There is nothing that makes you want to workout more, than not being able to work out. Am I right? When you have the time and are physically able, working out and getting in shape seems like something you can do, just… whenever. That’s why most people sign up for gyms and then never go. The possibility is there, so you think you will get to it, eventually.
But when you literally cannot physically or mentally workout, is when you need fitness the most. When you cannot leave your house because you have a new baby to feed and tend to, when you are swamped at work, is when the desire, nay, the NEED to work out, comes over you. I have never wanted to work out more than 8 weeks postpartum, when I was physically cleared for fitness. I felt like a giant blob who hadn’t moved for months, and I desperately needed something that I felt like I could accomplish for myself, since my main goal for the day was making enough milk for the baby. The need to mindlessly sweat, to move, to have someone else tell you what to do other than a screaming baby, that is what I craved. It wasn’t so much about getting my old body back, as much as it was feeling like I had some control over my body and time.
At first, I made up a few fitness routines in my bedroom while Marina slept, you know, 20 squats, 20 jumping jacks, 1 minute plank, repeat. It worked! For awhile. But I quickly became bored and ran out of workout ideas. And at first the pounds come off easily! Then I plateaued, and the only way to make any more progress was with more substantial workouts. That was when ClassPass reached out to me about trying their new LIVE feature, which offers On Demand and LIVE workouts streaming to your TV or portable device. Of course at first I was thrilled because I figured it would give me some fresh ideas for workouts at home. But quickly, I realized how clutch it was for anyone like me with limited time.
There are a lot of positives about ClassPass LIVE, but for me, the most genius part is that all the workouts currently are 30 minutes or less. That means you can take Barre, Yoga, Pilates, Kickboxing, HIIT, and dance-style fitness classes all in 30 minutes or less in your own home. Obviously, there are other services that offer on-demand workouts, but ClassPass takes it to another level by sending you a Google Chromecast and a heart rate monitor with your subscription. That way, you can actually take LIVE classes, see how your heart rate compares to others taking the class around the country, and maybe (!) even have the instructor give you a shoutout! For someone like me who is über competitive, I appreciate having an instructor to motivate me. But you know, I’m alone so…. there really isn’t any pressure! I love seeing how my heart rate compares to others as I work, which makes me put in the extra effort to climb the leaderboard. I also sometimes make Mr. R put on the heart rate monitor and do some classes with me… if you ever see my points getting up to the top 5 on the leaderboard it’s because he’s wearing my monitor… not me ;)
To know my workout interests is to know me… they’re all over the place. A former dancer and tennis player, I’ve been known to take boxing classes, go on runs, lift weights at the gym, do Orange Theory, teach Barre, dabble in spin, and use yoga apps. I always get bored doing one thing for too long and feel that to get the body I want, I have to keep switching up my workouts. But getting to an actual class these days is impossible, so I get my fix of dance, kickboxing and HIIT in my living room with ClassPass LIVE. Favorite classes so far are Kickboxing with Alex, Dance with Amanda, and anything Bakari teaches. I do wish they had more LIVE classes available for those of us on the West Coast, but since the service just launched I’m sure more are coming soon. In the meantime, I’m happy to replay any of the classes at whatever time works for me, which just so happens to be 9:15am when Marina goes down for her first nap.
My postpartum workout journey is bound to be a long one, but every month or so I learn new ways to keep motivated. I have bought a few new workout outfits which fit my mum tum a little better, upped my sneaker game so I am more willing to go on long walks with Marina, and discovered new products to make working out at home, on my own time a lot easier and more fun. ClassPass LIVE is one of these products, and I am so thrilled that I am able to work with them and continue reaching my fitness goals. If you decide to join too, look for me- Stefanie from San Francisco- and I’ll see you on the leaderboard!
