Work it Out: The Physique 57 Challenge

GASP! Could it be that I am switching gears to write about fitness for once? Indeed, contrary to the impression I may give off on the blog, I do work out quite regularly. No less than five times a week, in fact.

Because it has been so long since I talked about my own approach to working out, I will briefly share my current routine for the benefit of any newcomers out there. In a nutshell, I have come to rely on workout DVDs, being neither a runner nor the receiving end of sufficient funds to join a gym. And this is quite fine with me—I find that DVDs suit both my schedule and my personality. My workout time (first thing in the morning) is at its most efficient, being that there is no transportation involved, and the repetition of the recordings doesn’t especially bother me (not to mention the fact that my collection is fairly large).

My favorite workout DVDs are those by Jillian Michaels (circuit training) and The FIRM (aerobics, step and strength training). I have enough discs of each to create a four-week rotation before I repeat a workout, so my muscles never really adapt to one workout style or another. I’ve never in my life felt as strong or been as toned as I am right now, so I have to figure my little homegrown method works, at least for the average desk-sitting worker bee like me.

That said, I’m only human and am certainly not immune to boredom! I do feel the need to add to my workout collection every so often, if only to stimulate my motivation. I was recently fortunate enough to sample a couple complimentary classes at Physique 57 (see “57 Ways to Feel Pain”), and the same thought occurred to me both times: If I could do this workout all the time, I would be RIPPED! So imagine my delight when I learned that Physique 57 had released a series of DVDs—I was more than happy to pony up the $50-odd bucks it cost for the three discs.

I tried each workout over the course of last week (the original 57-minute workout, the express 30-minute workout and the arm & ab booster). They didn’t hold anything back, I can say that for sure! All three workouts were just as difficult (if not more so) than the live classes, to the point where I experienced both almost-tears and uncontrollable giggling, though believe me: there was nothing funny about it. This only confirms that I’ve made a good investment, however. If I’ve learned anything from my years of trying dozens of workout DVDs, it’s that the routines and choreography are often conservative, if anything. I haven’t tried P90x yet (despite the boyf’s best efforts), but barring what I know of that, I have found Jillian Michaels to be the toughest recorded trainer available on DVD. This is about to change.

I’m not much for blog challenges. Kind of like I don’t want to officially call myself vegetarian or vegan or whatever, the idea of eating a certain way for 30 days, for example,  has never appealed to me. It’s probably because I’m not interested in “falling off the wagon”. I’d simply rather the “wagon” be something I can deal with in a lifelong kind of way in the first place, you dig?

Fitness feels like a whole different animal where challenges are concerned, though, and with my own voice echoing in my head (“If I could do this workout all the time, I’d be ripped!”), I’ve decided to embark on a wee challenge after all.

For four weeks I will be working out per the Physique 57 recommended schedule, which means each week I will perform the full 57-minute workout twice, the 30-minute express workout once and the arm & ab booster once. On off days I will either rest or perform some light, active recovery such as walking or yoga (and I will need it, if this past week’s soreness is any indicator!). I’m even going to record before-and-after measurements to see whether or not I lose any inches.

No, I’m not trying to lose weight. Like I said earlier, I’m fitter than I’ve ever been in my adult life right now and am happy with my weight. This is not to say I look like Jillian Michaels just because I do her workouts! It’s just a relative statement based on my own fitness experience. The Physique 57 challenge is exclusively for my own amusement (and torture). Just thought I’d bring you along for the ride to keep me accountable and congratulate me on what I hope will be favorable results. ;)

And so, in theory, I shall be toight like a toiger by Thanksgiving! (There’s an irony in there somewhere…) The challenge ends just before the holiday and my trip to Tokyo, and I will report back with the verdict at that time. There will be updates along the way as well, because…well, misery loves company.

Here goes nothin’!

What do you think of “temporary” challenges, blog-based or otherwise? Worthwhile for broadening horizons or a set-up for a fall?