Workin’ It and Workin’ Hard – at Home!
by Karen Elizaga | Posted: August 31st, 2010 | 6 Comments »
Last week, I wrote about my dear friend Dr. R who has been kicking butt and dropping lbs that he thought would never leave him. I also have been in the process of stocking up a home gym that I never thought I’d have. A number of my friends who are around the 40 year milestone have kicked up their physical activity a notch, and they’ve been doing so at home. And most with great success!
What’s been working? DVDs, exercise equipment… it all does. Let me tell you what I’ve heard and experienced myself (but see the caveat below!):
- My favorite? The spinning bike. I think it’s the best purchase I’ve ever made. I am able to spin for as long as I want, listening to the tunes that I want… the music keeps me going and going because I am dancing on the bike! The very best part? My kids come downstairs while I’m blasting music, and they jam with me and see me sweating on the bike!
- Dr. R’s savior? P90X. After years of hitting the gym hard, dropping pounds and then plateauing for a long time, Dr. R listened to the P90X prescription and overhauled his nutrition (mostly organic). He’s started to lose weight again! Even better, his cholesterol and diabetes numbers are looking healthier than ever! My brother is also doing this series, and his pants are fitting looser for sure.
- Another killer home remedy? Insanity: The Ultimate Cardio Workout and Fitness Program. Dr. K (another good friend) is getting his butt whooped by this one. He said that as he is driving home from work, he actually gets nervous about his workout.
- My favorite strength training? The TRX. With the TRX, you use your body weight to get to all kinds of tiny little muscles that you never knew you had! You don’t need anything else (or much room) to get a killer workout.
- My new experiment? I just installed a ballet barre and bought a couple of DVDs that focus on body conditioning through the same ballet workouts that real ballet dancers do. I am excited to try the New York City Ballet: The Complete Workout. I’ll let you know how it goes!
You don’t need to go far for a solid fitness session. You don’t need to get the latest or hippest outfits. Who cares about makeup, and how great is it that you can work out without a babysitter? What’s YOUR home workout? Tell us your secret!
Here’s the caveat – my friend Lahela, a pilates/yoga professional, warned against the injuries that might arise from taking on too much, too soon and without professional supervision with at-home workouts.Definitely listen to your body, seek help from a professional (even a few sessions will set you in the right direction) and do your research to find a workout that works best for your body!
P90X — Sorry, I cannot hold back my distaste for this misguided exercise program, which will cause more injuries than good results. It’s full of uncontrolled, ballistic movements that cause the “stretch reflex,” tightening of the muscles. The Pilates exercises on the video — well, the female is hurling her upper body forward by thrusting her head and neck forward, causing long term damage. One guy is using mostly his hip flexors and not his abs, and most of them are losing control and crashing to the floor on the way down from their crunches. So they are not following the important rule of eccentric release of the muscles. The lead guy is blessed with low body fat, but he has a WEAK core. He cannot life one knee without bending his body to the side. Which means he has no concept of Pilates or Yoga. Sorry, bleah, P90X will die out shortly, once enough people post You Tube videos about blasting out their knees and low back.
Hi Lahela. Thanks so much for this head’s up. I wrote the post to encourage all of us to do some exercise – and not use one of many excuses not to. To me, DVDs are a good way to overcome the obstacle of not belonging to a gym, being to afraid to walk into a gym, being intimidated by a personal trainer, not being able to afford a personal trainer. No time, no energy, no motivation. The list is endless. This summer, I also picked up some of the excuses between my own injury (I have excellent trainers too!) and then not having a personal trainer for about a month (for the first time in about 15 years) because of that person’s health issues. And it got me thinking about the many justifications we have for failing to move our bodies sufficiently.
Your guidance above is super helpful for those who are considering and/or already doing P90X. Thank you! As always, we encourage readers to approach things with good guidance – from a healthcare professional, a trainer, etc. and not to go beyond what their bodies “advise.” KE
Whoa there Nelly,
The P90X work out is not for everyone and it states so before every DVD.
When I use the P90X videos I take them on as my body allows. If I feel funny doing something I hold back in intensity or speed just as in the gym or in real life.
I think you’re missing the point. It is very possible to achieve a heathy mind and body with the proper nutrition and workouts, but the package deal gives guidance and its all neatly bundled together.
Buying the package creates some level of commitment and gives some good nutritional advice.
But most of all it cuts the “excuses” ,most work outs are 45 to an hr with NO travel time to the gym. I used to drive 20 min each way to the gym, look for parking etc. Easier to do it at home and more time with my family. Takes a few excuses out of the equation.
As for the “lead” guy on the video, he may be blessed with a low fat body but more than likely he got that way with proper nutrition and hard work. And for 52 years old thats pretty flexible and cut. He alo says in one of his videos he had a knee injury in college so he lost flexibility in that leg.
P90x has been out for about 5 years and I did a lot of searches on it, fitness sites, blogs, face book etc. Of course people will get injured, they sold over 200 million copies of it, just the sheer numbers will assure some people will get injured doing it.
All I can say is, I feel great! Body fat at 15% and dropping. Srtonger, faster and more energy then ever.
Dr. Ross,
Hi. Susan here. So happy you wrote this and gave us not only a man’s point of view, but a doctor’s. THANKS. I totally agree with you. My husband bought the P9OX and loves it. It is all about commitment and what we can do with our busy schedules. Thanks Karen, and thanks Dr. Ross.
Karen,
I agree that these workouts are not for everyone. In fact, I have a staff member with a history of arm and back injuries that I strongly encouraged medical consultation prior to any exercise program; even with a personal trainer. Let’s face it, personal trainers are not doctors and doctors are not fitness experts. When it comes to your health, it takes YOU to put it all together.
I’ve been through reg consults with my physician AND orthopedic surgeon (shoulder injury-2yrs ago). I’ve been cleared to rock the workout. My p90x before picture has a bruise on my right shoulder where they injected the dye for the MRI.
I love the vigorous, energetic, style of the workouts. Both programs repeatedly warn weekend warriors not to overdo it. I’ve had absolutely poor personal trainers and good ones too.
I believed your article was about not making any excuses. The two workouts Insanity and P90x have given me some simple fitness tools that I can easily fit into my day at home. Sure everyone would benefit from a fitness expert giving them guidance, but I can’t afford to pay one to come to my house. But maybe when I need a change-up to fitness, I would consider going back to the gym and using the expert advice of a personal trainer for the next level.
For now, I’m now living revved up, no excuses, cause I only got 90 days til the end of my thirties! I’m greeting 40 with an incredible enthusiasm as the start of the next chapter of a book with no set ending. Thanks for all the inspiration over the years. You will get credit in my book for adding to the many positives in my life!
Dr T
Thanks everyone for your comments! I hear you all, and I appreciate it!