My Week in Workouts

My Week in Workouts: A Running Break

I got such a positive response from my Week in Workouts post a couple weeks ago that I thought I’d do another one—maybe I’ll shoot for two a month instead of one.

I have Achilles tendonitis, which is 99.9% a result of constantly going from walking in 6” heels to running in sneakers, day in and day out. For the past couple years, it’s been totally manageable, and I found it was almost completely resolved by switching up my running sneakers. Getting a pair of flexible shoes that naturally push the foot to do more of a toe-strike (as opposed to heel strike) was totally game changing for me (I wear the Nike Free 3). However, every once in a while, my tendonitis flares up, and by now I know that the best thing to do for it is just take a few days off of running (and stilettos) to let it calm down. Here’s what my no-run week looked like:

My Week in Workouts: November 18-24

(8:15PM) Late-Night Pilates Plus

Snapping a quick, embarrassing selfie before everyone arrived.

I usually prefer working out in the morning, but switched things up with a late Pilates Plus class at Btone. I like trying out different instructors, and this was my first class with Kristen—she was awesome; the workout was super challenging.

(6AM) 15-Minute Bodyweight Challenge & Stretching

I snuck this quick, 15-minute bodyweight challenge in before my roommates woke up (it’s really hard to focus on the workout and not laugh when your roommate walks in the room while you’re just casually flying through the air with your limbs everywhere).

Click image for full workout tutorial.

I then dedicated a good chunk of time to just really stretching out my tight muscles. I always give stretching some extra attention when my tendonitis is bothering me, but I actually focus on other areas (hamstrings, hip flexor, the arches of my foot) as to not aggravate my Achilles anymore (a deep calf stretch, for example, would probably just exacerbate the problem).

(6PM) Spin Class at gstarfit

One of my favorite perks of blogging is getting to visit different fitness studios. I was invited to try a spin class at gstarfit in Needham, which I’d best describe as a boutique gym. Gregg, the owner, teaches the spin class, and his energy is unreal. He uses sets from DJs instead of a traditional playlist, so the music is continuous, with one song transitioning right into the next. I’m a big fan of EDM, so I loved it. And no breaks in the music meant less breaks in the workout, so I was drenched in sweat by the end.

Spin class attendance is definitely aimed towards gstarfit monthly members. Day class passes are available as well, but cost-wise it makes the most sense for those also looking to use the gym’s weight/cardio machines and take advantage of personal training and other offered membership services. You can get more details here.

(12PM) Pilates Plus at Btone

Broke up my day with a lunch break Pilates class.

(6AM) 30-Min Stability Ball Workout

I bought a stability ball a couple months ago, and finally got around to using it in a workout. Up until now, it’s been strictly a desk “chair.” Can’t wait to share this workout with you guys—I’ll get it up on the blog in the next couple weeks.

(6PM) 15-Min Kettlebell AMRAP

I did this quick kettlebell workout before hopping in the shower to get ready for the night. And I beat my previous numbers, getting through six whole rounds and into the seventh. Woop!

Click image for full tutorial.

REST.

And by “rest” I mean “recover from hangover.” I went to an event Friday night, and had a little too much fun. Oopsie…

(10AM) Pilates Plus at Btone

This class is really too perfect for an achilles flare up to not do again and again…and again. Doesn’t bother my tendonitis at all!

My Week in Workouts: A Glimpse into My Weekly Fitness Routine (or Lack Thereof)

One of the questions I get most frequently is about my weekly workout schedule. While I love, love, love getting emails from you all, I figure a better solution is to address this common question by sharing my weekly workouts on the blog from time to time. The intent of Pumps & Iron was never to be a daily fitness diary, so I’ll just do a weekly summary once a month or so, giving you an idea of what I did during a random week. I switch up my workouts all the time, so you’ll see the amount of working out and types of exercises will vary with each post. For someone who’s always been so anti-diary-blog, I’m actually excited to make these a regular feature on P&I!

