It’s been a hot minute since I’ve written anything about fitness. 4 years of pregnancy and having babies will do that. Not that I completely let it go during that period, but it’s been a while since I really felt like I could push myself hard. I’m just starting to dip a toe back into that arena and it feels great. I feel strong (and sore, so very sore).
I owe most of this to Burn Bootcamp, as I feel like I finally found a fitness option that works for me (at this point in life).
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The classes are 45 minutes long, instead of an hour which I LOVE. It’s all women, mostly moms, and the atmosphere is incredibly encouraging. The offer childcare. The workout is always different and the trainers push you. For example, when I used to go to the gym I’d always grab 5 lb dumbbells, 8 lbs if I was feeling confident. On my first day of bootcamp I looked for the 8s and realized THEY DON’T HAVE ANY. But last week, I had two 17.5 lb dumbbells that I was using for squat presses and I’ll admit, I felt like a bad ass.
Yesterday we did a fitness test. The goal was to beat your numbers from 3 weeks ago, but since I missed the first test, I just tracked my numbers for kicks.
We started off with a warm up of jogging, lunge walking and side shuffles, then we divided into five different stations. We had two minutes at each station to bust out as many reps as we could. Maybe these seems high to you, or maybe they seem really low, but I can tell you, I feel pretty good about them.
Station 1: Burpees : In two minutes I completed 30 full burpees.
Station 2: Pull Ups : You can’t see it well in the first picture, but on the bars we use for pulls ups, there are stretchy bands hanging down. I used the shortest, the green one, to loop one foot through, which basically takes some of the dead weight I’m trying to pull up away. In two minutes I completed 14 pull ups with the assistance of the green band and whew, I feel it today.
Station 3: Jump Rope : In two minutes, I jumped the rope 195 times.
Station 4: Push Ups : I totally did these on my knees. In two minutes I completed 37 push ups. Next time I’m going to do full push ups and see how I fare.
Station 5: Full sit-ups holding a 10 lb medicine ball. In two minutes I completed 37 sit ups.
Wall Sit: I held it for 3 minutes and 15 seconds, which felt pretty good, but there were some ladies there that held it for over 15 minutes!! Impressive.
And finally, the mile run. I haven’t ran in a long time. A really long time. I actually thought about skipping this optional add-on, but realized that was silly. I might as well see how long it took me, plus my energy felt high. I did my best to pace myself, then pushed it at the end to finish one mile in… 8 MINUTES AND 44 SECONDS.
Y’all. This might as well as be lightning speed because to be under a 9 minute mile is unheard of for me. It felt AWESOME.
What I love about fitness is that the only person you really have to compete with is yourself. I am feeling strong and look forward to busting out this fitness test in another month or so to see if I can beat my numbers. Upwards. Onward. Stronger.
PS- In hopes to have more pictures to add to this post I figured I’d snap a few awesome fitness shots while the girls and I played outside. Heck, I was already dressed like a ninja. You can see above how that worked out; a fitness model I am NOT. But we had a lot of fun regardless.
Has your fitness/workout preference changed over the years/life stages?
What exercise gives you the biggest high/confidence?
Do you like to compete against yourself and track your fitness reps/times?
Kaitlyn @ Keeping up with Kaitlyn says
Girlfriend that is AWESOME!! you are a rockstar! 30 burpees in 2 min? and the wall sit for over 3? WOOOOO!!
Also, my friend was trying to get me to do pull ups last night and she was talking about those stretchy bands. I have limited upper body strength (working on it), so I’m wondering if those bands do really help??
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } says
That mile time is badass! I also normally use 8’s but went up to 14.5 last week and felt like a boss.
Lauren says
I want to do this!!
You did amazing!! That’s a great mile time. I have no idea if I could do a whole mile right now. Yikes.
I am full of excuses, but being able to track results of something like this is pretty motivating…
Liv @ Healthy Liv says
I’m seriously impressed by all of those burpees! Those kill me every time. I think running has always given me the biggest high 🙂
Brittany says
Good for you girl! I feel like a bootcamp type environment that combines cardio and strength always makes me feel the best!
Beks says
When I was in high school, I bought a book on weight lifting for teens, and also got 2, 3, and 5 lb dumbbells. I remember thinking the 5 lbs were crazy heavy. Now if I lift at the gym, I’m using 10 lbs. it’s crazy how something that used to kill you (metaphorically) is now a piece of cake. 🙂
I’m enjoying running and stretching lately. Love feeling the burn in my lungs.
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I’ve fallen off the strength training bandwagon lately. I’m hoping to get back on after our trip to Italy. Lifting something heavy always gives me confidence! But in the meantime, running is where it’s at!
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says
Brittany, I LOVED that you shared the results of your 2 minute fitness test! You are sooo brave. I guess that’s what I love about your blog: it’s always so open and honest. My fitness has definitely fluctuated in the years since I’ve gone from no kids to two kids. I’m signed up for a half marathon this fall and although it’s still still six months away, I’m definitely nervous!
mary @ minutes per mile says
awesome job! two minutes of burpees would wipe me out!
Katie says
Bootcamp style classes do nothing for me right now. But I could see myself as a mama with limited loving it. For now I’ll take it slow and steady in my yoga classes.
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
You go girl!! You killed that test!
Lisa @ exercise eat repeat says
that really looks like the sort of thing i need to be doing. My choice over the years has really changed and last yeart i was raring to go with triathlon training and half marathon training but this year has not been so good. I can feel that my fitness level has dropped so finding it hard. You are doing and look amazing. While tri training last year i learnt that i love swimming and really fancy giving myself afew challenges with that.
Holly says
Nice job Brittany! I just had my baby 2 1/2 weeks ago but I am already looking for ideas to track my progress as I get back in shape (which I can start in 4 more weeks). I like the idea of competing with yourself with this fitness test plus it incorporates so many muscle groups to really get a well-rounded look at your current fitness level.
sarah (SHU) says
TOTALLY awesome 🙂
we have a Barry’s Bootcamp near me but i’m totally too scared to even try it 🙂
Megan says
Dang! I go to the gym 3-4 times a week and feel like my numbers wouldn’t even compare to yours! Way to go!!
Lauren says
Your numbers sound pretty great to me!! I have found that there is nothing like strength and conditioning work. You can see so much more progress in less time!. I like this test…may have to check this out after baby boy arrives to see what kind of progress I can make (once I figure out the whole parenting thing and find time to workout again!)
Jen@jpabstfitness says
Way to go mama!! Tomorrow is 1 year since my 4th csection, I feel like every workout is the first one ever.
Colette says
Way to work girl! That mile time is awesome and gives me hope that I might still be able to run after not running since before I was pregnant, eek! Though I totally I have dropped the ball on cardio I still make time to do Barre3 from home as well as weights. I love feeling strong and Barre3 is really tough! Way to make time for yourself though, no matter what form of exercise! So important!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
Awesome job! I love your point about fitness being individual- you gotta do what’s best for you!
Lauren @ Oh Hey I Like That! says
Your mile time is AWESOME! I’m supposed to be doing a 5k in 2 weeks and my mile doesn’t even come CLOSE!
Marge says
Thanks for sharing the fitness test. I’ll be using it to gauge how much I’ve progressed each month. Hopefully after a year or two I’ll come close to the numbers you’re putting up.
Dave says
Awesome! Amazing times on your fitness test!
Danny says
I’ve always admired women who workout even they have already given birth. My wife has just given birth and I hope she will still go to the gym and workout with me. Thanks for sharing this post Brittany!