Vacation Workouts - MAKE it happen!

You have packed your bag, planned out which beach reads to bring, and been dreaming of long days playing with your friends on VACATION!  But while you are vacationing, don't let all of your hard training and countless hours of burpees, sprints and push ups go to waste.  Try these workouts and you will come back from holiday even stronger than when you left!

Pack:
2 Workout Outfits ... to encourage you to workout! Washing machines were created for a reason!
Resistance Band
Jump Rope
If driving, bring a Medicine Ball too



Decline Push Ups - early morning vacation training

 Circuit One: Bodyweight 
*no equipment necessary
1 Minute Running in Place
1 Minute Boulders
1 Minute Reverse Jump Lunges
1 Minute Decline Push Ups
1 Minute Dips With Leg Kicks
1 Minute Burpees
1 Minute Mountain Climbers With Alternate Knees Crossing Body (Right knee crossing midline towards left elbow. Left knee crossing midline towards right elbow)
1 Minute Heismans
1 Minute Step Ups - Alternating Legs
1 Minute Jumping Jacks
Repeat 2-4x, totaling 20-40 minutes


 


Circuit Two: Having a BALL

* Medicine Ball and Jump Rope
Set Tabata Timer App to 50 seconds on, 
10 seconds recovery, 6 cycles. Repeat 5 Tabatas.


Medicine Ball Plank



Jump Rope Single Stepping
Medicine Ball Push Ups- Rotating Sides each Push Up
Single Leg Bent Over Row with Medicine Ball - alternate 5x/ each leg until Timer dings
Jump Rope Speed Rope with incorporating High Knees
Walking Lunges with Medicine Ball Rotations
Medicine Ball Plank






Circuit Three: Band of FUN
* Exercise Band and Jump Rope
1 Minute High Knees
20 Reps Squat Bicep Overhead Press - SBO
1 Minute Speed Skaters
20 Steps Side to Side in X- Walk
1 Minute Squat Planks (Squat position, jump back to plank, immediately jump up to low squat)
20 Reps Reverse Lunge with Lat Pull Down (Attach Band to a railing/pole/stable object that is 4-6 inches taller than you)
1 Minute Boulders
20 Reps Plank Jack Push Ups
Repeat Circuit 3-5 times

Just RUN!!!

In addition to the workouts, plan runs and bike rides in the places you are visiting.  Add kayaking, Stand Up Paddleboarding, water skiing, hiking and any other activity that you would not do at home. Make your trips the most active, fun filled and adventurous yet! 



Copyright 2012 - Erin Kreitz Shirey
http://www.powerfitnesspdx.com/

Power Fitness PDX Rockstar- Donna rockin' her new self in Maui!

Many people start Power Fitness PDX for various reasons.  One PFPDX'er, Donna, has grown exponentially. Not only has she found an inner strength, she has realized that because you are in your 50's it doesn't mean you have to give up on "you".  Donna shared her story, and I hope she may help inspire one of you to hop on a bike and ride to the top of the Haleakala Crater too! 

Cheers- Coach Erin Kreitz Shirey

I came to Power Fitness PDX and Erin at a time that I felt I had hit the wall.  Even though I was working out daily with an elliptical and spin bike and doing some light weights my weight loss had stalled and I didn’t feel like I was getting the results for the effort that I was putting in.  I found myself using the excuse “you are almost 53-lighten up.”  But somehow I knew I was capable of more and I absolutely wanted more.

In my two months with Erin I have learned that while I was working out I wasn’t pushing myself to my limits.  Erin has taught me that its OK to go to a level of discomfort in my workout-I am not going to get hurt, I am going to get stronger!  After 3 months I am down 16 lbs and 12 inches.  When I started I could barely hold plank for 20 secs, now I can hold a perfect plank for over a minute.

Doing burpees on vacation!

