Since the Shelter in Place orders were put place, I’ve been doing just that, sheltering in place. Even now, with California getting ready to enter Phase three at the end of this week, with some restaurants and shops already opened up, we’ve stayed at home, not ready to face the risk. Basically just hanging around.
In California, Phase 3 means that gyms can start to open. I last spoke to my boss a few days ago and learned she’ll be meeting with our GM on Tuesday to discuss our next steps. Hopefully “next steps” means opening up according to state standards. While most of my seasonal clients are gone until the fall, a have a couple of people who are interested in training which will be a good way to ease back into our new version of personal training.
Just Hanging Around…Learning
While I’ve not done most of the things I’d hoped to do around the house, I have taken some CEU courses over the last few months. In fact, I’ve already earned enough credit to renew my personal training certification even though I don’t need to do that until October 2021! Last week I took a TRX Online Training Course, which means that I was, both literally and figuratively just hanging around.
TRX Virtual Training
I love using the TRX and I really loved my course. The instructors did an amazing job of teaching about 650 people from around the world. I know from experience that teaching virtually, without being able to see a client and check their form, is a real challenge. We all use verbal cues when we teach but when you can’t see what needs to be corrected or physically move a client into the proper position it is even harder. They did a great job and I feel I know exactly what needs to be done for each exercise.
I’ve been using the TRX for a long time, including training clients and sharing workouts, but I feel that I learned so much that I now know how much I didn’t know. Does that make sense? Not that I was doing things wrong but now I know how to do things better.
I generally do my TRX workouts outside, in the morning, where I have a couple of places that work to hang my TRX. Last Tuesday we started at 1:30, but I thought I could handle being outside for the class. It was around 99 degrees, partially shady, and I had a fan that I could aim at myself.
In theory, it was a great idea! In practice, however, it was a bit, um, challenging. First off, it was hot! Especially to be exercising. Second, you know how much my dogs love to help! And while it was partially shaded it was difficult to see my computer screen. I managed but decided to find another option for the next day, especially since the forecast was for 113 degrees!
So on Wednesday, I brought it inside, setting up in my hallway and using my bedroom door to anchor my TRX. The door is a little low and the hallway is a little narrow but I had air conditioning! I set up my computer, used a stability ball for a seat, and closed the gate to the back so I didn’t get too much doggy help.
On Thursday I received a link to my test via email and took it right away while everything was fresh. I passed! I’m now a Qualified TRX Instructor!
If you’re a personal trainer or a fitness enthusiast who would like to learn more about using the TRX effectively I highly recommend this course. It was free through May (and into June) and there is just one more class available and that is almost full. Here’s the link.
I have one more class scheduled (so far) for next Saturday. It is FMT (Functional Movement Training) Mobility Specialist so I know you’ll want all the details on that one!
Just Hanging Around…Cooking
Since this is Meatless Monday and I don’t have a recipe to share, I’ll tell you that last week after reading Deborah’s Quinoa Rainbow Rolls with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce recipe I had such a craving for spring rolls that I actually made it! I talk a big talk about trying different recipes but this was the first time I followed through. I made a couple of changes (I can’t help myself) but they turned out great!
Just Hanging Around…Running and Fitness
As you might guess, most of my strength training involved, wait for it, the TRX! Three workouts altogether, two during class, including one mobility session. The third workout was on Friday and gave me a chance to practice my movements, cueing (yes, I cued myself) and form. Hopefully, with gyms opening this week, I’ll have a chance to work with live clients!
The Week in Workouts
Running was pretty good this week in spite of weather that jumped from the awful (90 degrees at 5 am) to awesome (around 70 throughout my runs). Needless to say, the runs in the cool weather felt much better than the ones in the heat.
Monday: Rest Day! I took it completely off, which felt pretty amazing.
Tuesday: Hot! Around 88 degrees when we started at 5:45 am, so we cut our distance (and expectations) and made a six-mile loop around our neighborhood. It was so hot I didn’t even stop for photos! The afternoon was all about TRX.
Wednesday: Hot again! I did take Australia even though it was pretty warm outside. We took it easy, stopped for drinks frequently (for her, the doggy fountains are open, the people ones are not..I carried my own) and managed four miles. Part two of my TRX course in the afternoon.
Thursday: A slight bit cooler. We took the dogs and ran three miles.
Friday: A day off from running so I did my review TRX workout early enough so that the weather wasn’t an issue.
Saturday: Overnight, winds brought cooler weather so that it was only 70 degrees when I headed out for my run. My legs were a bit stiff (thanks TRX) but it felt so good to run in the cool temperatures that I had a great run. It was still only 73 when I finished!
Sunday: Another beautiful day! It was, dare I say, even a bit chilly when we headed out for our Sunday run with the dogs day. Alan and I ran five miles with Australia and Buddy, then I headed back out for a half-mile run/walk with Tito.
I finished the week with 29 miles While I still haven’t added any tempo work in, I’m pleased with my week of running.
Venturing Out…Baby Goats!
Alan has a client who works at an estate in Rancho Mirage and he invited us over last week to see the baby goats!
