As an athlete, and skeptic, I had my doubts about the benefits of yoga. I couldn’t understand how stretching could be a workout? My only experience with yoga was p90x yoga and while I enjoyed the last ten minutes of stretching and relaxation, the DVD was 90 minutes and WAY too intense for a first time experience. My soon to be mother-in-law does yoga every morning and has always raved about it, then my mom read an article about a 90 year old woman who teaches yoga and is in perfect health, so I figured I better give it a try. I bought Yoga for Beginners by Rodney Yee and it is wonderful. I am an addict!! The DVD has two 20 minute sessions as well as a 45 minute tutorial where you can learn perfect form for each position. Plus you have the option to just learn each individual pose if you prefer. Another great thing about the DVD are the options for the audio tracks, you can choose full instruction, music plus instruction or just music.
After loving the first DVD, I have since purchased AM Yoga by Rodney Yee and 15 Minute Results by Rodney Yee and have been doing yoga daily. In addition to feeling a great sense of relaxation, I am getting much more flexible, my muscles are getting toned and a totally unexpected result, I have noticed my posture is getting way better. I have had a sizable chest my entire life and let’s just say my posture could use some work.
I feel yoga is a workout/lifestyle I could do for the rest of my life. if you have been waiting to give it a try, take my word for it, you won’t regret it!
Share this fitness tip with your friends and family, they will thank you!
Amanda
Long ago I did the famous “Body For Life” routine. This was at the start of my personal training career and I was trying out different workouts to test the effectiveness. While I no longer do Body For Life, I did love the 20 minute cardio interval training. If you are looking for a way to spice up your routine and get results, this is the workout for you!
The graph above depicts the intensity level of your workout per minute.
You start at an intensity level of 6 for 1 minute, then move to 7 on the next minute, then 8 and 9. Then you return to 6. Your level 9 should be the peak of your intensity and it should leave you craving oxygen before you return to level 6.
Notice that I said that the starting point is YOUR level 6. This is based out of 10.
The key to this interval routine is in the very last round. You will notice that the graph pushes you up to level 10. Make sure that you push yourself above and beyond. Once you are at level 10, hold that intensity for as long as you possibly can! Level 10 should leave you exhausted and ready for your slow paced cool down.
This cardio interval routine lasts for a total of 20 minutes. Remember to add in a warm up and cool down. This fitness tip is meant to be versatile. You can do this routine in the gym on any cardio machine or outside if you have a stop watch.
Here is another version of the program for you to print out and place in your gym bag. Use the tool bar below to get your fitness tips printed.
Adria Ali
CPT, BS, CES, PES
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