Pilates vs. Bootcamp

November 8-14
Monday: REST
Tuesday: Reformer Pilates
Wednesday: 60 min Spin
Thursday: REST
Friday: 10 min stairs, Weights: Back, Chest
Saturday: 60 min Spin
Sunday: 60 min Spin

Plan for This Week
Monday: Spin & Mat Pilates
Tuesday: Reformer Pilates
Wednesday: Spin
Thursday: FIT
Friday: Weights
Saturday: Spin
Sunday: Mat Pilates

*It has been over a week since I have even attempted to run and I have been keeping myself busy at the gym. Spinning has been going well and the knee is feeling good. I just hope it is healing! Today I went to watch my dad run the Giralda Farms 10K race. It was difficult not to be racing but I had a blast watching all of the runners. I took lots of pictures and plan to post a mini spectator version of a race report. My dad did well in the race and even beat his time from last year.

                     

Check out this article (its super short) that Angela linked to on her blog. Of course, anything Pilates automatically catches my eye so of course I checked it out right away. The article basically said that Pilates is losing its popularity to boot camps because Pilates is more expensive and boot camps are more accessible. I definitely agree that Pilates can be an expensive hobby sport activity, but it doesn’t have to be. At my gym mat Pilates classes are free, but you pay extra for the reformer sessions ($25 a session, and you usually sign up for 8 sessions at a time). I take one reformer class a week. My gym only offers boot camp at an additional cost. One month goes for $160 and you go 3 times per week. Personally, I think the gym is probably capitalizing on the popularity of boot camps but its hard to say because I have never taken one at this gym. It seemed from the article, people were either partial to Pilates or boot camp, rarely both, but I think balance is important. The reason I love Pilates so much is because it balances the intensity of my running and training schedule. I also love the mind/body component of the practice, but feel that I get a better workout than in the yoga classes I’ve taken. Now that I am unable to run for awhile however, I find myself looking for more intense workouts (*hence the frequency of the spin classes*)

What do you think? What is your favorite form of exercise? (besides running if that is your answer)

What is wrong with me?

I think something is wrong with me...I actually like to study. As some of you know, I have been training for the ACE Personal Trainer Test. I am currently certified in group fitness, and want to take the personal trainer test as well. A career in fitness would nicely supplement my 10 month teaching schedule :) Plus, I am just really interested in how and why the body works. It is truly fascinating. Anyway, a couple of months ago I ordered a copy of the text book and study guide. ACE offers a variety of study options...you can literally spend hundreds of dollars on study materials, but being that the test itself is a couple of hundred dollars I tried to spend as little as possible on the study materials. There is a lot more material to study for the PT test than there was for the GFI (group fitness instructor) test. A couple of weeks ago, I was talking to my pilates instructor who I take reformer classes with. She started a 500 hour yoga instructor program and I mentioned to her that I have been studying for the PT test. It turns out she is also certified in personal training through ACE and she brought in these study CDs for me!


These are seriously wonderful. Personally, I am more of a visual learner, but being that there is so. much. information to learn, it is nice to get it drilled into my head all different ways. Another bonus is that I can study while driving! I love multitasking! Now that I am off for a few weeks, I have more time to study. I hope to register for the test soon. I just want to have a better handle some of the material before I commit.

I don't know if I mentioned it on the blog before, but I have been wanting to attend this fabulous fitness conference in Miami this November. Unfortunately, Dan is not as enthusiastic about the convention as I am, and there is that tiny obstacle called work. Anyway, in the mail today, I received information about a traveling Boot Camp Workout Conference...15 minutes away from my apartment! The conference offers 8 classes and you can take as few as one class, or all 8 of them. Furthermore, they offer Continuing Education Credits for my Group Fitness Cert. which I need more of! I just have to double check on my availability that weekend but these are the classes I plan to sign up for:

~Extreme Interval Training
~Explosive Performance Drills
~Essential Boot Camp Drills

The conference is pretty affordable and so close! I guess I really can't justify Miami now :(

Okay I'm off...

Plan for the day:
~Walk the pup
~Run
~Athletic Yoga
~Whole Foods
~Study