Water Spin class: Cibola Vista Resort

On Friday, October 18, 2019, I attended a class  at 9 am called Water Spin held at the Lagoon Pool at Cibola Vista Resort and Spa in Peoria, Arizona. The instructor Colleen was bubbly, knowledgeable, and patient in training all 5 of us newbies to the world of water spin (or water cycling).

I have since researched the prices of these water bicycles and have seen them range in price from about $950 - $2,000. Yowzie! And that explains why there are only 6 bicycles. I have more respect for this resort for having invested in these exercise contraptions so this class can happen.

We started off by Colleen explaining that to warm up we will go at about 80 % of our own pace, whatever that is for each of us. Then she took a few more minute to experience what it feels like to go at a "passing up other cyclists" pace, or about 95% of our pace. Then we went all out for about 30 seconds.

We did some warm ups of just pedaling at a moderate pace. then we alternated our paces. She then showed us getting off on our seats and being in dolphin pose by hanging on to the handlebars while at a 90 degree angle pedaling at a moderate pace. We then slid back on to our seats jumping up dolphin style. Yes this was fun! We continued pedaling at a moderate pace. We alternated doing lots of different paces until our 45 minute mark. And yes, I didn't think it was possible to sweat while wet from the pool water but I did! And the weather was fairly cool with a breeze too.

We ended by doing some stretches next to the bike using it to stretch our calves, arms, neck, etc.

It was a great workout! It is great for those that need lower impact as that is what the water gives you, yet you are still building up strength in the muscles.

Great class! I learned a lot! Loved it and will do again if ever given the opportunity.

2019 Big Bear CA Yoga Festival (Oct. 5)

2019 Big Bear Yoga Festival:

This year on October 5, 2019, I attended the Big Bear Yoga Festival for the first time EVER! I actually registered as a volunteer. I arrived half an hour before it started. to see where I was needed. I was given parking patrol, guiding incoming cars to parking spots and helping vendors bring in supplies.

But I did have an opportunity to attend classes and look at Vendor Village.

The venue was perfect in the serene atmosphere of Big Bear! The weather was perfect! Blue skies, sun shining but not too hot. birds singing in the trees, wooded areas, etc. 

Yoga demonstrations in the theater, on the patio, on the outdoors:

 

I went to 2 meditation classes led by a Deaf man named Matt. Here he is:

Would I go again? Absolutely! But I plan to go as a yogi to take as many classes as I can!

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Journey

March 4th (Forth, appropriately), 2019 I started training in Brazilian jiu jitsu at the UFC Gym in Corona, CA. My instructors are amazing men who know their stuff!

I earned my first stripe on my white belt after training for 6 months (but not attending as often as I should) on Monday, September 23, 2019.

Jiu jitsu training has been hard mentally and physically. There are thousands of things to learn. Sure, there are the basics such as hip escape, arm bar, and mata leon choke (rear naked choke). But because of all the variations, it is so hard to remember what I learned. But it has been a fun learning experience! And my motto has been, "You're in it for the long haul!"

So let's keep the momentum of learning going!!!

Pop Pilates - wow!

In the month of August (2018), I tried Pop Pilates. And wow!.. did I get a great core workout inspired by the dance of ballet!!!  (At least that was my first impression of this trademarked fitness program.)

As I researched Pop Pilates at the website www.poppilateslife.com, I read its description: "Pop Pilates is a total body, equipment-free workout that sculpts a rock solid core and a lean dancer's body like nothing else can." All I would recommend is a comfortable yoga mat.

Aha! My first impression was right. Definitely a ballet dance inspired workout choreographed to upbeat music. There are no official dance moves like Zumba has. But it includes plie with the feet. My favorite foot movement that somewhat requires balance is called "Around the World." This is done by putting the hands on the hips, applying weight on one foot while 1) placing the other foot in front of your body slightly lifting it off the ground 2) moving it to the side 3) moving it back 4) lifting the knee up. Then you do it in reverse - back, side, front, lift. Repeat 5 to 10 times and proceed to do the same amount of repetitions on the opposite side. And you can bet you are getting some leg strength! But also, very important as you get older is the balancing portion of this can actually prevent you from future falls. Consider it payment for insurance against hip breaks and other complications associated with aging. And this is just a fraction of what happens in each 55 minute class session.

Another similarity to ballet is arm positions and how the instructor calls it out. First position: arms in front like your holding a giant ball; second position: arms laterally; third position: right arm laterally while opposite arm is held above the head; fourth position: left arm laterally while right arm is held above the head (so..the opposite of third position); fifth position: both arms held above the head (just like a ballerina!). Having never learned ballet, I didn't know any of this prior to my classes until I did some ballet research. (See where trying new things takes you?!)

