Tag: heart rate

May JUMP Challenge

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We’re jumpin’ right into summer, so get your jump rope ready! If you don’t have a jump rope, get one, (hello, Amazon!) use one at the gym, or simply jump up and down with an imaginary jump rope. No explanation needed, jump however you like and have fun! Jumping rope gets your heart-rate up, burns major calories, boosts metabolism, and can be done virtually anywhere. Just save, print, or pin the image below and jump right into summer!

May JUMP Challenge

One Healthy Breakdown: jump right into summer vibes feelin’ fine!

AKT is in Motion in the Hamptons

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Want to trick yourself into thinking you’re at a dance party while your heart rate maxes and your muscles work? Then get your booty to AKT and get ready to shake that…and lots more.

photo 2AKT in Motion was founded by dancer Anna Kaiser, who brought her passion for dance into a multi-disciplinary, all-in-one routine. All of AKT’s teachers are dancers with a greater appreciation for fitness and cross-training.

AKT is a high-intensity interval workout full of dance cardio combined with strength training, resistance training, flexibility, and more. Between dance intervals, we worked our core with planks, arms with weights, and glutes on the mat. Every two weeks, the class changes entirely. Just when you may have the routine down, you’re introduced to a whole new class, beginning to end, to keep us guessing. There’s nothing routine about this dance-cardio class. The dancing is a fast-moving, high-energy, fun and playful routine that feels more like a dance party than a fitness class, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you’re not going to sweat.

photo 5Oh, you’re going to sweat…even if you’re like me and can’t dance for beans. Do your best, keep moving, and have fun, even when everyone goes one way and you go the other (it happens to the best of us!) In the meantime, you’ll get a good workout and clear the mind. There’s nothing else to think about but keeping up with those moves and high-energy music.

photo 1Kiley and AKT’s Emily Mara after a sweaty Sunday class in Sag Harbor

If all AKT teachers are as positive and energetic as Emily, you’re guaranteed a good time. That smile did not leave her face the entire hour; her mood was contagious and her moves were out of this world. The energy at AKT will make you want to spend the day on the dance floor. No need for cocktails before this dance party, it’s happening. Check out AKT this summer at Hamptons Gym Corp’s Southampton and Sag Harbor locations.

One Healthy Breakdown: Get your booty shaking with AKT – you’ll leave with a smile and even some new moves!

Beach Body. Who Wants One?

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Two words: Beach Body. What comes to mind? I picture tight, tan, happy people, bikinis, surf boards, beach balls, sunshine…and maybe a chilled Corona or two?

Happy group at the beachWRONG! Now picture this: barbells, sweat, burpees, squats, and panting…a whole lot of panting. Connor Miller’s Beach Body class at Southampton Gym is all work, not so much glam, but if you’re looking for that one class to get you into beach body shape from head to toe, Beach Body is your answer. And, with a couple months until Memorial Day, now is the time!

photo 1

If you want a half-assed workout, Beach Body is not it. If you want to shock your body, challenge your mind, and be sore (and high on endorphins) for days, Beach Body just might be for you. So, what exactly goes on in a typical Beach Body class? The good thing is that it’s always different (Connor keeps us on our toes)…and it’s always the same (as in the panting, soreness, endorphins, and lack of chilled Coronas.)

Class kicks off with the warm-up, which I’ve learned always includes squats. Lots and lots of squats. Weighted, half-way down, half-way up, jump squats, you name it, we squat it. Legs on fire. Everyone wants to quit, but Connor doesn’t allow that.

But then, the intervals start and oh, how badly we want to return to those delightful squats. Not kidding. Can’t forget those abs, shoulders, triceps, biceps, back, obliques, chest, or anything else, can we?!

photo 2After the warm-up, the class is comprised of high-intensity tabata intervals (20 seconds on, 10 seconds off) separated by abdominal circuits and strength-training with weights. Plyometric drills are all timed, so the goal is to bang out as many as reps as possible. Each interval is four minutes long. Four long minutes, really. The first round is doable. And then, just when your heart rate hits the roof, you have three more rounds to go. This is where the panting comes in. That 10 second break are just enough to avoid a heart attack, but definitely not enough for recover. Recovery must wait until about five minutes after class is over and sanity is regained.

Why must we do such nonsense? For the Beach Body, remember. Eye on the prize: Memorial Day. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) burns more fat in less time and increases metabolism long after the workout is done. Plyometrics combine both speed and power, meaning that each exercise demands both cardio and strength for a double whammy. Now you understand why this class is always full. It’s EFFECTIVE. Each muscle group is effectively exhausted, including, for sure, the cardiovascular system.

On a good day, I consider myself somewhat in-shape. Never do I feel ‘in-shape’ during this class, but what I feel after Beach Body, is without a doubt, totally worthwhile. A combination of absolute exhaustion, a flood of endorphins, topped off with anticipation for that ‘hurts so good’ pain that is to come. Since Beach Body hits every muscle group, it’s always a guessing game as to which muscles will be most sore in the coming days. Don’t be too intimidated, the class is tough, but it’s doable at any age and fitness level. It’s about starting somewhere, challenging oneself, progressing, and, don’t forget the panting. Regardless of your age, fitness level, or perfect beach body, there will always be panting.

You can catch Connor’s Beach Body class weekly at Southampton Gym.

One Healthy Breakdown: Maybe I’ll see you in Beach Body class. I’m the one gasping for air.

Q & A w Z: Warm Up & Cool Down

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Q: What is the best way to warm-up and cool-down?

A: Warming up the body before a workout is really important to prevent injury during and after the workout. Lots of people think that static stretching is necessary before a workout, but you actually want to avoid it because it increases your chance of straining or tearing muscles.

For my warm-up, I do dynamic stretching and/or foam rolling for about 5-10 minutes. Dynamic stretching (stretching while moving) should be incorporated into everybody’s workout routine. It allows the body and mind to better prepare for activity. Dynamic stretching increases the heart rate, blood flow, and circulation to muscles. It also activates the nervous system to improve neuromuscular reaction, crucial during a tough workout. Dynamic warm-up can lead to fewer injuries and improved performance, something I’m sure we all want.

There is no one right way to warm up, there are tons of dynamic movements (you can search online for examples.) Pick the movements closely related to those that will be performing during the workout to target the muscles you’ll be working. If you’re training your legs, you could warm up with bridges, leg swings, walking on toes, walking lunges, high knees, lateral squats, etc. There are so many exercises, just pick your favorite 5-6 exercises (10-15 repetitions each or until you feel warm) and practice consistently. It’s very tempting to skip your warm-up, but don’t. Stick with it and it will pay off.

As for cool-down, it is important to let the heart rate come down after your workout.  Cool-down can be as simple as walking one lap, just make sure that you recover. This is the right time for static stretching; stretch the muscles you’ve worked during your workout for about 10-20 seconds. Gentle yoga is a great cool down. I usually do a few static stretches at the end of my workout, like Downward Dog or Forward Fold.

DD

I also love love love the foam roller. The foam roller, a very cost-friendly tool, can be used to boost circulation before the workout and/or to break up fibrous tissue after the workout, which prevents soreness. The foam roller is my best friend after a tough leg routine, it loosens the tightness.

If you have a question for Z, email kiley@onehealthyhamptons.com or post on the OHH facebook page!

One Healthy Breakdown: warming-up the right way is just as important as what you do during your workout – replace pre-workout stretching with dynamic moves for good reason.