This week’s cycle class playlist and choreography! (Ride #4)

On February 1, 2015June 1, 2015 By Dani Sanusi FitnessIn cardio, class, cycle, fitness, group fitness, gym, health, home workout, motivation, playlist, spin, workoutLeave a comment

Check out this super fun 45 minute ride (not including cool down and stretch). I hope you enjoy it, and go get that workout in! No excuses! 🙂 I always set up the ride so that whenever we’re out of the saddle, you use the beat to guide your pace to keep your RPMs on target.

IMPORTANT: Always remember to warm up and workout within your ability according to your doctor. Listen to your body, and if you need to stop, please do so. I am NOT responsible for any harm you may cause yourself! Please be sure to have the proper safe bike setup. Now that that’s said and done, lets have some fun!

After a 5 minute flat warm up, start off Track 2 with a small hill right away for support out of the saddle. Use each chorus to come out of the saddle to position 2. Sit verses. You’ll be quite warmed up after this first track. You’re welcome 😉

Track 3 is 8 count jumps for 4 sets during each chorus, shifting from position 1 to 2 (seated to standing run), holding your small hill from track 1. You’re welcome again 😉

Track 4 is a sprint track, starting with a flat road. Use chorus to sprint, adding a very small gear each sprint. The 1st is 15 seconds, the 2nd is 20 seconds, and the final is 40 seconds. You can add a slight incline throughout the track for added difficulty. Yum!

Track 5 we recover at a flat road, adding to a small hill at the big beat drop and coming up to position 2 and shifting to position 3 for 3 sets. Each set, adding a full gear, ending with the 3rd set at a very heavy hill.

Track 6 drops back to your flat road for a quick recovery, then adding back the small hill. We have 3 sets going from position 1 up to position 2 during the chorus.

Track 7 drops the gear back to your flat road, where we have a slow gradual seated climb, ending at your super heavy hill.

Track 8 holds the gear from the previous track, walking out and recovering right away. Pick it up, holding the gear in position 2, and shift to position 3 for each chorus for 3 sets.

Track 9 drops back to your flat road once again, where we have sprints; 15 seconds on and off. You can add a small incline during each sprint if you’re feeling fancy. Yum!

Track 10 has a 1 minute flat recovery in position 1, then you crank on a heavy gear and come up to position 3 for each chorus. Recover in position 1 holding a small hill, and repeat cranking on a heavier gear each time, ending with a very heavy hill for the final 3rd set.

Track 11 (which is cut off in the image: it’s Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga) recovers in position 1 with a flat road to start, then comes out of the saddle at the beat to position 2 right adding to your small hill. Then we have 3 sets shifting from position 2 to 3, each set adding to get to a super heavy hill. Finishing strong with a heavy heavy hill!

That’s it! Whew! If you have any questions about the ride, don’t hesitate to ask! What are your favorite spin songs?

Happy sweating!

Warmly,

Dani

Rest day: 4 reasons not to skip it

Let’s assume you’ve started your year off with an awesome fitness kick. You’re working out daily, eating right and you wake up the next morning finding your muscles cursing at you. Or, we could also assume you are continuing being fit-focused, continuing to workout regularly. No matter what end of this spectrum you fall on, you have to make sure you include a rest day into your weekly routine. I literally begged my classes this past week to not do too much, overdo it and then burnout and give up on their 2015 resolutions. Yes, I am the weirdo instructor who tells her students to not come back to class. But seriously. Rest days are just as important, if not MORE important, than your workouts. What?! Yes, it’s true. Here’s why…

1. Prevents injury from overuse. You don’t want to do too much to your body too frequently so that it overcompensates in a way that could hurt you. Once while training for a race, I increased my mileage too fast and had pain in my IT band whenever I passed a certain mileage during my final month of training. I should have listened to my body and given myself an extra taper week or dropped in mileage to regain strength, rather than push through. Over training simply was not worth it.

2. Allows for glycogen stores to restock. Imagine a car being driven for a long trip. At some point the car needs to stop, refuel and let the engine cool down. Same thing goes with you!

3. Prevents mental burnout. If you are trying to make fitness a part of your regular routine, the best thing you can do is give yourself a day where you don’t have to go to the gym and let yourself do something else with your valuable free time. That way, the next day you are refreshed and ready to up the intensity.

4. Lets muscles rebuild and minimize fatigue. You literally tear muscles to make them bigger, and it’s crucial to allow them proper time to rebuild so they can get stronger.

Now, the key is to remember that it is a rest day, not week or month. If you are very sore after a workout, sometimes you really do need to rest and let your body recover. But, if you workout one time and take the rest of that week off because you are too sore…well, you can see how that might not be beneficial to your fitness regimen. Working out can help get rid of that lactic acid buildup in your body, and actually help you be less sore faster. SO rest days are not always the best solution when you’re sore, but rather working out IS the solution. Crazy, right? Just listen to your body, and do what’s best for you, but don’t be afraid to take that rest day.

If you’re one of those weird people (such as myself) that just don’t know what to do with themselves on a rest day (see accurate picture to the left), you can always go for a walk or do some gentle yoga or stretching. Whatever it is, just do something light depending on whatever your fitness level is. True story; today is my rest day and I just got back from walking my dogs because I just had to do something.

