Workout buddies hold us accountable and add some fun & motivation on days that I’d rather nap on the couch. I don’t really have any exercise partners at home (waaaaaaaah), but I’ve found oodles of friends through my social media tribe which I am VERY thankful for and are a source of ongoing encouragement.
Even though we’re a thousand miles apart, Suzanne from Workout Nirvana (@workoutnirvana) tops my list of workout partners through our Workout Swaps. Here’s how it works: We each design routines based on our “normal” (I do high rep functional routines & she lifts weights), and the other person does the other’s routine. We enjoy both celebrating & commiserating over each others workouts & it is UBER FUN!
For this one, I must admit that I felt a bit blah – so I didn’t knock it out of the park. But I did it (it took about an hour) – so I’m counting it! Suzanne, on the other hand, KILLED my routine (as I knew she would). (Check out her recap.)
High Intensity Weight Lifting Routine
Once again, Suzanne put together a GREAT High Intensity – Full Body Weight Routine. If you’re ever looking for a plan and want a killer workout – definitely give this workout a try! My go to music for this? Stevie Ray Vaughan Soul to Soul Album **big grin**
Warmup
Once again, I’m pleased to announce that I killed this part. And as usual, I tagged on a few extra minutes & did about 10 minutes on the elliptical.
Pushups with Dumbell Rows & Step Ups with Dumbbell – Superset
I was really looking forward to the pushup with dumbbell row – although I’m not sure why….. But the gym didn’t have any non-round weights! EEEEK! So I did old-school pushups instead and “forgot” the row (sigh…). I did the step ups (fairly high step) with 15# dumbells. Supersetting these two exercises certainly got my heart rate up! (BTW You HAVE to see her pic of doing this – she is amazing!)
Inverted Rows & Power Lunge – Superset
I LOVE inverted rows! Sonjia taught me this one and it is hard, but oh so good! (I’ve been known to do a few at the playground by my house too **snickers**.) And I thought I had done every lunge variation, but I’d never done this one before. I gotta say, the little “oomph” at the end was HARD! Again – between the back and the legs – my heart rate was up!
Arnold Press & Squats/Calf Raises – Superset
I love how Suzanne threw in a tasty little shoulder press variation. Modifying the starting point and adding the twist definitely worked the muscles differently. Again, combining this with the squats & calf raises got me sweating (geesh – I am such a sissy!).
Bicep 21′s & Skullcrushers & Bench Jumps – Superset
You’ve got to be kidding me…. I did the biceps & skull crushers with the curlyQ bar (not sure what it’s called) and went LIGHT cuz I knew the 21′s would kill me. And I’m sorry to say that there was NOT more bounce in California that day, so no jumps for me. BUT, I climbed stairs (I did 3 rounds of 2 stories at a leisurely pace for a set) – so I hope you’ll forgive me.
Plate Twist & Reverse Crunch & Bicycle
OK – I’ve been on the road – and my body is really feeling it in terms of my strength and endurance and ABS! I love the plate twist – and although I was tempted to use a medicine ball, I used a plate just for Suzanne. Reverse Crunch? I HATE these – but that’s what’s great about workoutswap – I did them cuz it was on my list, and as long as it wasn’t going to hurt me, I’m committed ;-) And yes, the bicycle is one of those PERFECT ab exercises – a great addition to any routine.
Cool Down
Pleased to say I killed this part too – skootched a mat to a little corner, turned up The Doors Crystal Ship (before you slip into unconsciousness….) and slipped into my little happy place.
Care to join us for #WorkoutSwap?
Give us a little tweet & we’ll get it done!
On a side note, I also did Greta’s (@middleagedjock) cardio workout too – and that’s something I would have NEVER done on my own. So I owe big thanks to both Greta & Suzanne for getting me to the gym 2x that week when I was SOOOOOO not motivated to do so. Thanks!
Related Posts:
- Workout Swap #1 – My Recap of Suzanne’s Full Body Weight Routine
- Workout Swap #1 – My Routine for Suzanne
- Workout Swap #1 – Suzanne’s Recap of a Full Body, High Rep Routine
- Workout Swap #1 – Suzanne’s Full Body Weight Routine for Me
When the gym doesn’t have weights that you can use, grab wieght plates. 10#ers would have made this fun.
Oh man! Why didn’t I think of that? You are VERY smart ;-)
Yow! You did kill it whether you want to admit it or not. Pushups with step-ups?? 15 lbs?! That’s really challenging and I bet your heart rate was up. I am so glad you enjoyed the inverted rows/power lunges! Maybe the most intense part of the workout… would like to incorporate more of that next time. Stairs w/ the arms is a great idea – love the modifications b/c in real life, not everyone’s gym looks the same. Hmm, glad to know you don’t like reverse crunches . There’s many more variations – for future reference! ;)
You are no sissy – you’ve been off your regular routine yet you still did this one. Good job, and thanks again for being such a great workout partner :).
Ah – Thank YOU Suzanne! Really, you have helped me so much – you have no idea – I’m so grateful for our friendship and FUN (sort of hehehe) workouts ;-)
oh bummer, I love the pushup rows. Too bad it didn’t workout (pun intended, haha)!
I’ll have to check out greta’s!
Do you mean “love” like “I Love Lucy”? or “love” like “hate”? Yep – we all did well for this one – definitely check out Suzanne’s – she KILLED it!