Repeat Exercise Challenge #3, Zuzka's Cardio Workout #2, the Latest Equipment From BR

OK guys, time to repeat exercise challenge #3 - the pull up challenge. Do 30+ pull ups over the course of the entire day - just one or 2 here and there as the day goes on.
Do pull ups - assisted, negatives, inverted rows, broomstick variation - whatever you can. Try and do 5 more pull ups than you did last time. :)

Zuzka posted her Cardio Yoga Workout #2. Hmmm.... not sure what to think. Basically stretches in between cardio work.
As a yoga instructor I am dying to fix her form in upward dog! She needs to open her chest more - broaden through her collar bones - she's too rounded.
I liked the beginning of Downdog to upward dog as a warm up, but the plank to pigeon pose should have come at the end of the workout - not at the beginning. Very weird sequencing in my opinion. And the rocking boat pose is HARD on the low back. Another exercise from her that's hard on the low back? Who comes up with these workouts?

I am not sure what Zuzka has been up to with all of these ' series' - lifted butt, KB, Tabata, now yoga. How about just some regular workouts that are hardcore?! Do a workout with KB's, jump rope, butt and ab work, throw in a Tabata and some upper body work, end with yoga. Sound good? ;)

BR has been posting ads for their wall ball - it is $129 with free shipping. I find it odd that both the 8lb and then 10 lb cost the same. The one from ONNIT costs under $60! The one from Power-Systems is $85.00 for a 10 lb ball.

Lisa also posted on her FB page that they are selling a new bar and weights because the other T-Bar set kept going on backorder. They have a pic of it, but no brand name or cost yet. It does look cool, but I don't know about the price tag or the amount of weight.

Looks like there is 35lbs of plates, but not sure how much the bar weights.
Most of us will have better luck on craigslist - no the equipment will not be new or look as pretty, but you'll certainly get more for your money. The fact that they kept selling out of these tells me how much people are actually buying this stuff via BR. Wow! I'll stick to the less expensive options for now - until one day when this blog makes me rich I'll buy all of it and be the formal tester of equipment, workouts, guides and supplement. LOL.

Zuzka's first of her cardio yoga series and some complaints about Zgym, repeating exercise challenge #2

I'm curious to know what you guys thought about Zuzka's  first cardio yoga workout?

It was different than I thought it was going to be. I thought it would just be yoga at a faster pace with plyometrics - I didn't realize she would alsobe using a jump rope.

It's fine but you need to wear sneakers and I think of yoga as a barefoot work out. 

I guess I thought it be more like her Z yoga DVDs. 

Another thing is that she posted to do three rounds for time but she herself only did one round....???

It would be a terrific bodyweight cardio workout with three rounds - much harder than it looks.

Add our exercise challenge #2 ( plank challenge) to the 3 rounds for an even tougher workout. 

I also saw another complaint about the Zgym on her Facebook page.

I have had so many issues with incorrect billing it's ridiculous!!!!

I can see that I'm not the only one.

I don't get what is up with her company who will not ship DVDs overseas and not being able to get the billing correct time and time again especially for repeat customers. I just don't get it.

On another note BR is really pushing their weight vest yet again. You can get a 50 pound vest for about $20 more so I'm not understanding all the hype over this 6 pound over priced vest. 

If anyone ordered it or has tried it I love to hear what you have to say!

Exercise Challenges, Healthy Advice for the Week of August 17th, Zuzka's Cardio yoga

Well, we finished the 7 exercise challenges! Time to try them again this week and see if we can improve.
Add these into your regular workout routines. Remember, these are just challenges, not a whole workout.
The first one was the Squat Tabata Challenge. Work those legs!

Below as well as by clicking on the link above you can get this week's workout, recipes and equipment tips.

Zuzka posted her workout schedule for next week. Tomorrow starts the cardio yoga. I am so excited! I have not been excited about much from her lately, so I hope this changes my mind. :)

FOR THE WEEK OF August 17th!

 

Until the day I can actually video the workouts I will list them instead. If you need an explanation of any of the exercises, go to fitnessblender.com, nerdfitness.com or for any lower body exercises the best place is to look is Bret Contreras's YouTube channel.

 

NOTE: (​Not all exercises are suitable for everyone and this or any other exercise program may result in injury To reduce this risk of injury, please consult your doctor before beginning this, or any other, physical fitness program. Any user of this program assumes the full risk of injury resulting from performing the routines presented within this blog.)

 

(Yes, I have provided some affiliate links if you are interested, otherwise let us know what you use from home)! :)

WORKOUT OF THE WEEK:

Be sure to warm up first. This is another metabolic conditioning workout.

