Awesome, awesome workout this morning. I know that part of it was because I decided to fully rest yesterday, but part of it was just because Tina’s bootcamp workouts are a blast.
Today’s workout was a Full Body Ladder Workout (plus an easy, one-mile run on the treadmill to warm up), so if you’ve never heard of it, let me explain a bit.
Basically, with a ladder workout, your reps are going to start out small and then gradually increase to essentially become a bunch of “mini sets” within a set. You can also start with higher reps and gradually decrease to lower reps as well, which is somewhat similar to the pyramid workouts I did a couple weeks ago.
But for example, one of the exercises I had to complete for today was a stationary lunge with a barbell…
To complete the exercise using the ladder format, it looked a little something like this:
- 5 reps, 10 second rest
- 6 reps, 10 second rest
- 7 reps, 10 second rest
- 8 reps, 10 second rest
- 9 reps, 10 second rest
- 10 reps, 10 second rest
- Complete same format on opposite leg
It may not sound *too* difficult, but don’t let it fool you. Choose a weight where completing 10 reps is challenging, then combine that with the minimal rest periods in between and you will definitely challenge your muscle strength and overall fitness level.
I was definitely challenged.
Think about giving it a try the next time you’re headed to get buff!
*****
Lunch
Post-workout and shower, home girl wanted some veggies.
I put together a big ‘ol veggie-packed salad, complete with romaine, spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, baby carrots, red onion, red pepper, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and some leftover grilled chicken.
I can’t even tell you the last time I put sunflower seeds in a salad (actually, yes I can, but it’s been a while) but it added a nice little extra crunch.
After I finished the salad, I needed something sweet. I also knew that this was waiting to be eaten…
Yeah, check THAT out guys and gals. Only ONE piece left of my Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Bread…well, at least there WAS one piece left…
Completely dominated in 5 days…all by Yours Truly. I don’t know whether I should be proud or embarrassed?
Hey, at least I didn’t let any go to waste, right?!?
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance says
I found the ladder workout challenging too. And be proud – you didn’t waste any food :)
Melissa @ Will Work for Veggies says
I’ve never thought of doing stationary lunges with a barbell, but that looks like an excellent move to try!
Does using the barbell also help strengthen your back muscles? Or is it solely for your legs?
Courtney says
By placing the barbell on your upper back/meaty part of your shoulders, you’ll definitely feel it up there as well!
Khushboo says
Haha I thought you were gonna say that you dominated your workout- either way, well played :)! Is it weird that I find stationary lunges easier than regular?
Courtney says
No, I don’t think that’s weird. Generally, I find them easier too…however, this format definitely took them up a notch!
Heather @ Better With Veggies says
My poor back muscles are still sore from Workout A this week (I have moved around days a bit), it will be interesting to see how Workout B goes tonight. :) I’m loving Tina’s program too!
Carissa says
Kudos to Tina for using great training philosophies in her workouts. We do a lot of ladder schemes and we’ll use them with slow negative counts on leg press, extensions, and lat pulldowns. Def gets that DOMS going on!
Courtney says
Agreed! All of the training philosophies she’s been using are fantastic – love ’em! :)
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Nothing wrong with enjoying the fruits of your (baking) labor haha! ;) I just still can’t believe your husband doesn’t like zucchini bread!
Michelle@Peachy Palate says
Your next circuit post should be a ladder workout!! Never tried it before, sounds good. And definitely proud of the zucchini bread consumption, sure it’s zucchini bread! Who could resist!
Danica @ It's Progression says
no shame in eating that loaf! it actually makes me feel a little better since I tend to do the same thing ;)
Alyssa @ fit and fun in third says
Great job dominating that bread! I call that an accomplishment! ;)
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I loved the ladder workout! And it was great because it was really fast – I didn’t have to switch back and forth between machines or wait for other people. I used one machine/weight, did the move without having to work in with someone and then moved on!
Carrie @ Lift Eat Repeat says
Looks like a great workout! I recently did a pyramid workout with my calves and omg they were sore for 3 days!
Talia @ Bite Size Wellness says
Ah that looks hard! Looks like your body got dominated and your bread did:)
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
When I make pumpkin/banana/chocolate chip bread, it’s gone within a week, too! When it’s in the house, it’s the only thing I want!
Brandi says
I love the ladder, or pyramid, style workouts! Whew! They hurt!! :)
I picked up some zucchini today! :)
Sarah says
Oh goodness I do the same thing with banana bread! There is a whole loaf just staring at me on my counter.. no food goes to waste in this house though :)
Tamara says
Had to laugh at your comment about ‘dominating’ your baking.
That’s one of the reasons I don’t bake as much any more; I’m the ‘domination queen’!
I love barbell lunges; nothing like em to get a good burn in the legs. Also fun (?) to turn them into a Bulgarian split squat; back foot on bench, laces down. Holy leg burn!
krystal @coffeecardiogoddess says
Dont be emberassed about the bread. 5 days isnt bad. Atleast you didnt all in one day!! Thats definately happened with my husband and I before both tackling a loaf.
Emily B. says
What a great idea. I’ve been super motivated to really change up my very stale weight and strength training. I’m going to try this- or some variation of this- out. Keep those muscles on their toes!
Marcia says
Ouchie! Ladders can be hard–but they take you where you wanna go! :D Nice workout!
Catherine says
It’s okay…I ate a jar of Trader Joe’s cookie butter in the matter of a week and a half. Pretty sure that had NO nutritional value and definitely confirmed i do NOT need to buy that again unless I bake something with it or am sharing it with 10 other people haha :)
Amy says
You should be proud! One time my mom made a chocolate pie, it was gone in two days. We couldn’t help ourselves :)
Megan @ The I-Do Diaries says
That salad looks delish! Nothing beats a veggie-packed lunch :)
In my book, 5 days is perfectly normal for finishing off that bread. I would have done the exact same thing. Thankfully my husband isn’t a huge fan of the pumpkin bread I made recently. Woohoo, more for me!
Maggie @ Running on Fro-Yo says
That giant salad looks delicious!
PS: I just got my LOVE in the mail!!!!!!! That is seriously the flavor that I have had my eye on for so long- thanks for reading my mind :) I have a question though, it says to refrigerate it after opening..do you do that? I have never heard of refrigerating granola so I was curious!
Ozzie says
That salad looks delish…..thanks for sharing!
Michelle (Better with Berries) says
I’ve never heard of a ladder workout – it sounds like something I’d like to give a shot, though!
Lisa says
Oh my, I love the sound of that type of workout. It would be good to switch it up like that! Impressed that you went through that loaf so fast, just a sign that its a delicious recipe and we should all try it out, right ;)
Tina @ Best Body Fitness says
They’re sneaky aren’t they? When I set it up I thought no biggie, then I tried it out (since I did for all the workouts) and LOVED it!