POP Pilates Black Friday Sale

This Black Friday deal is for POP Pilates certification workshops, both in person and online.

POP Pilates

POP Pilates is a mix of Pilates, dance, and cardio moves. There are 3 formats a class can take – 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and 60 minutes. Though each format is a total body workout, even 30 minutes will put those core muscles to the torch. With modifications available for every move, it doesn’t matter if you’re young, old, male, female, a fitness beginner, a pro…this class is good for you. For more information on what POP Pilates is, go to my POP Pilates page.

If you’re a guy and you don’t feel comfortable with the feminine touch in the format, change it to suit your personality and your style. I tried to add the sassy edge to my classes twice and it did not go over well at all. My students were all women but they were not comfortable with that so I dropped it. I changed the feel to match me and match my students and everything went smoothly. No class is going to be exactly the same because no instructor is the same. Just remember that a “Ballerina Bend” can easily be called a “Side Bend” and “Butterfly Wings” is just a “Seated Breast Stroke” under a different name.

If you’re thinking, “I’m not fit enough. I don’t look like a fitness instructor.” Pfft. What does a fitness instructor look like anyway? 6 pack? Bulging muscles and minuscule waist line? I’ve seen some who look like that. And I’ve seen some who were fat, probably close to 250 lbs, and rocked every class. I’ve got plenty of fat on me, but I’ve found it doesn’t matter what I look like. What matters is what I can do and my personality. If your students like you and find your class interesting/stimulating/enjoyable/etc, then they’ll come back…unless outside factors prevent them.

I was unsure when I signed up and I spent months telling myself I was crazy and wondering what I had been thinking. I stuck with it though because I had spent all that money and I really did want to be a group fitness instructor. I knew I wouldn’t get another opportunity like that so I went to the training, had fun, learned a lot, and then practiced my butt off with verbal cueing and choreography for the next month or two. I passed my evaluation class and received my POP Pilates certification. POP Pilates allowed me to get my foot in the door at a gym so that I was able to gain valuable experience leading actual classes. From there I was able to further my knowledge and get more certifications so I could teach a wider variety of classes. Currently I’m going for a personal training cert and it was all because I closed my eyes and took that leap of faith with POP Pilates.

If you’ve been wanting to get certified in POP Pilates, but you’re still unsure for whatever reason, I highly suggest you do what I did and go for it. You’re never going to have better prices than right now because of Black Friday. This sale lasts till November 27th.

Use the Black Friday code POPARMY100 at checkout to get $100 off the price of your workshop. If you don’t see a workshop near you, don’t fret. There are more places listed on the POP Pilates website (that aren’t on the list above) and there will also be more dates added later. You won’t be able to use the Black Friday code for the later dates, of course, but there’s still the EARLYBIRD code for 15% off if you sign up more than 2 weeks in advance.

Don’t live in the USA? No worries, there are also International Online Workshops. You’ll get your books, bling, etc in the mail after you register.

POP Pilates is such a fun class to take and to teach. It builds confidence, strength, balance, coordination, self esteem, and so much more. I am blown over by this price! Seriously! $100 off??? Very sweet deal.

 

POP News

Quick POP Pilates update!

Coming January – POP 8!!

The new POP format is coming out in January! Get ready for some brand new POP fun to learn for your classes if you’re an instructor and experience in your class if you’re one of the students. Are you excited? I’m excited!

POP Pilates For Beginners!

If you’re interested in trying POP Pilates but aren’t sure if it’s for you or if you want to try something new but aren’t sure if you’re strong enough etc for it (or any variation of any reason that might lead to trying POP Pilates), here are a few videos from Cassey’s new POP Pilates for Beginners series. Remember, her series usually come in 5’s so there should be 2 more on the way in the near future.

