The Superset Plus Cardio Interval Workout 2

Hi again, folks.  As promised, here’s the workout I taught in Circuit Training class this morning.  Same exact format as the class I taught Tuesday, but I used different moves and incorporated the Swiss Ball for variety.

Same awesome playlist!

The Superset Plus Cardio Interval Workout 2

For each combination, do as many reps of Move A as you possibly can while keeping good form for 1 minute, then immediately go into Move B without taking a break and do as many reps of that for a second minute.  Go through that combination three times and follow the three sets with 45 seconds of the cardio interval.   So, you will do Move A, Move B, Move A, Move B, Move A, Move B, and finish with the cardio.  Break, and go into the next combination.

Of course, if you know me you might be aware that sometimes I get bored with my original “plan” and tend to stray to whatever I feel like doing at any give moment.  So some of my italicized notes below are what I decided to change right on the spot this morning.  Either way – you’ll get a good workout.

WARMUP

SUPERSET #1

  • Move 1A:  Alternating front lunges with Swiss Ball Twist
    (Note – whichever leg is alternating front, twist to that direction)
  • Move 1B:  Any type of plank variation
    (Examples – superman knees to the side, feet hop out & ins – my new favorite, mountain climber knees in, rolling front and back on the toes, etc)
  • Cardio Interval:  Jumping Jacks

SUPERSET #2

  • Move 2A:  Dumbbell Curl with Static Hold (30 seconds on each side) with One Leg Balance on Swiss Ball
  • Move 2B:  Tricep Overhead Extensions Lying Supine on Swiss Ball
  • Cardio Interval:  Jump Rope

SUPERSET #3

  • Move 3A:  Squat with Swiss Ball Raise
    (Note – on round 2 we did squats with a weight instead, and on round 3 we did squats with no ball or weight but just legs together.  Your choice!)
  • Move 3B:  Calf Raises with Overhead Swiss Ball Hold
    (Note – on round 2 we did calf raises with no Swiss ball but with a turned out “first position” stance, and on round 3 we did regular raises with lateral arm lifts.  Your choice!)
  • Cardio Interval:  High Knees

SUPERSET #4

  • Move 4A:  Supine Chest Press on Swiss Ball
  • Move 4B:  Prone Back Moves on Swiss Ball
    (Note – Round 1 – T Lifts, Round 2 – Palm Up Presses, Round 3 – Elbow Raise)
  • Cardio Interval:  Runners

SUPERSET #5

  • Move 5A:  Swiss Ball Ham Pull Ins
    (Note – Round 1 was 30 seconds of pull ins, 30 second hold.  Round 2 was 30 seconds of pull ins, then 15 seconds of knee lifts on each side.  Round 3 was 30 seconds of pull ins, then 30 seconds of hip raises with feet balanced on ball). 
  • Move 5b:  Swiss Ball Ab Lower & Lift
    (Note – Round 1 was straight back & up, Round 2 was oblique twists, and Round 3 was crunches with legs resting on ball).
  • Cardio Interval:  Skipped – already on the floor.

5 extra minutes to spare?  Oblique crunches to each side, followed by knee tuck ins to chest and extensions out.

COOLDOWN / STRETCH

Now get moving! 

P.S.  Luna Bar Giveaway ends tonight at midnight!  Winner will be announced tomorrow morning.

The “Start November Off Right” Workout & Playlist

Ate too much Halloween candy this past weekend?

Dreading the implications of the upcoming holiday season?

That’s okay! 

You can start by checking out this “How to Work Off a Halloween Hangover” article I saw on Self.com today.  It provides a few different options for how a 150 pound person can burn off 200 calories:

–18 minutes of jumping rope
–18 minutes of running at 6 mph
–30 minutes of singles tennis
–Walking for 35 minutes at 4 mph
–35 minutes of power yoga
–45 minutes of sex

Orrrr you could work off Halloween / kick off the holiday season with my “Start November Off Right” workout.  Yes, I named my own workout.  I taught this in class tonight and got two compliments at the end of class.  Thanks Jen & random new girl! 

Sidenote:  As part of the November Be Thankful Challenge, courtesy of Tina, I am blogging that I am thankful for the ability to still teach kick butt classes and get praise on them despite my shoulder injury.

Back to the workout.

First, get these songs on your iPod.

Trust me, you’ll need ’em!

