A Day At The Gym
5/14/08

Week after week I write to you about health. And although I try to mix it up a little bit, I always find myself coming back to exercising. That’s probably because this is where my own personal success lies in my quest toward better health.

So, this week instead of reading an article about exercise, I thought you might like to join me at the gym for a workout. You’re invited to come with me on one of my personal training sessions. Check out some of the exercises I’m doing, and incorporate them into your own workout. Or if you’re not currently in an exercise program, hopefully this will inspire you to start.

I say so many times to everyone I meet that personal training has changed my life! A good trainer will challenge you beyond what you can do for yourself. And in the end when you triumph in your winner’s circle, they will celebrate with you as you conquer your own battles against health and physical limitations.

This is my success. But, I don’t want this to just be about me. . . . I want this to be about you! Create your own success story and share it with the world! It’s never too late to get up and get moving!

P.S. Something I failed to mention in the video is that I’ve lost 17 pounds since I started working out 5 months ago!

So, try it for yourself. Here’s a list of the exercises we did and muscle groups that were targeted. Don’t forget to warm up your body; a quick 10-minute walk on the treadmill is a great starter. And at the end of your muscle makeover, remember to stretch. The following information is courtesy of my trainer Brad Hamilton.
 
Lower Body

• Squat - Quads, Glutes, Hamstrings “Basic exercise to shape and tone the legs, help lift the butt”
• Lunge & Twist - Quads, Glutes, Shoulders, Obliques with Weighted Ball “Provides core stability and strengthens shoulders”
• Single-leg Calf Raises with Weight - Calves “Gives tone and definition to area behind the legs”

Upper Body

• Bench Press - Chest, Shoulders, Triceps “Helps shape the chest”
• Tricep Pull-Down - Triceps “Provides tone and sculpting to area behind the arms”
• Bicep Curls - Bicep “Provide toning and sculpting in front of the arms”
• Bent-Over Row - Upper & Lower Back, Biceps, Lats – “Helps remove the stubborn back fat and gives us a stronger core”
• Lateral Raises - Shoulders, Delts “Gives a Shapely V on the tops of our arms for when we wear tank tops!”

Core

• Crunches - Upper Abs “Helps with upper half of the core”
• Bicycle - Abs, Obliques “Great basic exercise to work the entire mid-section and can be modified to be harder or easier”
• Hanging Leg Raises - Lower Abs “Great way to work the stubborn lower half and give us the eight packs!”

Brad often says to me “If you say you can’t, you won’t. But if you say you can, you will. And I guarantee you’ll be successful.” I hope this blog has inspired you to stand up and say . . . Yes, I can!