Body Back: The Workouts

So far in my Body Back journey I have covered here on the blog why I am doing the program, the food and my break up letter with my after lunch chocolate so it is finally time to start talking about the workouts.  For my session the fitness portion includes two group fitness classes a week (at 5:AM!) and then we are encouraged to do two additional workouts a week.  I love the group fitness classes because they keep me accountable and push me to do my best. 

 

 

Body Back Workouts

For the group fitness classes that we have twice a week the actual exercises are pretty consistent.  Classes have a circuit training type feel to them and include moves that cover cardio, strength building and core.  I have now become an expert at burpees, push ups, sit ups, planks, squats, jumping jacks, etc.  I love that these workouts give you a full body workout feel and they are amazingly challenging.  After the first workout I was so surprised that my whole body hurt for about 3 days!!!  I have noticed over the past 5 weeks that while the workouts continue to be challenging I have become much stronger.

Even though we do a lot of the same moves each class, our instructor has done an amazing job of keeping it interesting.  One of my favorite classes was when we did a poker themed workout (music and all) where we went through a full deck of cards and each card represented a different workout (e.g. push-ups).  We also did a really fun one where we moved from station to station and couldn't move until we won rock/paper/scissors.  These things keep it interesting, make it fun and you still get a great workout.

 

Extra Workouts

For extra workouts you can pretty much do whatever you want, so I like that you can add some other things into your routine.  I have done yoga, stroller strides and the Body Back DVDs.   I also like that the two additional workouts give you some flexibility to do other things and do them on your own time.

 

Body Back DVDs

The Body Back DVDs, while cheesy like most workout DVDs, are actually pretty good.  They use the same exercises that you do in the classes but are much shorter.  The DVD includes three 20 minute workouts and three 10 minute ab workouts.  I love that I can fit this into my girls nap time and that I don't have to get a babysitter to go workout.  I also like that the DVDs show your progress so that you know where things are at in the workout.

 

Overall the workouts have been great.  One of my biggest concerns was that I would have a hard time getting up at 5am twice a week and now that the program is winding down I am actually sad that I won't have those classes to go to anymore.  It's been great to be in a group fitness class where everyone has the same goals and can support each other.