My Workout Routine (January)
11:25 PM
I have never been a sporty person. The whole idea of exercising, sweating, and feeling tired and dirty has never appealed to me. Trust me, I've tried to like it. Throughout the years I must have tried almost every sport there is. Anything and everything from gymnastics, tennis, athletics and swimming, but nothing has ever appealed to me. I would always get bored quickly and start hating it even more. However, a "nice" body and a healthy lifestyle, unfortunately, aren't the result of laying around all day without doing anything, so I decided to get active.
No, this time it's not one of those silly new years resolutions. My decision to join the gym actually pre-dates the new year (for once), and so far I've stuck to it. This summer, during a week alone in the city, I found a gym right by my house and decided to give it a go. I can't say going to the gym is fun, but it's not horrible. Your muscles are soar and you're sweaty after your session, but you feel as if you've accomplished something, and that's nice.
I forced my best friend to come with me, and it's been about 5 months of exercise so far (and still counting!). We go twice a week in the evening right before dinner for about an hour- more or less depending on how chatty we're feeling and how much homework we have. About once a month we also meet with our personal trainer who tortures us assigns us a new workout for the month.
Since it's still January and I know that most people are trying to be healthier, I thought I would share my workout routine for the month. The great thing about most of these exercises is that, if you're not ready to pay the gym, you can do them at home.
Legs:
lunges |
We start with a little lunge warmup. One set of 20 repetitions, and then move on to lunges with weights. I do 3 sets of 20 lunges each with a 3kg weight for each arm.
We then move on to squats. I do not like squats. They always make me feel so soar, and walking all the way to the fifth floor to my house after the gym becomes a real struggle. I do 3 sets of 15 repetitions each, with 3kg of weights again.
Next up is one of the most awkward exercises. It's called the frog and it's quite hard to describe. You have to lie face down near the end of a bench, so that your legs are free to move. You start with your legs bent and open, and gradually put them together and lift them up. It's easy to think about it like swimming breaststroke, except you also have to lift your legs. I do 4 sets of 15 repetitions of this.
squats |
Arms:
My first arm exercise is the 'dip'. It's kind of like an upside down pushup. You rest your hands on the edge of a chair or bench, bend your knees out in front of you, and lift your body up and down. (I'm starting to realize how hard it is/how bad I am at describing exercises). I do 4 sets of 12 repetitions.
Weirdly enough this month I only have two arm workouts. The last one is actually a machine (which are my favorites). It's called the chest press, and I do 3 sets of 15 each, lifting 10kg.
the chest press machine.
Abs:
It's no secret that abs is my least favorite part, and, fortunately enough, I only have one exercise. However it's horrible. It's called an oblique up, and it's an ab workout for your side. You have to lie on one side, and simultaneously lift your upper and lower body. It's the worse. I feel like a fish out of water whenever I do it, but hopefully it will pay off.
My first arm exercise is the 'dip'. It's kind of like an upside down pushup. You rest your hands on the edge of a chair or bench, bend your knees out in front of you, and lift your body up and down. (I'm starting to realize how hard it is/how bad I am at describing exercises). I do 4 sets of 12 repetitions.
dips |
the chest press machine.
Abs:
It's no secret that abs is my least favorite part, and, fortunately enough, I only have one exercise. However it's horrible. It's called an oblique up, and it's an ab workout for your side. You have to lie on one side, and simultaneously lift your upper and lower body. It's the worse. I feel like a fish out of water whenever I do it, but hopefully it will pay off.
how it should look |
how I look |
Last, but definitely not least, is the treadmill. Alongside the abs, this is my least favorite activity. I actually used to really enjoy it, but with every month that goes by I hate it more because it becomes harder and harder. I don't run, just walk, but trust me: it's not good. I first do 10 minutes with the speed setting set to 5 km/h and the incline setting set to 15. It honestly feels like you're rushing to get up a really steep hill. It's not pleasant. Then, without any break of course, I do another 10 minutes. This time both the speed and incline are set to 6.5. I get off the treadmill shaky and sweaty; ready to go home and get in a nice, relaxing shower.
If you've liked this, please let me know. I'm thinking about maybe doing a little monthly workout series, so let me know!
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