12 minute Workout Wednesday!

Blast these out and you will be dripping with sweat before you know it. All you need is 12 minutes, a medicine ball, jump rope, your body, a sweat towel and water.

1. Medicine Ball Push Ups- 1 Minute
Start in upright push up position with one hand on the medicine ball, and the other hand on the floor.  Lower yourself to a push up remembering your form- abs engaged, chest and back strong and flexing while lowering, extending while lifting. Upon raising to starting position, roll the medicine ball to the other hand. Repeat for 1 minute.

Starting position

One hand is on the ball (my right hand in this photo), lower to push up position

Upon extension, roll the medicine ball across to the other hand (my left)

Lower to push up position.
Repeat.

2. Plank Hold on Medicine Ball - 1 Minute
In upright plank position, place both hands on the medicine ball.  Make sure your shoulders are rolled back, there is no crunching at your shoulders, and that your core is engaged.  If you get tired, don't "pooch" your abs towards the ground, engage them and push down towards your toes.

Hold the plank position, smile, think of your strong core

3. Jump Rope - FAST - 1 Minute

Repeat 4 times

It may seem like an easy workout, but honestly, if is super challenging and allows you to reach outside your comfort zone in a short amount of time.  Your arms, chest, back, glutes, abs, legs and heart will all thank you!!

Challenge the Power of YOU! 
copyright 2012- Erin Kreitz Shirey - www.powerfitnesspdx.com

Adventurous Summer

Fun ADVENTURES to Blast your SUMMER

Summer days are here again, and we want them to never end!   

Go for an adventure run... in the MUD!

Summer is here and the days are long, goals are big, and weeks seem to be packed full of trips and family visits. Before you realize it, Labor Day arrives after what seems to feel like Summer just began. 

  

Don't let that happen this year...don't miss out on the Summer fun-ventures, but embrace them and the long, sun-filled days! Try the following ideas to make this Summer the best and most active one yet. 

Dig deep. PLAY HARD!

1. Create an ADVENTURE BOX with your family and friends.
If you are an empty nester, singleton, family of 10, or newly married do this activity. Take a shoe box and decorate it with pictures, postcards, words and phrases for places, events and ideas that intrigue you. ON different pieces of paper, write down activities, goals, concerts and classes you want to do.  ie: "Go for trail run in Santa Cruz Mountains and then play at the Boardwalk at night",  or  "Camp in Lake Tahoe". Put all the paper slips in the box. Take your calendar and pick out 1 day/week as your adventure day. Each person gets to pick from the box various adventures and add them to the calendar. By Summer's end, everyone will have completed various adventures together and created treasured memories. 

2. Plan Races and Workouts with Friends who don't live by you.

You tell your best friend who lives across the Bay that you want to see him, but long days at work and life get in the way of meeting up. Why not use Summer as your time to train together weekly for a race? Or set a bike date and  meet up in San Francisco for a ride? Use the longer days to make a mid-week training session happen and put it on your calendar...now.

3. Get outside your COMFORT Zone and REGISTER for a NEW RACE.

You have talked about wanting to get outside your comfort zone for a while. NOW is your time. Get dirty, push your limits, see what you are truly MADE of! Each morning you blast through the hour or burpees, sprints and plyometrics training hard. YOU are not just training for life, but training for the adventurous life available to you at your fingertips. Meaning, the Bay Area has some of the most incredible kayaking adventures, mud runs, and urban obstacle challenges in the country. Hop online and register for one now!   

 
Adventure Out- California's Leader in Outdoor Adventure
Outback Adventures 
Envirosports

  

© 2012 Erin Kreitz Shirey- When not teaching Power Fitness PDX, writing fitness articles or creating advneures to conquer, you can find Coach Erin Kreitz Shirey doing cannonballs with her kids in the swimming pool. To reach her visit powerfitnesspdx.com or 503.703.1269.

Workout Wednesday- April 11th, 2012

Workout Wednesday- are you ready for it?  It is TOUGH, the intervals are intense, and you will sweat buckets. PUSH IT with perfect form.  Any questions on any of the exercises, please email/call/text me.  Each exercise combo you repeat 4x and then flow to the next combo.  My goal is for you to to WORK IT!! 

