anything but run! In class, I threw in some new core moves that I made up and was happy to see that they left me a little sore!

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  • Thursday- I subbed my old SHRED and Cardio Kickboxing classes at the Central Square BSC. I’d heard bad things about the guy who took over my classes (I’ve taken one of his classes and thought he was a total jerk, so I can’t say I’m surprised), and was sad to see that there were only 5 people for SHRED and 6 for Kickboxing. I hate hearing that the numbers have dropped so much 😦

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  • Friday- I rested besides a little walk to run errands.
  • Saturday- I taught my Saturday kickboxing class at the Oak Square YMCA. I was afraid it was going to be a very small class, but there ended up being about 20 people- not bad for Labor Day Weekend!

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  • Sunday- Another rest day, besides filming another set of cardio kickboxing videos– can’t wait to post them for you!

This Weeks Workouts

  • Monday- Yesterday we all were up early so I headed out for a 3 mile jog and finished up with a short strength circuit and some core work with my mom!
  • Tuesday- I’m teaching my outdoor bootcamp again- can’t wait!
  • Wednesday- I’m teaching UXF Burn at 6:30 at Central Square and will probably do some cardio beforehand.
  • Thursday- I’m not sure! Maybe a class at PUMPS, maybe kickboxing at Wellington, maybe my own workout?
  • Friday- I’ll workout before I head to the Cape in the morning. Probably kickboxing if I don’t do that on Thursday night. Or a running bootcamp workout.
  • Saturday- I would love to do something before Sheila’s wedding. She doesn’t think she will have time to join, but maybe some of my other friends will?
  • Sunday- Probably a rest day after the wedding festivities 😉

Things I’m Looking Forward To

I am SO excited for Sheila’s wedding!! Sheila is one of the funniest and fun people I know and I am positive her wedding will be nothing less than an absolute blast. And, when all my SMC girls get together, it’s never a bad thing! I’m also excited to see the boyfriend… we haven’t seen each other since last Tuesday, which is a really long time for us. I missed him!

Questions for you: What was the best workout you had last week? Did you have Monday off?

This Week: Workouts, gearing up for lots of teaching & things I’m looking forward to

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Hi there! Can you believe this is the last week in August?? I seriously have no idea where the summer went, but to be honest, although I’m not ready for summer to be officially over, to have cooler weather and to lose some daylight hours, I am ready for fall. A slower schedule (hopefully), apple picking, pumpkin everything… you get the idea 🙂

I posted on Facebook last week that it was all about changing up workouts for me last week.

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When I was teaching a million classes a week, it was hard for me to try new things or change up what I was doing because I was on a tight schedule. However, now that I’ve lightened up my teaching schedule, I’m able to jump around and try new things. It didn’t hurt that I had 2 free classes at Exhale Spa before the end of the month 😉

My workouts, in addition to being different than usual, ended up being less intense, which came at a perfect time. Last week I was going through some stomach issues and a weird blurry eye/headache/sinus pressure thing, which made it really hard to workout (makes me so tired!). I’ve gotten them before, but never 3 in one week. Something weird is going on… hopefully it doesn’t happen this week because I’ve got a big week of teaching. RM is out of town so I took advantage of some subbing opportunities- never bad to make a little extra $$ 😉

Last Week’s Workouts

My workouts last week were on the lighter side, which is ok. It’s good to give your body a little break from the high intensity/impact workouts sometimes. I did a LOT of walking- both at lunch and after work since I went to 2 classes in the city, so that was a nice change of pace.

  • Monday- I still had a stomach ache when I woke up and was nervous about teaching my 6am class, but surprisingly enough, as soon as I started moving, I didn’t notice my stomach ache! There was just one girl in class but we had a killer workout!
  • Tuesday- I went to Exhale Spa for a Core Fusion Cardio class. I usually go to classes where Chrissy Snyder is teaching (because she’s amazing!), but she wasn’t teaching on Tuesday and that’s when I wanted to go so I went to a different instructor. She was good, but it wasn’t nearly as hard as Chrissy’s classes. Oh well!
  • Wednesday- My blurry eye thing was bad in the afternoon so I opted to go for a walk instead of run. I walked 20 minutes at lunch and power walked another 20 before teaching. I did about 50% of the class with my UXF Burn group- I hadn’t planned on doing any, but when I get in there and feel their energy, I can’t help myself!
  • Thursday- I walked 20 minutes at lunch and then went to Chrissy’s Core Fusion Yoga class at Exhale Spa after work. It was a great class- low impact but it had me shaking! Every time I go to yoga I’m reminded why I love it so much and why I should do it more often. Does it happen? not usually. sigh. haha

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  • Friday- I went to a Barry’s Bootcamp workout on the roof deck at the Revere Hotel. I thought it was a good workout, but it wasn’t as hard as I was thinking/hoping it would be! Still learned some good moves and got to workout with these beauties so I can’t complain!

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  • Saturday– Nothing 🙂 We walked the Marginal Way in Ogunquit but besides that, nothing.
  • Sunday– ANOTHER rest day! I don’t remember the last time I took 2 rest days in a row… it was actually nice. I’m teaching a lot this week so I figured it was best to rest. RM and I went on a 2 mile walk in the morning which was a nice way to wake up!

This Week’s Workouts

This is a big week of teaching and workouts for me! It’s funny how things tend to all happen at once- subbing, starting a new class, etc. That’s ok, though- having a big workout schedule before a long weekend is never a bad thing 😉

  • Monday- I’m subbing the 6am Muscle Work class and will do some cardio after.
  • Tuesday- My friend Christy’s sister-in-law, Kerri, asked if I was up for leading a bootcamp for her and her friends. Umm, yes! of course I was up for that! Tuesday is our first session and I am excited!
  • Wednesday- Probably some light cardio before teaching UXF Burn.
  • Thursday- I’m subbing my old double! SHRED and Cardio Kickboxing- I’m so excited!!!
  • Friday- Rest day 🙂
  • Saturday- Teaching Cardio Kickboxing at the Oak Square YMCA before heading to Maine for the long weekend.
  • Sunday- Not sure- maybe a walk with my mom and/or sister? maybe a bootcamp with them? maybe rest?

Things I’m Looking Forward To

I am most excited about heading home to Maine this weekend for more than a 24 hour period. My sister is also going home, so it will be fun to just have the 4 of us since that hasn’t happened in-gosh- months and months! I foresee lots of laughs, lots of good food and lots of wine and I CAN.NOT.WAIT! I’m also excited for the first bootcamp session and going back to my Thursday night double 🙂

Questions for you: What was the best workout you had last week? Did you try anything new? What are you looking forward to this week? Has your summer gone by fast?