Class Recap Catch Up

Class recaps!

Last Tuesday after work, I took Laurie’s class for the first time. I’d heard good things about her and class did not disappoint. I decided, after holding the beginning plank the entire time once again, that I can officially hold planks. It’s for real. Great feeling! Laurie was funny and joked throughout the class, but even better was when she came behind me to fix my alignment. Especially during thighs, I always need to be pushed forward a little to get into the correct positioning. It makes the exercise so much harder but it also ensures I am doing it correctly – and without risk of injury.

Just a few hours later, at 7 am Wednesday morning, I finally took a class with Elisabeth. Elisabeth, along with her husband Fred, founded Core Fusion. I was really excited for this class because I’ve been wanting to take it all month. The first thing I noticed was that class was packed. At 7 am. That doesn’t usually happen, but for Elisabeth, people wake up early! Class was beyond wonderful; Elisabeth is so inspiring and such an amazing teacher. She made me feel so comfortable and corrected my position throughout the class so I would get the most out of each movement. Arms were especially hard, and abs were especially amazing. I was pushed to my limit and I felt so accomplished after.

I took a much needed rest day on Thursday, and woke up bright and early Friday for another 7 am class with one of my favorite teachers, Kate. Kate’s classes are extremely tough – some of the hardest I have taken – but also the ones I feel the best about after. Her teaching style is upbeat and motivating. Also, she played Rusted Root. Any teacher who playes Ecstasy during an exercise class wins in my book.

During thighs we did all three sets in a continuous movement, shifting seamlessly from one position to the next. This made thighs even harder than they usually are – and they are usually HARD. And they never get easier. I actually have some thoughts about what gets easier and what doesn’t for my next post – which will recap my month, review my results from my measurements and discuss my plans for next month!

I did like how fast paced the thigh work was because I didn’t really have time to acknowledge my pain, it was just move move move!

For butt I did not like what we did. We had to stand at a 90 degree angle and hold our arms on the bar straight in front of us while doing to butt/leg lifts. I was so focused on making sure my arms were straight and my knee was over my 3rd toe (for proper alignment) that I didn’t get the most out of the butt movements. It was still a tough workout though!

I’m so good at the plank at the end of class, much better than at the beginning. Maybe because I am all warmed up? Teachers always compliment my form on that one and today was no different. That’s because holding myself up is so much easier at the end of class that I can focus more on my form.

Abs was doable because we kept switching what we were doing. I really liked this better than staying with the same movements for too long and feel like I got a better abs workout as a result.

After class my friend and I were so happy with how wonderful it was. In fact, I am getting our other friend to come with us, hopefully this coming Friday. The class felt like I really worked out hard and I still enjoyed (almost) all of it.

Back tomorrow with the Core Fusion Challenge 30 day recap!