The obvious alternatives:
Hiking
It is my favorite workout. Its refreshing, has unlimited visual stimulus, lots of vitamin D and its free! If you live near Los Feliz like I do, go to Griffith Park. It is great for hiking at any level. There are so many quick beautiful hikes available.
My personal favorite is entering on Commonwealth and taking the right hand fork which skirts the border of Griffith and then cork-screws up to the Griffith Park Helipad. It's a spectacular place to watch a sunset and is a gradual scenic climb for thoughts of use with rebelling knee joints. It's also a very dog and horse friendly hike and has watering spots for both animals half way up the trail.Price: Free
Indoor Soccer
Its incredibly demanding, fast-paced and borderline violent! Like most sports, you can't let your emotions rule you. This one can be really fun if you're playing with friends (or good teammates) but it's not at all free. Admittedly, I don't think I was ever more fit in my life then I was when I played soccer.
Price: Depending on the size of your team, it can vary from $100 - $300 (or more) per person when you rack up the seasonal membership fees, team fees, and required gear.
Not Jogging
Seriously, if you actively jog I salute you. I found it boring, strenuous, people feel the need to say the dumbest things to you (or even just random noises) and its murder on your knees!
Not Jogging
Seriously, if you actively jog I salute you. I found it boring, strenuous, people feel the need to say the dumbest things to you (or even just random noises) and its murder on your knees!
Price: Your knee caps
The less conventional methods:
Hooping
Earlier I mentioned my utter lack of an ability to hula hoop. I have always been fascinated by hula hoop performers. It is something so feminine and graceful, how could I not admire it?
As silly as it may sound... I have started down a path of trying to self-teach myself to hula hoop and (fingers crossed) learn some hooping tricks as well. So far it has been extremely trying and demeaning but also fun.
I can successfully keep the hoop spinning for a short time and incrementally moving towards not looking like a baboon having a spasm whilst doing it. Hooray!
Discoveries so far:
Clearly its a good ab workout and cardio exercise. I can stay focused on it to music more then I normally can with running.
I have played around with taping up normal $5-$10 children's hoops with some success. I like the larger hoops as they spin slowly and gives me ample time to find my rhythm however these are usually made to be quite lightweight. However, this hoop has a marble inside that I just cannot seem to remove and the noise it creates sends people around me into a murderous annoyed rage.
I also have a smaller and heavier hoop which is more difficult to keep momentum going with but it is much less noisy. Its heavier because it is filled with water which gives it a good weight for its smaller size. The downside of that is the air bubbles in the water can actually throw off the rhythm of the spin which obviously is a bit frustrating.
It was actually my boyfriend (who hasn't been my biggest hooping fan) that suggested I buy a proper hoop. So, I did. If you're just reading this boy, there will be an extra hoop over on my side of the living room. Pay no mind...
I bought my new fancy hoop from superhooper.com. This site has been really informative for me as a novice Hooper. It is sanded on the inside for grip and unbelievably light.
The less conventional methods:
Hooping
Earlier I mentioned my utter lack of an ability to hula hoop. I have always been fascinated by hula hoop performers. It is something so feminine and graceful, how could I not admire it?As silly as it may sound... I have started down a path of trying to self-teach myself to hula hoop and (fingers crossed) learn some hooping tricks as well. So far it has been extremely trying and demeaning but also fun.
I can successfully keep the hoop spinning for a short time and incrementally moving towards not looking like a baboon having a spasm whilst doing it. Hooray!
Discoveries so far:
Clearly its a good ab workout and cardio exercise. I can stay focused on it to music more then I normally can with running.
I have played around with taping up normal $5-$10 children's hoops with some success. I like the larger hoops as they spin slowly and gives me ample time to find my rhythm however these are usually made to be quite lightweight. However, this hoop has a marble inside that I just cannot seem to remove and the noise it creates sends people around me into a murderous annoyed rage.
I also have a smaller and heavier hoop which is more difficult to keep momentum going with but it is much less noisy. Its heavier because it is filled with water which gives it a good weight for its smaller size. The downside of that is the air bubbles in the water can actually throw off the rhythm of the spin which obviously is a bit frustrating.
