Monday, April 8, 2013

Stop it...You HAVE 9 minutes!

Here is an effective 9 minute work-out that anyone can do, at their own level.
You have 9 minutes! NO. MORE. EXCUSES.
Stretch…
Then, set your timer for 9 minutes.
You are going to work for 30 seconds, push yourself as much as you can and then rest during the next 30 seconds.
You are going to repeat this pattern for 3 rounds.

The math: 30 seconds rest, 30 seconds work= 1 minute per exercise x 3 exercises= 3 minutes, 3 exercises x 3 rounds= 9 minutes

When the timer starts get ready, at the 30 second mark, start:
*Wide Squats with Hip Thrust ( standing with feet turned out and wider than hip width apart, squat down and stand and clench the buttocks)(Challenge: add a small jump when you come up, Sumo Jumps)
*Jumping Jacks (Challenge: Touch the floor between each jack, Explosive Jacks)
*Plank (hold body flat as a plank of wood and keep feet shoulder width apart and arms lined up with shoulders) (Challenge: Bring your knees one at a time up to the coordinating knee, Plank Crunch)

Squats: legs, buttocks ~ strength training
Jumping Jacks: whole body ~ cardio
Plank: arms and core ~ strength training

Monday, March 25, 2013

WorkOut #7: The Funeral



Adult  Fitness Workout # 7:   
50 seconds on & 30 seconds rest for 3 rounds

Don’t forget to stretch and warm up before and after. Drink lots of water.

Standing Cross Kicks
(Standing with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart, kick your left leg into the air diagonally to the right and reach for your toes with your right hand. Repeat other leg.)
Simplified: Lift leg only as high as possible    
Advanced: Add center squat

Rotating Arm Circles in Center Squat
(Standing with feet shoulder width apart, extend arms directly out to your sides so that your wrists line up with your shoulders, begin rotating your arms in small tight circles. Change direction with each round.)
Simplified: Don’t do squat, lower arms when necessary
Advanced: Jump with alternating high knees

Basic Burpees
(Standing with feet shoulder width apart, place your hands on the floor in front of you, pop your feet out behind you so that you are in a plank position, do 1 push-up, jump your feet back in and push off the floor, arms reaching for the sky with a slight jump.)
Simplified: Go slow and lower one limb at a time, raise and reach up
Advanced: Add plank jack & push up to make it a dynamic burpee

Air Jacks
(When doing jumping jacks come completely off the floor during the legs apart portion.)
Simplified: Stay on the floor
Advanced: Make them explosive by starting from a low squat

Spiderman Planks
(Start on the floor in a plank position, keeping yourself as centered as possible, reach your right hand up and your left foot comes as close to your left arm as possible. You will create the spiderman climbing effect. Return to start and do the other side. Keep core tight the entire time.)
Simplified: Hold regular plank, try arms only on legs only
Advanced: Go hard or go home

Monday, March 11, 2013

Low Cost Zumba Classes


Zumba Fitness Classes
Current Schedule

 Tuesdays: March 5-April 30 * 6:30p-7:30p 

(NO CLASSES 3/12, 4/2, 4/9)

$8 per class or pre-register for $35 of all classes

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Saturdays: March 16-April 20 * 9a-10a & 10:30a-11:30a 

(NO CLASS 3/20)
$8 per class or pre-register for $25 of all classes
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*All classes start promptly. Please arrive at least 5 minutes before class schedule start time.
*Free child care available for children 5 & under for Pre-Registrations ONLY.
*All fitness levels welcome. Ages 18+.
*8 participants needed to hold class.
*Aerobics, flexibility & strength training.
*Need a water bottle, mat & towel.
*Pay be cash or check.
*Must complete Instructor/ Hope Center liability forms.
_____________________________________________

Need more info?
Contact Aretha Taggart at
978.302.4697
a.taggart21@gmail.com
______________________________________________



The Hope Center
112 River St, Fitchburg
 (978) 342-1829 

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Workout #6: Good Mood



Adult  Fitness Workout # 6:   
50 seconds on & 30 seconds rest for 3 rounds

Don’t forget to stretch and warm up before and after. Drink lots of water.

Squat Jumps
Simplified: Squat down, reach up  
Advanced: Use something weighted
Simulated Jump Rope
Simplified: Skip, keep arms to sides
Advanced: Jump with alternating high knees
Crunches
Simplified: Keep arms to sides, lift shoulders off floor
Advanced: Keep feet off the floor, reach for heels
Run High Knees w Get Down
Simplified: Lift alternating legs, lower to floor, get up, repeat
Advanced: Run with knees moving in and out
Tuck Jumps w Side Touch Downs
Simplified: Leave out side touchdowns, pause in between
Advanced: Go hard or go home

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

CHC Walking Club

CHC Walking Club

Walking is one of the simplest and safest aerobic exercises you can do. It will help you strengthen your bones, control your weight, and condition your heart and lungs.



· Decrease the risk of heart attack/ type 2 diabetes
· Control weight/ burns body fat
· Improve muscle tone
· Reduce Stress
· Increases energy
· Lowers high blood pressure
· improves efficiency of your heart and lungs


Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
12:05-12:30p
(begins March 4, 2013)
Meet in front lobby with sneakers on. (weather pending)

Let’s get healthier together!

Friday, February 1, 2013

8 Minute Workout: PUSH YOURSELF

If you don't think you have any time to workout consider this 8 minute workout from Women's Health Magazine. As with any workout the goal is to do as many repetitions as you can in the time allowed but with good form. Doing an exercise the wrong way can not have as effective an effect on your muscles and can even cause injury. For proper techniques, take the time to look up any of the moves below on youtube so that you can have a visual guide as to what to do and more importantly, what not to do.
So, try these 8 exercises for 50 seconds each. Give yourself a quick 10 second rest and move onto the next one. The goal is to push yourself, challenge and confuse your muscles, and get it done in a shorter amount of time. It's only 8 minutes and when it is done, you will be glad that you did it!
Pick a date and a time and make it happen.

1- Power Squat aka Squat Jumps




2-Bucking Hop aka Plank Jumps

3-T-Rotation aka Plank Twist
4- Hip Extensions

5-Judo Pushup aka Dive Bomber

6- Duck Walk

7- Plank Walkups

8-Speed Skater Hops


For more details of each workout click here: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/body-weight-power-squat?workout=36119


Thursday, January 3, 2013

Workout #5: Patience



Adult  Fitness Workout # 5:   
50 seconds on & 30 seconds rest for 3 rounds

Don’t forget to stretch and warm up before and after. Drink lots of water.

Stationary Forward and Backward Lunge
Simplified: Hold onto something for balance     
Advanced: Add jump in between alternating legs
Knee to Elbow Plank
Simplified: Keep one knee on the floor if necessary, alternate
Advanced: Lift straight leg toward ceiling before pulling in
Heisman Jumps
Simplified: Step to side instead of jump
Advanced: Add a standing crunch with lifted leg
Hollow Hold
Simplified: Lower legs if necessary
Advanced: Rock the hollow
Push Up with Cross Under
Simplified: Modify push-up,stay on knees, don't cross over
Advanced: Do double push up before cross over