  1. Rocketeer – Far East Movement (Remix)
  2. I Wanna Go – Britney Spears
  3. Pass At Me – Timbaland feat. David Guetta & Pitbull (I used the clean version which is by Ameritz Audio Karaoke)
  4. Good Feeling – Flo Rida
  5. Hangover – Taio Cruz featuring Flo Rida (Master Q Karaoke version)
  6. We Found Love – Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris
  7. Memories – David Guetta
  8. Mr. Saxobeat (Radio Edit) – Alexandra Stan
  9. Bon, Bon – Pitbull
  10. Blackout – Breathe Carolina
  11. Tonight I’m Loving You – Enrique Iglesias
  12. Spin Me Right Round – Dead or Alive
  13. Da Funk – Daft Punk
  14. Pumped Up Kicks – Foster the People
  15. Paradise – Coldplay
  16. Run – Collective Soul

Then get moving!

As always, check with a doctor before starting a new fitness routine.  But you guys already knew that.  😉

Warmup

Cardio Set

  • 4 butt kick jogs to the right diagonal, 4 high knees back to center, 4 butt kick jogs to the left diagonal, 4 high knees back to center (Repeat 4 times)
  • 4 step touches in place (right and left = 1)
  • 8 hamstring curls (right and left = 1, advanced option jump the hamstring curls)
  • Repeat butt kick/high knees combo 4 times
  • 4 step touches in place (right and left = 1)
  • 8 hamstring curls (right and left = 1, advanced option jump the hamstring curls)
  • 8 knee lifts to the side (right and left = 1, advanced option hop during the knee lift)
  • Repeat butt kick/high knees combo 4 times
  • 4 step touches in place (right and left = 1)
  • 8 hamstring curls (right and left = 1, advanced option jump the hamstring curls)
  • 8 knee lifts to the side (right and left = 1, advanced option hop during the knee lift)
  • 8 knee lifts to the front (right and left = 1, advanced option hop during the knee lift)
  • Finish with 8 alternating front kicks with opposite front jabs (right and left = 1)

60 Second Supersets
For supersets, perform as many reps as possible within the designated timeframe, keeping the correct form.  Only rest in between each set, not in between each move.

  • Alternating front lunges / Squat Jumps
  • Pushups / Burpees
  • Plie Squats / Jumping Jacks
  • Lower & Lift Abs / Seated Rotations

Bicep / Cardio Countdown Intervals
For these, start with 10 reps, then 9, then 8, and so forth until you get down to only 1 rep.

  • 10 bicep curls
  • 10 shuffle touchdowns (right and left = 1)
  • 9 bicep curls
  • 9 shuffle touchdowns (right and left = 1)
  • And so on

30 Second Supersets
For supersets, perform as many reps as possible within the designated timeframe, keeping the correct form.  Only rest in between each set, not in between each move.

Note:  Same moves as before, but for less time.

  • Alternating front lunges / Squat Jumps
  • Pushups / Burpees
  • Plie Squats / Jumping Jacks
  • Lower & Lift Abs / Seated Rotations

Tricep / Cardio Countdown Intervals
For these, start with 10 reps, then 9, then 8, and so forth until you get down to only 1 rep.

  • 10 tricep kickback extensions (2 arms bilaterally)
  • 10 seconds high knees
  • 9 tricep kickback extensions (2 arms bilaterally)
  • 9 seconds high knees
  • And so on

Inner / Outer Thigh / Ab Floor Work

  • Lying on one side, knees and hips stacked, knees slightly bent, weight resting on outer thigh, knees and toes front.  Leg raises for 2 sets of 8, then 8 pulses.  Then 2 sets of forward and back rotations.
  • Finish by extending the leg out then pulling the knee in (pointed toe), extending the leg all the way up (pointed toe), and flexing the leg all the way down (flexed foot).  Do 4 slow and then 8 fast.
  • Place same foot flat on the floor behind the other one.  Flexing the now front leg (the one you didn’t just work) do 2 sets of 8 inner thigh raises and 2 sets of 8 pulses.
  • Seated Rotation Variation.  Feet either on the floor, knees bent with feet raised, or knees straight with toes pointing up.  Perform 8 oblique twists to the right, immediately do 8 twists to the left, and finish with 8 sit backs / leg pushes to the center.
  • Repeat entire series on other side, including another round of seated rotation variation.

