Making a little progress

[dreamshark]

Got the disappearing personal trainer problem taken care of! Actually, it worked out pretty well. Club was apologetic and gave me 3 free sessions with 3 different trainers so I could choose a new one. Although I had signed a contract and met with Eugene 3 times, he never got around to entering any of that time into the computer. So by the time I actually start using up the 8 sessions I paid for, I will have had SIX free ones (some of them shorter than normal, but still...). Since each trainer has different things they like to do, it's kind of like ordering the sampler platter at a restaurant. And then not having to pay for it.

Anyway, I had a session with Kjirsten yesterday that left all my muscles pleasantly exhausted. I didn't care for some of her favorite exercises (the ones that involved weight-bearing knee bends) but the one called "The Plank" is a keeper. It would work well combined with Eugene's "Superman." I also liked the one I think she called "Hamstring Dip" alternated with simple arm exercises with 6-8 pound weights. 9 pounds was too heavy for me - caused pain in the elbow. I've never used free weights or any of the other miscellaneous equipment lying around on the exercise mats, because all of them seemed to require some training in how to use them. So this is good. One of the things I wanted to accomplish with this was to find some different stuff to do in the Old Same Place.

Comments

[skylarker.livejournal.com]

Yoga has a 'Plank' pose, too. I wonder if they're the same? Essentially like the 'up' portion of a push-up? (It's one I can't hold too long, due to a past wrist injury.)

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

It must be based on the yoga pose. It's like the pushup position, except your forearms are flat on the mat.

Actually, what Kjirsten had me do was start with that position for 10 seconds, then rise up to the full pushup position. I found raising up to the 2nd position to be so difficult that the only way I could do it involved sort of twisting and wriggling my back. That didn't exactly hurt, but just didn't feel like a good idea, if you know what I mean. I don't intend to do that part again. However, holding the forearm pose for 20 seconds is plenty challenging, and felt like a good exercise for me. If you have a weak wrist, try the modified pose.

[skylarker.livejournal.com]

Yes; the modified version is a Yoga pose, too, but I forget the name of it. There's something intermediate, with belly on the mat, but pushing up from the forearms to raise the upper body, called Cobra pose. That feels good on one's back.

One of the things I'm liking best about yoga classes is that there are a lot of things, especially stretches, that are good for a bad back. Our teacher stresses abdominal exercises (which I don't like so much) but they're very good for the back.

Caroling party

[markiv1111.livejournal.com]

This is just a little note while you and I are both here: It is now looking like a virtual certainty that I *will* be at your caroling party, not the reverse. This is one of the significant events of my holiday season and I don't want to miss it.

Nate

Re: Caroling party

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Oh, cool! I heard from minnehaha that you had a conflict. Glad to hear you'll be able to make it after all! See you soon!

Re: Caroling party

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

btw, it would have been better to respond to my original posting, which was friends-locked. By responding here on a non-friends-locked post you have exposed the topic to the world. Not a big deal, just something to keep in mind for the future.