It was actually my boyfriend (who hasn't been my biggest hooping fan) that suggested I buy a proper hoop. So, I did. If you're just reading this boy, there will be an extra hoop over on my side of the living room. Pay no mind...I bought my new fancy hoop from superhooper.com. This site has been really informative for me as a novice Hooper. It is sanded on the inside for grip and unbelievably light.
Price: The hoop ran me around $55, with shipping included.
Update on my review: I have had this hoop only for about 24 hours now and I can definetly say its worth the extra bit of money. It's a polypro hoop, which makes it light as a feather and very flexible. I spent hours after it arrived just listening to music and dancing inside this hoop. Definitely feel graceful and more agile while practicing, I wholeheartedly approve of it.
Cirque Classes
Specifically, Cirque School LA and their 101 class. If you need an overall boot camp for strength training, this is your class. The instructors will push you hard and keep you running on humor.
Update on my review: I have had this hoop only for about 24 hours now and I can definetly say its worth the extra bit of money. It's a polypro hoop, which makes it light as a feather and very flexible. I spent hours after it arrived just listening to music and dancing inside this hoop. Definitely feel graceful and more agile while practicing, I wholeheartedly approve of it.
Cirque ClassesSpecifically, Cirque School LA and their 101 class. If you need an overall boot camp for strength training, this is your class. The instructors will push you hard and keep you running on humor.
Price: $25/class or $120/6 classes, there are occasionally online coupons and discounts as well.
They mainly focus on aerial tissue and trapeze. Like I said before, this will give you the best post workout burn you've ever had. I bruised behind my knees something fierce and most people that take the trapeze seriously develop some severely calloused hands. But there are results there for those dedicated enough to seek them.
Aerial Hammock/Yoga
I've been gradually improving in aerial hammock for the past year and definitely have to give a huge shout out to UP Flying Yoga for being all around awesome. I have discovered new strengths and patience there that I never thought I would ever have.
These classes center on core strength and focused strengths. It also taught me that I have no ab strength AT ALL and that I adore hanging upside down!
Price: If you want to try it once, a single class costs $25. Although I highly recommend purchasing the GroupOn which allows you to buy 4 classes for $45 (that's $11.25/class). Monthly memberships are also available.
Most people have trouble with going upside down, if you take this class... be excited and prepared to go upside down! Another struggle is the bruising (if you're in a more advanced class), the fabric gathers in focused spots that are holding all of your body weight and I bruise easily.
You may not have as good of a workout burn after this class but you will feel more refreshingly stretched out then you ever have before.
On The Mat Yoga/Pilates
They mainly focus on aerial tissue and trapeze. Like I said before, this will give you the best post workout burn you've ever had. I bruised behind my knees something fierce and most people that take the trapeze seriously develop some severely calloused hands. But there are results there for those dedicated enough to seek them.
Aerial Hammock/YogaI've been gradually improving in aerial hammock for the past year and definitely have to give a huge shout out to UP Flying Yoga for being all around awesome. I have discovered new strengths and patience there that I never thought I would ever have.
These classes center on core strength and focused strengths. It also taught me that I have no ab strength AT ALL and that I adore hanging upside down!
Price: If you want to try it once, a single class costs $25. Although I highly recommend purchasing the GroupOn which allows you to buy 4 classes for $45 (that's $11.25/class). Monthly memberships are also available.
Most people have trouble with going upside down, if you take this class... be excited and prepared to go upside down! Another struggle is the bruising (if you're in a more advanced class), the fabric gathers in focused spots that are holding all of your body weight and I bruise easily.
You may not have as good of a workout burn after this class but you will feel more refreshingly stretched out then you ever have before.
On The Mat Yoga/Pilates
I try to do this often, it's a good reinforcement to any workout routein, plus it's very easy to accommodate at home. If you own a Android or Apple device and want a simple in-home instructor, I would strongly recommend anything by Daily Workout Apps, LLC. I've used this product almost daily for years.
Price: It costs .99/App or roughly $4 for all of them together.
The apps provided can vary from relaxing yoga to specific and toning Pilates workouts, the execution of the form is visually explained through a gif image, it has a pleasing female voice to talk you through the moves, you can select your targeted muscles to work on, they integrate in accessories like Physio balls and weights and even let you develope your own routine or time intervals.
Its a bit like having a personal trainer without a gym membership. It really helps me stay on track when I am sleepily starting out the morning, feeling distracted or even on vacation.
No comments:
Post a Comment