Always a Group Fitness Instructor

by Ms. O

This week officially marks the beginning of me teaching group fitness classes again after about 10 years off. I've missed teaching, motivating and helping a group of people attain their fitness goals and I'm happy to be back in the saddle.  

I auditioned at LA Fitness to teach step aerobics and group resistance training classes. I was nervous but as soon as I heard the audition music, it went away. I waited patiently to find out if I got hired. I was confident and it was a matter of time before I got the green light. 

Before I got on the schedule as a regular instructor, I subbed a few classes at the club and the reception from the participants was welcoming. Several weeks after the audition, the aerobics director called and offered me the opportunity to take over some of her classes because she was relocating to another state. I was thrilled to be on the weekly schedule.

I'm gradually building my archive of exercises for the group resistance training classes because I want to offer a variety of challenging exercises to the students. I'm enjoying planning exercises for the entire body and for a group of people at various fitness levels. 

Until I get full time work, teaching will be a fun hobby for me and I'm glad I went back to it. Once a group fitness instructor, always a group fitness instructor. Here's to your health!

Gym Buddy

picture by Mrs. O

Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.  ~Plato


I enjoy working out by myself but it's always fun to exercise with a partner. It's more fun and time flies by with a buddy. Lately, I've been going to the gym with my first born. Her goal is to get in shape before going off to the university at the end of Summer.

Exercise isn't new to her but it was neglected a bit during the school year after cheer season. I've thoroughly enjoyed seeing her smiling face while she works hard to tone her muscles inside and out. When she was younger, she'd always ask to go to the gym with me and I'd tell her we had to wait till she was a bit older. We are an active family; we bike, walk, dance and exercising has always been part of her upbringing. For many years, she took gymnastics and tumbling, was a member of her school's track and field and for five years, on an award winning cheer team.   

I'm thankful that I've had the chance to instill many good habits into her life such as healthy eating and exercise. I believe it will be part of her life even after she leaves the nest. Here's to her health. 

Cross Training; Just Do It. It's Good For You.

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According to AFAA, cross-training is training a variety of ways to improve overall performance. Doing an array of exercises such as spinning/cycling, running, strength training, or swimming are great ways to engage different muscles, improve frequency and reduce boredom. Cross-training works for me because I get bored doing the same exercise everyday from week to week. Cross training will become more important once I start teaching group exercises. 

When I get bored, I'm less motivated to work hard or worse case scenario; not exercise at all. To stay committed to my exercise program and challenge my body, I do something different everyday. Here's what my routine looks like:

• Mondays -1 hour step aerobics
• Tuesdays - 1 hour Zumba & 20/30 minutes weight training
• Wednesday - 1 hour body works (strength training and abs) & 1 hour Zumba
• Thursday - 1 hour spin
• Friday - 1 hour boot camp & 1 hour Zumba
• Saturday - 1 hour body works & 1 hour Zumba
• Sunday - rest

Mrs. O

All these exercises work different muscles, prevent overuse injuries and burnout, and vary the aerobic intensity. I may workout more than the average person but I know for sure that variety is important for everyone. Besides, there are so many exercise options that, there's no reason not to try something different. Here's to your health!