1. Flat Abs Workout | POP Pilates for Beginners – 18 minutes
2. Arm Fat Blaster | POP Pilates for Beginners – 15 minutes
3. Butt Lifting & Thigh Sculpting Workout | POP Pilates for Beginners – 17 minutes

FYI, those video times include the verbal intros and endings. The workout itself isn’t quite as long. In fact, throughout the videos, Cassey gives explanations on how to do each move and how to modify the moves to make them easier or harder. While you’re getting a good workout in, you’re still getting plenty of rest time to get through the burn.

Enjoy the workouts! I’ve embedded the Arm Fat Blaster video here because you can stand or sit in front of your computer and do these moves. No need to crane your head around to see the screen. It’s super simple. Looks can be deceiving though…

Black Friday POP sale!!!

I knew there was going to be a Black Friday POPFlex sale, but I didn’t know the details until today…of course. I’ll keep it short and simple.

Black Friday POP sales!

POPFlex Sale:

There are some seriously cute clothes here! And super comfy. Whenever I wear my POPFlex leggings, I always get compliments. People love the design! The colors, the see-through side panel, the pockets. Everything! They’re stretchy too, so if you’re between sizes, you might want to size down.

POP Pilates Certification Training Sale:

The link in that graphic will take you to the USA training classes. If you’re an international POPster, you’ll want the International Workshops. When are you ever going to get a deal like this again? How can anyone get certified to teach a fitness class for so cheap?? There are new training classes scheduled and some are in brand new places. The POP Army is spreading its wings and soaring across the world! Speaking from experience, getting certified in POP Pilates was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I love my job! Join us in spreading POP love around the nation and around the world!

Blogilates Designs Sale:

This sale is…I can’t even…There’s not much left in this store because Cassey Ho’s focusing on POPFlex, but what is here is still awesome. The big thing to look for are the water bottles. If I didn’t have tons of water bottles already, I would get at least a few (including the mason jars), but I think my husband’s head might explode so I’m holding back. If you haven’t checked Cassey’s original Blogilates store, you should…especially now when it’s all 50% off!

All of three of these sales last until Cyber Monday so shop while you can and DON’T MISS OUT!! These deals are AMAZING!!

Happy Shopping!

YMCA Events + #UniqueYogis + POPFlex

What’s up what’s up what’s up in my world of fitness these days…

For the last 2 weeks I haven’t been able to go to that BodyPump class I was loving so much. Simple reason – my shoulder was and still is injured. I injured the rotator cuff in both shoulders several years back. Left was worse than the right but I gradually got over it. It took me a long time to regain the muscle that I lost during that period. However, one move in particular from one of the Upper Body tracks in my POP Pilates class aggravated my right shoulder again. I’m sure it didn’t help that I was also going heavy on the shoulder work in BodyPump and doing wide-armed push-ups every day for a challenge.

I’ve been trying to rest it when not teaching without much improvement until yesterday when it began to feel a bit better. For those of you with shoulder weakness or shoulder injuries, watch out for the Goal Post Puncher in POP Pilates. I’m not saying don’t do it, just take care. Keep with the slow version rather than the fast that the instructor will guide you through. All that up/down rotation is pretty rough.

Robot Arms is a very similar move in POP Pilates, but it’s done slower so it should be totally fine. However, if you do find that you feel a sharp pain instead of the “it burns so good” kind of pain, lower your arms to reduce the tension or stop entirely for a break.

My injury hasn’t affected my ability to lead the class though. I find I have more time to really guide people through the move. Because my own movements are slower, my students slow down and then they pay more attention to what their arms are doing.

This Saturday is the YMCA’s Frozen Turkey Trot. It’s a 5k. I’m not running but I have volunteered. I’ll be at a table handing out bags of marshmallows and cans of yams with another woman. We’ll be at North Shore Lake by the boat ramp.

click pic for registration form

I’m excited because this is the first time to volunteer to help in a 5k rather than running it. I’ve been wanting to help out at one of these events for some years now but always ran instead. Yay!

