Stay Winter Fit with Nike Training Club

Baby, it's cold outside. And, if you're like me, winter can sometimes make working out seem less than desirable. After all, who likes to dress like a mummy to go for a run, or risk slipping on ice when out for a walk? 

Although you may want to stay snuggled up in your warm bed, winter shouldn't be a time that your fitness plans hibernate, especially with all of those holiday parties and baked goodies around. With the right attitude and mix of workouts, exercise can help you beat those winter blues.   Nike Training Club has made it easy to do just that with a mix of strength training, cardio, your choice of yoga,pilates/barre and rest days.

Simply download the NTC app and like the Nike Training Club facebook page for weekly schedules to help you stay winter fit. Here are the weekly schedules posted thus far:

Of course if you want to take it outdoors you can  go out and play! The best part about playing is that it doesn't feel like working out - though you can still get your heart rate up and have an excellent cardio session. Have a blast in the winter wonderland outside by making snow angels, having a snowball fight or even building a snowman  No snow in your area? Try ice skating - you can do indoors or outdoors.

Be sure you always stay safe no matter what you do, especially if you decide to enjoy the winter weather outdoors. But most of all, have fun out there. It's a wonderful time of year...enjoy it!

Toronto's Nike Training Club

NTC @ the Academy of Lions

Most of you know I am an avid fit nut and my go-to fitness app since 2009 has been the Nike Training Club   Well wasn't I over the moon when Nike Women announced that classes were FINALLY coming to Toronto.  I've attended 4 classes already and let me tell you it  will have your body in pain for days (in a good way) The NTC classes offer a wide variety of FREE group fitness classes. Yes, you read that correctly.  It is such a nice space with a great vibe. If you live in the area I highly recommend checking it out.  Follow them on social media for more info about classes and events! 

@nikewomen

@NikeToronto

Nike Training Club Canada FB

ABOUT

Nike Training Club Toronto is a new club to inspire both women and men live healthier lives while providing a fun atmosphere in which to work out by offering complimentary workout classes

Mission

If you have a body, you are an athlete.

 WHERE

ACADEMY OF LIONS
64 Ossington Ave  Toronto,

Saturdays at 12:00pm

Mondays at 6:00pm

Wednesdays at 9:00am

(416) 538-4967

WORK OUT EXPERIENCES 

Toronto trainers lead group classes and work outs, which are available at no cost to those that RSVP through the Nike Training Club - Canada facebook page.   

NTC Classes: Live instructor-led experience modeled after the popular smart phone Nike Training Club (NTC) full-body training app that caters to every level of fitness. Bring your friends and get ready for some intense plyometrics! You will run, jump squat, burpee and lunge and you won't stop until your legs feel like J-E-L-L-O! The workouts are fun and the trainers are always extremely motivating.

You will sweat.. and sweat, ladies and gentlemen, is fat CRYING.  

Back and forth handshake planks 2min
lead by Paluna Santamaria
*side note the men where whining in pain :P

ADD THIS TO YOUR ROUTINE: KETTLEBELL SWINGS

Kettlebells can be intimidating, but this easy move is perfect for newbies and experts alike. Grab the handle with palms facedown. Lower the body towards the ground, keeping the arms in front of the body. Use the hips to explode forward to a standing position again, making sure the glutes and core are engaged.

Do it Today: At the gym, do two-handed kettlebell swings to work the shoulders, back, hips, glutes, and legs in one smooth swing.

one-handed kettlebell swings

Nike Training Club also has a 30 min Dynamic Kettlebell workout reward after earning the 3,500 badge. It's a toughie! 

Now go & get at it!!

Serena Williams "Serves" Her New Nike Training Club Workout

If you want to build a strong body, you have to build a strong core. Your core is made up of all of the muscles of the abdomen, back, and pelvis. Having a strong core will assist you in all that you do, from daily chores to running and lifting in the gym. A strong core is also important to help avoid injuries of the lower back. There are so many programs available to strengthen your core, it’s hard to figure out what works and what doesn't.  Below you’ll find new core exercises available exclusively on the Nike Training Club designed by American professional tennis player currently ranked no. 1 in women's singles tennis Serena Williams - do each drill for 1 min then repeat 2-3 times.

*Need a push? Here is a  30 day NTC challenge starting April to complete this workout once a day. To join just let @TiaraBeth know via twitter or on her blog so she can hold you accountable. 

