Back when I was doing small group personal training, instead of one-on-one, we had a day where we played video games. Well, not exactly. It was a Mario Brothers workout. Something Mat had come up with, with another client, and the group of us added to it. Basically, we were doing circuit training, but rather than just rotating through the usual jumping jacks / burpees / push-ups / bicycles kind of routine, each "station" was part of the game. If I recall, we may have even had to squat shuffle to move from station to station, like the old-school Mario and Luigi. Did you know that a Bosu ball lifted overhead in the right position looks a lot like a mushroom? That adding a few hops for coins makes the workout harder?
I can't remember all the details of how we turned a regular workout into a video game.
What I remember, is that it was FUN.
Exercise should be enjoyable. That's a pretty tall order for the majority of the population. And, while I love my hikes with friends, or canoe trips in rustic settings, or a good game of <insert your favourite sport here>, it's not always possible to add the social, creative, or game-like element to a gym workout.
That's why I perk up when I hear about some cool ideas.
Glow-in-the-Dark Spin Class? Yes, please.
Did you know that there's a chain of gyms around New York that offers a Hunger Games style class called "Train like a Tribute"? If you've read the Suzanne Collins books, you could probably come up with your own version. Especially if you have access to bows and arrows!
(Um. Launching pointy projectiles without supervision is Not Recommended.
Probably).
Or try this Hunger Games workout: http://hungergamesworkout.com/
Over at Nerd Fitness - yes, such an awesome thing exists - a recent post outlines exactly what you have to do to train like a Jedi. This sounds intense, lemmetellya! I mean, it starts with handstands and goes on from there. I guess it should. Jedi are no "force" to be taken lightly. (Groan) The Star Wars Jedi Training 101 also involves a lot of HIIT style training (high intensity interval training) which is at the core of most effective workouts these days.
So, that's got me thinking about potential library/gym crossover programming. Exercise the mind and the body at the same time with a Book Club Boot Camp! Seriously. Think about how many books would lend themselves to fantastic - or at least creative - workouts.
Lord of the Rings
The Chronicles of Narnia
Game of Thrones
Life of Pi
Harry Potter (Quidditch is already a sport in real life, y'all!)
Treasure Island
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
King Arthur
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
50 Shades of Grey ... ah. Nevermind. Maybe not EVERY book should be brought to life in the gym.
I can't remember all the details of how we turned a regular workout into a video game.
What I remember, is that it was FUN.
Exercise should be enjoyable. That's a pretty tall order for the majority of the population. And, while I love my hikes with friends, or canoe trips in rustic settings, or a good game of <insert your favourite sport here>, it's not always possible to add the social, creative, or game-like element to a gym workout.
That's why I perk up when I hear about some cool ideas.
Glow-in-the-Dark Spin Class? Yes, please.
Did you know that there's a chain of gyms around New York that offers a Hunger Games style class called "Train like a Tribute"? If you've read the Suzanne Collins books, you could probably come up with your own version. Especially if you have access to bows and arrows!
(Um. Launching pointy projectiles without supervision is Not Recommended.
Probably).
Or try this Hunger Games workout: http://hungergamesworkout.com/
Over at Nerd Fitness - yes, such an awesome thing exists - a recent post outlines exactly what you have to do to train like a Jedi. This sounds intense, lemmetellya! I mean, it starts with handstands and goes on from there. I guess it should. Jedi are no "force" to be taken lightly. (Groan) The Star Wars Jedi Training 101 also involves a lot of HIIT style training (high intensity interval training) which is at the core of most effective workouts these days.
So, that's got me thinking about potential library/gym crossover programming. Exercise the mind and the body at the same time with a Book Club Boot Camp! Seriously. Think about how many books would lend themselves to fantastic - or at least creative - workouts.
Lord of the Rings
The Chronicles of Narnia
Game of Thrones
Life of Pi
Harry Potter (Quidditch is already a sport in real life, y'all!)
Treasure Island
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
King Arthur
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
50 Shades of Grey ... ah. Nevermind. Maybe not EVERY book should be brought to life in the gym.
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