Workin' it out with Nike Training Club: Week #2

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I have completed my first full week and am halfway through my second week of the Nike Training Club app challenge. Let me tell you, I haven’t been able to tie my shoes, walk, or climb stairs without feeling the soreness stream through my legs and abs! It isn’t pain, it’s the amazing type of soreness that you get when you know you’ve found muscles that haven’t been worked in a while. I am loving this.

After several 30-45 minute “Get Toned” workouts using the Nike Training Club app, I decided to hop outside for a run. I partially wanted to see if I still “had it” after days of doing a completely different type of exercise. We crazy runners believe we will instantaneously become slow if we take a day off, so I had to prove myself wrong, but I also figured it would help warm and loosen up my tight leg muscles. Luckily, it worked! I could still run (holla!) and I became half as sore.

Back when I was checking out the app to see what it was all about I noticed that there were shorter workout sessions called “Get Focused." I figured that since I just got done with my big workout for the day I could test out the shorter Nike Training Club app workouts to see how they stack up with their longer (30-45 minute) sessions I had been doing earlier in the week.

Those people at Nike are clever! The Get Focused sessions focus on one area of the body, like the arms, abs, butt, shoulders, legs, etc. instead of giving you a whole body workout. Running works my legs but truth be told, I have been neglecting the region where I should be rocking a six-pack. It was time to get the pack back! I clicked on the Ab Ripper and started on my 15 minutes of core work. The workout consisted of three sets of four different ab exercises. There was a little break in between each set so I could relax the abs and gear up for the next set. It was tough, both mentally and physically, but felt it was something I could get in the habit of doing after my runs like I used to back in the day.

Since my first encounter with the Get Focused list of exercises, I have expanded my focus to my legs and arms. I feel like I've just found gold! There are so many uses to this mini workout! Many days I feel unmotivated to workout. My trick is to tell myself that instead of doing my full 5-6 mile run, to just go 10 minutes and if at the 10 minute mark I want to stop, I am allowed to do so. This app is basically using that same principle! Do a 15 minute workout and if I don’t feel motivated at the end of those 15 minutes I can stop, but if I’ve had a rush of endorphins that motivate me to do another 15 minutes or, even better, a 30 minute workout, I can keep the workout going. Other times I only have a small block of time to workout. Typically, I skip workout out on those days. Even a 2-3 mile run takes too long. After changing into running stuff, stretching, and waiting for lights during the run, I end up running late. This saves the day! I can stay at home, work up a good sweat for 15 minutes and split. Now there is officially NO EXCUSE to skip a workout. A few minutes is better than no minutes!

I hope some of you have been able to download the app and join me on this challenge. It’s only been two weeks but so far this app is kickin' butt. I want to share the wealth!

**The Nike Training Club App is a full-body functional training app designed for you to make yourself whatever you want to be. Whether you’re looking to get lean, toned, or strong, NTC takes every workout to the next level. Download it here.**

“Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Nike Womens via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Nike Womens”

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