I am a runner. Running is what I love to do. However, running alone can not get me to my goals. Running alone, for me, leads to injury. All runners need to incorporate cross-training and strength training. It makes us stronger and helps prevent injuries.
So then, why the heck was I not doing it? Time, laziness, boredom, or possibly all three? When COVID-19 hit back in March, and we were told to work from home and to shelter in place, I thought I would have all the time in the world. Well, I did, and I decided to prioritize other things. Well, no more!
For me to be a stronger runner and overall in better shape, I needed to do something other than running. A few friends of mine had been working out to a boxing program, and it looked pretty fun. After 100 days of working from home, wearing a mask when out, graduations, and travel plans canceled, it would feel good to punch something.
The program is six weeks long. Joel (the trainer) leads you through 3 days of boxing training and two days of strength-building workouts with weights for a total of 5 days a week. There are no bags or people to hit; it is shadowboxing.
The boxing workouts with conditioning drills are broken up into ten rounds, 3 minutes each, and progress over the six weeks. The two days of weightlifting workouts include one day of the upper body and lower bodywork.
I am finishing up week two tomorrow, and I am sore! I can already feel the difference in my shorts. I can feel my core getting stronger, as is my running. The most important thing, it keeps me engaged, and I do not dread the workouts. I actually found something, besides running, that I like.
If you are interested in 10 Rounds, you can access on Beachbody on Demand. Beachbody on Demand (BOD) is a streaming service that provides hundreds of workouts to help people achieve their health and fitness goals. BOD can be streamed on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Members can also stream BOD through a TV using Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast, or via the Beachbody On Demand app for iOS and Android. Apple Watch users can stream their workouts on their iPhone or iPad, and Apple Watch will project real-time heart rate and caloric burn on those screens. Take a peek.
10 Rounds for the knockout win!
In a couple of days, I am about to embark on a new fitness program. In addition to my running, I workout to other programs. The length of the programs change from program to program. This new one is 6 weeks long, 6 days a week, but only 20 minutes a day. All that is needed is a step. Don’t let that fool you. This isn’t going to be your 90’s step class. I have a feeling those 20 mins are going to be the longest 20 minutes of my life. Wish me luck!
