I am frequently asked what some of my favorite non-running workouts are that I do at home. I thought I’d share two that I’ve been alternating between every day for this past week since I’ve been home from Utah and haven’t been able to run (see my Boo-Boos Are Bad News post for more about that if you missed it). I basically can’t wear any shoe that isn’t lined in sherpa or extreme fuzziness due to an injury, so going to my favorite dance cardio classes, Zumba & WERQ, are out of the question. I also can’t do any cross-training on the elliptical or DVDS that require the support & stability of a shoe. Swimming is also a no-go, since I have an open wound and swimming in a public pool would be a bad idea. This basically rules everything out except for low or no impact exercise that I can do in my bare feet at home. That’s where these DVDs come to the rescue!
I have been a Tone It Up member and HUGE fan since the spring of 2010. Not only do the two lovely founders, Karena & Katrina, inspire & motivate with their draw-dropping bodies, but their upbeat & optimistic attitudes always leave me feeling energized & happy. I used the Tone It Up Nutrition Plan with great success in 2010 after a long struggle trying to find the right balance in nutrition to help with my IBS diagnosis. I find that their workouts are fun, quick, and easy to follow, but really kick your butt! I purchased the Beach Babe DVD as soon as it was released in the spring of 2012. This two-disc set contains seven workouts in total, all of which are based on a circuit training model. The first disc has three total-body high-energy workouts ranging from 20 to 40 minutes long. These workouts I prefer to do with shoes on for support. The second disc has three targeted area strength training workouts and one stretching routine ranging from 10 to 15 minutes long. This second disc is perfect for someone like me who cannot wear shoes right now, as they are low-impact and do not necessarily require the stability a shoe would provide. Lately, my favorite 30 minute strength training session is to couple the Summer Arms with the Bikini Abs routine. These are great areas to focus on pre-race without stressing out my legs too much just a week before the Tinker Bell Half Marathon. They’re challenging enough for me to work up a little sweat and get a nice heat going, but not so challenging that I’m overworking my body before the race.
On alternate days I’ve been turning to my all-time favorite at home yoga DVD practice, Jane Fonda’s Workout: Daily Yoga with Tara Stiles. This is a well-rounded 60 minute practice suitable for everyone from beginners with some knowledge of basic yoga postures to advanced practitioners who are looking for a nice, low-key flow that will get your blood moving without overdoing it. I love Tara’s yoga style, which is very open, easy to follow, and fluid. She covers all of the main muscles with an emphasis on twisting and low impact strength building. What she says in the DVD describes this style in a nutshell – It won’t “stress out your body or your brain” while still getting a nice practice in. I always finish feeling refreshed and revitalized. I could follow this DVD every day and not get bored of it. I hope that Tara Stiles releases more DVDs in the future to add to this wonderful practice.
I’m going into this race feeling strong despite having to stay out of shoes for the two weeks leading up to it, which I think really attests to the quality of these DVDs and the ladies behind them. Thank goodness for at home barefoot exercise!
*I am not affiliated with any of the brands or companies mentioned in this post, just a big fan of these awesome women! This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.*