Next week the YMCA is closed for Thanksgiving (Thursday 24th) but there will be a special Black Friday schedule for those who want to work off all that turkey and mashed potatoes and ham. Four classes total though you’ll have to choose during the 2nd and 3rd ones because they’re at the same time. Mine’s last at 10:30am! It’ll be a special 45-minute class so I’ve worked hard to prepare something tough yet fun for everyone. I hope to see a lot of people there! *fingers crossed*

Just remember that there’s no childcare available so leave your kids with your spouse or, if they’re old enough, at home. If they’re really old enough, take them with you to class!

I also have another POP Pilates class on Tuesday at my normal time. It’ll be a normal 30-min Express class but I’ll be previewing some of the Black Friday tracks because…well…because it’s fun and I want to! Good news – the shoulder track should be a lot easier than the current one. Everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

Toe Stand

Last but not least, I’m currently in another IG challenge – #UniqueYogis

I was so excited when I held this pose for a second or two…before falling over. This was actually my 2nd picture. My face isn’t as funny excited as the first time but I was still excited to be able to do it a 2nd time. I couldn’t do it on the other side because my little toe hasn’t healed from when it attacked the bathroom door. Standing balance is still easy but this was too much.

The challenge has a few hosts and lots of sponsors. I prefer it that way honestly. The hosts are an awesome group of ladies if you want to check out their IG accounts.

Host:

@doroteasworld @lucewithlove @fitwithlena13 @pielattesandpilates

Sponsors:
@pranamat @libretea @bodybymeeu @prana @inspiredbystephanierose @truelifefitnessapparel @genre.active @la.forma @dharmabumsactive

Lastly, Blogilates has come out with their newest planner for 2017! I just got mine in the mail today and it’s beautiful!!! It also feels really sturdy and the pages and front/back covers feel like good quality. This year the planner will cover the entire year and has spots to write in not only fitness and meals but most everything else you might need a planner for in your regular day-to-day life.

click the pic to go to the POPFlex site

POPFlex has also started a Rewards Program for all members. It’s free to become a member so you can hop on over to start. Each member gets 250 points just for activating an account. After that you get a personal link that you can use to advertise POPFlex. Each time a person makes a first-time purchase through your link, you get points. You also get points for every $1 you spend on POPFlex, the accessories sold there, and on the POP Pilates tops. Get a certain amount of points and you get free clothes! Go check it out for yourself! I’m, of course, using my link in the hopes of getting some points.

Click on the above banner to go to POPFlex

That’s it for me on the fitness front! Enjoy your November!

Fitness Progress

After I got the news that I had mild arthritis in my knees and that further running would make it worse, I looked and looked for another kind of cardio to get into. I couldn’t do PIIT28 because of all the jumping either. I was worried that this would cause me to gain weight again because I wasn’t working hard cardio-wise. That wasn’t quite the case though.

I kept pushing myself as hard as before with my strength training and I tried to walk and use the elliptical 2-3 times a week. I tried to do swimming and cycling but the timing was difficult to get right. Luckily the weather has been really good lately so walking outside was quite enjoyable.

I did gain weight but not as much as I feared and I started losing it again after a bit. My gaining problem wasn’t because my cardio was wonky, it was because I was eating tons of peanut butter, candy corn, and marshmallows. The last two I shrug off with a whatever because I stopped eating the candy corn after about a week or so. It’s the peanut butter that probably did it. I’ve been eating so much of it and even the reduced fat peanut butter can be pretty fatty especially when gobbled like it’s the only food available.

People can say it’s unhealthy all they want. I couldn’t give a rat’s ass. I love me some peanut butter and I always will!

And that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing – squats, deadlifts and more in BodyPUMP class twice a week and then eating peanut butter…along with eating other things of course. It’s really only the peanut butter (and marshmallows) that are unhealthy…in the quantity in which I consume them.

Anyway, I’ve been concentrating on introducing new tracks in my POP Pilates class. The classes are gradually getting harder and harder. Today’s was a killer. Everyone liked it though so we’ll stick with it for a little while and gain some muscle. Between BodyPUMP and POP, I feel like my arms are going to fall off at the shoulders.

