Switching it Up

In a former life, I was a kick boxer. Ok maybe I wasn’t punching fools out in the ring, but I practiced at least three times a week. To music. Ok, I was a turbo kickboxing (TKB as it’s called on the streets) junkie. You may or may not be familiar with this high energy, choreographed dance routine filled with kicks, jabs, and my all time favorite move, the twist. TKB an incredibly awesome and entertaining workout that would regularly leave me embarrassingly sweaty. The one hour class flies by as you complete 11 rounds of dance-like routines, 5 which alternate between your left and right side, and one which is called the “turbo” which is a conglomeration of at least 20 moves into one high octane sweat fest.

I started attending TKB on the regular just after my first busy season with PwC, when I finally had time to make a 6:30 PM workout class. I was fully addicted for the next couple of years, moving my way from the very back (I’m not naturally very coordinated) to the very front of the class. The reason I loved  TKB was that the routines often changed, each instructor had their own flair and the energy of the group was palpable. I looked forward to these classes and I would even say that TKB is the first time I REALLY enjoyed working out in my life (other than playing field hockey in high school).

Well, when my co-worker and former marathon training buddy went to her first TKB class a few weeks ago and loved it, I started to get a little nostalgic about my TKB romance that was eventually replaced with my former flame, Running, and now with my latest partner, Triathlon. When she mentioned this Monday that she had plans to go again and I was still debating which workout to do that night (Yoga or P90X Core Synergistics – something that worked core and upper body), I immediately worked out a way to rationalize going to the class. I also needed to figure out how to get workout clothes but luckily Allison had an extra outfit for me and I always have a pair of running shoes under my desk. I nearly backed out of the adventure, telling myself that I “should” do yoga or telling myself that TKB really served no purpose in my triathlon training so there was no point in doing it.

However, I decided in the end that TKB would actually achieve my goal (core/upper strength) as well as serve another valuable purpose – to add something different and fun back into my routine. Although I do find triathlon fun most of the time, it does get monotonous and I find myself daydreaming about all the fun workouts I can do after I don’t have a strict schedule of swim/bike/run on my calendar. So, with just shy of 7 weeks to go until my Ironman, I kicked, punched and blocked my way through 60 sweaty minutes of TKB. The routine actually ends about 45 minutes in, and then the instructor had us do some leg work (squats, lunges – ouch those hurt!) and core work (yes!!). After class was over, I walked my sweaty self over to the mats and did a few sets of push-ups and some additional core work.

Thanks to YOU Allison for inspiring me to get out of my normal routine!

In case you were wondering, TKB was nearly 48 hours ago and my abs, back, shoulders, biceps, and triceps are still sore! Goal accomplished.

What is your favorite way to switch up your routine? How do you keep yourself entertained during heavy training?