Blog Archives
Observations from a College Gym
I failed to deliver my aforementioned funny gym observation post didn’t I….
Well it is probably still Tuesday somewhere in the world, right? Now that I fixed a healthy post-workout snack, let’s go!
****As a college student I have access to our “recreation center,” easily my favorite place on campus. Daily workouts in the gym and countless hours on cardio equipment means you get to see a lot of interesting things****
1. NAPPERS. The other morning, I hit the gym before class. It must’ve been around 8am, which is early by college campus standards. As I turned the corner of the indoor track, I saw a girl asleep on a yoga mat. Just right there, out in the open. Not even a yoga pose or anything, just full out NAPTIME. What did you come to the gym for? Pretty sure sleeping in a gym burns about the same amount of calories as sleeping in your own bed…..
2. GAS MASKS. I’m not sure where this came from, but someone has the idea that wearing a gas mask in the gym will improve their workout. Whether or not this is true, it scares the hell out of me every time they walk by! Wearing a protective military contraption to the gym? Calm down, bro.
3. SNACKERS. If you are exercising for a considerable amount of time, I understand the need to eat mid-workout. Walking at 3 mph on a treadmill watching TLC’s “Extreme Cougar Wives” doesn’t exactly demand immediate caloric-intake. I have seen girls on multiple occasions eating a “protein bar” WHILE WALKING ON THE TREADMILL. The sugary/processed/nasty kinds that are basically a glorified candy bar. I just want to laugh because they are literally cancelling out their efforts.
4. The CLOTHES. Can we talk about gym attire for a minute? Like I am ALL FOR coordinating your shirt to your shoes to your headband. If getting dolled up makes you feel confident and have a better workout, go for it. I usually don’t worry too much about my hair because I sweat so much that it looks like I just jumped out of the shower anyways ;)
However. LEGGINGS ARE NOT WORKOUT PANTS! They are made of cotton, are super thin, and basically become see-through when you stretch or bend over. Girls wearing leggings: your underwear are 100% visible and 100% tacky. Workout capris should be made of spandex or nylon so they can stretch without exposing your polka-dot thong.
5. MIRROR GAWKERS. I will forever & always be amused by the gym-goers who frequently pass by the mirrored-walls, shamelessly admiring themselves. It’s even better when the dudes casually lift up their shirts to expose their “abs.” If you are trying to impress someone, you just look like a tool. There is a fine line between a glance in the mirror and a full-on stare down with yourself. Gotta love their confidence though!
Silliest gym behavior you’ve noticed….GO!
Kerri’s Cardio and Core Workout
Working out is instantly more enjoyable with the addition of a.) an iPod, b.) a friend, or c.) a team of hot Australian guys to watch from the treadmill. My iPod hasn’t been charged in two weeks and the Australians are probably in Australia, but LUCKILY I had my friend Kerri to workout with last week! We love doing extra strength routines in the gym before or after our cross country practice. She created her own circuit workout for us to complete, and played “personal trainer” for our last gym session. Some of the exercises were even new to me – score!
Let’s dive right into the workout! We started with a super set of the following:
- 4-Step Squats (see picture below) 15 each leg
- 4 Mountain Climbers; 4 Burpees; 4 Mountain Climbers; 4 Burpees (Holy Heart Rate!)
- Jump Up! Touch your right toes. Jump Up! Touch your left Toes. Repeat 15 times on each leg
- Monkey Push-Ups (see picture below) set of 10
REPEAT THE ABOVE CIRCUIT 3 TIMES BEFORE MOVING ON.
The squats are essentially just bringing one leg straight up into a knee raise in between each squat.
The Monkey Push-ups. WARNING: You will look silly/ridiculous/quirky. Your butt is in the air, heels off the floor, and you continue to do a push-up, lowering your body until just before your head touches the floor. This works more tricep than chest.
Next we ditched the Circuit Format to do straight sets of some new and funky exercises:
Time for some Tricep Situps…these things take some serious core stabilizing. I’d never done them before, and the first time with a new exercise is always challenging. I guarantee you will feel the effects the next day ;)
Instead of regular sit-ups on a swiss ball, add a 5-8lb weight, and extend it over your head when rolling back. Use your whole core to bring the weight and your body back to seated position. Complete 20 reps.
These next ones are not new. They are the shake-inducing, body-aching Leg Raises! I’m used to the style where you plant your elbows into the arm pads by your rib cage and I have to say that hanging is definitely harder. Start with Knee Crunches, graduate to Leg Extentions or alternature between the 2. Complete 3 sets of 10! *Make sure you’re not swinging your legs; no momentum!
The rest of the exercises really don’t need picture demonstrations:
- Body Weight Tricep Dips
- Leg Raises (Lying Down)
- Toe Touches (Lying Down)
- Shoulder Press and Bicep Curls with Weights
The next day, I was S.O.R.E. That’s the great thing about new/different exercises – your muscles haven’t adapted to the movement over time, and are being utilized more than during your daily crunches. After repeating the same exercise many times, your body becomes more efficient. You don’t need to work as hard, you burn less calories, and you may not feel the next-day soreness anymore. That’s why it’s always good to mix things up. Thanks for the killer workout, Kerri!
Friends who get fit together, stay together!
( ….Cheeeeeeesy. :D )
Find a friend, do the workout, and pin it here! 
Pre-Weekend Workout
The Gilmore Girls will be reunited in T-3 hours! No, not the originals…my mom and I! She is driving up for the weekend as we speak, so I got myself to the gym bright and early.
I like to “pre-burn” calories before I eat them, and knowing that we would be out and about the next three days, I had a lot of pre-burning to do! Again, I was treated to an empty gym. I say it every time like I’m surprised, which I shouldn’t be because it is always this way. I just can’t wrap my brain around how 20,000 students can pass up this brand new two-story exercise center!
Anyways, this morning was a repeat of last Friday’s Rise and Grind Workout, with some minor adjustments because I had to get through it FAST.
Instead of doing the bicep, tricep and back exercises with free weights, I opted for machines.
As always, the lunges and squats kicked my butt (while BUILDING my butt…oh the irony). Some one told me that if you smile while you work out, you can trick your brain into thinking you are actually having fun:
(Smile like this in the gym and people will think you are absolutely crazy.) I didn’t understand – isn’t working out already fun?! ;) Okay some days it takes more work than others. But I left the gym satisfied that I would be guilt-free eating out tonight! Time to have a monumental mother-daughter weekend. Happy Friday!