Here are my measurements:

10-1-16 // 11-2-16

• Arms: L 12 1/4″ R 12 5/8″ // L 12 1/4″ R 12 3/4″ (R +1/8″)
• Thighs: L 23 3/4″ R 23 1/2″ // LR 23 3/4″ (R +1/4″)
• Waist: 35 1/2″ // 35 1/2″
• Lower Belly: 42″ // 41 1/4″ (-3/4″)
• Hips: 44 1/4″ // 44″ (-1/4″)
• Chest: 32 1/4″ // 32″ (-1/4″)
• Bust: 40 1/4″ // 39″ (-1 1/4″)
• Weight: 186.4 lbs // 185.6 lbs (-.9 lb)

The arm gain I fully believe is muscle gain because I’ve made incredible improvement in that strength area. The leg gain…not sure. There has been definite muscle gain. Just not sure if that’s really what’s accounted for the change in size. My bust loss could very easily be fake. I was wearing a very different bra from the one I normally wear (normal one was dirty) and it causes a bit of a squished uniboob instead of giving the ladies their own space. I’ll do the measurement again now that my bras are clean once more (yay for laundry day!) and see if there’s a difference. I am gaining some serious muscle in my back (upper and lower) though, so…I don’t know…maybe I’ll wittled some fat away in that area. It’d be nice…

I hate measuring tapes. And scales. Unless they tell me something I want to hear. I got half and half this time around. Some was good, some was discouragingly neutral, some was probably not bad but I still haven’t learned to 100% like higher numbers even if I know they’re from muscle gain. I’m doing my best to focus on the lower belly and hips size loss and all of my muscle gain (of which I know there is quite a bit) though. Hopefully I’ll be able to look past the numbers more easily soon but it hasn’t happened yet.

Damn peanut butter.

Honestly, I’d eat more peanut butter right now except it’s kind of late for me and I don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night from heartburn because I ate freaking peanut butter right before bed.

Yes, I go to bed absurdly early.

Being a POP Pilates Instructor

If you’ve kept up with my blog, you’ve read about POP Pilates. I currently teach 2 30-minute Express classes each week at my local YMCA. If you live in Hastings, NE or the surrounding area, feel free to drop by (free for Y members, $10 to get into the gym for nonmembers).

My class is located just behind the front desk in the Multipurpose Room. It’s low to no impact and every move can be adjusted to fit your fitness level, including injuries and pregnancies. I only ask that you talk to me (Katie) before class to let me know if you’re pregnant or have an injury so I can give appropriate modifications when necessary.

The playlist is fun and people have been known to laugh when they’re not busy killing their abs. Actually, one woman did start laughing while doing a Teaser toward the end of the workout. She immediately fell out of it. The more she tried, the more she laughed, and the more time she spent splayed out on the floor. The Teaser was a lost cause that day. But at least we had lots of smiles and lighthearted fun. Not every workout can be a battle to the death against yourself. And, really, that day it was just the one track that got people laughing so we all still got a great workout.

Yes, even the 30-minute Express class will give you a good workout. I want my students to push themselves but not so hard that they can’t continue or that they hurt themselves, so I’ll suggest harder variations for those who want to try to push. I’ll lead by example too and push push push myself. I used to be shy about huffing and puffing into the microphone but not anymore. I’ll grunt and growl and breath heavy to my heart’s content.

In the beginning when I first started teaching I came right out and told everyone that I was a Huffer and Puffer. Maybe I’d be the Big Bad Wolf for Halloween. It broke the ice and lightened the mood. Smiles all around. Because of that mic, everyone in my class knows I practice what I preach and push myself as far as I can go. When I can’t go farther, I’ll admit it and switch to a modification. I praise everyone for their abilities and congratulate them on their strength to get through everything, modification or not.