Last Round of Ab Work

  • Regular crunches to center:  3 sets of 8, then 8 pulses
  • Oblique crunches to one side:  2 sets of 8, then 8 pulses
  • Oblique crunches to other side:  2 sets of 8, then 8 pulses
  • Regular crunches to center:  3 sets of 8, then 8 pulses
  • Finish with feet raised out in front of you, 6 inches off the floor, upper back raised as well.  30 second hold.

Cooldown / Stretch

I know sometimes it can be difficult to know exactly what the correct form/moves are for some of the routines I write about, so if you ever have any questions about the proper ways to do anything, please contact me and I’d be happy to break them down further / send examples on how to do them.

Now what are you waiting for?!

Question of the Day:  How are you planning on starting your November off right?

What’s NEW?!

My sneakers, that’s what!

Aren’t these snazzy?  🙂

Please stop judging me for taking pictures of my own feet after class last night, ok?  I know what you guys are thinking.  But I don’t care.  These are my first pair of Nike cross trainers.  Ever!  I honestly have been wearing the same Asics shoe for like four years now (yes, I am that person that buys multiple pairs at once to hold onto), so this is a huge deal for me.  Life-changing.  Also the first pair of lightweight sneakers that I’ve tried out.  But I love them!  My feet feel like they can breathe when I wear them, but the sneakers still have enough room for me to wear my orthodics (yes, I am also 90 years old) and my toe spacers.  Perhaps I should have done a post on all the things wrong with my feet first?!  Anyways, these are really awesome for all the high intensity interval training, plyometrics, and side to side movements that I do in my indoor classes.  I think it’s a great shoe for those who cross train with various types of exercise whether it be cardio workouts, drills, weightlifting, or whatever!  PLUS, they are super cute.  Got a lot of compliments on them in my classes.  I have a feeling I might be going out and buying new pink and black workout attire soon!  🙂

About this shoe, from the Nike website:

Benefits
No-sew upper for enhanced comfort and flexibility
Flywire for ultra-lightweight support and comfort
Nike Free flex grooves for enhanced flexibility and stability

Support
Side-to-side movements are essential to drills and other training activities, so the Nike Free Quick Fit+ was designed with Flywire on the upper for lightweight lateral support in the forefoot. Flywire is made up of thin, super-strong nylon fibers that strategically hold the foot in place, helping to reduce slippage during movement.

Flexibility
Nike Free XT technology uses full-length, multi directional flex grooves to allow the foot to move in a more natural way for training. Exaggerated and intuitive flex grooves extend into the midsole to help reduce the overall weight of the shoe and enhance multi directional flexibility so you can be nimble on your feet.

Additional Details
Breathable mesh upper
Synthetic overlays for support
Outsole rubber pods for durability and traction
Nike+ ready

What ELSE is new?!

– The playlist I used in Circuit Training class last night.  It’s a good one, check it out!!

  1. Sweat – Snoop Dogg & David Guetta
  2. Tainted Love – Soft Cell
  3. You Make Me Feel – Cobra Starship feat. Sabi
  4. Mr. Saxobeat (Radio Edit) – Alexandra Stan
  5. In the Dark – Dev
  6. No Limit (Extended) – 2 Unlimited
  7. Rain Over Me – Pitbull feat. Marc Anthony
  8. Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger – Daft Punk
  9. Barbara Streisand – Duck Sauce
  10. Bon Bon – Pitbull
  11. My Body – Young the Giant
  12. This Is How a Heart Breaks – Rob Thomas
  13. Without You – David Guetta feat. Usher
  14. Pumped Up Kicks – Foster the People
  15. Stereo Hearts – Gym Class Heroes feat. Adam Levine
  16. Every Teardrop is a Waterfall – Coldplay

– Teaching Corpbasics Kix.  Last night was my second time subbing for Liz’s class right before Circuit Training.  That still counts as NEW, right?  Anyways, class went really well.  Mom came to class again too.  Loving teaching this!

– My roommate’s blog!  Slesh said I inspired her to find her own creative outlet.  I love inspiring, that’s the whole point of Fitness & Feta.  Anyways, her blog is called “A Twist and a Shake” and is where she will share all sorts of fun information about cocktails.  Slesh loves trying out new drink recipes so she will be sharing them here, along with advice for substitutions, cost, etc.  Go take a sip from her straw!

– A new quote I found today that I posted on the F&F Facebook Page“There are really only two requirements when it comes to exercise. One is that you do it. The other is that you continue to do it.”  <— So true!

Question(s) of the Day: 

  • What is your favorite brand of exercise sneakers?
  • Anything new with YOU that you’d like to share?

Have a good one 🙂