I love trying out the latest tips or gadgets used to enhance or promote a healthier lifestyle. Over the last few months, I have gone from working out every day to very occasionally and I have decided that this can no longer occur. A few weeks ago I found the Nike Training Club and the Nike Running Club apps on the iOS app top charts and have tried multiple "classes" from both these apps. I have loved the classes on the app so far, and the best part is that it is completely free!
Over the next 4 weeks, I will be testing out the 4-Week Guide to Get Started and examine whether I feel any difference in my workouts from beginning to end.
Benchmarks
At first, there is a benchmark workout to complete in order to see where you place before starting the plan, which is to be retaken at the very end. This specific collection contained 4 exercises to be repeated 3 times. The app encourages you with audio throughout your workout and gives you cues as to what exercises you should be doing, along with a video if you are unsure of what to do. Once you finish an exercise, you check it off the list allowing the app to switch to the next task.
Classes
I like to call each video a class. I mean there's an instructor who voices the class and gives you motivation to keep you going, feels like an exercise class to me. This collection recommends working out 3 times a week and adding a mobility class offered separately from the collection as a 4th workout if your schedule allows it. Each class is numbered and therefore there is no questioning what class you should be taking today. Each class varies between 10-30 minutes.
My Personal Improvements and Check-Ins:
Benchmark 1: Finished in 6:04 minutes. Average time for 18-25yo: 6:40min. Difficulty: 6/10
Week 1: I started off this week running an 11:34 mile and I did my 3 workouts for the week. I made sure to eat clean and I felt great. The workouts ranged between 15-20 minutes and I felt great after all of them. Part of my New Year's resolutions was to workout at least 30 minutes a day so I generally completed the workouts with a class from Tone It Up.
Week 2: This week I ran a mile in 11:22. Hurray for small improvements. 🥳 The three workouts this week ranged from 10-20 minutes. Now at the end of week, I feel really good. I feel more confident when I workout and I feel more energized overall, likely with the help of my clean eating and much larger water intake. I have lost 3lbs in 6 days as well. I am not one to watch the scale very much but decided I would for this particular 4-week "challenge". Keep in mind I have also started a bi-weekly juice cleanse which may also play an effect in my future results. More on this on my last post here :)
Week 3: This week I ran a mile in 10:40. A 40 second improvement is incredible for me to see in just a week. The three workouts this week ranged from 15-30 minutes. The fact that I write down whenever I do workout, and my new year's resolution to workout at least 3 times a week, I knew coming Friday I still had 2 more workouts. This said, I realized I was getting in the habit to workout. Even if I am lazy some days, I can't finish the week knowing I didn't finish my three workouts.
Week 4: My mile time this week was 10:03 and the workouts ranged from 15-30 minutes again. I started off the week a little slow and tired, however after my first Tone It Up class, it felt so good. A few days later, I felt tired after studying late and waking up early for work, but I didn't question it and did my first Nike Training Club workout and I felt so good.
Benchmark 2: Finished in 5:27 minutes. Top 25% for 18-25yo: Difficulty: 4/10
My conclusion is that taking the first step (quite literally) is truly the hardest. On your lazy days, do something light such as easier weightlifting or yoga exercises. After your first step on a run or exercise done, you will not regret it. At the end, you feel sweaty, sore, strong, and confident.
I strongly recommend trying the app, and if you do, I'd love to know what you think of it along with your personal favorite workouts or collections.
I absolutely agree that the first step is the hardest. Good luck!