It used to be that I’d be so nervous I’d want to throw up a full 2 hours before class. Imagine spending 2 whole hours feeling butterflies skittering around in your belly and wanting to crawl into a hole and disappear so you don’t have to face it. Then I’d start teaching and the jitters would disappear. It was like magic. Nowadays, I barely feel jittery – sometimes not at all – unless I’m introducing new stuff and even then it’s not so bad.

Teaching class always makes me feel so happy. My students are awesome and it really makes my day when I can get them to smile and have a good time. It was devastating in the beginning when no one would show up. But I chose to take it was an experience to get through and learn from. And now I have a steady, regular group and my ladies are super awesome! The best part of my week is teaching POP Pilates to them and having everyone tell me how sore it makes them and seeing them be so happy with their smiles and laughter.

If you’ve been thinking about becoming a group fitness instructor and are interested in teaching POP Pilates, you might want to check it out. The instructors are pretty supportive of each other and the number of classes is growing all across the world. People who try this class almost always enjoy it and the atmosphere in a classroom can get pretty upbeat.

Click the above pic for a list of upcoming trainings or to sign up for one.

The live training classes are currently only available for people in the USA, but that doesn’t mean others can’t join up. There are online workshops and printed materials are mailed to the international participants. Not living in the States but wanting to join the POP Army? Check out the picture below.

Click the above pic for info on the international workshop or to sign up.

It really has been an awesome opportunity for me. It was difficult at first because nobody in my area knew about POP Pilates, but I lucked out with my YMCA taking an immediate interest. They loved my demo class and after I got hired it was all a matter of getting the word out through other instructors.

The certification cost isn’t all that expensive when compared with other certifications, especially a Pilates certification. And the best way I’ve found (through the trials and errors of other POP instructors) to prepare students for what they’ll be experiencing (just in case they expect strict Pilates) is to tell them that this class ISN’T Pilates. It takes Pilates and Pilates-inspired moves and choreographs them to pop music so you’re constantly moving instead of striking a pose and holding it till your body gives out.

And, actually, I recently had a certified Pilates teacher come to my class and she had a lot of fun. She thought the modifications were excellent and thoroughly enjoyed the choreography because it was different. Her only problem was that she was having so much fun that she was disappointed when it ended after 30 minutes. She definitely wanted the full 55-minute class.

It is a seriously fun class, designed for people of all ages and all fitness levels. In my own class, I’ve had women in their 20s having fun and working alongside ladies in their 60s. Age doesn’t matter because there are modifications for everything. And if you think it’s not for guys, I guide my husband through some of the tracks when he wants some at-home strengthening work. He’s no wuss but he struggles to get through some of this stuff. No joke.

Becoming a POP Pilates instructor was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. Everyone is so supportive and accepting and helpful. It’s been an awesome journey and I have a feeling it’ll only get better.

If you’re wanting to become a group fitness instructor but you’re worried that you don’t fit the general body image, I say don’t worry about it. If you flip through some of my old posts (most recently my Before/After post), you’ll see that I’m not lean and I don’t look muscular. I don’t fit the generally accepted body image of a group fitness instructor. I went for it anyway and saw women who were much larger than me who were also stronger than me. And after getting my job as an instructor, my body size has never been commented on nor am I even the largest instructor. So long as you are physically capable of teaching your class, then there’s no problem to your size.

So I say if you really want to go for it, don’t let your size or your nervousness or anything get in your way! I’m really shy and have had to push myself to get out there but I did it and am SO happy I did!

Quiet Progress

I know I’ve been a ghost for awhile, but I have a good reason. I was concentrating on work, fitness, and home life. I’ve stepped up my game fitness-wise. Along with teaching two POP Pilates classes every week (I have more students nowadays and people leave smiling, it’s awesome!), I also take a Body Pump class twice a week and either run or get on the elliptical 3-6 times a week.

