Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your health. The key is to find the right exercise for you. Sticking with an exercise routine can be a struggle for anyone. But for moms, squeezing in workouts can feel darn near impossible. After all, how are you supposed to find time to work out when you can’t even go to the bathroom undisturbed?
Between caring for kids, workplace demands, household chores, doctors’ appointments, school and all the rest, there is often precious little time for moms to sweat. Working out 30 minutes a day is one of the greatest things we can do for our overall health. Exercise not only helps with weight loss, but it also boosts our brainpower. During those 30 minutes, you’ll burn some calories, reduce your stress level and feel refreshed. Whether it’s walking or hitting the gym, find routines you enjoy. When we like our workouts, it helps keep us motivated, going each day and results in becoming a habit.
Some of the girls here at Bettendorf Chiropractic Wellness Center put on their tank tops and yoga pants and searched the Quad Cities to find some of the top fitness exercise classes in order for us to share the best tips for making exercise a reality and a priority while having fun.
BODYPUMP
First class Dr. Gina and Dr. Keeli tried out is Bodypump at the YMCA. This is a 60 minute workout class using barbells and dumbbells to challenge each individual muscle group throughout the entire body. After making it through what feels like a million squats you move on to dead lifts and lunges, then you move onto curls, chest and abs. The teachers are amazing and the music is great. This would be a great class if you want to build muscle, strengthen your entire body working all the muscle groups and tone up. WARNING be prepared to not be able to walk for the next few days.
BARRE 563
Next, Dr. Gina, Dr. Keeli and Sam tried Barre Class at Barre563. At this class you will find that you are working out muscles you never thought you had before. Who would have thought such little movements would hurt so good? Using isometric contractions, meaning your muscle tenses without changing length, is a great way to maintain your strength. You do a mixture of everything from planks and push-ups, a series of arm exercises, and continue at the ballet bar with a lower-body section to work your thighs and glutes. Finally, you’ll finish with a series of core-focused moves. Shaking is encouraged and if you don’t shake then you are doing it wrong. This is a great workout routine if classes and lifting weights seem like a chore at the end of a long day.
AIROBICS
Dr. Keeli and Ashten saw there was a weekly group trampoline workout class offered in Eldridge, they knew they had to try it. It started out easy enough by being instructed to warm up by jumping up and down to get heart rates up, which was the fun part. But as for what was to come? We were in for a surprise. Imagine you’re doing donkey kicks, pushups, planks, squats and throwing punches into the air and doing high knees, all while trying to maintain your balance on an unsteady surface. We broke a major sweat while huffing and puffing our way throughout the hour long class. Working out on a trampoline is easy on the joints and targets your core and leg muscles. This workout is awesome as it also helps with coordination, balance, and circulation.
Did you know that becoming healthier doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your entire lifestyle? In fact, simple changes are not only manageable, you’re setting yourself up for long-term success and they can have a big and positive impact on your mind and body. Incorporate working out and a few healthy habits each day and before you know it, they’ll become part of your daily routine. Lift, run, jump, do yoga, swim, take a barre class, dance. Mix up your routine and keep your body moving while focusing the majority of your efforts on work that increases overall strength and endurance.