    "YOU MEAN IT" Workout 

Plank jumping Jack's & Jumping Jacks standing circuit:

   10 Plank Jacks followed by 10 Jumping Jacks, repeated 10x
Reverse Lunge Frankenstein Kick Rotation
4x

Boulder side to side w/push up -20x
Lunge-airplane-superman - 20x
4x

Bilateral side kicks to a burpee - 20x
Plank donkey kicks 20x/leg
4x

Reverse Pelvic Tilts 20x

   - In Pelvic Tilt position: single leg raise 20x/leg &  single leg kick 20x/leg
Dips & Jack Dips on chair
4x

Plank Up-Downs
Side planks 20 count holds
4x

Dig Deep. Play Hard. 

Challenge the Power of YOU. 

Power Fitness PDX LLC

www.powerfitnesspdx.com

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- March 14th, 2012

Are you getting a bit stir crazy from the rain?
Are you ready to bring it up a notch in your own home?
 Get sweaty now with this workout...

Need: Jump Rope (or pretend), stop watch, water bottle, towel

Rainy Day Rack UP The Sweat Workout

Jump rope for 90 seconds

20 Jump Squats

20 Count High Knees

20 Count Speed Skaters

20 Caterpillars

Repeat above circuit doing exercises with proper form 3x and 2-3x faster.

Speed Jump Rope - 60 seconds

Reverse Jump Lunges - 30 seconds

Crab Dips with Alternate Leg Kicks-30 seconds

Air Punching Bag in front- to right -to left-30 seconds

Dive Bomb Push Ups- 30 seconds

Bicycles-30 seconds

Repeat circuit 3x and go 2-3x faster. 

Wipe off sweat, sit down and listen to the rain trickling on the windows.

Congrats on making your rainy day workout a keeper....

Remember to always CHALLENGE yourself and to Dig Deep. Play Hard! 

Cheers-

Coach Erin Kreitz Shirey

Some rainy day, post RDRUS Workout, dress up with my Kiddo equates laughs for you.  Cheers- Coach Erin

And an old workout video with some options of cardio drills to do with your babes:

Christmas Cardio Blasts- Keep the Christmas Cookies at Bay while you Exercise & Play!

Yes, you have indulged by now. You have woken up with a sugar coma, a slight hangover from the Holiday Party, or puffy eyes from not getting enough sleep. Well, get over yourself and get moving. You had fun celebrating but now you need to add balance and workout too.  The goal over the Holidays is not to lose weight; but to maintain activity level and keep your muscles moving and strong.

Incorporate these cardio blasts to your workouts and your ars will be thanking you.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!

Coach Erin Kreitz Shirey

Cardio Blasts

Power Fitness PDX Holiday Party: Special Night- Incredible TEAM- Dynamic Goals Met

Friday, December 2nd, 2011, was Power Fitness PDX's Holiday Hoopla Party!! 

Ali, Kate, David, Annie & Dave

Estie starting some toasts

 Fantastic Host & Hostess Estie & Ben,

Wine, Tucker's Ice Cream Cakes,  Wii- Just Dance 3, laughter heard throughout the neighborhood, competitive Corn Hole and an entrance by Mrs. Clause!! 

Joe found Mrs. Clause- aka Tina

Estie & Sonia

Your celebration drink of choice: Baileys, Absinthe, Merlot

Annie, Coach Erin, Jeanne- together Annie & Jeanne have passed NUMEROUS goals! SO proud to be the short Coach between these two tall dynamos!!! Hey sweet Veronica- what are you thinking back there?

Someone said LINE UP!! 

Not quite sure even how to put words to this photo- Proud, Hmmm, What the Heck?

For some reason- our photo of the incredible Tucker's cakes won't rotate -A sign that in order to Eat Cake, you must Move It too!