Body Pump is SO much fun! And my strength is skyrocketing! I push myself as hard as I can go every class and increase my weights every 2-4 classes depending on what body part I’m working. It’s taken a while to get my leg weight up because of my knees but now that my knees are doing better, I’ve added extra weight. I’ll probably leave it as is for a few more classes because of my knees, but my arm strength is getting better and better.

I’m surprised my biceps are so much weaker than my triceps because they used to be way stronger but my shoulders amaze me. I was enamored watching the muscles and tendons pop out every time I did macros and worked my deltoids. It was magical!

The muscle gains aren’t limited to my limbs though. My core is getting tons stronger as well which I noticed in my POP Pilates class. It was time for Up-Up Down-Downs during the Upper Body track. I always demonstrate the tabletop and modified plank position but then tell people that if they feel strong enough that day to go on their toes. I’ve never actually gone on my toes; it was always hard enough on my knees in modified plank. But this last Thursday I told everyone I was going to try for it and I did it! I was growling at everyone to push push push through it because I was pushing myself so hard that I couldn’t say it with grunting or growling.

I may have only been able to do a few but I did them and that’s all that matters! WOO HOO!!

I’m thinking of switching up the running for some PIIT28 every Tu/Th after my POP class because my knees are pretty much hating me these days, but they’re not protesting all that much compared to the nasty pain of injury. I’m worried I’m pushing my luck too much and that I need to back off from running so much. I hate to be on the elliptical the whole time because running is really helping me and I love to see my speed/endurance progress. But the amount of time I spend icing my knees every day is a bit worrisome.

Maybe run Monday, do PIIT28 Tu/Th, and do elliptical W/F? Sat/Sun are always guessing game days. It couldn’t hurt to get PIIT28 in on Sat as well. But I do need a rest day and Sunday has always worked well for that. Other than that being a totally killer schedule, it sounds good. We’ll see how my brain/body like it this next week.

How about it? Let’s bring some PIIT28 back!! WOO!!

Last but not least, my progress report! Last time I weighed and measured myself was August 1 when I was trying to do a solid month of PIIT28 again. That didn’t work. I didn’t have the stamina or willpower for it. But I didn’t throw my measurements away nor did I give up (obviously from what I’ve already written here). I tried different things and learned what works for me and what I really like.

8.1.16 // 10.1.16

• ARMS: L 12 3/4″, R 12 7/8″ // L 12 1/4″, R 12 5/8″ (L -1/2″, R  -1/4″)
• BUST: 41″ // 40 1/4″ (-3/4″)
• CHEST: 32 1/4″ // 32 1/4″ (0)
• WAIST: 37″ // 35 1/2″ (-1 1/2″)
• LOWER BELLY: 43″ // 42″ (-1″)
• HIPS: 45 1/2″ // 44 1/4″ (-1 1/4″)
• THIGHS: 24 1/2″ // L 23 3/4″, R 23 1/2″ (L -3/4″, R -1″)
• WEIGHT: 190.4 lbs // 186.4 lbs (-4 lbs)

TOTAL LOSS: 4 lbs and 7″

It’s not the weight change I care about, it’s the muscle gain and measurement change. My weight is slowly going down my muscles are getting stronger and stronger and I can see more muscle definition now. Since muscle is heavier than fat, my weight loss doesn’t matter at all. I’m losing fat and gaining muscle in its place.

I feel like Wonder Woman! …Or Supergirl!

But I’ll always be a Catwoman at heart.

Classes Galore + Training

I’ve been pretty quiet here because I’ve been concentrating on being prepared for my POP Pilates classes and I was too busy stressing about my class numbers. They’ve been pretty low but that’s to be expected when a brand new class comes out and it isn’t advertised. As of last week, though, the class is being advertised in other classes.