I adore baby goats. I’ve always said I wanted to try goat yoga at least once but I haven’t had the chance yet. When I was young my mom raised goats and she would bring the babies into her kitchen where we would feed them by hand and play with them. They are so much fun!
I also found, during the stressful times of the last few months and especially the last weeks, that playing with goats is a good way to reduce stress. It’s simple and fun and you can just relax and play. It did feel kind of weird to be out of the house at some other place than the grocery store though!
Finally, I will leave you with this beautiful sunrise. While I am always up early, now that the days are so long by the time we have fed and walked the dogs I frequently miss the sunrise. The other morning our timing was perfect to see this while walking dogs. It’s a great way to start the day!
I hope your week is off to a wonderful start!
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Inspire Me Monday with Janet
Tuesday Topics with Kim and Zenaida
The Runners’ Roundup with Rachel , Deborah, Lisa, Smitha, Jenn, and Me!
The Weekly Run Down with Deborah and Kim
Aww, baby goats! How sweet is that!
I saw piglets on my run last week, baby farm animals are the best.
Congratulations on your certification as a qualified TRX instructor! I guess that’s one of the big advantages of being a fitness instructor – you’re always up to date with all the latest exercises and tools.
Looking forward to your update on the FMT course!
I love all baby animals! They’re so cute.
That TRX class sounds great! I worked with a trainer at my gym a few times a while ago (maybe like 2011?) and he taught me how to use the TRX. But I havent had any training since then. I use it for a coupe of moves each week but I should really start incorporating it more into my workouts. Glad you learned so much from the course!
I intend to use it more often too, especially when my fitness center reopens. I already use it a lot with clients for warm up and stretching but I know I’ll be adding more.
Wow! I am struggling so much with running in 60-70 degrees, I cannot imagine 90s. Spicy peanut sauce sounds really good, I’m going to have to make something with it soon. Thanks for sharing the baby goats!
I’m happy in anything under 80 (and pretty soon even that will be the norm). Getting out before the sun is up is the only way to go!
oh gosh those baby goats sure are adorable! It’s so great to hear that your TRX training went so well. It’s always fun to learn new ways to use your equipment. I can’t wait to take my classes this week. Your rainbow rolls look fantastic! Thanks so much for trying out my recipe and for linking up today
You’re going to love the TRX class!
The Rainbow Rolls were amazing! I will be making them again soon!
Those baby goats are ADORABLE!!!
A few years ago I would go to the gym for a TRX class. I loved it but then cancelled my membership. I was thinking about signing up again but then the stay at home order came into effect.
I usually use the TRX at the gym where I work but I love it because I can use it almost anywhere.
Baby goats! Doggy help! This might be my favorite post ever.
Congratulations on your certification! I’m so glad you were able to earn that while sheltering in place. I find it interesting that our Phases don’t line up. We are only on Phase II and gyms and retail and so many things are open, while your Phase III sounds more like our Phase I.
Well, we’re in California so, that explains a lot. My county entered what they called “accelerated phase 2” a couple of weeks ago which let hairdressers and restaurants open. And most shops too. No nails or massage yet. Phase three is gyms, and schools and starting the process of professional sports teams. And my husband is hoping that the pool will open soon. He’s a triathlete and hasn’t swum since mid-March!
I totally agree, a sunrise is a great way to greet the day 😉 I have also found that the “cloudier” sunrises usually are the most dramatic and make the best pics. Congrats, again, on the TRX certification. And, those goats…<3
The goats are amazing! So cute and fun. And yes, somewhat cloudy sunrises (and sunsets) seem to be the most spectacular.
I’m with you–even though we are at stage 3, I’m still mostly at home. I’m going to work 2 days per week and next week will be back to my full 3. Workouts are still at home. I’ve really enjoyed adapting my workouts for home thanks to my strength coach. Most likely, I’ll go back to the gym in a couple of weeks to work with her and do one class. I’ll continue to do one day a week at home.
Congrats on the TRX certification. I love mine (it’s not the real TRX). I’m looking forward to trying some of your workouts!
I loved when we used the TRX straps at OTF. I definitely need a coach to check my form – it’s crucial with TRX and little changes make a huge difference. I hope you get to start working with clients in person soon. Here our gyms/trainers can only do outdoor classes right now.
I Lovvvvvvve the goats!! <3
congrats on your TRX certification! I am a fan of TRX but you know what I don't like? That it LOOKS easy when someone shows you what to do and then it turns out it's HARD! hahaha! it's great that you are using this time for learning.
we are also taking things slowly and cautiously. I have to go to the office now 2x a week so I'm still not going to cafes, restaurants, the cinema and I passed up on going to a BLM demonstration here in town last week because of the fact that I have to go to work.
I am, obviously, really behind on reading & commenting! Our weather was so nice last week (for the most part) I didn’t want to spend too much time indoors. Today is actually on the chilly side in the shade.
That photo of you & the baby goats is precious. I’ve always wanted goats, despite the fact that I pretty much know nothing about goats.
Kudos on passing your TRX training (something else I’ve wanted, except we have almost nowhere to put one). I’ve been doing a lot of courses, as well. I want to take all the courses . . .