I had a trip to Maui coming up and I was worried that I would backslide so prior to my trip I made a daily exercise plan and I packed my bands and my jump rope.  The cottage we were staying at was new to me so I didn’t know what the area was going to look like-I hit the jackpot! The grounds were beautiful with lots of paths and grassy areas so I could do my workouts outdoor and with some privacy.  I set up stations-jump rope for two minutes in the parking lot, run back to the lanai and perform squats and overhead press with the bands, set the timer for an 11 minute run. I pulled out the ipad and watched Erin’s videos-I changed it up each day and since I had a pool not 20 steps from my door I even did some running and swimming in the pool.

On my 53rd birthday we got up at 1 am and drove to Haiku where we joined others for a trip up to Haleakala Crater to watch sunrise and then ride bikes down the crater back to Haiku. This has been something that I have wanted to do since I first went to Maui at the age of 18 and hiked Haleakala. It was definitely a bucket list event for me!  The bike ride downhill was a scream-literally 30 mphs screaming Weeeeeeee!

On the ride down there were three hills that we had to climb and I was worried.  I’ve always had difficulty riding hills and I would have to get off and walk the hill, which always made me feel terrible.  Well I rode up each of those hills with no problem even beating others to the top! On one hill I almost stepped off the bike but I heard Erin’s voice “keep going and going and going.” 

Donna- strong and active!! Way to go DONNA!!

It felt great to be able to do all the things I wanted to do on vacation; scuba, the bike ride, and feeling pretty good about how I looked in a swimsuit and in this little dress that I bought special for our luau dinner.  The early mornings, the bugs, the sweat and yes even the burpees have all been worth it.  Thank you Erin for challenging me to find the power in ME and I look forward to just getting better, and better and making this year the best yet! 

Sincerely- 

Donna Wyatt

Workout Wednesday- April 4th, 2012

Wow- Workout Wednesday hopped onto the hiatus train and I apologize! I know you have been doing all of your workouts at home, on work travel, on vacation, and when visiting family. Right? wink wink. I hope you have, and if not, today's workout is back to basics. I want you to push to fatigue with each set. Know the workout will only enhance your day, you know that, right?? 

Now, DO IT!! 

Back to Basics

20 squat jumps

20 burpees

20 reverse lunges with kicks

20 count plank rotation

20 false starts 

20 caterpillars

Repeat 4-5x

Workout Wednesday- Happy Birthday Bro February 15th, 2012

Today my brother, Tyler, celebrates his 33rd Birthday. Thus, you are doing 33 reps of every exercise and repeating the circuit 5 times.  Come on, you know you're ready for another Wednesday workout! 

You need:
Step - bench/park ledge - 2 step height if using homes stairs
Heavy Weights
Jump Rope
2 cones set 20 feet apart

Workout in your backyard or if you are inside, do the jogging in place and the cones modify with doing side steps with the space you have. Warm up with 2 laps jogging around the block or high knees and jogging in place for 4 minutes.


Circuit:
Step UP- 33 x each leg
Burpees- 33
Single Arm Bentover Row- 33 x each arm
Dead Lift with Heavy Weights- 33 x (make sure to keep knees slightly bent and tuck bum when coming to standing position engaging abs)
Jumping Jacks with Light Weights- 33x
Side stepping - low stance ready position- 33x between cones
Spider Man Push Ups- 33x
Jump Rope- 33 cycles
Plank Hold - 33 seconds
Side Plank - 33 seconds/side

Repeat 5 x
Whew, I think you deserve a high five at the end. Rock it, push it, and make sure sweat is dripping down your back. If not, do it again because you haven't worked hard enough.

Any questions for modifications- contact me please. 
Coach Erin Kreitz Shirey- powerfitnesspdx@gmail.com & www.powerfitnesspdx.com 

* Next Wednesday Workout will include a video- are you ready? First one for YOU to film after double knee surgery.

Workout Wednesday- January 25, 2012

What a Wednesday it has been!  Cheers to Power Fitness PDX'ers Monica who is 30 today and Erica who is 34 today! And cheers to my sweet little Emerson who is 4 years old- wow- pretty soon she'll be teaching you how to do proper burpees or bicycles! Great day for birthdays!

