Wow, it’s been a while since I posted a crazy Cotter workout. I think I had too much on my brain to really think about posting workouts. But alas, I now have one to share. I actually have many, but this one is pretty important. Let me tell you why.
You see, every week I ask my class to do two things—> sprint a few times and work on functional/balance exercises. The sprinting to get their heart rates up a bit, and then recover. a lot. The balance work because WE ARE ALL OFF BALANCE. And I mean in life as well. So much can throw our weeks off balance and so much can throw our bodies off balance; i.e. hormones, allergies, over training, lack of sleep, bad posture. Oh ya, I know those can effect me!
Bu twice a week we work on this balance in order to train the muscles to react when we are “off balance.” Twice a week we work on balance so that we can grow stronger during a physically off balance day, week, month, etc. It’s not all about the body, but at the same time, that’s where it al originates. Yes?
No matter where you are today, just start working towards balance. I don’t think we will ever be perfectly balanced, but I’d like to think we can focus on making daily progress (one side at a time).
And here’s the video for the main set. Just in case you want a demo!
And if you are feeling balanced already, try this one! And oldie but a goodie
[Tweet “Need some balance work? Try this single sided strength workout via @LCCotter #fitfluential #WOD #strength”]
How’s your balance this week?
Mine’s always a bit off, but I’m okay with that. Something to work on!
😉
Cheers,
LC
- Twitter-@LCCotter
- Instagram –LCCotter
- Pinterest– LCCotter
- Email- [email protected]
- Bloglovin-Cotter Crunch
- Feed burner –Subscribe Here
- Crazy Cotters (both our blogs combined) Facebook page.
Ahhh this looks like such a great workout, Lindsay! I love how you always incorporate mental with the physical. 😀
they go hand in hand, yes?
I feel like my balance has been off for a few weeks, as expected with everything going on. But I think I’m slowly finding my way back to a new balance point for myself.
now that boston is over, i’m sure you can find that reset and balance, yes?
Holy Smokes, I need you in my life! I’m a new blog visitor but I already love what I see. I have a four month old, recently renewed my gym membership, and I’m trying to improve my eating habits even though I feel like I eat 24/7 since I’m nursing. In fact, my friend and trainer at the gym suggested I keep a food journal during the month of May. I appreciate your suggestions and videos, I’m going to work on strength, endurance, and balance …. Lord knows I need all three!!!!
xo,
Nicole
http://nicoleandkevin.wordpress.com/
Keep feeding your body what it needs. Your metabolism is high with nursing. And I’m always here if you need more tips or just to chat
My balance this week is better than last week where I face and shoulder planted into some rail road tracks during a run. I also can tell my balance is off around that time of the month (which it shouldn’t have been off last week) because I’m falling all over the place at yoga!!
I’m trying to get better balance this month so I’ve committed to doing meditation every day in May 🙂
Love this workout! Plank rows are just plain hard sometimes! I can’t do this workout yet but once my wrist is back to full strength I will be doing it for sure!
i love it! great mental balance is where to start!
You’re INSANE IN THE MEMBRANE!!!! That work out exhausted me, just watching you!
bahaha, insane in the brain! always
Great post! Balance work is so important and often forgotten. I used to do a lot more of it but have been slacking off. Surprisingly I have always had really good balance for being so tall and lanky. Guess it’s my tree trunk legs that keep me stable. Oh and ginormous feet!
Yes! So important to work on balance – in life and in our bodies. When I’m off balance, that’s when things go wrong – injuries, stress, feeling stuck. Thank you for this reminder my friend!
Oh – I love working on my balance – the older I’ve gotten the more necessary this has become. Love those one sided moves!!
I love balance workouts. This one sounds like fun. I’ll incorporate it into one of my classes (though my 60 and 70+ students might not like those high knees 🙂 ).
My balance seems pretty good the first part of the week, so we’ll see how the rest of the week goes! I love in yoga when teachers use blocks that help improve your balance especially with Eagle and Crescent Lunge with Twist. SO hard, but oh so good! 🙂
I made my own strength workouts called Matrix by putting exercises into Columns by Upper Body/Push, Upper Body/Pull and Lower Body while the Rows are Power, Endurance and Core/Balance. I’ve moved away from the format lately to work on more old-school fundamental exercises, but I think balance should work its way back in.
nice!! i hope you video that!
I LOVE balance training! Of course we both use balance training each week in our workouts! 🙂
I love the idea of training our body to react to un-balanced life. I can’t wait to try this!
Balance is SO huge! I think it’s crucial that balance and stability are the foundation of any strength training regimen. I’ve been doing Paige’s bootcamp the last couple weeks, and I’ve been loving how she’s incorporated balance/stability in with the exercises.
you are so right friend!
I have been just plodding along running the trails for the last 4 months– I am feeling ready to come back and get serious about running again– full body, full range of motion workouts are essential to becoming a stronger more well balanced runner. I count on you and a few others to get a variety of workouts. Thank you.
I am a huge believer in balance work–especially for runners. That’s all running is, right? If you can’t stabilize, you can’t run properly! Great post.
Love this! I didn’t realize how important balance was until I injured my foot and they started working with me on it in PT. It’s really important. I’ve begun incorporating it in my strength training. Hopefully it will make me stronger and faster!
