While in New York, I always like to try new exercise classes. I wanted to try Barry’s Bootcamp which mixes a cardio treadmill workout with intense bootcamp strength training moves. However, since I’m down here for a total body assessment, Joe Dowdell (my trainer through CrushingTheCourse.com) asked me to “No! Please don’t!!!” I think the intensity would mess with the results, or maybe it’s not a such a safe workout… I’ll find out soon enough.
So instead, I went to the Equinox and paid the $15 to access a different club. I started my lean and strong workout when I saw an ab class was about to start. I figured, “What the heck?” I went in, got a ball and set up my mat.
Let me begin this review that the class was packed! The first 10 minutes were all crunches! My neck was killing me by exercise 5 - in a sequence of about 15. I know that you cannot effectively workout for abs for 15 minutes straight but since I dedicate this blog to giving you insight into the fitness industry, I’m telling you, they have no received the memo!!!! Ab classes are a waste of time. The last 5 minutes were the most effective ab exercises featuring knee tucks using a sliding disk and pikes using the disk as well. Those are some of my favorite exercises but the first 10 minute wrecked my neck and back that I couldn’t do them! I like going to classes like this because I steal certain moves from the instructors to show you my favorites, but I do not recommend going to an ab class at your gym. They are not necessarily and 10 minutes too long.
Do this ab workout at the end of your cardio of strength training workouts:
- 60-second plank on forearms - rest 60 seconds -
- 30-second side plank on each side - no rest in between sides but rest 60 seconds after both are done
- 60-second plank on forearms - rest 60 seconds -
- 30 second side plank on each side - no rest in between sides but rest 60 seconds after both are done
- 12 reps Spiderman Plank - Plank position, bring right knee to right elbow, repeat on opposite side for 1 rep.
- 15 leg raises with hands under butt pressing lower back into the mat
- 12 reps Spiderman Plank - Plank position, bring right knee to right elbow, repeat on opposite side for 1 rep.
- 15 leg raises with hands under butt pressing lower back into the mat
Have you ever taken a group exercise class? Do you love or hate group exercise ab classes?
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