Grab two objects to run between and do shuttle runs- could be tupperware, beanbag or 2 pound weights

Thus Birthday Sets- 4 sets x 30 reps  

Warm up with 30 seconds of 4 exercises:
Jumping Jacks
High Knee Running in Place
Alternating Side Lunges
Burpees
Repeat 4 times

Workout: 

With each start to finish, you pick up the object on both side and return in middle.

Base Cardio- Shuttle Run for 30 seconds. 


Shuttle Run - 30 seconds
Caterpillars - 30 reps
Reverse Jump Lunges - 30/each leg
Table Top (literally) Narrow Grip Push Ups- 30 reps
Plank with rotating sides- 30/each side


Repeat 4 x 
Happy Wednesday Workout to YOU! 
Questions or additional workout specifics please email Coach Erin Kreitz Shirey- powerfitnesspdx@gmail.com

Coach Erin's Holiday Tips to Squeeze in Exercise and Feel Good!

When it comes to the Holiday Season, people think they have to give up their exercise regime and jump start it in January.  However there are many ways to work up a sweat and keep the belt notch where it is, if not one less come January.  To be thinking about it is already a big step, since you are aware of the potential challenges you’ll be faced with that zap your time.  Take these tips and fit them into the month of December.  The guarantee is you’ll be strong, have energy to deal with the unexpected visits, parties to plan and shopping to  accomplish.  Hopefully you can even have a few minutes to yourself.

1.   When doing your holiday shopping, work up a sweat!  According to the American Heart Association, you need 10,000 steps a day. Why not make all of those steps count at the Mall. 

·     Try to park farthest away from the Mall’s entrance when possible, even in the rain. Park on the opposite side of the Mall from where you will be shopping, and speed walk your way to the store. 

·     Use the stairs! It is so easy to want to hop on an escalator, but use the stairs. If you have a munchkin in a stroller, yes, use the elevator, but then take an extra lap around the Mall.

·     Wear a pedometer.  Monitor your steps.  If you’ve completed most of your shopping, window shop at a speedy pace until you reach your magic “number”.

2.      Take a family bike ride through your neighborhood to enjoy the Holiday lights.

·     Why not make it a family tradition to go on a bike ride 2x/week during the holiday season?  Do it when everyone is home from school and work, just before dinner time.  You can make a game of whose house you like best, and who has the most phenomenal decorations.  It will provide great dinner conversation, and if everyone is biking together, a special way to have family time.

·     For safety, make sure to have everyone wear reflective clothing, helmets, and bike lights.

Enjoying the lights while the legs are working hard

3.      Why not have caroling parties?

·     Caroling is such a special tradition that should have a re-growth for its healthy aspects.  Gather up a group and take your “caroling” to the hillier neighborhoods.  Create games with seeing “who will get to ring the doorbell first”, which will keep people on their feet and the pace fast. 

·     Turn your caroling party into a scavenger hunt.  Create a list for everyone to get: One candy cane, one Christmas card from last year, one jingle bell, etc. You’ll be surprised at how much of a workout it is when competition is involved! 

4.      When wrapping your gifts, take a break in between each wrapped gift to do exercises.

·     This sounds timely, but it will make your gift wrapping much more fun and also energetic. In between each gift you wrap, do a set of 12-15 repetitions of squats, push – ups, lunges, dips or hold the plank for one minute.  If you put on your favorite holiday flick, such as Love Actually, you won’t even know the time has flown by. At the end of the Movie, you will have done strength work as well as gotten your gifts wrapped.

5.      Try to squeeze in 20-30 minutes to go for a run or walk by yourself. 

·     When it seems as if you are rushing from one appointment to the next, and you don’t have time for yourself, it is imperative to set aside a little me-time.  As challenging as it may seem, if you can wake up 30 minutes earlier, run on your lunch break or bike after work you will feel much better. To have that time to clear your head and rev up your endorphins at once is priceless.  Carve it out of your schedule 3x/week and you will truly make it through the holiday season with ease! 

Use these tips and have fun. The Holidays are about the memories you share together, and this year they can be memories of exercising through the season. 

