Wednesday Workout: Across the Floor Workout

Last week, I taught a SHRED workout that required a lot of movement. Well, duh, you’re probably saying. Don’t all workouts require movement? Yes, I guess they do. But in Thursday’s class, the movement was moving from one side of the room to the other. I used to do these types of workouts at the Allston BSC since the group ex space was on a basket ball court and therefore there was so much room and it worked out great, but I hadn’t done one in a long time so I figured it was time to bring it back! The Central Square studio isn’t as big, but if you go there and back twice, it’s basically the same thing 😉

It’s funny, because as I was making up my workout, I realized a lot of the exercises/moves I wanted to do were “animal” moves: crab walk, alligator crawl, inch-worm push-ups, bunny hops… you get the idea. My friend Athena and I had a convo a while ago about all the different animal moves she could do in her class (Train Like an Animal is the workout she came up with) and while I didn’t do all of the same moves, I did include a lot of them because they work perfect for across the floor workouts.

Across the Floor Workout

So, what you do in this workout is you start with the weighted lunge and lift going across the room and back, then do you do the cardio. Then you do that set once again before moving on to the inch worms. Here are some notes/comments on the moves and how they were performed:

  • Walking Lunge & Lift– add weights for a more advanced version!
  • Inch Worm Push-Up– do 2 push-ups at the end instead of just 1 like shown in the video.
  • Squat & Bicep Curl- If you’re starting on the left side of the room, you’ll step your right foot out, squat, step your left foot over to meet the right. Then do a bicep curl. So it’s step, squat, step, curl. Moving from the left side of the room to the right, and then back
  • Alligator Crawl- If your on a wood floor, put your feet on a towel or Gliders (if you have them) and get into a plank position. From there, walk your hands forward so that you are pulling your legs behind you. This is KILLER for your upper body/lats/shoulders. Wowzers we were all dying.
  • Bunny hops- these are just little jump squats that you do in a forward direction. Want to make it harder? Hold a weight overhead.
  • Plank w/weight push- Get into a plank position with a weight between your hands on the floor. Use one hand to push the weight forward and then walk in that plank position to the weight. Repeat. On the way back, you’re going to walk backwards in the plank position and this time you’ll push the weight under your body towards your feet. Try to keep your butt down during this- it has a tendency to want to lift up 😉
  • Frogger Burpees– instead of turning around to jump back to your spot, keep moving in one direction until you get to the other side of the room.

Phew! I think that’s it! If I didn’t explain something clearly, don’t hesitate to ask me for a better explanation. I should’ve taken a video of myself doing these, but it’s hard since I don’t have a lot of room in my apartment.

This workout left me really sore- I hope it does the same for you!

Questions for you: What’s your favorite workout format? Stations? Across the floor? Circular circuits? Any of these moves new to you?

V-Sits and Leg Lifts and Planks, Oh My!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

I know many of you probably have dinner plans tonight or are tempted with lots of treats in the office, so here is a quick way to get some type of non-eating-chocolate-and-candy (not that there is anything wrong with that!) working out in!

V-Sits on V-Day

Notes about the moves:

  • If coming up into a full V-sit is too advanced for you at this time, try bringing opposite arm to opposite leg or only lifting 1 leg at a time.
  • Leg lifts- if you have lower back problems or are new to core exercises, try keeping your hands under your lower back to help support it, and only lower your legs maybe 10-45 degrees to help relieve any pressure. If your core is strong and you’re looking for a challenge, try holding a weight extended above your chest or bringing your legs down into a wide V instead of keeping them together.
  • In and Outs- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1_yXxfFrBI
  • Plank holds can be done in a high position where you’re on your hands, or they can be done on your forearms. You can be on your knees or toes and you can try lifting one leg at a time if you want an extra challenge!

No big plans for me tonight! I am teaching Cardio Kickboxing until 7:30 and then my sister is making a Mexican-themed dinner.  4 more classes to teach this week and then I am heading home to Maine for some much needed R&R.

Question for you: Valentine’s Day- Love it or hate it?  Any plans tonight?