Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Cohort 6. Welcome.



Just like that, another BHIP ON Ramp cohort has made its way through the 12 weeks of diligently learning how to exercise correctly. Ah the stories they will tell. Strangely they all sound much like the stories every other cohort has told, but none the less, they are good stories of epic failures and monumentous achievements.. in the realm of exercise of course. Take a moment to reflect on all of your accomplishments.



Without a doubt, we do get a huge response about the transference of the gains made during exercising into the real world. We love hearing about how easy the hard things are getting for you all. We love hearing about how you're all doing things that you haven't done in a long time or never dreamed of doing. That's what this is all about. Saying "YES" to anything life throws at you. Chances are, it's something fun and worth doing.



Choices:
Lately, we have started implementing options for workouts. This seems to be a good idea so far and everyone seems to like it. This means that now you get to choose how you want to expend your efforts. No one workout is easier than another, so don't go choosing one over another for difficulty sake. If done right, a heavy lifting workout should wear you out just as much as running Drake Snakes. If it doesn't, then you have spent the workout warming up.

Guidelines:
When making your choice consider the following:
- Lifting heavy weight for maximal efforts is intended for gaining strength. Strength means you can "DO" more. A good thing. It means you can impose your will on other... "objects". A good thing. It means that you have the capacity to help others and be of use to the human race. Pretty sweet. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as "too strong". No one has claimed that title.. yet.

- The stuff that makes your lungs burn, legs aches, and leaves you in a sweaty pile panting and moaning is called "conditioning". Some people call it cardio, but what most people consider "cardio" I consider "easy things done while breathing heavy". So we don't waste your time with those. The conditioning we do is done with the intent of improving your existing conditioning. Meaning that you can recover less as you improve. This involves willingly walking through the door into a place of discomfort and likely regret. This is where you hone your mental fortitude and indomitable spirits. This is where you run the risk of losing your lunch. And if not that, at least you'll feel a sense of accomplishment.

- So try to choose based on what you want. You want more strength? Focus of the heavy lifting and skill-based workouts and throw in an occasional gasser. Want to focus on conditioning? Huff and puff away to your heart's (dis)content. Variety is your friend.

Enjoy!!


6 comments:

  1. Love the idea of a choice. I am trying to get the best of both "Strength & Conditioning" (the very reason for my joining BHIP).I will try to alternate my workouts.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Choice rocks! After all, this IS America... "Use your freedom of choice," said the one known as DEVO. We shall use that freedom... of choice!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Three C's in life CHOICES, CHANCES and CHANGES
    You must make a Choice to take a Chance or you life will never change!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Geez Louise, 6 already? Yoo hoo, pretty soon we can have a BHIP Classic, like the Olympics but with prizes like a little trophy with a gold plated plastic kettlebell. Boo Ya ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Choices, Chances, and Changes - I like that! Brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great articles for women!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.