A l'esprit actuel

What do you look for in a workout?

My goal has always been, as with most of us, to burn fat and lose weight, while toning muscles and defining body shape. However, once I hit 30, I really began to think about the shape of my heart.  Aerobic exercise has always been the main foundation of my workouts, but now I try to incorporate it into everyday in order to prepare my body for its later years.

So, how do I do it? Tae-bo, Skipping( or jumping rope, if you prefer) and Pilates. Tae-bo is a break through in aerobic exercise and incorporates martial arts kicks and punches. It was created by Billy Blanks, a seven times world Karate champion. It really works the heart and all the body's muscles and is great for tighting and defining muscles in all areas, as well as burning fat. The results are rapidly apparent and the workouts leave you feeling invigorated. (www.billyblanks.com)

Skipping is a superb way to workout. It's cost effective, apart from a good rope and an even better pair of training shoes you don't need anything else, except for of course...space, but you  can skip more or less anywhere. It burns fat and calories(about 100 every 10 minutes, at a normal pace) and gives the heart a good workout.

I keep Pilates on standby, for those moments when I just want to rediscover my body and relax. It's a great way of stretching and toning muscles and keeps them lean. I recommend Pilates to everyone who works out and even more to those who don't or find motivation difficult. It's a calm, slow sport which progresses in intensity as you become more in tune with your body and more at ease with the exercises.

News of your workouts, your experience of any of the styles mentioned above or just training and health ideas and thoughts, are greatly welcome. Don't hesitate to share!