Every Thursday, a friend comes over to my house and we do something that we've dubbed "Basement Bootcamp". Basically, it's a series of calisthenics (burpees, jumping jacks, frog jumps) isometrics (planks, wall sits) and anything in between that keeps our heart rates up. The only equipment we use is a medicine ball each, and occasionally we use elastic bands. We do each activity for 60 seconds and will continue for 35 - 45 minutes. It's tough. What keeps me motivated to keep going is a great playlist full of upbeat songs.
In week one, we shadow boxed (punched mid-air like a couple of lunatics careful not to hyperextend any joints) between each interval. In week two, we didn't take the shadow boxing breaks, rather we cut our intervals down to 30 seconds. In week three we knew we were getting stronger because we did each activity for a full minute - mostly. In week four, we were there for real. Week 5, my friend had bronchitis and a severe sinus infection so there was no bootcamp. This brings us to today's workout, week 6. We were ready for a shake up in the routine so, we did our activities, separated by minute-long spurts of running in place, sometimes simply jogging, other times it was more of a hop or a swing. It was awesome. By the time the last song came on (appropriately enough it was the Village People singing Macho Man), we just danced - channeling our best Jane Fonda. Lots of jumping, fist pumping, it was a freestyle free for all. And it was fun!
The JFA Worksite Wellness Team shares stories, tips and information about living well, or doing the best they can, while balancing life and working as worksite wellness professionals.
