Friday, February 18, 2011

You don’t need a gym

I watched this week’s episode of The Biggest Loser where one team was “locked out” of the gym.  I was annoyed when Jillian Michaels whined and complained about this twist.  She kept saying how much of a disadvantage it is not to have a gym.  Meanwhile, her team [spoiler alert] smoked the other team in the weigh-in.

I know a lot of the histrionics are for television, but I would prefer the message being that you don’t need a gym or gym equipment to get in a good workout.  Why do you need a treadmill when you have beautiful weather outside?  Why do you need weights when you have your own body weight and resistance bands?  Gyms and weights make working out more convenient, but it doesn’t define what you can accomplish.

bodybackI attended training last weekend to become certified in a program called   Body Back.  It is a results-based “bootcamp” style class that uses high intensity interval training (HIIT).  The instructor basically killed us all day long and we didn’t use a single exercise machine.  The only equipment we used were resistance bands, ten pound dumbbells, and bosu balls.  Our first workout was done outside and was the hardest workout I have ever done.  We did sprinting and plyometrics for cardio, including a killer sprint up a steep hill.  We did pullups, pushups, one-legged deep dips, and arm exercises using resistance bands.

The second workout of the day involved rounds of alternating cardio, strength and core exercises.  The only equipment we used was a set of resistance bands.  I was pushed so hard I was actually brought to tears.  The tears were not tears of pain or frustration, but a spontaneous cathartic release.  I know it sounds super corny, but the emotional release was very intense and surprising.  Heck, I didn’t even cry when I finished my first marathon.  This physical and emotional breakthrough was done without a gym.

The last workout was a circuit.  It included things like bicep curls, mountain climbers, oblique crunches, ladder sprints, squats, burpies on a bosu ball, chest flies, skull crushers, and jumping jacks.  By the end of the last station, my tank was empty. I was sore for several days and never stepped inside a traditional gym.

I am always inspired by The Biggest Loser and admire how they can change lives with a gym or without.  I am hoping that this class will allow me to change lives in my own small way.  My friend, Heather, has participated in the program in San Diego and has lost over 20 pounds!  This woman ran five half marathons over two years and couldn’t lose those last few pounds of baby weight and was able to do it with an eight week fitness and nutrition program.  I am looking forward to my own clients’ success stories.

Between coaching runners and fitness training, I think I am well on my way to a new career in helping women reach their fitness and weight-loss goals.

10 comments:

Aka Alice said...

I think you would be/are just the best trainer...

LOL at the irony of your post and mine. (I was forced to run outside because my 'mill broke and now I have no motivation to use it...). I was also kinda miffed at Jillian's response to being locked out. They SHOULD get outside more!

The Green Girl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Green Girl said...

Can I just tell you that you became my best friend when you used the word 'histrionics'? I hate histrionic people!

(I know, I know, hate is a strong word but sometimes the emotion is just that strong.)

That Body Back program sounds so interesting - awesome that you attended training!

L.B. said...

That sounds like an awesome workout. Tough but rewarding, the best kind of workout! My brother's been trying to get me to do P90X since he did it religiously and, well, he had some great results. Might try it, we'll see. That's no gym, of course. I don't rely on the gym but it does feel safe, like I know I can go there and find something to do. Not sure if that's good or bad...

Heather said...

during one of the workouts we did in Body Back we used nothing but our own body weight for the entire workout. It is one of the hardest workouts I have ever done and showed me there is never an excuse not to get a workout in. I know I sound like a commercial but it really has changed my life!

Heather

Marlene said...

Sounds like a killer workout!!! My favorite class at the gym is Bootcamp, where we use anything and everything EXCEPT the standard equipment! Totally agree with your thoughts on Jillian's reaction.

Lindsay said...

agreed, i thought they would turn it into a "see you can workout even w/o a gym" but no, they whined about it instead. thank goodness for big arthur, he saved their butts!

Terri said...

I am very, very happy for you, Lisa. You know what you want and you're going after it. Bravo!

Laura said...

Sorry I'm just getting around to catching up on this now, but I felt the same outrage you did at the message being portrayed... and it inspired a similar blog entry. I wonder how many others thought like us, vs how many people really thought you needed a gym to get in shape? Not good.

HCG Diet Protocol said...

Certainly. Though there's nothing wrong with going to the gym, there are also a lot of enjoyable ways to burn calories. Joining sports that require physical activities is fun and promotes sportsmanship and camaraderie. So there's nothing to fuss about if you cannot hit the gym at some point.


~Drew

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