Tag Archive for leg workouts

Why Lifting Weights Rocks + Leg Workout

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Wednesday already?!

I’m not complaining, but this week is kind of flying by! I also have Friday off of work, save for a few personal training clients, so I’m definitely excited about the weekend! Summer is just the best!

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Since taking a week off from the gym, I’ve been getting in some really awesome workouts! I thought I’d share my leg workout from yesterday. It was a KILLER. I even posted a video on Instagram mid-workout. For anyone that thinks weight lifting doesn’t have cardiovascular benefits, think again! I was sweating and breathing hard the entire workout!

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As you all know, I’m a big believer in lifting heavy weights (which is totally relative to what is heavy for each individual person). Lifting weights and working towards getting stronger WILL change your body composition. If you’re eating in a deficit, you WILL start to lean out and the beauty of it all is that as you put on more muscle, your resting metabolism increases, which means you’ll burn more calories throughout the day even when you’re just sitting around. Bret Contreras put up a great Facebook post the other day that sums it up pretty well. Smart guy!

This point really, really, really needs to be driven home. All of my clients who stay the same weight and gain a lot of…

Posted by Bret Contreras (Fitness Page) on Thursday, June 25, 2015

Okay, on to the workout:

LEG DAY

-Hip Thrusts (4 sets of 5 reps): 255#, 275#, 275#, 255#

-Deadlifts (3 sets of 12 reps):  135#

-DB Bulgarian Squats (3 sets of 12 reps): 15# DB’s

-45 Hypers (1 set of 20 reps & 1 set of 15 reps):  25# plate

-Lateral Band Walks w/ Squat (2 sets of 20 per leg): I used a light band

-Kettle Bell Swings (3 sets of 15 reps): 20kg KB

Question of the Day:

1. What’s your favorite way to sweat?

2. Any fun plans for the 4th?

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Track Workout + Leg Workout {videos}

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Good morning friends!

How’s your Monday treating you so far? Mine’s been pretty productive so far, so I’m trying to continue on that wave. I have soooooo much to do this week (a few writing projects + regular work), so I’m trying to keep myself on track to finish it all.

I started my morning with a track workout that knocked me on my ass.

I seriously could barely walk afterwards. My legs were shaking and all I could think about was taking an ice bath.

Side note: If taking an ice bath sounds like a GOOD thing…you’ve officially kicked your own ass.

After the workout, I grabbed a coffee from my favorite place (it made my legs feel better, I swear), took a shower, iced my legs (because I didn’t have enough ice for a legitimate ice bath), and made breakfast.

I’ve been on the same kick lately: 1 egg, 1/2 cup egg whites, 1 slice of Ezekiel bread, and shredded cheese.

Pre leg workout meal. 1 cup egg whites, 1 whole egg, 1 slice Ezekiel bread, and some shredded cheese.

It’s so delicious and satisfying that I just can’t steer away from it yet! I’m sure in time I’ll get sick of it, but until then…it’s my go-to!

Leg Workout

Yesterday I did a leg workout that also got me pretty good.

I started with heavy squats (3 sets of 1-5 reps). Here were my numbers:

Set 1: 145 x 5

Set 2: 155 x 4

Set 3: 165 x 3

165x3...Here I go!

I haven’t squatted heavy in about 2 weeks, so I didn’t really try to push it too hard. I plan on hitting legs again later this week, so I may try to go heavier then.

The rest of my leg workout:

Deadlifts: 135 x 12, 145 x 12, 155 x 10

Walking Lunges: 50 x 15, 50 x 15

45* Hypers: 10 x 30, 10 x 30

Banded Hip Abductions: 10 reps leaning forward, 10 reps neutral, 10 reps leaning back for a total of 2 sets

Q’s:

1. Do you take ice baths? Have you ever?

2. What’s your go-to breakfast? (Maybe it will help me break out of my rut)

 

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Workout Plan + Weekend Pics

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Traveling always makes me lose track of the days and times. This weekend, I was in Arizona spending time with my family. I’m here until Tuesday, but I’m feeling like I have no sense of anything! Strange how that is.

Thursday was spent driving, so I took it as a rest day and left it at that. By Friday, I was itching for a workout. I didn’t have much time, so I created my own workout in my dad’s living room.

5 Rounds of: 

-10 Squats

-5 Push Ups

-10 Jump Squats

-15 V-Ups

-10 Jumping Lunges

Afterwards, I did 3 sets of:

-15 Wide Stance Squats (holding my laptop bag filled with cans of beans as a weight!!)

-10 Burpees

This workout took me about 15 or 20 minutes and was the perfect heart rate boost/sweat sesh. You really can get a great workout ANYWHERE!

On Saturday morning, the boyfriend and I headed to the gym for a workout. We did a mixture of Deadlifts, Pull Ups, Glute Kicks on the Reverse Hyper, and DB Military Press. We finished off with a burner using the sled. It was pretty killer and we were both WIPED afterwards.

Workout Plan for the Week: 

Monday: Home Workout (Probably similar to what I did Friday)

Tuesday: Full Body Workout at the gym

Wednesday: CrossFit + Rock Climbing

Thursday: Heavy Lift + Boxing

Friday: 15 min. HIIT + Rock Climbing

Saturday: CrossFit

Sunday: Hike

This is tentative and likely will fluctuate a little bit, but it’s where I’m starting.

And for your viewing pleasure, some photos from the last few days!

AZ Sunrise

AZ Sunrise

 

 

My little bro and I :-)

My little bro and I 🙂

Country Car on a Country Road

Country Car on a Country Road

 

Beautiful Mountain Scenery

Beautiful Mountain Scenery

 

My babe and I in the mountains!

My babe and I in the mountains!

Feeling thankful this weekend for the people in my life. Life is a crazy road and lately it has been testing me, but I’m just taking things one day at a time and making sure I take care of myself. Eating healthy, working out, working hard, and enjoying the moments.

Question of the Day: 

What are you MOST thankful for?

What are some ways you “slow it down” when you’re feeling overwhelmed?