50 Kettlebell Swings

40 Reverse Lunges (each leg - you decide if you want to use weight or not)

30 Suspension Trainer Mountain Climbers (total)

20 Burpees

10 Suspension Trainer Pull Ups

 

You can do one round as a cash out to another workout or repeat for 2+ rounds for a longer workout within itself.

 

COOL DOWN & STRETCH

 

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:

Protein Pudding

 

Take your favorite protein powder and add just enough water to make it into a pudding like consistency.

Add some peanut butter, dash of cinnamon.

Cut up pieces of frozen banana, throw in some frozen blueberries, and EAT.

 

I'm all about easy and delicious! :) Great as a snack or for breakfast.
  

RECIPE OF THE WEEK FOR KIDS:

Healthy Smoothie

OK - this has spinach in it and your kids will never know!

1 cup water

1 cup milk of choice

1 large over ripe frozen banana

1-2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tbsp Peanut Butter

1 packet of Stevia (optional)

1/2 cup of frozen spinach

Blend until smooth. YUM!
  

SUPPLEMENT OF THE WEEK:

FISH OIL/KRILL OIL

Fish Oil is sold everywhere and it is hard to know if you are getting a high quality one or not. The lower quality ones can cause stomach upset and indigestion.

Here are 2 links, one is from ONNIT, which yes, is an affiliate, and the other is from DR. Bill - not an affiliate.

Fish/Krill oil is fantastic for joints and post workout recovery! If you have arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, soreness, fatigued joints or muscles, Fish Oil is a great supplement to take.
 Even if you do not have any of the aforementioned ailments, it is still a great recovery supplement for those of us who work out hard. It aids in muscle recovery in order to help you be ready for your next workout.

EQUIPMENT OF THE WEEK:

Suspension Trainer or Battle Rope Trainer: Love my suspension trainer. LOVE IT. Love that you can travel with it. Still going to treat myself with the one from ONNIT as you can do so much more with it. Waiting til next month when its my bday and I'll order several things from them. :)

Exercise Challenge #7

The last of our 7 challenges! It is a yoga type challenge, though you do not need to be a yogi to do this challenge.

Exercise challenge #7:
Get into crescent lunge and hold for one minute, then immediately get into standing frog and hold for one minute, back into crescent lunge - other leg - and hold for one minute. Adjust your stance once again and immediately get back into standing frog and hold for one minute. 4 minutes of static holds on the legs is harder than it seems. Then finally straighten your legs and come into a wide legged forward fold and hold the stretch for one minute.

Now we will repeat starting on Monday with Challenge #1 and see if we can improve from last week.
Also, as I mentioned yesterday you can put all the challenges together for a whole workout.

The 5 day challenge with Edith is coming up in 2 weeks, and then it will be Lisa's RTC. BR is REALLY pushing the sales of their new equipment, particularly that vest.
A lot of people complained that it was too much money and not enough weight, and they just posted an ad saying - 6lbs may not seem like much but trust us, it makes a HUGE difference. And if you're working out with Lisa-Marie BodyRock.Tv Host, 6 more pounds may be all you can handle .
LOL - maybe. 6 lbs is a great way to make burpees harder as well as pull ups.
But squats? Lunges? walking? running? I guess we just have to see what Lisa is doing with it. Hopefully not giving it a face lift. (Just Kidding)!

And check out this product: http://www.fitfour.com/
I don't know if these guys have an affiliate program, but I am going to look into it, and why isn't BR on it?!?!?!? And I need to buy myself some sooner than later. My hands are a mess from heavy deadlifts, KB Swings, and pull ups. Man hands!

Exercise Challenge #6, Lisa's had more plastic surgery? What's next for Zuzka!

Down to the last 2 challenges! How are you guys doing so far? Hope you're keeping track so we can repeat them next week and get a little better -a little stronger! And if you want to, put all 7 challenges together to make one entire workout. :)

So challenge #6 is a Kettlebell swing challenge. Try to do anywhere between 100 and 200 swings without stopping. Last time I did this I did it with a 12kg (26.5lbs) bell, and did 10 2 handed swings, 10 1 handed each arm, 10 alternating, 10 overheads, making 50 swings, and then repeated 3 more times to make it 200 swings. Took about 6 minutes. You can do straight swings as well - will take you a little less time as alternating and overheads take longer, but I find the switching around is easier on my forearms. My hamstrings were pretty sore the next day too. :)

Have fun!

Oh - if you do not have a KB, you can get one HERE or use a dumbbell or sandbag and swing away.
If you are REALLY into Kettlebells, then check this out!

 

Demon faces! LOL!

