I'm back on the workout horse again. And let me tell you...IT FEELS GREAT!

My sleep has seen the biggest improvement since I've incorporated regular movement back into my life. Check out what exercise routines I have been doing to sleep better and overall just feel better.
 

First class up is Barre! 

I LOVE this class!!! So many of friends have been going to it for many years now and I just never tried it. Now I'm kicking myself for waiting so long - better late than never, right?

What is it? (description from BeYoga's website, where I take class)

Barre class is a 60 minute full body workout that combines pilates, yoga, strength conditioning and ballet-inspired moves to give you beautiful, sculpted, lean muscles. A truly unique yet challenging workout, Barre utilizes the ballet barre to perform low impact isometric movements that lifts your glutes, tones your thighs, abs, and arms, and burns fat in a short amount of time.

This regimented routine will evenly sculpt and quickly transform the entire body, resulting in a long and lean muscle physique. Room is heated to about 90 degrees. This one-hour class is designed to strengthen your core, lengthen your muscles, center your mind and produce visible results. Each class is designed to build impressive total-body toning and flexibility while maintaining the utmost safety and accessibility for all students.

Why I LOVE it!
This class is the perfect amount of cardio, weights and movement. The camaraderie between students is amazing which you don't always find in group classes. We all support one another as we sweat it out (and many of us grunt too) through the sets. Every aspect of your body is truly  worked in a way that is challenging but oh so rewarding :)

Second is Bikram.

I took my first Bikram class almost 12 years ago. I wasn't always a huge fan of the heated room and in New York hot yoga is not as popular as it is in Seattle. My old memories of a hot smelly room was standing in the way between me and Bikram. Finally I took a leap of faith and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this class. 

What is it? (description from BeYoga's website, where I take class)

1 Hour Beginners Series, 26 postures with 2 breathing exercises designed for all levels, from beginner to advanced, to work the entire body from bones to skin. The room is heated to 105 with 40% humidity allowing the body to stretch safely and detoxify fully. Students are encouraged to rest when needed, listen to the body, never force. You will be amazed at what is possible!

Why I LOVE it!
Unlike a regular vinyasa yoga class where each class is a different sequence of postures, Bikram utilizes the same 26 postures each time. Everyday, actually every moment our body is different. Taking a class where you know the posture series allows for you to see your progress, check in with where you are at both mentally and physically that day, along with being fully present through each breath and posture. 

Another perk is the heated room. Seattle is cold and damp in winter time which is a winning combination that goes straight to your bones. Walking into the heat you feel as though you are wrapped in a cozy blanket, thawing you out first from the outside in and then the inside out. This also leads to a great flushing of toxins out of your system - the lymphatic system (the overseer of the immunity and the movement of fluid throughout the body) increases its efficiency to keep you healthy. 

Third is HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)

My friend Sadie took me this class with her, as we are in car she looks at me very serious and says, "Are you sure you're ready for this?".

Well she wasn't kidding about being ready. I consider myself to be in relatively good shape but this class kicked me butt! This is not for the faint of heart yet you feel SO accomplished once done.

What is it? 

HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, is a training technique in which you give all-out, one hundred percent effort through quick, intense bursts of exercise, followed by short, sometimes active, recovery periods. This type of training gets and keeps your heart rate up and burns more fat in less time. “A high-intensity workout increases the body’s need for oxygen during the effort and creates an oxygen shortage, causing your body to ask for more oxygen during recovery,” says Eric Salvador, NASM, NSCA, head instructor at The Fhitting Room in New York City.  “This afterburn effect is referred to as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and is the reason why intense exercise will help burn more fat and calories than regular aerobic and steady-state workouts.”

Why I LOVE it!

Ok, I must admit, I don't really love this class (haha) however I can appreciate what it had to offer. It was like stepping back into the era of gym class, everyone slightly competitive with lots of team/partner combinations. I was pushed out of my comfort zone which is always a good thing and my lungs haven't been expanded like that in ages. This is a class I would incorporate maybe 1-2 times a month to keep my cardio alive and vibrant since many other exercises in my routine do not have that. For those of you who like to be competitive and give it all you got, well this is the class for you!
 

Last, is walking

This is a staple in my life. It is the time I truly have to be with my thoughts, be in the present moment and interface with nature. I cannot get enough of it! If you have friends who like to go, it's like meeting for an active coffee date - benefits mentally, emotionally, and physically. 

Why I love it!

Every time I venture out on my walks, I try to choose a new street to explore but somedays I love taking the same route to notice the subtle changes that occur. Walking is a wonderful way to stay active without requiring much. My grandma just turned 95 on March 21st - I would have to say walking played an integral role in the success of her health and longevity. 

So there you have it!

Are there workout classes or exercise that you love? If so, please share I love trying new things :)