Fitness Files

Moving blogs

2010-02-20T04:19:00.001-08:00

I have moved blogs... this blog will be ending as of now. PLEASE follow me at my new blog:
http://jumpevenhigher.blogspot.com/

One of my HIIT workouts

2010-02-20T03:34:00.000-08:00

This is my play on the TABATA protocol
4 minutes may be enough... but if you can keep going.. why not?
I'll warn you though, I was in a very TIRED state after this workout.. it doesn't half work you.
I burned 462 in 25 minutes. Not tons, but I felt the burn, and it was intense.
Heart rate max was 207
Heart rate average was: 169

Here is the workout:
20 seconds of high intensity.. all your effort
10 seconds of rest
Do each 'group' 5 times, have a one minute rest and move onto the next group.
Group1: High knees, Burpee (with jump)
Group 2: Squat jumps, Mountain climbers
Group 3: Plié jacks, High knee drop downs (4 high knees, lie on your front, get back up)
Group 4: Mummy kicks, air jacks
Group 5: High kicks, squat thrust (push up but no jump)

My workouts

2009-11-01T06:18:00.000-08:00

This and next week's workouts:

S: GS legs + core
M: GC Chest and triceps
T: The Next Step, Seasun Zeiger
W: GC Back, Shoulders, Biceps
T:Lowmax + core
F: Body Max 2 ALL THE WAY THROUGH
S: ASC 2

S:Maximum Intensity Strength + core
M: Imax 2
T: GS Back, Shoudlers and Biceps
W: GS Chest and triceps
T: All cardio Hi low knockout
F: GS legs and low max blasts
S: Kickbox xtreme + core

Amy Bento Slo Mo Strength Challenge

2009-11-01T06:12:00.000-08:00

There is no pattern to the order that I am reviewing these in... but this was on the shelf by the computer, so I thought.. why not?

Right:
This dvd is awesome! I do think that Amy's form is not as good as Cathe, and I am never exactly sure if I am doing the exercise right. However, the exercises in this dvd are so varied, and different, that it makes it so much fun!

I never do the warm ups. I know it's bad, but I never do.
Split 1, legs, is absolutely awesome! But ouch! The side lunges, for some reason, KILL ME. But in a good way. I can't yet do the gute wrap.. I don't see how it is possible, but I'm willing to keep trying. The leg exercises are thorough and each muscle is worked well.

Split 2: Shoulders and Back
I don't find this workout as intesne as some of Cathe's back and shoulder work, but I do like the exercises, and I do like the use of the ball.

Split 3: Chest, tris and bis
This is the best split, in my opinion. The chest work is a nice break from continual flies, and I really like the bicep work. The bicep bonfire is great!
Triceps isn't long enough for me, but it is a great section.

All in all, this dvd is GREAT value for money. THree hours of non stop weight work. And it is through, and advanced. It is not as slow as Cathes slow and heavy, but it is still a good strength workout. This is definitely one of my favourites!

Breakfast: Update

2009-11-01T06:10:00.000-08:00

It reallly works! I can't say I have seen a drop in weight, but I feel soo much more healthy. And, at first it was hard, yes, but now I love it! I have tonnes more energy, and my hunger patterns seem to be far more regular! Definitely.. Breakfast is GOOD!!

Advanced Step Challenge Review

2009-08-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

Slowly.. but religiously, I plan to review my dvds on here. Thus, I will start with a reasonably old one (but its a classic).

Advanced Step Challenge - Amy Bento 2006

I love this dvd, but I don't do it very often, because in my opinion it is just a little too short. However, it is extremely intense. The warm up is about 8 minutes, followed by a 30 minute cardio section, a cool down and a 5 minute power up section. The choreography is complex, and in places your feet really fight to stay on the step. However, I love this about Amy. I love the fact that she is not afraid to throw in moves that will challenge and confuse your feet and your mind.

Warm-up: A minu routine in itself. I don't like this warm up, to me it is too long. However, it is a good way to add an extra 5 minutes of cardio
Combo 1: I found this the hardest to learn, but having done it about 20 times, can't understand why. It is quite a long combo, and in my opinion the hardest on the joints.
Combo 2: This is my favourite, simple and not too long.
Combo 3: This one annoys me. You walk over the step sooo many times, and the routine is repeated too much for me, but overall it is still fun.
Combo 4: This one is much shorter, and more intense.

Power ups: Ouch! This is not easy, but it's not impossible either. It is not hard on the joints because there is not too much twisting, and my knees seem to be comfortable with this, unlike the ASC3 power ups.

Overall, this workout is great for the days when you have less time. Some people have said that Amy is annoying in this one, but i just think her favbulous energy shines through. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give this dvd a 6. However, being a devoted Amy fan, I would like to emphasise that the dvd is very professional, the workout extremely intense, and that the four marks are lost simply because I feel Amy has delivered better things.

Breakfast

2009-08-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

Right. I don't eat breakfast. I hold my hands up, and admit that I don't. But you should. And I understand the principles behind it, and believe me, if eating something gives me a raised metabolism, it doesn't seem like too much of a sacrifice. BUT, I am not hungry in the mornings! I am not a morning person. I drink more tea and coffee than it rains in monsoon season in Japan, but i find it hard to drink. On holiday, I had bran flakes, religiously everyday. I found it hard, but miraculously, I came back from my holiday 3 pounds lighter! I ate salad every night, but I did not go easy on the desserts, or the milk (my weakness). So, could this breakfast thing really work that fast?

I'm not sure to be completely honest. But I might be willing to give it a try for a week. I'll let you know how I get on.

My first blog

2009-08-12T11:29:00.000-07:00

Right, well.... this is my first blog. I just thought I'd say hi :-)

Firstly, today's workout: Jari Love, Get Ripped to the core.
I have to say, having come back from a three week holiday (i did exercise, but no weights. Unfortunately the weight limit on the suitcases wouldn't allow it!) I have gone straight in for the weights. I did Cathe's Muscle Max on Monday, Advanced Step Challenge 3 yesterday (it's a killer) and this today. Blimey. My shoulders are on fire!!!! I started eating my tea, and wished soo badly that I could just feed my shoulders. I had a little shakin' thing goin' on.

I spent an hour deliberating over whether another weights day would be counter-productive or not, and I reasonned: "I've missed these soo much. I don't care, I love them!" So i got all enthusiastic, and then felt the pain! A word of warning: watch the ceiling with the dumbells :-s!!!!