Cross Training and Strength Conditioning ... From Hell

Monday Night with Arnolda

I took my first aerobic type class I have ever taken in my adult life. If I hadn't fulfilled all prerequisites to be a full fledged woman, then it can be assured that I am now.

I've always looked down at aerobics (and all derivatives thereof) as inferior and "girly" exercise. In my mind, it's for people who just don't want to or can't run, but they want the same caloric burn. Basically ... non-athletes who are complete punks and wimps that can't man-up to real exercise like running.

Well, it may be true that aerobics is an option if you don't want to or can't run, but there is nothing wimpy about it. This particular aerobics session focused on high impact cardio boxing type movements. It required a lot of coordination and a full range of motion for all major muscle groups.

My heart rate was up at 91% of the max for about 30 minutes out of the full one hour class. I have NEVER moved my body the way I did on Monday, and I'm sure new neuropathways involving muscle control are still being formed.

Tuesday Night with Goddess turned Fiend

Last night, one of my girls (Muse be her name) discovered that the devil, in fact, wears Lycra.

After an intense spin class (heart rate hit 208 beats per minute ... I thought my monitor was picking up a microwave or maybe a cop car signal ... but I later realized that it probably happened during one of the four sets of sprints), we went to an even harder strength class that Goddess was subbing.

I think we did five or six different types of squats at various counts for 35 minutes ... easily. This was broken up with upper body stuff, including lats for the benefit of summer halter tops. The thing is, I already BURNED all of my halter tops after the last strength class she subbed, so I thought that I might be exempt. Well, not really. The phrase "punk out" was used, which indicates that there are no exemptions available.

My right leg felt as though it was going to fall off. A couple of us were on the verge of tears, but I ended up laughing because it was just a ridiculously hard time. We got through it, and I'm loving my stretchy dress pants today. The legs are incredibly swollen.