I call BS.
When I say the word “workout,” your mind probably goes to treadmills and heavy weights, right?
One of the biggest misconceptions in the fitness industry is the idea that a one size fits all approach to fitness exists. Sure, sweating through an hour of cardio or pumping iron like there’s no tomorrow works for some people, but not everyone – and these methods definitely don’t work for me.
Understanding why you work out.
We all have different fitness goals. Whether you are looking to slim down, gain muscle, or just relieve some stress, understanding your personal motivation will help you find a routine that you actually love. Growing up in dance and sports, I never had to think about what a fitness routine meant for me. After graduating high school last spring, for the first time in 16 years, my level of physical fitness was solely in my hands – not a coach or instructor’s.
In my first semester of college, I was so intimidated by the gym. Eight times out of ten, I ended up gliding the night away on an elliptical, absolutely bored out of my mind. I had no idea how to push myself without someone yelling at me to go harder. Also, add in the fact that I had no idea how to work any of the equipment in the gym, and well . . . you get the point. Do your research if you are anything like I was when I first started venturing away from the cardio machines. There are tons of Instagram accounts and Youtube channels dedicated to learning how to thrive in the gym!
It wasn’t until January when I realized why I work out that I was actually able to feel accomplished after hitting the gym. For me, workouts are about maintaining my mental well-being and channeling my competitive spirit in a healthy way. Typically one of my more burdensome qualities, my perfectionism allows me to compete with myself at the gym through high intensity work outs. I still enjoy the occasional group fitness class, but based on my individual motivations for working out, spending that hour or so every day to push myself individually has really made all the difference in my fitness journey.
Finding a routine that works for you.
I don’t know how much weight I can squat, and I haven’t bench-pressed since my freshman year PE class in high school. You don’t need heavy weights and personal records to push yourself as you work out.
I went to spin classes, yoga classes, and other various group fitness classes. I tried running long-distance, sprinting short distance – you name it, I tried it. Nothing was giving me that workout “high” everyone talks about. I didn’t love working out because I didn’t know what my body wanted.
Coming from a dance background, I feel really in sync with my body when I allow it to do the work, rather than relying on machines or heavy weights. I’ll get into my personal routine a bit more below, but I want to encourage you to experiment with your work outs. Find what makes your body (and your mind) feel powerful.
My workout routine.
In the fall, I took a Tabata class at my school’s rec center and realized my love for circuit workouts. My favorite approach? HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training. In this style of work out, you go all out in short bursts of maximum energy output. It’s extra beneficial because getting your heart rate up in short bursts during a workout helps your body burn more calories for hours after you leave the gym. You can apply this style of training to almost any workout method (cardio or strength).
How to HIIT it at the gym. . .
Here is an example of a HIIT cardio workout I do when I really want to sweat:
Hop on a stationary bike, and pull out your go-to workout playlist. Every time the chorus plays, sprint full-out on the bike. When the chorus is over, slow back down and decrease the resistance. Be sure to get in a swig of water before the next chorus rolls around, because then – it’s go time. I do this for about 15 minutes and sometimes burn upwards of 200 calories. (Side note: I am not much of a calorie counter when I workout. I just focus on keeping my heart rate up and feeling the burn!)
I also do HITT workouts when I am doing strength/agility circuits. This part of my workout routine is not especially “typable.” Let me know if you would like more fitness content to appear on my channels, and I’ll work on creating some visuals to guide you through some of my favorite circuits. Teaser: Lots of jumping and very few push-ups . . . because who actually enjoys push-ups?
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No matter where you are on your fitness journey, understanding your motivations and how your body and mind respond to workouts will help you learn to love the challenge.
XOXOXO, Zo
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