Workout Methods I Love...

At the beginning of quarantine in March 2020 I quickly realized how to move my body at home. I had always been reliant on the gym & I really used it as an excuse. Saying things to myself like, "I'm not a morning person, I can't commit to going to the gym early every day." or "Today was a late night at work & I missed my favorite group fitness class." When quarantine started & the gyms shut down I started WALKING!! 

I had just moved into a new apartment & I was in walking distance to the local cemetery. I started walking there every day. It was an easy 3 mile walk round trip. I obviously noticed changes in my mood & anxiety levels (DUH, ENDORPHINS) but I also started noticing little changes in my body. I was feeling longer & leaner so I started doing more low impact workouts at home & my world is forever changed. 

Here are the workouts I love that have served me in 2020:

Walking & Hiking

One thing I have learned from the challenges of 2020 is how grateful I am for nature. Even walking in the suburbs of SLC. Getting outside has helped me so much. It boosts my mood & helps me feel productive (gotta get my steps in lol). It all started with those 3 mile walks I talked about earlier. Then I went on a trip to Jackson Hole & rediscovered hiking. I spent the rest of the summer walking & hiking on the trails close to my home & even took a few road trips to explore new trails.

I noticed such a difference in my mood & my body during the weeks where I would consistently walk around my neighborhood every day. I felt happier, leaner & longer!

Barre

Barre was another gift brought to me by quarantine! I have danced since I was 3 years old, did dance team in high school & am even a certified dance competition judge. To say the least, I LOOOVE dance. Dancing is my favorite way to move. During quarantine I discovered THIS barre video on YouTube & fell in love. The movements get your heart rate pumping but are low impact which is KEY for me. My joints feel so much better when I stick to low impact workouts. I loved barre so much that I actually got CERTIFIED earlier this month. I'm so excited to bring you more barre focused content here on the blog & on social media. I would love to have you in one of my classes but if you want to do it from home, you can get an Upbeat Barre subscription & feel the burn in your living room.

Yoga & Breath Work

I have loved yoga for years, but pairing yoga with meditation & breath work is something I discovered in 2020. It's such an amazing way to move your body, relax & refocus. Add a little pilates in there & you're GOLDEN!! Some places to get you started with these methods of movement are WIM HOF for breath work & the free FitOn app for yoga & pilates! Both of these resources have helped me so much this year!

Les Mills Body Combat

I've been doing Body Combat group fitness classes since I was in junior high. I would go to the gym with my mom & she would teach me how to lift & then we would go to a class. Body Combat is one of her favorites. Les Mills has free Body Combat classes on YouTube. I definitely pulled these out during quarantine. Not only are these classes so fun, but you leave the class feeling so accomplished & hard core! 

High Fitness

My first High Fitness class was my senior year of high school during my last year on the dance team. It changed the way I performed as a dancer & athlete. It's basically sprinting for an hour, your heart rate is up the whole time but it's SO FUN! It is a pretty high impact work out so over the years I've had to dial it back. My joints & feet just can't take all the jumping but there are a lot of ways you can modify the moves. There are 2 free High Fitness classes on YouTube if you want to try them at home before trying out a live class!

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Not only is moving your bod SO GOOD for your physical health, but it's so good for your mental health too. One of my favorite fitness accounts to follow is Melissa Wood Health & she always says, "movement is my medicine" & I completely agree with her on that!! Show up for yourself by making time for movement! I hope you will try out these methods! Maybe you will find one you love! Tell me in the comments which one is your favorite!

​xoxo, Lexie