A few Saturdays ago, my friend Jordana, who I met in punk rope and totally admire because she ran the entire NYC marathon last year -
(I am so proud of her!) was coming out of the gymnasium as I was headed into pilates. I asked her what class she had taken. She told me it was "Interval Training" and gave me a brief description: aerobics, weights and jump rope. I told her I'd try it the next week, since I always do cardio before pilates anyway.
So the last Saturday in June, I attended the class with her. From the equipment room, we had to get a stepper thing, a set of heavy weights (I choose 8 pounds) and a set of light weights (I took 3 pounds). We also needed a jump rope, and I had brought mine that I use during punk rope.
The class started with a bang and it did not let up. I couldn't believe how intense it was! I have never sweat like that - even more than I do when I walk up the stairs at work. The songs were long and every song was either an up-down routine on the stepper, something with the weights, or jumping rope. It was fast paced and non-stop. There were no breaks.
Half way into class, I could barely lift my arms anymore. Apparently 8 pound weights were way too heavy for me. I never do free weights and I immediately realized that I should.
I made it through the hour class and felt amazing! My arms were sore for two full days after that. But it felt great! I was only disappointed that the next Saturday was 4th of July and classes were canceled. But I attended this past weekend, this time going down to 5 pound and 2 pound weights. It sounds like nothing, but it was still a challenge for me. I can work up to the heavier weights when I'm ready. In the meantime, I will work on my coordination, form, balance and stamina. I need all of them for that class. I love the challenge and the thrill of it. And 3 or more years ago, I never thought I would say that about exercise!
Now for my question: For a while, I've wanted to buy one of those arm bands like they use on the Biggest Loser. Specifically, I would love to know how many calories I burn in a day and my heart rate - I am not so concerned about my calorie count. Do any of you use one of them, or have experience with one I might consider buying or should avoid? I know the ones on the Biggest Loser (Body Bugg) are fairly expensive and might be more fancy than what I need, so I figured I'd ask for input from my readers.
As always, comments are welcome and I'll consider all your suggestions. I just can't respond to all the comments or I'd never get to sleep :)
And for those of you in Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Kitchen released their August schedule today, including 4 Knife Skills classes like the one I took. Some stuff is already sold out! (I tried to register for the sauce class on my birthday but it's full. I did register for the tempeh class though) Check it out and sign up fast!
(I know posting has been light lately, that's in part due to the -finally- amazing summer weather in NYC. I've been out on my bike a lot. But I will post a recipe tomorrow night.)
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21 comments:
I'm going to the gym today - for the first time in a long long time. It's a fitness assesment. One day I'll get to your level of fitness, it's going to take a while, but I'll get there.
I've used the original bodybugg in the past and loved it. I didn't care so much for the calorie counter, but used it because I liked seeing the difference in input vs. output....I'm sure the new version is even cooler. Definitely recommend it.
I went to my first personal training session today, and the trainer recommended the BodyBugg. I have heard nothing but great things about it. People who use it say that it really helps them push themselves to make sure they get their calorie deficit for the day that will equal weight loss for the week.
I'm going to buy one next month, and I'll keep you posted.
what about a HRM? Polar do them - expensive but accurate..... xx
Garmin 350 is all you need. Nike & Polar make HRM but just go right to the best. Garmin rules.
I have a Polar f4 and I love it. It was around $100 it tells you when you are in your target heart rate zone and tells you calories burned it comes with a chest strap that you wear under your bra and you can't even tell you have it on.
Ow girl, my arms are sore just reading about your workout. You are gung-ho I'm telling you. It sounds like you're having fun too. I don't know how you got through that hour long class, heck, I'm breathing hard. There is no question in my mind that you're going to be a skinny girl this year and strong to boot. I sure miss Manhattan, so thank you for the photos once again, I always love them. And I've seen those heart monitors on some folks at my gym too, but I'm not getting one either. I have to say enough is enough somewhere, right? Congrats on your run. Linda
I have a GoWearFit, made by the same company, but considerably cheaper and from what I remember from researching it, might even have more options.
