ITS FRIDAY! I love writing towards the end of the week since its a great time to reflect on what my week entailed. I’ve been much better about getting in my strength training this week. I love the squat rack and lifting heavy, but using the things around you to challenge yourself can be just as tough! I teach my bootcamp, H.E.A.T at the Downtown Tampa YMCA at lunchtime which I LOVE and is a great way for me to get creative with my class since its outside! Yes, I said outside, its much more challenging and fun!! My group is really into it and motivated so I can get as intense I want 😉 The thing I love about bootcamp style classes is that it’s more unique then the traditional inside strength/cardio class. You challenge yourself with the elements of being outside, your own bodyweight, and high intensity components such as reps, times, and types of cardio and strength. You also are among a group that makes it like a team-effort with added motivation.  I love teaching traditional type classes too, but sometimes I find I lack creativity when stuck inside. This week I came up with a new workout based on time. No need to count reps…yay! All you need is a good three flights of stairs (if not three, one or two works well too) and a stopwatch. Think a stadium, stairwell, or even a ramp since the incline works too. Heck, you could do DIY stairs and replace with high knees or the stair master machine to get a similar experience. Remember you can always modify these moves. You get the same benefits of the modification without the added impact. Listen to your body…you can put in the work! NO EXCUSES! 

Bootcamp Style Timed Stair Workout

4 Rounds, Twice per Round~ about 40 min total (don’t forget warm-up and cool-down!), At the end of the minute either ending the strength or stair movement…find a flat surface and go for it! Grab water and rest about 30 seconds/1 min at the end of each round before moving onto the next. NO REST between the first time and second time of each round. PUSH YOURSELF! 

-1 min sprint up (jog down) (2x)

• 1 min squats

• 1 min pushups (standard, on knees, on wall)

-1 min every other step up (jog down) (2x)

• 1 min skaters (opposite hand to opposite foot!)

• 1 min inchworms (extra challenge…pushups or hold at top of plank!)

-1 min side step alternating sides up (jog down) (2x)

• 1 min alternating jump lunges (or regular alternating lunges)

• 1 min plank on forearms

-1 min wide step (jog down) (2x)

• 1 min alternating plank push-ups (with or without knees on ground)

• 1 min mountain climbers