Peloton Programs to Start in the new year
As most people groan at the all famous new year’s resolution to drop a few pounds, I thought it fitting to write about my new found obsession, Peloton Programs. By nature, I’m not one to ‘love a workout’. Frankly, I’d much rather be found melting into my couch watching a good show or reading a book. But, alas, duty calls in the form of health and fitness. 2023 marked a big year for me, we bought a Peloton last January, and I’m currently on a 50 week streak of working out. For me, this is maj. I actually like the ritual of sweating in my living room now believe it or not. But something that has really bumped up my fitness game in the last 6 months has been finding and committing to a few Peloton programs. Last August, one of my BFF’s T and I were sitting around at their family cabin, chatting about our workout goals and routines, and she mentioned wanting to do a Rebecca Kennedy “Straight to the Core” program. I’d never heard of this before and was curious to learn more. She admitted that she had started it before and never got around to finishing it. So naturally, in my supportive friend mode, I told her we should commit to doing it together. One month of soul crushing core work from the plank herself Rebecca. The thing that initially got me was the commitment was low, albeit frequent, no more than 20 minutes for the most part (some 30 minute classes at the end of the program for this group of classes, but other programs are much longer). So off we went, into the program abyss, and we haven’t looked back since. I think finding a friend to hold you accountable is a game changer. I’m sure both T and I would have passed on a few classes had we signed up to do any one of the programs alone. But, since I know I’ll usually be getting a text from T bright and early telling me how miserable the most recent workout was, I just can’t let her suffer alone. So here’s a list of the top 3 programs we’ve completed! Hope it gives you some inspiration to jump on it with a friend yourself!
Straight to the Core: Rebecca Kennedy: Duration 1 month, 5 days a week, 5-30 mins. I think this might have been the first time that I can say that I was really proud of myself completing this program. Never in my life have I been good at planks. I blame it on the length of my body and uneven proportions, or perhaps it’s just the lack of determination I have everytime I get into the plank position and start to shake uncontrollably. But I most definitely improved how long I could hold a plank in one month. I thoroughly enjoyed the varied ab workouts she pulled together, most of which I hope to never do again (cough cough, turkish get ups, IYKYK) but it kept the month interesting, and really did help my abs tune up. Post baby, those are the first things to go for most ladies, and I can attest to that from personal experience. So a class that is targeted at core, seems to be a no brainer for me. I also appreciated that for most of the program the classes were short enough that I could pair it with a bike class before or after during LBB’s nap and have enough time to shower before she got up. I somehow have a feeling T and I will do this program again!
Floor Bootcamp: Jess Sims & Sabrina Samuela: Duration 1 month, 3 days a week, 30-45 mins. If I’m being honest, T and I were not as thrilled with this program after finishing Straight to the Core. It was much more repetitive and included too many burpees for my taste. But we made it through and since it was only 3 days a week, it still offered a few off days that I could fill with spin classes. It has one individual class with each instructor a week, and finishes off with a class with both instructors. It’s a total body workout that doesn’t cramp your weekly style!
Total Strength 2: Andy Speer: Duration 6 weeks, 4-5 days a week, 50-65 mins. This was a behemoth of a program. I think it really helped that we started with the first two programs before getting to this. Otherwise we may have melted. First off, Andy is a goofy, ultra ripped athlete that whips you into shape. We weren’t prepared for the time commitment of this (the last 3 weeks are basically an hour or more 5 days a week) but we somehow managed to finish, and stronger for it. The strength test in this is overhead presses and weighted lunges. Nothing too aggressive per say, but the 6 weeks leading up to this test are brutal. I think my arms might actually show a shred of muscle popping out after finishing this program. We both really enjoyed this program though after finishing Floor Bootcamp. Andy is a likeable guy that isn’t too annoying while working out, which makes for a good 6 weeks. Plus, the whole time you can wonder how on earth that dude gets to be that ripped?? I’ve decided he must just crush raw eggs and spinach all day. Who knows?!
Whatever it is that gets you motivated, I hope this new year helps get to the ‘you’ you always wanted to be. And maybe, just maybe, you can crush one of these programs in the next 12 months. If I can do it, I promise, you can too! (*major thank you to T for putting up with me for the latter half of the year via these programs, I wouldn’t have made it without you friend!)