Anyways..I love it! Love it because it has gotten me to up my daily steps. I find it very difficult to reach my daily caloric 'burn' which is 3300 cals. I've only reached it once or twice since April. I'm usually around the 2800 or 2900 caloric 'burn'.
It does not however give you your HR for that I have a Polar F4 or F6 that I use to figure out how many AP's I've earned.
Hope that helps but you should look into the GoWearFit, I think for both the armband and watch display I paid $220.
I've had the new bodybugg since Feb and have loved it. It does not give you heart rate information, but does give you calories and steps.
If you want to input the food you eat into your program, it is easy to see your calorie deficit (or surplus if you're trying to gain weight.) Once you get your "typical" foods into the program, the food logging goes really fast.
You can get a brand new one for $200 that comes with a 6 month subscription to their website. (It doesn't work without the website subscription) and after that, it's about $8-$10 a month.
I totally love it. My dad has one and loves it to. It was a real reality check for me as to how much I thought I was moving and burning), and what I really was.
I have a Polar HRM watch with calorie counter. They come in all kinds of colors (mine is red) and it also totally water and sweat proof. It comes with a chest band which are the most accurate when it comes to heartrate. After the first day of wearing it, I barely notice it's there!
http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/products/fitness_crosstraining/F6/
That workout sounded great! I imagine 8lb weights would kill. I'm gonna see if my local Y offers that class.
I'm so totally interested in the arm band thingy too. Let us know if you decide to get one and which.
I initially wanted the Bodybugg as well, but it's EXPENSIVE. I ended up going with the Polar F6. It's awesome, and I got one in my favorite color, green. And you know what? They have them in pink. Just google "Polar F6 pink" in Google images, and you'll see them. :)
Kittenpants!
I just bought a Polar F4, which arrived yesterday -- it tracks heart rate, calories & a bunch of other stuff. After I use it this weekend, I'll let you know what I think.
By the way, if you like the interval class, you should try out Stephanie's boot camp Sunday morning at McCarren too. It's intense, but not as scary as you think. Not at all humiliating, but actually empowering because everyone encourages each other through the worst of it, then we're all euphoric at the end. I'm still a bit sore today (Wed.) from last Sunday.
oxxxo
My brother uses the bodybugg and absolutely loves it.
Hey give yourself a break! I use weights to sculpt and I usually work up to 8! LOL
that interval class is something that i'm going to check out, in addition to pilates, after vacation. also, you might like cardio kickboxing at the Y. it's energetic, fun and a good workout. Liz usually teaches it but sometimes Stephanie (bootcamp instructor) subs for her. both do a good workout.
I love, LOVE the interval classes at my gym. The one I go to is called Power Pump and it is intense. I haven't been in a while, and I miss it!
I listen to Jillian Michaels podcasts and she actually doesn't recommend the Body Bugg just because of the price. I would like into a Garmin heart rate monitor - they're supposed to be the best!
Garmin are the only watches I wear..and you know how I train..
I hope it's not to late to put my two cents in! First of all I love your blog, and all the great recipes. Thanks so much for sharing...now on to the Bodybugg. I have one and I absolutely LOVE it! It was pricey ($199) But totally worth it. I love being able to see how many calories a day I'm burning, and I'm finding that it pushes me to be as active as possible. It's also a pedometer, which is cool. I did a review on my blog with screen shots from my daily download just go look for the post titled Bodybugg Review. One of my favorite features, is that I can see what my calorie burn is for specific times during the day. So when I take a class at the gym, I can see how many calories I burned during that workout. That feature alone has been worth the price to me. It's helped me to get the most out of my time in the gym. Hope that helps!
Poppy
I have to tell you, I use the body bugg and the utility definitely outweighs the cost! On the days I use it, I most certainly find myself doing more (even subconsiously!) to burn calories. Even just in the office...I will walk around more. Why? Because I know when I get home, I will download and find the truth about my actions. It is crazy.
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