My Week in Workouts: November 11-17

(6AM) Morning Run

I started my day with a 3-mile run. Lately, instead of my usual route along the water (from which 90% of my annoying Instagram sunrise pictures come), I’ve been aimlessly running around backstreets of Southie looking for cool street art and graffiti. They’re no Banksy, but I’ve actually found a few cool ones (clearly this pic wasn’t taken on a run…I don’t run wearing collared shirts and carrying handbags, promise).

(8PM) Low-Impact Circuit Workout

For some reason, my knee had been bothering me since Sunday night, so I wanted to do an at-home workout that avoided deep lunges, jumping or any drastic bending of the knees. Usually, starting the week off with any sort of soreness or injury is the result of dancing in 6” heels drunk at a club at 2AM, but I was actually super tame and studious all weekend (how uncharacteristically mature!), so I have no clue from where the knee pain came.

Regardless of the cause of injury, I managed to get a workout in while avoiding irritating my knee further. I’ll share the full tutorial on the blog next week, but it was a circuit workout involving kettlebell swings, downward dog pushups, Russian twists and superman flutter kicks. Super quick (probably about 15 minutes), but just what I needed after sitting in front of a computer all day.

(9AM) Quick Abs & A Run

I woke up at 6AM to it snowing outside. Not. Cool. I delayed my run and instead spent the morning studying. When the snow stopped, I did this quick 5-minute pre-cardio ab workout and then headed outside for a 3-mile run. It’s not so much that I think 5 minutes of abs is going to give me a six-pack (it won’t)—it’s just really important for me to raise my body temperature before running outside in cold weather so that my Raynaud’s doesn’t do this:

(4:30PM) Pilates Plus at Btone

I’ve raved about Pilates Plus (a type of Pilates done on Megaformer machines; also called Lagree Fitness) a bajillion times on the blog. After spending the day at the Boston Public Library studying/working, I walked over to one of the 45-minute classes at Btone. I try to make at least a couple classes a week because not only do I love it, but I hope to teach it once I’m certified—the more practice the better!

(12PM) 30-Minute Interval Workout

I broke up my day with an interval workout made up of all the exercises I love to hate. Starburst burpees, plank-to-pikes, med ball squat jacks, alternating superman planks, Turkish get-ups…kill me. I’ll post the tutorial on the blog in the next week or so—you’ll love to hate it.

(6AM) Morning Run & Full-Body Pyramid Workout

First thing in the morning, I went for a 3.5 mile run and then did the Full-Body Pyramid Workout that I posted last year on the blog. It’s still one of my favorites!

Click image for full tutorial.

(5:20PM) Barry’s Bootcamp

Pretending I have upper body strength…

I was invited to come try out a class at the new Boston location of Barry’s Bootcamp and LOVED it. Not gonna to lie, I first heard about Barry’s by watching Keeping up with the Kardashians (I know, I’m embarrassing), but have since heard nothing but rave reviews of the workout, and it definitely lived up to the hype.

During the class, you alternate between treadmills and floor exercises using weights/benches, and depending on the day you go, the workout will target different areas of the body. I did a Full-Body class, so the floor exercises included everything from side planks to lunges with overhead presses. Our instructor was Dustin, who did a great job of kicking our asses and coordinating both the “treaders” and those on the floor. The last treadmill section was a full-out sprint at a 15% incline—I don’t care how fit you are, that’s HARD.

Not only was the workout tough, but the whole thing was fun. The studio space is great, and Barry’s has done an awesome job of creating a cool, social atmosphere—something that really goes a long way when it comes to these niche fitness studios. The locker room is spacious and has showers; there’s a protein shake bar in the lobby area; they have retail racks with Barry’s workout gear—it’s the kind of place you’d go to workout with friends then hang out at for a bit.

I can’t wait to go back for another class, and would definitely recommend trying one out yourself. You can see the Boston schedule here or find a Barry’s in your city here.REST.

(11AM) Quick Run & Kettlebell Workout

I had signed up for another Pilates class at Btone, but couldn’t find parking and ended up missing the class (grrr!!). Fueled by irritation, I went for a quick 2 mile run and then did the 30-Minute Kettlebell Interval Workout I posted on the blog last year.

Click image for full tutorial.