Ohhh balance… definitely a work in progress for me! Some weeks I feel like I’m great at it and others not so much–thanks for the reminder of how important it truly is!
After adding balance exercises to my workouts, I’ve noticed improvement – an encouragement to keep it up!
Two awesome workouts! I am pinning them so I can try them later! I can always work on my balance!
well, my balance is getting there in other ways this week, that is for sure! Right now that’s all I can focus on 🙂 Could definitely use a bit more in other areas though, I’m getting there.
I LOVE balance work. And as many of my clients are over 50, it’s something I do with them regularly. I also like using single leg/single arm exercise to challenge balance contra laterally!
Thanks for a great post, Lindsay!
I am terrible with balance – literally and figuratively. Something to work on…
Balance often gets overlooked, but that was the first thing we worked on when I was a trainer. Whether it’s balance to keep you upright or balancing strength, both are really important. Thanks for the reminder!
so so true. We need that balance for everything to work and function as a unit!
I did some single leg squats with my TRX last night and WOW I am FEELING IT this am!!
those burn, in a good way!
Love this I will probably be doing a lot of this at the gym today. It is something I really focusing on as well!
let me know how it goes sara!
Balance is so important. It’s something I definitely need to work on more!
Great post Lindsay!!!! So important in life & as we age & LOVE how you tied it into just balance in life!!! 🙂 Love that 2nd pic in the woods!
You are amazing!
So great! I know my left side is always weaker/more off balance than my right. I’m definitely going to try this today!
Not to mention balance is crucial for runners AND preventing falls as we age (: I also work balance into my own routine as well as with my classes. In life- need some work, but getting better!
BALANCE is where it’s at for sure!
Oh yes, something to always work on! I always try to keep a few non-negotiables in my day – like some form of movement, meditation, etc. – to keep some balance, because with something different going on everyday, it can be hard. I love balancing poses in yoga too!
Love it! Great post
We often skip the balance exercises, until we end up in PT and realize how off our bodies really are. You’re such an awesome teacher to include this and teach your class the importance of it!
Ooh this looks like a good one! I was noticing when I was doing barbell squats this morning (which I haven’t done in a while) that my left side is a LOT more dominant so I’ve got some work to do! In other areas, balance is a little off but it’s better than it has been lately! 🙂 It’s a constant challenge, that’s for sure. Have a great day Lindsay!
Hey girl heeeyyyyy! You so pretty!! I was working on balance recently and hurt my foot. Womp Womp. Guess I need to keep working on it, eh?
Oh girl I know I’m off balance in so many ways LOL. I do try to work on correcting my imbalances b/c I know they are the root of my running injuries. However, I may not be doing SL Mt Climbers. I hate regular Mt Climbers! Haha
You’re so right balance is key. Especially as I get on in years. Surprisingly I’m feeling fairly balanced going into a mega race weekend. Next week may be a different story!
We must be on the same balance beam (ha, get it).
I’ve been off with my workouts but ironically, eating more and I think it’s my body adjusting and feeling abit slugish…c’est la vie!
ahh yes, been there. Let it all naturally balance out, right? I’d blame your sister. just kidding
I am working on balance, not sure I am doing a good job right now, but this will help! I have a lot of exercises I use to strengthen my body one side at a time. My favorite is called Kettlebell touch…well that is what I call it anyway. I plan to do a video demo of more exercises sometime soon. I am sure you will recognize it!
oh yes, touch with single leg stand. Right? We do that with a cone. can’t wait for your videos!
I love doing single sided workouts, I love it it forces me to concentrate more and not just go through the motions. Thanks for sharing friend! Pinned for later 🙂
My (physical) balance is pretty bad. I need to try your single side workout and work on it more.
I am working on balance..I am usually all or nothing. It helps me to schedule my workouts each week so that I can see on paper what I will be doing to make sure there is some balance.
I need to do this workout! I am so in need of balance work. My guess is by round 8, I would be dying during the one leg mountain climbers! Ugh!
Balance. So important everywhere! I’m up and don’t know what to do some I’m doing that side workout!
I love adding balance exercises to my strength workouts! It makes them so much more interesting and challenging. Since doing Yoga, my balance is actually prett good. Though I think I will (almost) die when I try that workout of yours. 🙂
SO important! All around. I love using the bosu to help with balance. Watching your video I just had an a ha moment. I really despise all those jump in/jump out type things including burpies (they hurt) but I think it is because of my REALLY tight hip flexors! A ha! Love the videos.
This is almost as good as the healthy gut post I”m waiting for 🙂
Balance (physical) components is something I enjoy adding to strength training and I’m actually pretty good at it. Mental balance may be another story ha!
I think it is hard to be completely balanced like you said, but it something to definitely aim for. I have been trying to incorporate more balance work as I have some tricky yoga poses I am trying to do. This also means I am working on getting more upper body and core strength as I have the upper body strength of a sparrow. Working on it 🙂
those yoga poses always help, as hard as they may seem! p.s. i try to go to your site but it keeps crashing. Just wanted to let you know
Oh no! I think I typed it in wrong. Thanks for telling me I think it will work now 🙂