Keep that rest day a part of your weekly routine, and remember that the best rest day is a rest day well earned!

Happy sweating!

Warmly,

Dani

On January 12, 2015January 13, 2015 By Dani Sanusi FitnessIn fitness, gym, health, motivation, nutrition, recovery, workoutLeave a comment

Fit Fits: 5 easy ways to fit fitness into everyday activities

If you, like so many people at the turn of a new year, are trying to achieve a more fit lifestyle, you are probably doing some form of a traditional form of exercise. Maybe you’re going to the gym, attending some classes, running, walking, doing that new home workout video, something like that…right? That’s absolutely fabulous! But, there is more that you can do than just the normal form of exercise. Why not incorporate it into your everyday routine? Here are some great ways to do just that!

1. Balancing on one foot while washing dishes. Yep! Why not? You’re standing there anyway, and balance is a very much overlooked component of overall fitness. It spills over into so many other aspects of your life, and can even help prevent future injuries.

2. Do your own house/yard work. Ugh, sounds terrible, right? NO! Just look at each blade of grass, or each weed, and think about how many calories you could burn out there by taking care of it yourself. Or those dirty cars that need washing and cleaning. It’s the perfect opportunity for exercise! Plus, the money you no longer spend on having it done for you can now go straight to those new running shoes you will need with all those miles you’ve been logging 😉

Enjoying a beautiful long walk with my fur babies (yes, I do love long walks on the beach)

3. Walk those dogs. Have you ever heard of the phrase “A tired dog is a happy dog”? Well if your pup has been acting up, or has put on a couple extra holiday pounds because of the winter (maybe both the dog AND you), the best thing you can do for both you and them is to go walk! Plus, it’s great bonding time with your furry friend.

4. Take the stairs. Well, that’s a no brainer. Who likes elevators, anyways? That music is always terrible. And if you’re wearing nice shoes, you can bring that brand new pair of running shoes with you. And if you’re worried about what running shoes would look like with your work outfit, I promise you this; fitness looks better on everyone.

5. Park far away. It amazes me sometimes when people try to park as close as possible to the gym entrance (or any entrance for that matter). Hello, people! Park a few rows away. You’re probably already wearing the right clothing for it anyways, right?

Now at this point you may be saying; Dani, I do not have time for this. There is no room in my schedule for it. To you I say; isn’t your health and overall well being more important than anything else? If you’re healthy and taking care of yourself, then that allows you to have a work and have busy schedule. But if you lose that health, then how are you supposed to be able to work? If you don’t think preventative health is key, you may want to start thinking about what your favorite prescription drugs are (sarcasm). I know you have room in that crazy schedule! There is always something you know you can cut out or do to be more efficient with your time. I believe in you! Now get out there and start fitting fitness into your every day!

What are your own ways to include fitness into everyday activities?

Happy sweating!

Warmly,

Dani

On January 8, 2015January 13, 2015 By Dani Sanusi FitnessIn fitness, goal, health, motivation, workoutLeave a comment

6 great reasons to go run!

“Running”. Does the word cause you to crinkle your nose? Do you begin to sweat by just thinking about it? To be perfectly honest, during this colder time of year, I run far less than I do during the warmer months. But the cold shouldn’t be a reason to keep you from lacing up those running shoes! As we near the start of a new year, maybe you’re thinking of starting to run. Here are 6 great reasons to go run!

Me and my friend and running buddy Maria

1. Go run with a friend.

Running doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Use it to spend time with a friend, and have some fun with it!

2. It’s a fabulous cardiovascular workout.

Your heart will thank you for all that awesomeness you’re doing for it! Just make sure to wear a heart monitor to keep an eye on it 🙂

3. It’s a killer blast to the legs, creating definition and strength.

Say hello to those hamstrings, quadriceps, hip flexors, and calves. Running also involves the arms, therefore providing an additional calorie burning effect. Woohoo!

4. It’s free!

No gym membership needed, and no equipment necessary (although running shoes can be quite expensive). Just walk outside your door or go to your favorite scenic spot for a little slice of the great outdoors. Its all-natural, too!

5. Running can make you happier.

There’s a major boost to those endorphine levels, and it also helps you release some of the tension and stress you may have. Smile!

6. It revvs your metabolism.

What a great way to both burn a significant amount of calories as well as boost that metabolism for up to 24 hours after your run. Make sure you replenish your body with nutritious foods both before and after your run.

Now, I realize that running simply isn’t for everyone. People that have serious health, heart, or knee issues, or other severe injuries who are advised by their doctor to not run should probably take their advice. Otherwise, you should go for it! It is a fabulous workout, and your body will thank you. Well, maybe not until afterwards 😉 Now, go run!

What is your reason to go run?

No, it isn’t always easy, but stay tuned for some great tips on how to best prepare to have a great run!

Happy sweating!

Warmly,

Dani

On December 30, 2014January 13, 2015 By Dani Sanusi FitnessIn fitness, health, motivation, run, running, stress, workoutLeave a comment

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