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behind the curtain lessons

It all depends on your definition of “fun”

Just realized that I have spent the weekend with two of my favorite sadists: Eddie Ares and Jillian Michaels.

Yesterday, Daniel and I attended Eddie’s “Creating Impact” workshop at Academy Ballroom. It was a fast & furious 90 minutes of rumba and cha-cha exercises focused on making our dancing stronger, sharper, and faster. Very little partnering, very few breaks: just dance, dance, dance. At the end when we were chatting with Eddie, I said “Thanks for the butt-kicking!” He chuckled but then said “Well, conditioning is really important.”  Best of all, all the exercises are compact enough patterns that we can practice them at home–provided I can remember them!

He is right about the conditioning, of course. My cardio endurance is better than it used to be, but it could be better still, and my muscles could be stronger too.  So today I did Jillian’s “No More Trouble Zones” workout.  She describes it as a circuit training workout: it is all toning exercises, no cardio, but fast-paced enough that it gets your heart rate going too.  Do a few of her “Surrenders”* and see if your heart doesn’t beat faster.

Eddie’s class was fun.  Jillian’s workout…not so much.  But because her workouts are so challenging, I always feel like I’ve accomplished something after I finish one.  And that’s fun, at least.

*If you don’t know, don’t ask. Trust me.

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