Trainer Tip Tuesday #9: Keep your muscles Confused

Kelly @ The Fit Skool — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 14:53:06 +0000

Trainer Tip Tuesday: Keep your muscles confused

if you are doing the same workout day in and day out your body eventually adapts. Switching it up will help you to get stronger, build endurance and train different muscle fibers.

I try to mix up my cardio weekly I never do the same thing 2 days in a row. I usually choose, boot camp, T-25, insanity, or getting outside for a run or walk with Cooper as my cardio. My muscles stays confused and I am constantly challenging myself.

I am also fortunate to teach classes that work on all aspects of training so I am able to get a variety of workouts and I am forced to do them During Group Power we focus on strength training.

Yesterday I switched our Group Power workout to an older routine from APRIL that focused on lighter weights and higher reps.. man did my muscles feel it, but the change was great. I noticed the calorie burn was significantly higher then last weeks workout because I mixed it up, my heart rate was higher and I was working harder.

With Boot Camp the focus is different. We do more cardio, we work on balance training, and muscle endurance. Some of the exercises we do work on speed, agility, and athletic type training so its difficult but fun at the same time!

Believe it or not while teaching my senior class I get a low impact workout with moves that train all my muscles in a milder form, while keeping my heart rate!

The point is, mix it up! Challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new

How do you challenge your muscles?

Are you in a fitness rut? Try mixing up your workouts or go to a new fitness class!

For more of my Trainer Tips check our my previous posts:

Trainer Tip #8: Make time for yourself

Trainer Tip #7: Get more out of your Group Fitness Class

Trainer Tip #6 Choose exercise that you enjoy doing

Trainer Tip #5 Quality vs Quantity

Trainer Tip #4 Lift a little heavier

Trainer Tip #3 A short workout is better then no workout

Trainer Tip #2 Exercising outdoors

Trainer Tip Tuesday #1: If you don’t like an exercise, start doing it!

A Toothbrush for Muscles!

Kelly @ The Fit Skool — Fri, 23 May 2014 14:41:52 +0000

I’m sure the title of the post caught your attention and it should have. “A toothbrush for muscles” is the slogan for THE STICK which is a great massage tool for muscles!!

The stick became my best friend 3 1/2 years ago after I had my hip surgery. I needed it to roll out my IT Band, my quadriceps muscles, and my hip adductors. I received The Stick as a gift from Marc because he knew that during my time at physical therapy it helped me tremendously with my recovery. I gained more flexibility and strength using the stick and it eased SO much of my tightness. Luckily Marc was there to help me out on most days during my surgery recovery when my movement was limited, but you can do it on your own! I would highly recommend this to anyone that works out on a regular basis.

This morning I spent close to 30 minutes rolling out my hip area including the quads, IT Band, Adductor (inner thigh area) etc. It was torturous while I did it, and you can feel all the knots in the muscles as you roll out your leg… but TRUST me you will feel 100 times better after.

I focused on my upper legs and rolled out the entire area. I even broke a sweat with all the rolling! I found that if one specific area is tight it helps to roll out all around that spot. My legs are feeling better and although I am a tiny bit sore from the roller, I don’t have the tightness in my hip/groin area that I had before!

How do you use it? Click on this link for instructional videos

Do you use a foam roller or “the stick” to optimize your performance?

HAPPY FRIDAY!

The Fit Skool » muscles

Trainer Tip Tuesday #9: Keep your muscles Confused

A Toothbrush for Muscles!