Thurs - MM Strength (Lower Body) & Classical Stretch

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

This morning, I did Montenegro Method Strength, Workout # 2 which is for the lower body. Unlike workout # 1 which is described as upper body - but was really total body- this one is definately lower body focused - your core does come in to play for some of the balance variations on the exercises, but you are definately focusing on lower body here!!

I went conservative this morning - being that I hadn't previewed the workout - I picked up 5's and ran through it. As in all the MM workouts I have done so far, Marta's form and pace is perfect. You only do ten reps of each exercise - (I know to Dianne this is a long set! LOL! But, compared to most other workout DVDs on the market this is a short set!) and you execute the move slowly and with control. Even using only 5's I could feel the exercise. This workout is broken down into 2 "giant" sets/circuits. I was actually surprised when we were done w/ the second as I was expecting a third! In each of the sets/circuits you do lunges (w/ various variations), squats (w/ variations), deadlifts (w/ variations) and she ends with an ab exercise - Romanian twists and something else I didn't catch the name of - but you do a Pilates-type straight leg sit-up holding a weight. Marta did this with her legs in

the air, but the modification was to do it iwth your legs on the ground (which I followed). Marta's background exerciser does show some modifications to the more advanced exercises (for example, one legged squat w/ one leg llightly on the floor for balance) What I really appreciated was - that b/c the pace was slow and controlled, I really had time to focus on engaging my muscles - especially my glutes in the deadlifts. Granted, I wasn't lifting a heavy weight - but I made sure that the lfit came from my butt! Next time I will up the weights for some of the exercises. For some of the more advanced things, I may do another round light! I hope I don't have too much soreness/fatigue b/c I want to do the Endurance workout tomorrow. I really dread the Endurance workout - but I also want to master it.

I finished off with an episode of Classical Stretch from the 2007 series. If I can find some extra time today, I'd like to do another! Still working on relieving a lot of tightness and stress in my body from this last month at work.

I am liking this short, but effective sessions!

Take care!Donna