When not chasing after her two little girls or teaching fitness classes, Erin Kreitz Shirey is the CEO/Master Trainer/Running Man Laugh filled Coach and Owner of Power Fitness PDX.  An award winning trainer recently named 2011 Most Motivational Personal Trainer by Alameda Magazine, and currently the Top 10 Finalist for PFP Personal Triner of the Year, she has written for various athletic publications, been a contributing editor on the hit morning show, Better, and has fitness DVD’s arriving late 2011.  Erin has a BS in Kinesiology, is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Fit to Deliver Pre and Postnatal Certified trainer and Sports Nutrition Certified. Visit Erin and learn more about her trainings at www.powerfitnesspdx.com

Couples Date NIGHT! Friday- August 12th!!

Aloha!  

Bonus Betties who PFPDX'd when Coach Erin was on vacation!

We are back and ready to train and play!  Yesterday was an intense Tabata workout, and come tomorrow we're doing light weights and stairs. But on Friday- you could pull a double PFPDX day and join for a boot camp - date night too!

Coach Erin & better half, Jack, training on the Na Pali Coast

Come join for the Power Fitness PDX Boot Camp n Date Night!  Couples who train together stay together and we train and play hard. See who is stronger in a wall sit, you or your partner. Go for the gold with a push up contest.  Why not challenge each other while encouraging each other to push harder!

Friday, August 12^th, 6:00 pm Power Fitness PDX Boot Camp at Washington Park followed by Food & Drinks at 1400 Bar on Webster Street!  

RSVP by Wednesday, August 10^th- powerfitnesspdx@gmail.com and register online at www.powerfitnesspdx.com

Estie and Ben laughing HARD after push ups with tough guy Dave!

Post Boot Camp N pre Pub Date Night'ers!  FUN!!!!  RSVP- powerfitnesspdx@gmail.com

core crazy workout

I decided after an intense swim workout yesterday that I wanted to continue and push myself to my max. After swimming 2500 meters, with four push sets, I pounded out 35 minutes on the Precor working levels. While pounding I created and then implemented the following core conditioning workout. it kicked my fanny and I had two 20-something guys watching and attempting to replicate. They had to stop part way through!

Need: Bosu, 8/10 pound medicine ball, 6-8 pound weight, mat, squat rack (or incline pull up bar)

4 circuits of:
35 reps Medicine Ball Burpees
15 Incline Pull-Ups
25 Mountain Climbers
25 Bosu Plank with Midline Cross Kicks-each leg
35 Side Planks/Elbows Kiss planks- each side
3x15 reps each side of Plank Weight Holds- Elbow plank with left arm at plank 90 degree angle and right arm holding weight underhand grip. Push weight away and squeeze back, similar to a Bicep curl. Keep hips facing mat the entire time.
3x15 reps each side of Plank Up Downs- begin in upright push up position. Bring right arm down to plank position, follow with left arm coming down. Bring right arm up to push up position and repeat with left arm. that equals one rep on the right side. Repeat 15 reps with right arm leading, followed by 15 reps left arm leading. 3 sets.

Bring an extra sweat towel, drink plenty of H2O, and have FUN!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Couples who TRAIN together...

You hear me say it all the time... Couples who train together stay together! How can you not be inspired when working out with your better half?  You are both trying to do something great for your body, challenging yourself physically and mentally, get the endorphin rush going, and that endorphin rush equates with the pumpin' through your hormones too!  When you feel better about yourself physically, and add into that some loving competition ...you are on fire together.

Thus Couples/Daters/Spouses, come join for the next Date Night:

Power Fitness PDX's next Couple's Date Night Boot Camp n Pub Class is:
Friday, June 17th, 6 pm
Washington Park followed with drinks (and a potluck) at McGrath's Irish Pub
$20/couple -  RSVP here.


Take a peek at a previous piece with couple's workout ideas. After reading, take a moment to read the piece ACE Fitness wrote about why it is good to train together.  Now, you must be inspired to grab your Turtle Dove and join in some boot camp fun! 

