Work is fun...I am lucky. Wednesdays and Fridays I teach Cardio, Soul, and Power. This class is taught at Rivershores where we aim to keep class length short (thirty minutes) and geared to the beginner exerciser. Any exercise however has the potential to be elevated to a more intense level depending upon the experience of the participant.
The class originated a couple of years ago when I could not stop tapping my feet in church. We have awesome musicians in our church....it is basically a "jam session" every Sunday with different musicians and singers nearly every week. As I listened to the music it occurred to me that I often left church with the same feeling that exists after a good workout. I am focused, relaxed, but also much more aware of what I should be doing and who I should be helping. One of the benefits of working at the YMCA is it's motto of putting Christian principles into practice, so to include an exercise class set to all contemporary Christian music was immediately popular and well-received.
The general format of the class is to alternate bursts of cardio with strength training while maintaining our heart-rate in a moderate training zone. In addition it was my goal to add multi-joint, functional movements to the class to instill greater strength, endurance and mobility. Typically participants use a 9#-15# body bar, a set of hand weights, and sometimes resistance tubing. At times the weights will be incorporated into our movements of balance, rotation, and power...other times the class is more structured with a clear split between cardio and strength training. After thirty minutes of this interval style training we end with 15 minutes of abdominal and back strengthening exercises.
Yesterday, we easily had 25 participants in the class from 20 years of age to over 70. The amount of laughing, smiling, and groaning made my heart sing! The energy that comes from being around people willing to reveal their true selves and laugh about their efforts to try something new is refreshing. There were also many sets of exercise buddies in this class which leads to increased commitment to an exercise program. These participants challenge me all the time to move from my comfort zone and try something new. Swimming is on my list for the New Year.
This class lends itself to the person with a busy schedule who does not find the time to do both cardio and strength training. It heightens caloric expenditure as we know weight training and muscle tissue increases metabolism. At home alternating 3-5 minutes of jumping rope, squats/lunges, or if you are fortunate enough to have a treadmill with 3-5 minutes of strength training will lessen the boredom and offer your body the element of surprise as you switch activities, muscle systems, and intensity. For someone like me who does not always have the attention span for a straight 30 minute cardio workout the variety decreases my boredom and invests my mind more into the task. Joseph Pilates said, "It is the mind that builds the body."
My prideful side would like to take credit for the class but the absolute reality of the class' success is due to the music which instills an attitude of love, forgiveness, hope and enthusiasm for life. I thank God for the participants who tell me the music has strengthened their spirit. I will attach a few of the songs that inspire us in class. Thank you for reading.
Love the Lord: Lincoln Brewster
Your Grace is Enough: Chris Tomlin
Call My Name: Third Day
Blessed Be Your Name: Tree 63
Perfect People: Natalie Grant
The class originated a couple of years ago when I could not stop tapping my feet in church. We have awesome musicians in our church....it is basically a "jam session" every Sunday with different musicians and singers nearly every week. As I listened to the music it occurred to me that I often left church with the same feeling that exists after a good workout. I am focused, relaxed, but also much more aware of what I should be doing and who I should be helping. One of the benefits of working at the YMCA is it's motto of putting Christian principles into practice, so to include an exercise class set to all contemporary Christian music was immediately popular and well-received.
The general format of the class is to alternate bursts of cardio with strength training while maintaining our heart-rate in a moderate training zone. In addition it was my goal to add multi-joint, functional movements to the class to instill greater strength, endurance and mobility. Typically participants use a 9#-15# body bar, a set of hand weights, and sometimes resistance tubing. At times the weights will be incorporated into our movements of balance, rotation, and power...other times the class is more structured with a clear split between cardio and strength training. After thirty minutes of this interval style training we end with 15 minutes of abdominal and back strengthening exercises.
Yesterday, we easily had 25 participants in the class from 20 years of age to over 70. The amount of laughing, smiling, and groaning made my heart sing! The energy that comes from being around people willing to reveal their true selves and laugh about their efforts to try something new is refreshing. There were also many sets of exercise buddies in this class which leads to increased commitment to an exercise program. These participants challenge me all the time to move from my comfort zone and try something new. Swimming is on my list for the New Year.
This class lends itself to the person with a busy schedule who does not find the time to do both cardio and strength training. It heightens caloric expenditure as we know weight training and muscle tissue increases metabolism. At home alternating 3-5 minutes of jumping rope, squats/lunges, or if you are fortunate enough to have a treadmill with 3-5 minutes of strength training will lessen the boredom and offer your body the element of surprise as you switch activities, muscle systems, and intensity. For someone like me who does not always have the attention span for a straight 30 minute cardio workout the variety decreases my boredom and invests my mind more into the task. Joseph Pilates said, "It is the mind that builds the body."
My prideful side would like to take credit for the class but the absolute reality of the class' success is due to the music which instills an attitude of love, forgiveness, hope and enthusiasm for life. I thank God for the participants who tell me the music has strengthened their spirit. I will attach a few of the songs that inspire us in class. Thank you for reading.
Love the Lord: Lincoln Brewster
Your Grace is Enough: Chris Tomlin
Call My Name: Third Day
Blessed Be Your Name: Tree 63
Perfect People: Natalie Grant