Last week was difficult. My schedule was as follows:

• Monday – Labor Day – Y Closed
• Tuesday – POP Pilates: 30 min
• Wednesday – Body Pump: 1 hr (student), Total Body Toning: 45 min (sub)
• Thursday – POP Pilates: 30 min
• Friday – Body Pump: 1hr (student), Total Body Toning: 45 min (sub)

At the start of the week I was all,

The end of the week was a different story…

I cut out the cycling class I was wanting to incorporate into my schedule to take it easy on my knees because Cycling was also Wed/Fri. I subbed yesterday for Total Body as well but after a restful weekend my body was ready for action again.

Subbing went well. I put in a 45-minute version of POP Pilates. I know there are only 2 official versions – a 30-min and a 55-min – but I used my best judgement and I thought it turned out pretty good. I added in The Hundreds, Obliques, and Back Work in their respective positions. A second round of cardio wasn’t an option as that class doesn’t do cardio. It worked out really well. Next time I do that, I may take out Hundreds and stick in Abs & Thighs though as our legs don’t get all that much work overall.

We’ll see what happens when it happens.

Numbers increased last week. We’ll see if they hold steady or perhaps increase a little more.

As for the Training section of my post, my husband and I were talking about running because I had recently read an article about a woman I used to work with – Brianne Lippoldt. She’s a professional runner and is beyond awesome at it. The fact that Brianne started running later in life and was getting better and better with age sparked my husband’s interest. He said I could be the same way and start running again. While I have no delusions about my running skills and have no desire to be a professional runner (my knees would probably never handle it), he had a point.

I thought my knees were shot before and that my running days were over but I’ve started training my legs again and trying to get the muscles around the knees stronger. Slowly though so the backs don’t get injured again. He also mentioned that he was curious about doing a 10k race. I suggested he try a 5k first because of his back and then told him about the Frozen Turkey Trot I had read about the day before in an e-mail from the Y. He jumped at the idea of all of us running together in that race. I was surprised because he’s never wanted to run a race with me before. At one point I practically begged him to run with me but no. He always used his back as an excuse against it. It’s a good excuse as he does have chronic back pain. Pain that could probably be remedied if he strengthened his core muscles but whatever.

So this weekend we were super psyched about running a 5k together. He even agreed to put me in charge of his strength training regime and guide him in POP Pilates workouts. All of that ended Monday. Of course. While I was a good little girl and ran for 30 minutes before teaching a 45-minute POP class, he skipped his very first day of training. I’ll let it slide it though because, while his shoes are fine enough for walking, they’re not running shoes. He talked to a guy at his work who runs a lot and the guy suggested a couple places to go to get a good but cheap pair of running shoes.

Rather than let him waste his first day, I made my husband do some ab work. Even then, it was pretty light but he’s just starting and he said he felt awful the whole day, like he was getting sick, and that his back hurt so I took it easy on him. He still complained it was hard. It’ll get easier the longer he does it. In a week or two if he’s kept up with everything, maybe I’ll throw the POP 4 Ab Challenge at him and see if he can take it. I’ll even do it with him as encouragement.

 

#OwnYourMat Instagram Challenge

There’s a new challenge coming to Instagram!

The other hosts and I are pleased to announce our new IG challenge, starting Sept 1st!

Description:

A yoga mat can be such a unique and personal space. They provide a platform for us to practice, meditate, sweat, grow and challenge ourselves. Join us as we explore how you #OwnYourMat over the next 15 days. We’ll provide a topic to reflect on or an exercise challenge each day and ask you to share your own individual take on it. At the end of the challenge, we’ll be choosing one lucky winner to receive a yoga mat!

Dates:

Sept 1st – 15th

Rules:

If you’d like to join us, please:

1. Repost the above picture
2. Follow all hosts & sponsors
3. Tag 2 friends to join

Also! Don’t forget to use the hashtags #OwnYourMat and #bondiband

If you don’t follow all hosts and tag us in every post, we won’t be able to keep track of your daily posts. If we can’t keep track of your posts, you won’t be in the running as a winner. The same goes for the two hashtags – #OwnYourMat and #bondiband. You won’t be considered for a prize if you don’t have those 2 hashtags. Very important.

