New Journey...

Well, I've moved to a new place, still in Texas, just a little farther north...and things couldn't be going better! Life is grand! New career, new surroundings, change is good!

The gym is about 85% set up. I have joined a local gym to have access to cable machines, etc, and so far, things are going well. I'm trying to find my personal groove, which changes depending on the day - LOL.

I'll update my more blog as I get settled....

Hitting it hard with the TRX

For the past 3 weeks, I've been really focusing on my TRX training. I love suspension training more and more. I've increased my conditioning and flexibility with one tool. I like to combine it with other training elements (kettlebells, sandbags, med balls, etc), but I have to give credit where credit is due. The TRX is the real deal....

I've been using the TRX Flexibility, Train Like the Pros, and Team Sports DVDs, as well as creating my own routines. I've rediscovered the beauty of single handle mode drills and have dramatically increased my overall core strength.

Here are 5 of my favorite TRX drills; we've been giving them some special attention this month:

TRX Suspended Lunge

TRX Plank & Pike

TRX Suspended Burpee

TRX Sprinter's Start

TRX Suspended Lateral Lunge

If you've never tried suspension training, I highly recommend it. You will challenge your body in ways you never imagined possible! There is a REASON why this tool was voted one of the best health & fitness tools of 2009 by Men's Health magazine. It isn't just a fad! It's a proven system that will help improve your conditioning, functional fitness, and flexibility. Add it to your gym protocol along with kettlebells, sandbags, med balls, etc.

Get yours by clicking the picture below:




Here's a little TRX teaser for you featuring Brandon Vera at the opening of the UFC gym in California this past March:

TRX Train Like The Pros

This afternoon, my boyfriend and I decided to workout together. I invited him to do a TRX workout with me so that he can get better acquainted with the TRX. We had a great time! We tackled Todd Derkin's Train Like the Pros DVD. The workout was TOUGH. It had an incredible core component. I felt like this particular DVD was more upper body and core specific, but there were some lower body exercises in there as well. So, I still felt like my entire body got a great workout. The stretch segment was fantastic. I own almost all of the TRX DVDs, and the Durkin DVDs are my favorites. I will say that the Ropes & Straps Round 2 DVD is too advanced for me right now; I'll have to keep working my way up to it - LOL.

I can't sing enough wonderful praises about the TRX. I love that piece of equipment. It kicks a$$ (literally), and it is so versatile. If you're thinking about trying one out, I highly recommend just going for it. If for some reason you are unsatisfied, the TRX comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. Give it a try! It has so many wonderful applications!! Click the TRX banner on the right to purchase your own...you won't regret it!

A Little Kickboxing

Today, I did a brief (30 min) kickboxing workout. It was very effective. I haven't done this particular workout in a while, but I added some TRX movements to the beginning calisthenics section. I will probably do this workout again later this week. I really like Danny Sullivan's Real Kickboxing series. I wish he would make another set of DVDs. I'm glad that the set that I currently have has 5 workouts included with it.

Hope that you had a great workout day as well!!

Revisting an old classic - AoS Providence

Today I revisited a workout that holds a very special place in my heart - AoS Providence. This was the 5th kettlebell DVD that I purchased almost 5 years ago...and it is still a butt kicker to this very day :-) Providence is a quintessential workout that emphasizes strength, kettlebell technique, and building muscular & cardiovascular stamina. It is a classic and one that I need to go back to more often. It STILL kicks my butt, and I still can't make it all the way through without pressing the 'pause' button :-) The workout just gets better with age. I have heavier kettlebells now than when I first started 5 years ago, and that makes the workout that much more effective.

Make sure to check out Providence and other AoS DVDs. You won't regret having any of them in your library. Providence & Newport are still my top 2 DVDs 5 years later...

Lady Gaga - Telephone ft. Beyonce

I couldn't help myself with this post....LOL!
I am so in love with this song and video. There is a dance version of the song(kaskade radio edit) that is in frequent rotation for me right now at the gym. I heart Lady GaGa!!! She is so creative and artistically talented. The video is a bit out there, but, to me, it works!!

Simple Kettlebell Workout

My friend, Kurt, and I had a great workout tonight! I've been teaching him some fundamental kettlebell movements, and tonight we just focused on solidifying those movements through repetition. So....we did a deck of cards workout to reinforce everything.

It's been a while since I've actually done one, and it felt GREAT! We were tired, but we really picked up the pace at the halfway point. It took us about 50 minutes to get through the deck, inclusive of a few points during the workout where I reviewed form & safety.

Here's what we did, and we did each exercise for reps; single handed exercises were done on each side (which was great)! I used the heaviest KB that I could muster with good form for each exercise.

Face cards = 10 reps
Jokers were approx. 1 minute of rest.

Hearts: 2H Swings
Spades: 1H Swings
Clubs: Cleans
Diamonds: Presses
Aces: Set of Walking Lunges (down and back in my hallway)

Enjoy!