Monday Workout: Ropes!

I love exercises that use the whole body because they are efficient for building metabolism and burning calories.  Battle ropes get bonus points because many of the things we can do with them get our heart rates up and make us work hard without making us jump up and down or stress out our knees.  Three rounds.

rope double slams	30
bench press	20
1 leg squats	10
rope alternate slams	30
flies	20
reverse flies	10
rope circles	30
rows	20
brains	10

Why train?

For many people, having a personal trainer or doing individual Pilates sessions seems like a waste of money.  After all, a gym membership or group class is much cheaper.  Walking and running are pretty much free.  Weights are not expensive, and once you buy them, you keep them forever.  So why do it?

• Expertise.  Trainers know how to structure workouts for safety.  We check form.  We tailor exercises to individual needs.

• Accountability.  We’re there so clients have to show up.  Most people, when they pay for something, figure they had better use it.

• Progress.  Trainers keep track of where clients start.  We know when to push a little farther.  We help set goals and plans to achieve them.

• Fun.  Some people truly love weight training.  The rest of us benefit from having someone there to keep us from focusing on how heavy those silly dumbbells are or how much our thighs are going to hurt tomorrow.

It is important to find a trainer who is a good fit.  That is one reason why I offer a free initial assessment and session—I want to make sure that my clients feel like they can work with me comfortably before they commit.  Want to try?

My great-grandma made this scary witch...

In general, I don’t like fear as a motivator.  I prefer positive, encouraging things.  However, since it is Halloween, here is a list of scary things that keep me exercising.

• Death.  That would be the big one.  Doing cardio helps prolong life by keeping my heart and lungs healthy.

• Depression.  Moving, especially moving outside, boosts mood.

• Dementia.  Exercise is good for the brain.  Since I intend to live a long time, I would like to do that living independently and with my faculties intact, thank you very much.

• Bears.  In the unlikely event that I ever encounter bears, it is my goal to make a valiant effort to run away.  Practice will help with that.  Please do not tell me that running away is not the right answer for evading bears.  I need faith, no matter how misguided.