Designated lift zone
Last year I wanted to focus on doing more strength training at home and not just rely on getting it in 2-3 times a week teaching class.
That was a bit of a fail.
I did 18 strength workouts at home last year. Compared to teaching 117 classes. Better than nothing, for sure, but I didn’t put in the effort I could have.
But! I can already tell this year will be different!
Something about having a designated space in the basement, where all the weights are set up together, near the bikes, makes me more likely to use them. I get off the bike (or home from a run), and head right over to the weights. And I enjoy it.
We had this weight rack and bench in our bedroom at our townhome, but it felt inconvenient to use, and we definitely didn’t have this much space. I am getting stoked about setting our equipment up in the basement at the new house! We have a decent size unfinished basement to use (this is just part of it):
And I am also stoked to show you guys more house pictures when we close (maybe in a week?!).
Anyway. I think this is a case of setting myself up for success. I didn’t last year, but I’m going to this year!
Themocracy
I just told Triy I want to lift more weights this year too! I’ve focused on the in the past and loved the results. I want to get back there!! Can’t wait for you to be in your new house! It will be so great for you guys!
Cool! I am excited to hear about your progress with it! 🙂
Thanks! Soon!
Designated workout space makes such a difference! Before we moved, there was really no room for exercising – the treadmill was in a box and all of the weights were stored under the couch. So out of sight, out of mind. I’d love to get a weight rack and bench someday, I definitely miss lifting!
Out of sight out of mind is exactly right! It’s fantastic you guys can have that set up at your place now! And you are welcome to come us our rack and bench if you feel like a road trip. Ha! JK, it’s really not that bad 😉
Seriously? That would be fun! 🙂
Yes! I will let you know when it’s set up! We can cycle too (on the trainers) if you want!
I love it! And for an unfinished basement, it looks good! Definitely not like the dungeons I’m used to.
I am a 1000% guilty of relying on classes for strength training. I’d love to go back to doing my own stuff, mostly with barbells, so I could think about what I want out of my strength training, create a plan and work toward a goal. (I’m pretty sure improving dips and push-ups would be at the top.)
I am hoping that we can get our basement in a workable shape. Right now, there seems to be no method to the madness re: how things are stored.
Ha ha! It seems dungeon-y compared to our rental basement, but I think we need more lighting 🙂
When could you do that barbell stuff? At home or where you teach? I hope you get a chance to! I’d love to see your plan! (Off topic, but I should tell you about my workout this am – where I kicked my own arse, lol).
Is the basement project one you’d like to do? I love organizing stuff!
We hope to tackle the basement this spring – put up shelving, label, create a legit laundry station.
If we can work it, we’ll set up a workout area. I don’t have a barbell so it would be at the gym. I actually incorporate the bar into some of my boot camp classes – we will left moderately heavy (for the group environment) after the warmup to help fire up some of the muscles and work on controlling movement. I did it the night the big boss came, and I guess he liked it!
Loved the workout. I might have to be “inspired” by it!
Cool! I look forward to hearing about it 🙂 And especially hope you can set up a gym! I want to try bar someday. It sounds fun. And it must be really good if big boss was impressed!
Thanks!
That basement looks huge! I hope having the weight station helps. I know having workout DVDs is helping me and is why I cancelled my gym membership. I always thought I needed the weight machines, but it was on my end since I wasn’t doing body weight strength correctly.
I am happy the DVDs workout for you! And I hope they explain the moves in a way that you can do them correctly 🙂
I would set up a complete workout cave down there…music, a TV, hang up my medals, maybe some posters, bike, treadmill the list goes on and on, I need to win the lottery ha ha. I can just design your area for you 😝
So how many times a week do you think you’all end up weight training total? And will it all be heavy or lighter lifting? Just curious if I can get a couple of months of consistent training in I might add an extra weight day myself I just don’t really know where the limits are I.e when does it become counter productive (to improvements in muscle or just running in general). Interested to hear your thoughts since you train a lot more in general than me!
Tell me all your ideas! I was thinking to put my medals in my office, but maybe down there would be better! 🙂 The treddie will be down there too 🙂
I think I will end up with two sessions on top of the two+ I teach. I do some lifting to exhaustion but some quick/light movements too.
How many times a week now do you strength train? I mean, really, you can strength train quite a few times a week, depending on what you do, you know? If it’s whole body and not intense, you could do that several times. Or do legs day, arms day, core day, etc. I don’t think it will become counterproductive to running – just that it will eat away at your time and make you sore for running, ha! You will reach limits, and get past them, then find news ones until you get to your max! Let me know what you’re thinking! But if you’re looking for a simple answer, I think it would be great if all runners (really, all people) did a bit of strength 2-3 times a week.
http://runningmagazine.ca/photos-home-renovation-transforms-basement-into-a-running-oasis/
I saw this (link) ages ago and thought it was really cool. Might be a bit much tho 😄
Currently doing body pump 3 times a week. It’s pretty intense for me espec if I keep making myself bump up the weights every so often. I was thinking about adding another day where I could figure out and work specifically on my weakness, starting with my back.
Wow. That is SUPER cool! I love it!!! Did you see the additional pics and cost at this site: http://classymommy.com/a-runners-man-cave/
3x a week is so fantastic! I think focusing on your weaknesses on your own once a week is a great idea, too 🙂
Yeah the cost is crazy I’d probably do a mini version., a section of a basement rather than the whole thing I think they almost did too much (like the fake grass everywhere). My favorite was the track if u were going to put down rubber/foam flooring on a small area all you’d need extra is time and paint. Maybe someday we can compare our not-man caves!
Yeah, it’s a lot, but if you have the space! I think the track is cool. Eventually we want to build a workshop on our property and I am hoping we can put a studio in there too 🙂
Perfect way to “lift” up that unfinished basement. I am 100% convinced that working out has to be convenient or we start to slack on it
Ha ha, I like what you did there.
That’s SO true!
Hope you’re feeling better!
It is so good to have a nook set up 🙂 I have a garage but I cant keep it clean enough to use it.
House closing is exciting!
Nice! I bet you’ll really take advantage of this space. Do you think you’ll decorate it with fitness posters and race bibs and whatnot? You should play intense, loud music for when you’re lifting weights hahaha.
I hadn’t thought about decorating it, but someone mentioned putting my medals there and I think that is a fun idea! 🙂 Ha! I do have a little mobile speaker I play my music on when I lift 🙂 Does your gym blast music?
Oh man! That basement looks amazing! You’re gonna have quite the awesome setup.
I do miss that part of having a house with a basement. Being able to leave my bike on the trainer is probably the thing I miss the most. But, if I ever have a basement again I’m doing to save up for a squat rack and a full set of Olympic weights.
Thanks! 🙂
I hope you have the opportunity again someday to have that setup! It’s so nice to leave my stuff out!
Awesome!! Where did you get your kettle bells? I want to get some. We use our unfinished basement for exercise. We have a spin bike and some weights. I’m hoping to add a treadmill someday!
They were a present and someone ordered them for me online. I hope you can get some. It sounds like you have a nice set up!