Jazzercise - Workout #12

http://jcls.jazzercise.com/facility/jazzercise-redlands-fitness-center

 

Workout # 12
Jazzercise is still around and going strong :) Growing up my mom did Jazzercise with friends and honestly I didn't know it still existed until I started this quest and found this gym in Redlands. 
They don't typically offer a free first class but the owner was super sweet and let me come in and try one of their "lite" classes and a regular class.

Both classes followed the same format except the "lite" class was low impact and is intended for older gals, those injured or anyone needing a lighter workout. As I said before I was not feeling my best, the day I did the "lite" class, so I was happy it was low key. Each song is choreographed with exercises and moves... and if I remember right I think she said it's the same at every jazzercise place. So if you were to take a class on vacation you would still know the moves. The moves are pretty easy to catch onto and follow along. 
The regular class was still in what I would call a moderate workout zone or medium/low intensity. I'm used to classes where you hit the ground running and really get your heart rate up... these classes didn't do that for me. However, I think they are perfect for many women. I know a lot of women who would hate crossfit for example and have no desire to workout crazy hard. Also, not having to go into a typical gym setting with men and woman and all the equipment would be a huge plus for a lot of girls. Plus there were no mirrors :)
The workout was 1hr - we did cardio moves with music for the 1st maybe 40min then we did a little bit of weights and stretching at the end. 
They offer free babysitting at the 9:00am classes!! 

So the nitty gritty:
Nice clean and organized
Friendly members - relaxed setting
Easy workout
Moderate membership price


Would I recommend this gym? Sure if someone is looking for Jazzercise it is a great place. But since I'm looking for "the best workout - for me" -- it wasn't my type of workout.

Thank you to everyone reading my blog... I have been getting great feedback from friends and I'm honored you all are reading my blog as I continue my quest.

Next week I'll be trying the YMCA and maybe some Zumba :)
 



 

 

Radix Fitness - Workout #11

 

http://radixfitness.com/

Workout #11 - indoor cycle

Tuesday's workout was a 8:30am cycle class at Radix in Redlands. They are a newer gym and just added morning classes to their schedule a couple times a week so I was actually the only one in the class :) The instructor was super friendly and it was a good workout. I wore a heart rate monitor (I have never worn one before) and the bike tracked my heart rate plus a lot of other things along with cadence so it was nice to know exactly what you were doing. I did stare at the little screen a lot though so it was kind of distracting. The class was 1hr and we sat down the whole time doing slower higher intensity climbs and faster quick sprints. I do my best workouts with a group so it would have been nice to have others in the class for more energy but it was still a great workout. 

The place is super clean and nice with great equipment. I was interested in the other type of training classes they offer - cycle, yoga, group functional workouts and personal training so I was invited back to try a different class the next day.

My husband, Jason, joined me for the class and it was more of a private class with just the two of us. 

They have a great setup with tons of equipment and diagnostic equipment to test how balanced your body is and to show the exact range for your heart rate etc. I was really impressed by the owner/instructor's passion for getting people balanced so their bodies can preform at their best. All the exercises are geared toward working weaker muscles or improving speed, balance etc. 
The instructor sat us down before the class and asked if we had any questions and gave us a overview of the gym, his background (he is a professional mountain biker) and asked some questions about us.

Then we started the workout which was a circuit we repeated 4 times and each exercise was one 1min with 20sec rest:

squat position with underhand muscle rope
half situps
in and out planks with a rolling ab wheel
one leg balance touches
back extension with a 17lb medicine ball

Then we did another circuit 4 times but with only 2 exercises 1min with 20sec rest:

TRX harness - it goes over your shoulders and has a huge bungee attached to the wall - you start out and sprint across the room and touch a ball and then try to walk back without the bungee ripping you backwards. You have to touch the ball 10 times - it was actually pretty hard.
plank on a balance ball moving from forearms to hands

The workout was great with all the different things and it was fun to workout with Jason... we never get to workout together anymore. I think this would be a great place to workout and do all three types of classes offered.

So the nitty gritty:  
Nice gym with state of the art equipment
The instructor was friendly and passionate about fitness
The prices seemed reasonable 
They modify the workout individually whether you are a professional athlete or a couch potato

Would I recommend this gym? Yes... I was impressed by the place and got a good workout both times.  
 

  







   

Jazzercise & Pineapples

Saturday I got out of bed sluggish and tired still... long week. On my list was Jazzercise Lite @ 10:30am -- It was a mellow class so it was nice to have a "break" but still do a little something. I'm going to try one of their regular classes Friday morning so I will blog about both workouts after that!

Tuesday I will be doing a indoor cycle class at Radix gym... I haven't done a cycle class for months so it should be tough! This gym looks pretty small and only offers cycling and yoga w/ online sign up for classes so you don't have to worry about getting a bike.


Since this is a short post Iet's talk about pineapple :)

Pineapple is AMAZING for muscle soreness after workouts. We eat tons of pineapple around here and I can't say enough good things about it. Pineapple has an enzyme called bromelain that is anti-inflammatory. It has really helped me over the years with muscle soreness post workouts.

Costco has big pineapples for $2.99 -- I got these three quart jars and that one big core from one pineapple!!  

 

How do we use it?

We eat it straight out of the jar

On top of acai bowls

In fruit salad

On oatmeal

In curry

I juice the core (cut in small pieces)

In smoothies 

etc.

 

Have a great week - get out there and exercise!!