These are from ONNIT and check out their latest workout. HOLY SH*T this looks hard! Sorry - but Zuzka and BR don't compare to these kinds of workouts.

https://www.onnit.com/academy/brute-strength-fat-bar-kettlebell-workout/

OK, I know I am picking on Lisa, but I swear this is why she was gone for so long and it had nothing to do with her and Freddy breaking up. She clearly has had more work done - cheek implants and/or eye lift if not more. I can't believe how different she looks. She looks like a mannequin and it looks funny when she talks - watch the video.
She is also over promoting the $90 6 lb weighted vest - but we'll see when her routines actually come out.

 

The top photo is now, the middle one is when she first started with BR, and the bottom one was before she was with BR. BIG difference in my opinion! Why all the reconstructive surgery? I mean I understand possibly getting boobs or a nose job, but her nose looks like she got done again, her lips are out of control plastic looking, her cheeks and chin look different as do the angle of her eyes.
I am really staring to like Lisa as a trainer, but is this the kind of fitness role model that we should be seeking advice from? I mean her body looks fabulous and other than her boobs, I think her body is from hard work - mostly because her arms, abs and legs looked just as good before all of this other nonsense. She is getting Michael Jackson-esque on us. Who's to say she hasn't had liposuction or something else to make her body look better?
I am NOT accusing her of that, but it does make me wonder, and it certainly makes me take her less seriously as a trainer.

Zuzka has more to come for us starting on Monday. Someone on FB asked her what she was planning and that they really missed her ZYoga. Her response was: Cardio Yoga workouts are actually starting on Monday. YIPEE! I am very interested in this. I was a bit disappointed by the KB series, so I hope this I like better. Curious to see where she will go with this.

Anyways, be back tomorrow will our last challenge!

Exercise Challenge #5, Lisa giving us a sneak peak at the next RTC, Zuzka's Butt challenge and KB workout #12

Here is exercise challenge #5 for you guys:

Handstand Hold Tabata

Kick up into a handstand against a wall, hold for 20 seconds, rest for 10 - using the tabata protocol.

If you cannot do a handstand, do an elevated plank with your feet on a table or half way up the wall, on your bed, etc.....

Great for shoulders, triceps and core work.

 

Lisa gave a sneak peek at the latest RTC challenge.

 

 

OK - obviously a plug here for the new equipment - which is fine, but 2 things. The vest only weighs 6 lbs. Adding it on for burpees is a great idea - love it for this - but for $90? Not thanks.

Secondly, please do not tell me Lisa has her foot on the new wall ball? Doesn't look safe to me, but we will have to wait and see what she is doing.

 

Zuzka posted a TBT pic of her from her ZCut Yoga Power Series. At first I was getting excited that she was going to make a new one, but no such luck. She had been posting TBT's of older free workouts, but not this week.   

She also posted another free 5 minute workout - a butt challenge. I don't know about anybody else, but the reverse squats she is doing look unsafe for the low back.

 

Zuzka's latest KB series #13 is an ok one. Last one of her KB series. No mention of what she is doing next - yet. The workout was only 10 minutes. The double unders, high pulls, and snatches are all great exercises, but she had some weird combo called surrender tough heel.... huh? I'm all for new exercises, but truthfully  - variations of the basics is what gets the best results. You need variety, but making stuff up seems dishonest to the fitness consumer (IMO).

I'm curious - does anyone take any pre-workout supplements? Like BCAA's? I know they are expensive, but I also know a lot of people swear by it, especially if you follow an Intermittent Fasting protocol.
Onnit (my favorite web-site EVER) has a new one out and I am thinking of getting it.
It's called Total Strength & Performance and is made with earth grown ingredients. I am super intrigued!
Check it out HERE.

Enjoy the latest challenge all! Be back tomorrow for #6.

Challenge #4, and why Lisa was in Spain for so long

Challenge #4! Is a bodyweight hip thruster challenge. How many can you do before stopping? These make my glutes BURN like nothing else. Try to do 100!
Too many program ignore working on the glutes. Yes, squats and lunges work your glutes, but not nearly as well or as much as hip thrusters do.
If you do not know what a  hip thruster is your missing out! Check out this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCm-70-9_XE

OK, I am just guessing here, but I *think* Lisa was away in Spain for so long because she had facial plastic surgery. I was just watching her latest video on FB and she looks SO different.

The top pic is the most recent one, the bottom one a few months ago. She still is getting the lip injections - obviously. But look at her cheeks. Implants? Also, a funny quirk in her muscle twitches when she talks if you watch the video. Doesn't even look like the same person!

Anyways, enjoy the challenge everybody!