See you Friday night- be ready to sweat, laugh, and have a great date night! -- Coach Erin
 

Courtesy of ACE Fitness Fit Facts Newsletter- June 2011 

Couple’s Personal Training—Fitter Bodies, Stronger Relationship

Do you and your loved one regularly carve out quality time for each other? Are you both getting enough exercise to feel healthy, fit and energized? If the answers are not a resounding yes, couple’s personal training could bring you closer. Sharing a workout is a great way to enjoy some together-time and paves the way to a healthy, active lifestyle.

Accountability and Focus

Your odds of sticking with an exercise program go way up, if your significant other is on board. Whether it’s getting up early for a run or lifting weights after work, following through is much easier when your partner is with you. Committing to a couple’s personal training program helps establish fitness as a shared priority and gets you working toward a common goal. You’ll merge your schedules to meet with a personal trainer, and in between sessions, you’ll help each other stay on track.

Dual Purpose

Whether you’re both already active or new to exercise, your trainer will develop custom exercise plans tailored to your needs as individuals and as a couple. Planning a vacation that involves a lot of walking or hiking? Expecting a baby? Training for a fun run? Remodeling your home? Your trainer will take into account whatever is going on in your lives to create a realistic and sustainable plan to help you reach your goals.

Social Support Matters

The value of social support can’t be overstated. Numerous studies show it’s a big factor in successful behavior change. It stands to reason that the person you share your life with has a huge influence on your lifestyle, for better or for worse, and research supports this. Weight loss studies show that when subjects participate in lifestyle interventions, their spouses also lose significant amounts of weight.
Couple’s personal training taps into the power of social support by enabling you to support each other’s fitness efforts in a very focused way. Because you’re in the gym sweating it out together, you’ll gain new insight into each other’s strengths and weaknesses and learn how to offer support.

Enrich Your Relationship

Couple’s personal training will boost more than your fitness level. You’ll have something new to talk about, laugh about and be proud of—together. Research shows that devoted couples who share new and interesting experiences report higher levels of relationship satisfaction than those who don’t. And here’s the bonus: As you become more fit, you’ll be able to enjoy adventures that you wouldn’t dream off participating in when you were sedentary.

Romance + Fitness

Over the long haul, combining romance and fitness can really lift your relationships to new healthy heights. Share an activity and strengthen your bodies while boosting your love life. Couple’s personal training really connects you with your loved one, improves your body image, your mood and your love life.

Additional Resources

How to Choose a Personal Trainer — American Council on Exercise
IDEA FitnessConnect — IDEA Health & Fitness Association
The Best Kind of Couples Therapy — The Cleveland Clinic

Class for YOU to DO!

Class for YOU
Light and heavy weights, use at a park/field setting with picnic table and bench
Do the same amount on each leg

Run 3 laps around field
At picnic Table, Drop Legs-
Drop Legs on Bench 20x-Step Up 20x-Heel Drops 20x -repeat both legs
Jump Squats 20x
Push Ups 20x
Jumping Jacks with light weights 20x

Jog 2 laps around the field
Crab Walk forward and back-20 counts each way
Grass Dip and 5 count holds-20x
(roll over) Plank Hold - 20 Count
Side Planks - 20 Count

Jog 2 laps around the field
Walking Lunge with Military Press- Heavy Weight-20x
Crossover lunge with Hammer Curl - Heavy Weights- 20x
Speed Skaters- 20 counts each leg
Burpees - 20x
Sumo Squat with Tricep Press- Light Weights- 20x

Jog 3 laps around field
Plank- 20 count
Side Plank Both Sides- 20 counts
Repeat 3x

Repeat whole workout 2 or 3x, time permitting

 

- 2011 Copyright Erin Kreitz Shirey

100 Day Burpee Challenge

‎100 Day Burpee Challenge for Power Fitness PDX - You will be doing 100 Burpees and a challenging time line of doing them. 

Day 1-33= 33 Burpees/day
Day 34-66= 75 Burpees/day
Day 67-100= 100 Burpees/day

 
YOU CAN DO IT!! IT IS A TEAM EFFORT OF SUPPORT!! Rock the Burpees like you ROCK each day!
** Yes, they can be broken up throughout the day! **