From the website, I learned that certification training is $299 with 155 off if purchased more than 2 weeks prior to a scheduled training. An i=International program is available online for those that live outside of the United States for the same cost in US dollars. But a drawback to training if you want to use the Pop Pilates trademark is the $12.99 per month membership plus an unknown cost  (maybe it's free? I couldn't find additional information on this.) for quarterly brand new exclusive choreography. CECs are available to those needing it to renew certifications for certified personal training, etc. If you have the  need, check to see if your agency accepts Pop Pilates. I don't see myself ever becoming an instructor. But I do see myself attending classes as often as my schedule will allow!

It was fun and actually inspiring

Waiting for my first ever class to start. Pop Paradise - lei  provided!

 Instructor Jessica on the right. A gem of positive energy!

Les Mills Body Combat

On Monday, August 6, 2018, I participated in Les Mill's Body Combat class for the first time. It was a very popular class with many students.

Right from the start it was high intensity.

To warm up, we did shadow boxing with  one two punches. Then other things were added such as squat punches.

The full hour workout was a combination of many martial arts incorporating various punches: straight, jab, hook, upper cut. There were back kick and punch combinations. There were front kick, squat, and punch combinations. There were side kick and punch combinations.

A background in basic martial arts would be beneficial because there is no instruction on how to do these things. You just watch and follow along if you have never done it before. I feel that it could be intimidating for first timers with no martial arts background. But it is a fun and super active, calorie burning workout!

I definitely plan to return.

Les Mills Body Pump class

Today

I attended the 0830 class of Les Mills Body Pump 55 minute class held at 24 Hour Fitness on Madison Avenue in Riverside, California. The instructor was Taryn. Before I describe what the class involved, I must say that I like Taryn's teaching style. She has, not only words of encouragement to keep you going even when you might want to stop, but knowledge of why we are doing what we are doing. She said how great it is that we chose to be here early in class on a Saturday morning when we could have been somewhere else. So...on with the description of Body Pump!

This class is designed to increase strength and tone the muscles. The equipment pictured above includes a black platform that can be placed on top of those red roundish pieces to be used as a weight bench in the workout. Then you have a metal bar with plastic ends that adjustable weights in cylindrical form can be added on. The adjustable weights also have an empty middle with a bar going across that are used as handles for free weight sessions.

The class starts with a simple 5 minute warmup with the bar consisting of squats, dead lifts, arm curls, etc. Just something light to get the heart rate up and the muscles ready for what is ahead.

The workout uses the bar with or without weights at the ends, the "weight bench" for free weight movements, and many free weight movements as well. From taking this class, I see that the possibilities of workouts are endless! And all while getting your body stronger! I will be a repeat class attender.

I can't wait to try Les Mills Body Combat class!

Who knows where this will take me?! I might even pursue certification and become an instructor!

24 Hour Fitness Adventures

I am excited about recently becoming a member at 24 Hour Fitness - Friday, December 8, 2017 to be exact.  I was out running errands and saw 2 guys standing at a street corner with the 24 Hour Fitness canopy. I parked my car and approached them. After they showed me a layout of the new gym in my city and offering me a price I couldn't refuse, I filled out the paperwork and joined before the opening of the new facility. It will officially be open on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 6 am.

In the meantime, I have been attending two of their other facilities: Corona site on Mckinley and Eastvale. I haven't attended any classes yet. But will report on the yoga and Less Mills Combat classes when I do. So far, I have gone swimming. I decided to start training for a triathlon and swimming is my weak area. And do you know what I LOVE about 24 Hour Fitness? I love that it's open 24 hours! I hadn't done anything as far as exercise one evening and it was nearing 9:30 pm. So quick as a wink, I changed into my bathing suit and drove to the Eastvale location. I swam laps for about 15 minutes, tread water for 5 minutes, did some water aerobics for 5 minutes, and then I did some water yoga for another 5 minutes. After that, I got into the jacuzzi where I allowed the water spraying out from the holes to give my lower back a massage and also massage my ankles and bottoms of my feet. Oh, how relaxing!

After my water exercise, I hopped into the shower, dried off, got into my pink Christmas Story bunny pajamas, dried off my hair with a hair dryer they provide, and drove home all ready for bed. (Hardly anyone was there so I didn't get any weird stares from my attire.) When I arrived home, I was able to get straight to sleep and doze blissfully until the following morning.

Another thing I did that I NEVER do is I ran on the treadmill for a FULL HOUR! I love trail running so usually treadmill running is really boring. But I decided to totally change things up. I started out by warming up walking briskly, then I started running at a 4 1/2 mile pace increasing it every few minutes to a 6 to 7 mile pace per hour and also adding in higher terrain up to level 8 incline. I had so much fun doing this. And I felt so energized!

I can't wait to see what new adventures await me at 24 Hour Fitness!