Happy Spring!
Can you believe that we’re almost a quarter into 2018? It’s crazy how time flies! I feel like these months have sped by so quickly. Today seems like a good time to recap my recent workouts with you all. 
For anyone new here, I usually do a recent workout post every couple of months to chat about the most challenging workouts I’ve done, fun new local fitness studios and events I’ve been to, and to share my fitness goals for the upcoming months.
At the start of the year, I decided that I wanted to regularly go to more tough classes, so one thing I did was re-join ClassPass. I collaborated with them when they first came to San Diego a few years ago, and I honestly love being able to bounce around to different studios. It’s perfect for someone that gets bored easily in their workouts as I do, & they had a special that I couldn’t resist taking them up on.
Here are some of the workouts I’ve been up to:
Reformer Pilates. Awhile ago a friend of mine was teaching Pilates so I would take part in her classes, but once she stopped teaching, I kind of stopped going. A few months ago I decided to start going once or twice a week again because I think it’s an effective workout. Whew, reformer Pilates classes are no joke!
It’s seriously one of the toughest strength training workouts I’ve ever done. If the class starts out with tons of planks, I find myself shaky 5 minutes into the workout! I have a love/hate relationship with it because I don’t actually enjoy it while it’s happening, but when I feel sore for 3 days after, I feel like it really worked my body.
I’ve been bouncing around between classes at 2 different studios: one of which is Bodyrok in Encinitas, the other of which is Elevate Training in Solana Beach (formerly called Core40 for any locals).
For any Pilates buffs, a friend told me that Bodyrok isn’t a Lagree licensed studio, whereas Elevate is, but the machines seem pretty similar to me, and the workouts are definitely similar – They both kick my butt! If you haven’t tried Reformer Pilates and are looking to build your strength, I highly suggest checking it out.
Boxing. I took a bunch of classes at a new studio that was kind of strange, but the workouts themselves were pretty good. One thing that was interesting was that their classes are done barefoot, which I’m not sure I loved since the workout includes a lot of kicking and I have a chronic foot injury to protect.
I also just popped into TITLE Boxing Carlsbad last week for a workout, and was reminded how much I love their classes. Lots of fun combinations and sweat! Boxing is such a wonderful way to release stress. Sometimes it feels good just to punch the bag and visualize yourself dissipating anything weighing you down mentality.
When I exercise at home, I’ve often been doing some sort of kickboxing workout. I have a couple different go-to boxing workouts, or I’ll just do my own thing using light dumbbells.
If you want to check out a boxing workout, check out my post on 3 at-home kickboxing workouts to try!
Cycling. Recently I’ve checked out a few new cycling studios, including the new CycleBar studio in Carmel Valley. Their classes are a lot of fun! Great music, a club-like atmosphere, and an upscale boutique feel has definitely become very popular in the San Diego area for cycling studios.
I also went to an event at CycleBar with San Diego’s Sweat Pink chapter – where us local fitness junkies get together for a fun free workout together. It’s neat because some of us are bloggers that have met at Fit Approach events, like last year’s Blogfest at IDEA World in Las Vegas, and then I’ve met some new women through the events.
In addition the CycleBar ride, a few weeks ago we had an event at La Jolla’s brand new SoulCycle studio. I’ve been to a Soul class in New York before, and it’s interesting how much of a cultish following the franchise has. I know some avid SoulCyclers!
The new SoulCycle sits in the middle of the gorgeous Westfield UTC mall. It was crazy packed in the studio and they seriously crammed as many bikes as possible in there for the event!
I’ve also been using my bike trainer at home a lot. When I don’t have a ton of time to exercise, hopping on my bike at home is my go-to! I also like doing a mix of cycling + strength training workouts, so I’ve been making up interval routines that use my dumbbells and kettlebells.
Yoga. As usual, I’ve been doing a bit of yoga at home most mornings. I find that I wake up kind of stiff, and always feel like it makes my body feel great in just 15 or 20 minutes. It seems to always put me in a great mood for the day ahead!
I’ve also gone to the beach on weekend mornings a couple times lately for a long yoga practice. I don’t think there’s a more zen way to start my Saturday morning than heading to the beach early in the day for a relaxing but energizing yoga flow!
I’ve also taken a couple of yoga sculpt classes over the past few months, which I always enjoy. It’s a fun combo of starting off with a yoga flow, gets into strength training and cardio, and then ends with some stretching and savasana.
Hiking. As usual, there have definitely been some outdoor workouts… I love getting outside to exercise, especially on the weekends when I have more time to do so! I’ve gone on a number of hikes so far this year, and talked about them in this post.
Tennis. My husband and I have headed to the tennis courts near our house a few times recently to get a workout in together. I don’t think I’m all that great at tennis, but it’s just fun to run round and break a sweat together.
We always get inspired to play tennis after following a tournament, and had watched the Australian Open. Whew, it’s a major commitment following those tournaments. So many hours of tennis watching… I think I fell asleep watching tennis every night during the Australian Open!
Walks with the pup. I of course can’t forget about my exercise time with the cutie pictured above. Harley and I go on walks together every day. Some walks are longer than others, and some weekdays I only have time for a 20-minute jaunt around the neighborhood. But I honestly love that she’s a nut that has to be exercised every single day. It helps me get my steps in & take a break from working during the week!
We head to the coast every weekend for long walks, and Harley loves joining me for hikes. Just yesterday I took her to meet a friend for a quick 2.5 mile hike nearby.
Overall, I feel like my workouts have been great lately. There’s been lots of diversity in what I’m doing. I’m challenging myself through new classes and getting outside as much as I can, and I’m having fun doing so!
Over the next few months, I want to continue taking Reformer Pilates classes and to build my strength more in the classes. I also want to keep boxing often, and would like to continue incorporating more HIIT routines into my at-home workouts since I find them to be effective. Hitting up some trails and trying a few new ones this spring is also on my list – since the weather is ideal for hiking these days with mild temperatures & the days now getting longer!
Tell me… What’s your favorite type of workout that you’ve been doing lately?
I totally hear ya about getting bored with workouts. Laura and I both have workout bikes (different companies…just b/c we like different workouts), and we turned part of our basement into a “gym” of sorts. We head down here (yes, it’s right around the corner from my office) to workout a couple of days a week. But sometimes it just gets old. Thanks for the ideas of how to mix it up a bit! The challenge for us is working out outside of the house as Robbie needs someone to keep him company. Either way, looks like you’ve had some fun workouts lately!
I’m curious, do you two ever alternate watching him over the weekend while the other gets to check out a new fitness class or anything like that? I have some friends that do that sometimes & enjoy it. Or maybe when the weather warms up, you guys can head outside for family hikes/walks/runs!
You have so many amazing studios near you! I also am envious of how varied your exercise regime is.
Aww well thanks Jenny… I really do try to switch it up a lot to keep things fun!