List of Hosts to follow:

• @popwithalex
• @emmy.poppe
• @crickethopes
• @insta_jen77
• @kstjshin
• @fithealthyu
• @lexxellins
• @kgriffin21
• @popster_maruska

List of Sponsors to follow:

• @prAna
• @bondi_band

The challenge only lasts 15 days. Only half a month. You can do something for 15 days, right? The challenge is open to everyone. Not all of the moves are exercise moves. We’ll be starting out with a plank (whatever one is your favorite for whatever reason) but then the next day we’ll move on to something entirely different. We’ve got some Yoga in there, POP Pilates, sitting back and thinking, etc. There’s something for everyone and people can make it as hard or as easy as they want!

Join us for the fun starting Sept 1st! We’re really excited about hosting this challenge and we want to see lots of people join so we can have fun with as many people as possible. It’ll be great!

Jooooiiiiiin uuuuuuuuusss.

…..Yeah, I totally just had an Evil Dead moment and I’m laughing my nerdy little butt off right now.

Total Body Toning Class + Playlist

This last Friday I took the Total Body Toning class at my Y to see what it was like.

Class Description: Tone the entire body with use of hand weights, resistance bands, and stability balls.

It sounded similar to the Circuit Fusion class I always took and was eventually trained to do and it turned out it was similar. No cardio though. It was designed to tone the muscles in an anaerobic fashion as opposed to aerobic which is the kind that gets your heart rate up.

Translation: No cardio.

That part was disappointing because I love mixing cardio in with my workouts. It gives a better workout in less time. But sticking with pure strength training isn’t a bad thing and I know tons of people prefer to do that. The day after taking the class, my arms were so sore! I had completely forgotten the triceps section of the class so I wondered for awhile why my triceps were so sore. The move had been a bit awkward because I had never thought to do it before but boy did it work! Two days later and I’m still sore.

Anyway, I got to talking with the teacher after the class was done and I may be able to sub for her if the fitness director gives the thumbs up. Just in case I get the green light, I spent my weekend creating a 45-minute class from scratch. It’s not like my old Circuit Fusion classes though because my equipment of choice was always a mat (mainly for ab work) and dumbbells and I don’t think they have enough dumbbells available. I’ll have to check out the equipment in the room when I go next. They have those long bars that I can use and rubber bands but I’m not all that used to them anymore so it would take more thought to put together a workout with those.

It was surprisingly difficult actually because I’m not used to creating routines anymore, I have to keep it anaerobic, and it’s 15 minutes longer than what I used to do. The warm-up is from POP 6 and many of the moves are from Cassey Ho. I’m hoping parts of it will generate some interest in my POP Pilates class too.

I spent almost as much time making the playlist as I did working on the moves. Each song will have 3 moves repeated and will have a different focus. For example: Shakira’s Waka Waka will have Walnut Crushers, Golf Balls, and Back Behinds to work the upper body and That’s Not My Name by The Ting Tings will focus on the lower body with Lunge Pulses, Sideways Scissors, and Plow & Squat. That last move I’m really not sure about because we’ll have a kind of short, squishy mat but not really a mat and I don’t want it sliding out from under people when they do this so I’ll have to test it first. If it always slides, I’ll have to change it to regular squats or side lunges or something. I love the Plow & Squat though, it’s super fun. And what a workout if you have to completely stand up from that squat to move to the next round of Lunge Pulses!

[Insert Evil Laughter]

Here’s the playlist:

I’m hoping to have loose choreography so I won’t have to count, but I’m not sure if this would work or not. Not a big deal though. Each song would still tell me what to work next. I would just count to keep everything even instead of doing it strictly to the music. However, Waka Waka screams for choreography. I’ve already tested it and it was super easy to fall into the rhythm.

Honestly though, I miss dumbbells. I miss Kelly’s Circuit Fusion class. It’s not the same with me doing it because my routines are way different.