It was a special night by many and fun for everyone.  For some PFPDX'ers, it was the first time they got to introduce their partners to the team they have been waking up early to train with. For others, it was an opportunity to get dressed up and show their strong bodies and all the hard work they have accomplished.  For everyone; it was a night full of laughter, support, good cheer, and much love.  While we didn't drop and do 20 push ups,
we did celebrate all the push ups completed throughout the past year.
Cheers to YOU and your hard work.
Cheers to YOU for pushing yourselves and allowing me to push you.
Cheers to YOU for reaching outside your comfort zone and physical limits.
Cheers to YOU for believing in yourselves and
when you didn't allowing me to believe in you and tell you daily to:
Dig Deep. Play Hard.
while you
Challenge the Power of YOU!!

Ali, Estie, Dave...Just Dance 3...fierce fun!!

www.powerfitnesspdx.com
 

Q& A with Coach Erin- Running- where should I go?

Q&A with Trainer Erin:
Your Health and Fitness Question & Answer Spot

Q: I have started running, but am confused how long I should go.  Is it good to run far if I am not training for anything, or bad for my knees? What are some good routes in Alameda?  - Judy G.    

A: Congrats on running more and having the desire to run more.  You asked quite a few different questions within your question. To ensure I answer them all, they are broken down. And as always, listen to your body at all times.  

1. Distance and knees: It is easy to get excited when running and push to run farther to fast.  Your body needs time to adjust to mileage increases.  Try to increase by only 10% each week. It is the tried and true amount to help evolve with training and miles, but allow for growth and distance. 10% rule 

2. Alameda is FULL of fun, fast, flat routes. Heck, the "hills" in Alameda are the Bay Farm Island Bike Bridge and the "uphill" by the windsurf shack at Crown Beach.  Th e easiest way to look at maps of runs is to use MapMyRun.com  You will be pleasantly surprised at how far you can go.   Some fun easy routes in Alameda are

6 Mile Bay Farm Island loop- start at the bike bridge, run the path around the perimeter trail along the Bay, continue past the Ferry Building running along Harbor Bay Parkway. Continue on Harbor Bay Parkway, cross Doolittle Drive staying on the path to continue running along the Estuary back to the Bike Bridge.   

3(4) Mile Beach Run- begin at the Windsurf Shack where Shoreline and Westline meet. Head East towards Broadway. Turn around at Broadway and run back to the Windsurf Shack. To make the run 4 miles, stay on the bay trail from Broadway to the Bay Farm Bridge and turn around to run back to Broadway.    

Ask Coach Erin a question at 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

Speedy Wednesday Warrior Workout

You have just a bit of time and need an overall workout. What do you do? Hopefully not just waste away the time eating bon bons and having port, but you put on your kicks and you kick it up a notch! 

5  Pound Weights for the WARRIOR

**4-8 pounds ok too, dependent on strength**

Reverse Lunge with Rotation Kick to Hand -  Arms holding 5 pound weights and keeping core engaged, rotate arms each rep, with the goal of the back foot to reach the opposite weighted hand. Repeat 15x on each leg.

Squat-Bicep-Overhead- “SBO” - Hands holding weights drop to a low wide squat, stand to bicep curl, rotate hands to overhead press, return to squat and jump. Repeat 20x

Push Ups with Single Arm Row- Holding weights in each hand start in upright push up position.  Go to a low push up, when returning to starting position raise right arm along side you in a row. Keep hips facing the ground and attempt to not rotate your body. Repeat other side. Repeat total 30x

Speed Skaters Holding weights- Do speed skaters with the goal is to get low, bringing opposite arm to toe, and repeating on the other side.  Do for 2 minutes.  BUT if back gets tight drop weights and do Jazz Hands. Repeat for 2 minutes.

Michael Jordans- Holding weights in both hands, jump with arms above your head as if you are holding a basketball. Palms are facing towards each other while holding weights. Upon landing extend arms in front of you as if you are doing a chest pass to a teammate. Repeat for 2 minutes.

Plank with Front Raise & Extension- Starting in plank position, hold weight in one hand.  Arm is in 90 degree angle, palm facing up. Extend weight in front of you and return to starting position.  Repeat 15x on each side.

Repeat the entire workout 2-4x, however much you have time for and however much you can handle.

Challenge the Power of YOU! TM