V-Days Plans: Power Remix

Here we have the cake that I tried to bake...
an obvious fail. 

Ahhhhh Valentine's Day. A day of happiness if
you're coupled or happily single and a day of sadness if you're single against your wishes. How did you all spend your Valentine's Day? Well folks, I spent my Valentines day evening taking a test, failing to bake a heart shape cake, and most importantly taking another fitness class! Wooo hooo! (I will insert a picture of the cake just so you can witness my failure)

This week, on the national day of love, I attended Power Remix. Slight digression. I read this quote that resonated with me on the way to fitness class: "Self-love is the most important kind of love." Working out is a form of self-love (mixed with a little self-hate a times) because you are taking actions to care for yourself and put time in for your own wellbeing. So therefore I believe my Valentine's day was well spent.

Courtesy of PicMonkey

Back to Power Remix. After last weeks grimace-inducing experience, I was in the mood for something lighter, happier, and with less overall destruction to my muscles. All of my friends always raved about this "Power Remix" dance class and it seemed like the perfect fit. A cool drink after last weeks burn.

Power remix is a 45 minute exercise class in which you dance to songs. Thats right, you get a workout by dancing and it is so fun!!! The class is a combination of new hits and some well known oldies paired with unique sets of workout based choreography. I'll be honest, I am definitely not the most elegant or coordinated dancer on the block so I was a little hesitant about going to this class. Lesson learned to not be afraid! The steps are easy to learn and it is truly a judge-free zone. Even if you struggle with the move at first, it is repetitive so you will get it eventually.

Action shot from Power Remix Class
Credit

As far as difficulty of workout goes, its more of a fun stress relief activity than a physically tasking workout. I paired it with a run after and it was a perfect combination! On a rest day, an easy work out day, or just something to make you happy, I would definitely recommend it.

I took the class on Tuesday from 2:30-3:15 in the White Building. Because it is such a popular class there are multiple times in many different buildings around campus. To find a class that fits your schedule, visit here.

Let me know if have ever attended this class and if you loved it as much as I did! I would recommend this class to everyone! Thanks for reading!

Bootcamp Tabata: RIP

Just the idea of bootcamp brings chills down my spine. I picture pain and people screaming at me but not as loud as my muscles are screaming. Although this picturesque representation is from movies, I could not help but have daydreams (more like nightmares) in the hours leading up to attending Boot Camp Tabata. The scariest part is I did not have a clue what Tabata means. Maybe its latin for "Xtreme Workout" or "This is so hard you will die." Both don't seem like great options. 

Just look at this giant rack of indecision! Credit

So I am not going to lie, I was actually nervous for this workout, so nervous that I dragged a friend along for moral support. The first step when you walk into the room is to pick out your hand weights. This decision is almost more difficult than chosing which college to go to. Like how can you choose the amount of weight if you have no idea what you are going to do with it. Scared for the future, I chose the safe route (actually extremely safe route) meaning 3 lb weights. I know, I know, this is weak but you would be satisfied to know that half way through I upgraded to 5 lb weights. If you ask me, I would call this moving up in the world. 

Credit

Bootcamp Tabata means cardio, strength training, and tabata (high intensity interval training) as described earlier. At first you do cardio and strength for four minutes. The class is split into two sides of the room, cardio and strength and you switch every 30 seconds which side of the room you are on. Then you do four minutes of the tabata, 20 seconds on, ten seconds off, for four minutes. Then the process starts over and you learn a new cardio, strength, and tabata set. This continues for the duration of the 45 minute class.

So first five minutes I am feeling pretty confident in my abilities, even 20 minutes in, I am on top of the game. But then at around the 22 minute mark my friend and I made eye contact. You know that all-knowing eye contact, where you understand everything, and exchange a plethora of information with just your pupils. Yes, that eye contact signifying "OMG this is so hard" and "WOWZA" and " THIS IS GETTING INSANE." But hey, for the blog and for the body, so we continued. We left feeling satisfied with a good workout even if we could not get our White Building gym locker to open for the bajillion time. 

Today tells a different story...just read the text convo to the left. As a runner for many years, I am used to having sore muscles after workouts, and even strangely enjoy that light soreness knowing I got a good workout. But let me tell you... every single time I stand up I am strongly reminded of those 45 minutes yesterday and each step is a aching reminder of one too many tabatas.  I will equivilate the feeling in my legs to 30 tiny alligators clamping down and clenching with each movement.

Just be aware if you chose to go to Bootcamp Tabata...take this experience as a warning. If you want a definite workout, go to this class! Let me know if you ever will give it a try or if you knew what the heck a tabata was before reading this blog! Thanks for reading!

Washboard Abs or Die

Washboard abs....people. Washboard. Abs. A class guaranteed to give you washboard abs in 30 minutes. A class you can fit into an extremely hectic week. A class that will make you cry...most likely anyway. Washboard abs...people.

Photo of Abdomen              Photo of Washboard

Before we get into the nitty gritty of the class, lets analyze exactly what are these elusive washboard abs.  To the right, we have Exhibit A: A nice toned stomach on the left, but do we want a flat toned stomach? NO! We want one that resembles a washboard. (aka. 21 evenly spaced horizontal bars.) Our stomachs need to have the same strength as the metal that forged this very washboard and allowed our ancestors to wash our clothes. Washboard abs or die.

This class is offered most days of the week from 4:00-4:30 in 117 White Building.  Room 117 is very difficult to find and you must go up a specific set of stairs, so prepare yourself mentally if you're directionally challenged like me.

Credit

The class is only 30 minutes and you do five, five minute sets with small breaks in between. The first set is planks. Honestly, those first five minutes felt like an eternity. I was checking my watch every two seconds and questioning exactly why I was doing this. (For the blog and for the body I kept repeating to myself) After the first round of death, the time flew by. The other sets are more active and I even learned a new ab workout called the starfish. You will have to attend the class to discover exactly how to complete this snazzy starfish move.

Doesn't it have a nice ring to it?
Courtesy of PicMonkey

I sit here a day after Washboard abs and I live to tell the tale. It can be done people. Interestingly my abs are not even sore. Surprisingly my neck is....(lol). You have to lift your head off of the ground like 900 times. Maybe the class should be named Vigorous Neck Workout instead of Washboard Abs. I will have to send in a request....updates to come.

I would suggest this class to anyone! It's great for beginners who want to start the process to washboard abs.  It's perfect for gym sharks who may already have the washboard and want to try something outside of their normal routine.  It's so quick and even though it is painful, it is honestly worth it. I will definitely go back! I even learned some new ab exercises to add to my post-practice strengthening! Yay!!!!

Let me know if you have ever attended Washboard Abs here at Penn State. Also, if you know how to do the starfish, leave a comment! Thanks for reading!

OH! If you can't find Room 117 and walk around for 15 minutes panicking looking like chicken with your head cut off, don't worry, just follow the signs.