That's what one of my students said yesterday about my exercise routine when she came back in from puking.
"Frikkin' Brutal."
And I'm stuck on the sidelines watching all the fun.
I was talking to the son of my newest student over the weekend. He said that his mom had plenty of bad things to say about me after the first couple of days of class. Lena, who *asked* for copies of my workouts, accused me of trying to kill her.
I've been called bad names, been flipped off, and gotten some really weird looks.
But they just keep coming back.
Anyway, that's not really what I wanted to talk about today. What I wanted to talk about was modifications for this month's ab workout. I have a couple of students that have shoulder issues and don't like all the time spent in the push-up position for this month's ab work. For them, I have changed the exercises. This is the workout as written:
2. High Knees/Mountain Climbers
Plank In & Outs
Standing Bicycle
Plank Diagonal In & Outs
Standing X Lifts
Here's what the modifications look like:
2. Fast Scissors - but done at a pace sustainable for 30 seconds.
Seated In & Outs
Standing Bicycle
Seated Diagonal In & Outs
Standing X Lifts
It's not as intense but I promise that it still works the abs very nicely. We do the first four exercises for 30 seconds each with no break between them. There is no break before the fifth exercise either but we do a set number of reps instead of going for time. And by "we", I actually mean "them" for right now.
Today, I showed a way to take the Plank In & Outs up a notch. You know I love to bump up the intensity. I only did 2 reps because I'm not going to mess up my recovery. After 2 reps, another student started doing them perfectly so it was enough.
I'm sorry I can't do videos right now so I'm going to go old school and try to describe this with words. With Plank In & Outs, you get into the top part of the push-up position. From there, you jump your feet up as close to your hands as you can get them so that you are crouched with your hands and feet under you. Then you jump your feet back to the start so that you are in push-up position again. Do as many of these as you can in 30 seconds.
To take it up a notch, grab your handy dandy box (you have one by now right) and start with your feet on the box. Jump your feet to your hands. Then jump your feet back up on the box. Everything has to stay a bit tighter as you aim your feet for the top of the box. Man, I can't wait until I'm healed up.
There you go. A way to take the intensity down a bit or take the pressure off your shoulders and a way to take the intensity up a bit as well.
Try it out and let me know how it works for you.
***
I am an Independent BeachBody Coach for BeachBody.com, a company that offers fitness programs, supplements, and equipment that have absolutely changed my life.
Have you heard of P90X? That's BeachBody. They also have Insanity, Turbo Jam, RevAbs, Brazil Butt Lift, and many more. They have some of the best exercise programs on the market. These aren't just DVDs but are complete programs to transform your body. They also have the hugely popular, and what they call "the most important meal of the day", Shakeology. Go HERE to learn the most inexpensive way to get Shakeology.
They have equipment and supplements in addition to Shakeology and popular exercise programs. Visit BeachBody.com and click on the "Shop" link to see everything they offer.
There is also a business side to all this fitness that you can take advantage of. Whether you're looking to just make a couple hundred extra dollars in fun money or are looking to take complete financial control of your life, BeachBody can help you get there. If you have a desire to be more fit and would love to help other people do the same while making some money at it, visit BeachBody.com and click on the "Coach" link. Team up with me and I'll help you reach your goals, in fitness and finance.
Feel free to "friend" me on Facebook.