*Don't have access to a stability ball? You can do any of the other 15 mins abs focused drills on the available on the NTC app   

STABILITY BALL BACK EXTENSION
Start with the stability ball under your chest, hands and feet on the floor. Place your hands behind your head. Use your core to lift your head and shoulders until you feel the stretch. Lower your head back to start position. Repeat.

STABILITY BALL KNEE TUCKS
Lay with your stability ball under your waist. Walk your hands out and tuck your knees until the ball is under your shins. Keeping your core tight, push your legs back straight to roll the ball back up to your waist. Repeat.

STABILITY BALL TRANSFER - *my personal favourite
Lay on the floor, arms above your head. Squeeze the stability ball between your feet. Keeping your core tight, lift the ball to hip level. Lift your shoulder blades and raise your arms to transfer. Lower your arms and legs to the start position, without losing form.

RESISTANCE BAND HIP EXTENSION
Start on all fours, with the band around the sole of one foot and one end in each hand. Lift the knee and push the foot out behind you to straighten your leg.

RESISTANCE BAND LATERAL STEP REPLACE
Start with the band under both feet, one end in each hand. Feet shoulder width apart. Keeping your core tight, step one leg sideways to stretch the band. Step with the other leg to bring both feet back under your shoulders. Repeat until time to change direction. 

Serena behind the scenes as she films her NTC workout.

Set your goals for 2013

Running a marathon never crossed my mind, but thanks to @NikeWomen for putting me up to the challenge, I completed my very first half-marathon this past October in San Francisco. Lots of hard work, dedication, and discipline went into accomplishing this challenge and it was an unbelievable feeling to finally cross those mats at mile 13.1. HUGE THANK YOU to the amazing women of Nike and awesome ladies I've met along the way on Twitter.

I want to encourage everybody to try and set a fitness goal of doing something that pushes your limits a little bit this upcoming year.  No, you don't have to sign up to run a marathon, but if you've never ran a 5k, set a goal and work to it.  Running not your thing?  That's ok - try biking, power walking, yoga, boot camps or weight lifting. It's very important to stay somewhat active and get proper exercise.  So let's get started...set that goal!

Set a Goal - it all starts with a setting a goal and committing to it.  And make this goal realistic.  If you're new to working out, set a goal to run a 5k.  Just find something that you feel will challenge you in your own fitness levels and work to achieve this goal in 2013. 

Stay Focused -  There are going to be times when you just don't want to get out of bed and go workout.  Push through those times and get up & get rolling! 


Mix up your routine - As a rule of thumb, never use the same routine for more than 4 weeks.  Muscle confusion is the key and there are great programs out there that can help you with this.  (P90X, Crossfit, and my personal favourite Nike Training Club )

Don't get Discouraged -  It's not always easy, but keep your head up and push through! Don’t worry about what others are doing, focus on what you can do.

Celebrate accomplishments - Reward yourself for accomplishments ie) first 5K run or logging in 100 miles. A small reward like a favorite treat can help keep you motivated :)

I crossed the finish line & this was my treat to myself ;)

The Holidays are coming!

The kick-off to fa-la-la-la-everything is officially here and even though it’s the most wonderful time of year, it’s also the busiest. There’s gift shopping, parties, holiday feasts and family visits, leaving most of us overwhelmed and stressed out. Add to that - lack of sleep, exercise, increased alcohol consumption (CHEERS;P), time constraints and money issues, and you have a recipe for unhealthy behaviors.

To make sure you stay active every day I suggest doing the following:

• Always have your gym bag in the car ready to go, just in case your day changes.
• Can’t get to the gym? Do something different: jump rope, run, dance.
• Instead of meeting friends for coffee or a drink, make it a power walk get-together.
• Get the family moving - take to the ice or go on a brisk hike
• Park further away from the door, skip the elevator and escalator esp when hitting the malls and take the stairs, get off the bus or train a stop earlier.
• When watching TV, do push-ups and sit-ups during the commercials. If you have a treadmill, jump on. Don’t forget to grab the dumbbells and get some bicep and triceps work in.
• Increase the intensity of your workouts.
• Stuck inside because of a blizzard? Get the NIKE TRAINING CLUB app - no gym req! Or simply do a quick search on YouTube of workouts.  My favorite fitness gurus are: Jenae Frick of YOGA.EAT.RUN , Renisha James of Renewed Fitness and Cassey Ho of Blogilates - these ladies will make you sore and look fab
• Add workout clothes or gear to your wish list. If you look good, you feel good. And if you feel good, you'll sweat more!

No matter what you do, be sure to fit some activity into your day. Not only will you increase your energy, you’ll bolster your immune system and burn calories. 

Happy training :)