Finding your passion for fitness

As the snow seems to drag on longer and longer in the Midwest it can be a tough time for those who enjoy outdoor workouts.  Sometimes your fitness mojo can be lacking due to the circumstances we cannot control such as the weather.  So today I am going to help you find your fitness passion!

Below are a few questions that will help you figure out what it is your fitness passion entails.   Most people know what they love to do but often lack time, money or the know how to do it.  Fitness should be something your passionate about and should love to do on a weekly basis if not daily.  For a lot of people they just haven't found their love for fitness yet.

1. Do you like the water?
- Try swimming, water aerobics, wake boarding

2. Do you like to relax and workout?
-Try restorative yoga, meditation, pilates, kundalini yoga, walking outdoors

3. Do you prefer to get your heart rate going?
-Intervals, Tabata training, Bootcamps, Circuit workouts, Spinning class, Running

4. Do you want to work on flexibility?
-Yoga-vinyassa, hot yoga, foam rolling, barre classes

5. Do you want to smile & laugh?
-Laughing yoga, zumba, dance classes

6. Do you want to increase strength?
-Lifting weights, hiring a trainer (if your not sure what to do), Strength training classes

Like all good workouts a good balance is key but if your just starting out and trying to find what it is your going to do on a weekly basis choose something you love.  It should be enjoyable for you that your looking forward to it on most days.

If you want more workout ideas check out www.safiretraining.com

No time to workout this week? Try Tabata Training

What is tabata training you ask?  Is it like intervals while similar but it involves exercises and is not just limited to the treadmill or other cardio machines.

Tabata training is performing an exercise for 20 seconds as hard and as fast as you can.  Your heart rate should be very high well doing these exercises.  You than will get a 10 second rest and than repeat the exercise for 20 seconds and rest again for 10 seconds.  This is the pattern you will be doing during your tabata training.  Your workout will only last 4 minutes.  If your not tired by the end of the 4 minutes you need to push yourself even harder.

Below are some sample tabata exercises you can do in your own home.

*Note do not perform these exercises if you have a heart condition or were suggested  your doctor to not get your heart rate above a certain beat per minute while exercising.

Below workouts will be done 20 seconds and than rest 10 seconds before performing the same exercise one more time and than resting and move onto the 2nd exercises on the list.  So every exercise is performed twice before moving on.
Workout #1- recommended for beginners 
1. Jumping Jacks
2. Push-ups
3. Squats
4. Up/down planks

Workout #2- Intermediate to advanced 
1. Split Jumps
2. Donkey Kicks from side to side
3. Split Jumps with a reach to sky and touch the ground
4. Plank Jacks w/push-up

Workout #3- Intermediate to advanced
1. Butt kicks w/jumping jack arms
2. Squat Jumps
3. Burpees
4. Plyo-Jacks- (Jumping jack w/a jump off the ground)

Enjoy the holidays and get a quick 4 minute workout in to burn those calories!!
Check out www.safiretraining.com for more workout ideas.