Jump to It!
So today – I did it, I pulled out one of the workouts I said I was going to do and did it. Yes I’ve been working out, but its been a little… welllllll not so impressive.
I wanted to pick up the routine and yesterday “Fitness Motivation” posted this Reverse Pyramid:
So I got Chief to join me, though I’m not quite sure she looked at the entire workout before showing up. 
Her first comment was “50 SITUPS?!?!” But she and I dug in and began. And HOLEY crap – box jumps are my nemesis. They terrify me, I got the first 10 done and my legs were shaking, so I started doing step ups. Same thing right? (We’ll get back to that one).
The workout rocks! I used a band for the pull ups – and when my form when I got to the 3rd round and 20 push ups was pretty rough I dropped to my knees to finish out the count. We got done and did a “Fist Bump” – evidently high fives are SO yesterday… 
There had been a guy working out next to us, he had a CrossFit “Eggers” shirt on and had been doing some great lifts and KB swings. He came over and said “Great Job” on our workout, then asked if I minded if he gave some information on the box jumps I had turned into step ups… “Sure!”
I’m always a little leery of guys giving advice, but I figured I’d listen, and he seemed friendly & not a big muscle man. So after showing him my 5×7 card with the workout on it, he said that it was a great workout! BUT … I missed out on the box jumps by not giving it a full plyometric jump onto the box.
The step ups were great too! But not the same, the plyometrics give your muscles this “explosion” and builds power that you don’t have in a step up.
I explained that I felt nervous about hitting the step and then my face as I missed it, and he said to drop down to a lower bench (boxes are generally 24 inches high — though then said most cross fit gyms you won’t see someone go on a lower bench) … but then he went into something that I totally get – the CONFIDENCE it takes to jump. To tell yourself YOU can do it. I like that, I can embrace that.
One other thing on box jumps. I’ve recently read an article on the whole jump-on then jump-off method and how it can cause pulling of the Achilles tendon. I’m not sure if it does, but I do know the pressure on my knees jumping down is incredible. I’ll stick with the step off method.
How do you feel about advice at the gym? Is it the delivery that sets you off if you don’t like it?
Posted on March 20, 2013, in Fitness and tagged Being Kind, Box Jumps, Cross Fit, Cross Train, Exercise, Feel Good, Pay it Forward, Plyometric, Pull Ups, Push Ups, Pyramids, Sit Ups. Bookmark the permalink. 5 Comments.
I hear ya. When I started yoga after several months off, it was painful. But I feel so much better doing yoga everyday. I do not know why I ever stop, but there’s always a reason.
See and today – I was kicking myself for NOT doing Yoga. My thighs have gotten too tight from not stretching – I need to add it back 3 times a week seemed a good balance.
________________________________
I do walking aerobics and have not did anything in a few months and just went back to it and basically started where I left off….I was amazed! I feel great and I enjoy it. I do not go to a gym my schedule doesn’t allow it. Although do it at home I have two “partners” who keep me in check.
Not sure I can handle box jumps..yet that is! Blessings…
Love it, glad you had gotten back out and enjoyed the walking aerobics… I can’t wait to have open space to walk again. I’m glad you feel you didn’t lose any of your hard worked for gains!!!
Keep it up!
Yes I think if the Army didn’t supply me with a gym I would need to do a “home” gym, getting it into the schedule can be a bit of a challenge but its SO worth it. If you start the jumps, start with a low hop! 
Plyometrics is amazing – just listen to your body! Glad to hear from you!
Listening to my body is hard – I like to do it all… but at age 51 that is not so easy any more!