Friday, February 13, 2009

My addiction.

I admit it: I've become a cross training addict.

Don't ask me how it happened because I just don't have an answer for you. One day, I was all running all the time, no cross training for this gal. The next day, I'm a cross trainer. I blame winter. Winter and my perpetual struggle with the treadmill. Winter, my perpetual struggle with the treadmill and the enthusiasm of Jillian Michaels. Yes, that's it.

I've raved about the Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred enough already. I still love it and definitely recommend it. But I've been branching out, trying new things.

So, for your Friday, here's some other worthy cross training options.

Jillian Michaels: No More Trouble Zones. Yes, more Jillian. I guess I just really like her style. Or something like that. Anyway, there is one abs sequence in this workout that kills me like no other. It's tough in that "it's working!" type of way. She also introduced me to the Surrender, which is one punishing full-body move. Overall, the workout is tough but fun.

The other workout I've been doing is Elise Gulan's Ultimate Body: Yoga Fitness. Elise is an awesome instructor (and not just because we have rhyming names). She includes just the right amount of pep in her yoga instruction and she provides beginner and more advanced options for most of the moves. I decided to get back into yoga a bit after Lisa at Chasin' Bunnies started writing more about it and I'm glad I did. I feel like my body is gaining both strength and flexibility, which will ultimately help my running.

Now, I haven't loved everything that I've tried. I'm far too spazzy for Ilyse Baker's Dance Party workout, for example. I simply cannot get the kick ball change and whatnot. I need routines that don't require much flair and, I don't know, moves that require me to lift my arm over my head and say, "Party! Party! Party!" to the beat just aren't my style.

So there you have it. My reviews. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your Friday and have a great weekend! I plan to get in an easy run and a long run -- and maybe a little cross training, too!

~ Felice

15 comments:

Janice {Run Far} said...

I need to Cross train more.

Denise said...

Lots of people like Jillian's shred...maybe I should give it a try.

Unknown said...

Yay for cross training!! I definately believe it helps with our all-around fitness as well as makes us better runners. :-)

I'm going to have to check out Jillian's stuff some day. A lot of folks seem to like her.

Stuart said...

Cross training is great for the body and the mind!

tfh said...

Ooh, I'm going to have to check out the Elisa Gulan video. I like cross-training but I generally keep it a little more low-key than what I suspect Jillian Michaels does...

Marlene said...

I definitely need to take a page from your book. Thanks for the suggestions!

Diana said...

OMG...I had a video back in the day that did a stupid kick ball change that made me feel like a complete doofus! Totally couldn't get it, but laughed the whole way. I'm weird like that. Laughing because I couldn't get it. AFter @ 5-10 times I finally got it a little - so that I didn't look like a bafoon. Or however you say it :)

Marcy said...

OMG OMG OMG Jillian is currently on my poop list LOL. She is what Carly calls "She Devil" I JUST got done with Day 1 of the 30 Day Shred. Yeaaahhh I'm not going to feel my arms tomorrow. Cardio and abs were fine for me. The strength part? total loser LOL

joyRuN said...

I've been loving the pool/bike time this month - yeay for cross training!!

Lindsay said...

good workout dvd's can help keep you motivated and moving in the drab, cold winter months. i've heard a lot about the shred dvd and i think i'm going to have to get it now! i've done some of jillian's older workout things and she's kind of annoying in them, but i like her because i feel like i'm actually getting a workout in. thanks for the reviews - i'll have to try them out!

X-Country2 said...

I need to cross-train more. Thanks for the recs. I too have 30 Day Shred, and execpt for the "advanced" girl who cheat and half-asses it all the time, I really like it.

SOL said...

HI,i have just found u blog and is awsome!!i am from argentina quite far,i do not know what is cross training,can u explain it please?

Anonymous said...

**carefully places sneaker in your footprints**

GREAT JOB (sure, on the reviews but mainly on the) crosstraining.

I
so
need
this.

Anonymous said...

I hope the weekend was fantastic!

BeachRunner said...

Great job. Hope you had a great weekend.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...