Tag: weight lifting

Combating Cold Weather

by Nicole Bell
This is all I want to do all winter.

I can’t be the only one that struggles with this. The days get shorter and the temperature drops, along with my willpower. Every winter I struggle to stay active.

I recently started a new job and have a consistent schedule. While I am still working on getting into a set routine, I thought I would have an easier time fitting in workouts (although really, I should know myself better than that). I have managed to go on a run once a week, but that’s not cutting it. Part of the challenge has been dealing with the apartment gym renovations. They’ve been redoing the floors and the gym has been closed for most of the month. I struggle with motivating myself enough to do workouts at home, but I am usually fine as long as I get to the gym. They are supposed to reopen it this Friday, so I’m hoping that will help.

My plan going forward: Fit something in as soon as I get home from work. I know if I stop moving and relax, I’ll be done for. Even if all I do is go for a walk some days, at least I’m moving. I also want to create a set schedule instead of just aiming for 4-5 workouts a week. Consistency is key…hopefully.

What are your habits/tips to stay active in the winter?

Balancing Work and Fitness

by Nicole Bell

Busy Schedules. Time management.

By far the hardest part of my fitness journey has been consistently fitting workouts into my schedule. It’s a constant battle that I don’t see ending anytime soon. My biggest struggle is staying on track with my work schedule. I don’t work a normal Monday – Friday job, so it can be hard for me to stick with a routine. I’ll get into a good groove and then my schedule changes, throwing me off again.

The best method that I’ve found to staying consistent is to make my workouts a priority. I commit to at least three workouts a week. Sometimes Thursday rolls around and I have to remind myself that I’m running out of time and don’t have a choice but to workout. Do I make my 3x/week goal every week? No, but I know I’m still making progress and some weeks I might fit in 4 or 5 workouts.

Going forward, I know I still have room for improvement. My main goal for the future is to fit my workouts into my morning routine. I work 12 hour shifts and most days I’m exhausted when I get home. If I can get myself to wake up and hit the gym first thing, I won’t be able to make any excuses. I also want to schedule my workouts ahead of time and treat it as a set commitment, just as I would work. I have to show up and complete it. I know I won’t be perfect, but I also know that I can do better. Fitness is important to me and my journey is still evolving.

How do you make the time to exercise in your busy schedule?

Planet Fitness Group Classes

by Nicole Bell

I’ve always been curious about the group classes offered at Planet Fitness. I have been a member for years (the price being the main factor), but I had never tried the classes or even heard much about them. While browsing on my local branch’s website, I found that you can sign up for the classes online. Perfect! If I sign up, I’ll show up and I won’t chicken out of asking them in person (social anxiety is no stranger to me). I decided to sign up for the PF360 Refresh course, which was described online as “Focus on flexibility, core work, and proper breathing in this yoga-like experience.”

The day of the class I arrived early and started stretching in the locker room while I waited. I saw a sign stating the PE @ PF meets here, so I waited under the sign 5 minutes before the class started. Two minutes after the start time, there was still no sign of anyone. I decided to ask the front desk about the class. Apparently, the class schedules changed in the beginning of summer and the ones online are incorrect. Fortunately, no one showed up for the class that was actually scheduled for that time slot, so the trainer was able to hold the class for me anyway.

The trainer got two mats and led me through the course. We started with some basic stretches, and she lead me through the following exercises:

  1. Bird-dogs with holds – 5 on each side
  2. Child’s pose
  3. Locust pose
  4. Warrior I – each side
  5. Triangle Pose – each side
  6. While standing, raise one leg 90 degrees and hold a medicine ball above your head with the opposite hand (she gave me a 6lb medicine ball to use)
  7. Russian twists using the medicine ball
  8. Bicycle crunches
  9. Flutter kicks

My biggest gripe aside from the scheduling issue was that the trainer never introduced herself or asked my name. Aside from this, she was very friendly. She did not offer any form correction, but the classes are meant for up to twelve participants so it might normally be more difficult to watch everyone at the same time.

For a free class, it wasn’t bad. My abs were sore the next day…I do tend to neglect core work. I’d definitely check out the other classes offered and even try this one again to see if it varies every time or repeats the same routine. I wouldn’t join Planet Fitness just for the classes, but it’s an interesting perk and might give you some variety in your workout.

Have you ever tried the classes offered at Planet Fitness?