Happy New Year Jax Moms Bloggers!
There is something about the New Year that is just so refreshing! Even if you didn’t have a wild celebratory party, didn’t make it until midnight or you think New Year’s Eve is way overrated isn’t it still exciting to know that you can re-set and start over in 2013? If you’re like many Americans the New Year brings the possibility of change and in 2013 I hope you join me in changing your health and your body for the better.
It’s no surprise that one of the top New Year’s resolutions is to either lose weight and/or work out more. In fact, gym memberships typically sky rocket in December and January as people resolute to be healthier and more fit in the New Year. If you’ve decided this year is your year to be healthier but you’re struggling to find the extra time to get to the gym and/or you’re just not quite ready to face the masses, I have some great home workout websites that are just as hard if not harder than any class you’d take in the gym and can be done in 25 minutes or less from your living room!
Dailyhiit.com – I recently discovered Dailyhiit.com and I love it! In fact I usually try and incorporate some aspect of the workouts into my own stroller Strength routines because I think they are great full body workouts that are both challenging and different. And those workouts, led by Lisa, a UK fitness expert and Sean, the co-founder’s brother are what I’d describe as a combination of HIIT (high intensity interval training) with a little bit of a Tabata twist. Working in real time with you, Lisa and Sean offer a 12-15 minute workout complete with about 4-5 exercises that should be repeated anywhere from 1 to 3 times. For each exercise they push you to go hard for 50 seconds before taking a 10 second rest and then jumping into the next exercise. When you first visit the site it can be a little intimidating to watch what looks like difficult moves and combinations but Lisa and Sean do a pretty good job breaking down the workout and offering modifications. Stick with it and you’ll soon be able to do more reps than both instructors, I promise!
Like many workout DVDs and websites Dailyhiit.com does require some equipment. I would suggest buying dumbbells if you don’t already have some. You can substitute the rest of the equipment for things in your house like using a couch instead of a dip station for tricep dips. If you do want the same equipment Lisa and Sean use you can buy it straight from their site. Once you’ve figured out what equipment you need Bodyrock.tv lets you enjoy a FREE and different workout for every single day of the week so you’ll never have to do the same workout twice! Plus they just re-did their website (dailyhiit.com) and now offer even better breakdowns and descriptions of what each day’s workouts consist of. You can find the site through both Bodyrock.tv and Dailyhiit.com.
Warning! The site is a bit overly sexualized and the camera tends to zoom in on Lisa’s “assets” quite a bit. In fact, my husband Paul always asks if I’m watching “smut” when he walks past the computer. If seeing Lisa’s body motivates you awesome, if not just focus on your form and think about how great you’ll feel when you’re done!
Zuzkalight.com – When I was trying to find out more information about Bodyrock.tv’s instructors I stumbled upon a few blogs that talked about Bodyrock’s former instructor and co-founder of the site, Zuzana Light. With similar workouts as on Bodyrock.tv, Zuzana shares her fitness knowledge through her ZBlog and helps transform you into what she calls WarriorZ. In doing so you’ll do a HIIT workout with zero rest in between each exercise. The workouts themselves don’t seem as challenging as Bodyrock’s but as you pump out the reps you’ll definitely feel the burn, and feel it long after you’re done. Unlike Bodyrock, Zuzana only uses dumbbells and sometimes a mat so you don’t have to worry about purchasing any other equipment. She also does a great job explaining each exercise and its proper form. Her workouts are hard, very, very hard but luckily no workout lasts longer than 25 minutes so you can get it in and get on with your day. Like Lisa, Zuzana also likes to show off her super fit body but the camera work is a little less in your face!
If you’re like me it’s a little hard to get motivated to workout if you know you’re not leaving your house. If you’re worried about this I suggest writing down the exercises and heading outside or have a friend meet you at the park so you’re not tempted to just watch TV on the couch. As Lisa from Bodyrock.tv says in her English accent, “give it a go” and when you do I guarantee you’ll see the results you’re hoping for in 2013.
What are your favorite home workouts?
