Fitness

Have you jumped on the Peloton bike trend yet?

You thought spin was cool? Yeah, you’re right, but Peloton went one step further and brought spin to you. Through their top of the line bike and at-home programming, you’re able to bring a high-energy spin and cardio workout into your living room/spare room/basement – whatever you want. The creators of Peloton saw the need for an in-home workout that was challenging and “worthwhile”, as well as a need to workout with our complex schedules. 

The Peloton Community

Peloton has over 1 million individuals who are keen on improving their fitness game, the community is wild! Through their member technology and on-demand or live classes, members are able to log in and be in the same fitness class as people all around the world. Similar to other fitness apps there are badges that can be obtained and challenges completed but there’s also a fun opportunity to actually meet the fellow Pelotons in your screen though local-city meet ups.  

If you can’t attend the live classes because of your schedule, they are all recorded for you, so you have hundreds to choose from with just a tap of the finger. 

Peloton Pros

Convenience

As mentioned above, Peloton is convenient! I don’t always have the time to get to my local spin or group fitness class and now when I have a half hour to spare, I can just go downstairs and get an amazing workout in. Plus, the added convenience of not needing to commute to the gym or studio helps me to make better use of my time.

Options & Motivation

There are so many options for group classes! There are even options for workouts other than spin. From boot camp to yoga, to running, there are so many workouts that I can choose depending on my mood that day! Above all, this isn’t your typical workout DVD – you are truly able to interact with the instructors and participants inside your screen and maximize your motivation and excitement for each workout! 

Peloton Cons

Accountability & Connection

Over the years, I’ve learned that I like to sign up for and attend a class so that way I’m held accountable to my goals. Peloton offers really great resources for goal-setting and scheduling, but I find that physically attending a class helps me. In addition, attending a class helps me to interact and connect with the people in front of me. As much as I’d love to jet over to New York for a Peloton meet up, I’d much rather head to the coffee shop down the street with my friends after a good workout.

 

Repetition & Body Types

I find that workout DVDs or apps can be monotonous especially if you don’t feel confident enough to explore your options or try something new. In addition, not having a physical person present to check your form can really prevent you from wanting to move forward in the programming that you’re in. Also, I really like certain workouts for my body type and my muscle groups don’t like strength workouts all the time. At the end of the day, you need to know what’s right for your body and goals! 

Lastly, that bottom line. Peloton is an investment so if you’re going to go for it, you better use it! The bike itself starts at over $2000 and that’s just the start. I’ll break it down further below but the bike itself has a cost then the classes and “community” comes with extra costs too.

Your Investment

There are 4 packages that you can look at purchasing – all include the bike.

Basic Package – $2245

What’s included: The bike, 1-year limited warranty and delivery and set up. This package also includes the programming and subscription to the community and your exercises. 

Essentials Package – $2404 

You can also beef up your packages a bit to make sure that you’re able to have the best workout from the comfort of your home.

What’s included: The bike, 1-year limited warranty, delivery and set up and some extra accessories such as a set of weights, a set of shoes to clip into the bike and a pair of headphones.

Keep in mind that you don’t need Peloton brand specific shoes, but you DO need a 3-bolt cleat mount (often called LOOK-Delta or SPD-SL). 

Works Package – $2494 

Again, this package includes everything listen above but adds the following: a heart rate monitor and a bike mat. Great add ons to make your home gym feel more intentional!

Family Package – $2694 

If you have a partner that you think would also benefit from Peloton, then this package is for you! Everything listed above is included but there’s another set of shoes, another heart rate monitor and two water bottles included as well. This package is helpful if you need someone present to workout with you and cheer you on.  

When buying, don’t forget about the monthly fee of $39 to keep the endless classes and options updating, and at your service. 

All packages are available for financing and can be made in monthly payments that equate to some gym memberships. The difference here is that once you’re done your payments, it’s still yours and you still have full access right from home!

 

The Main Differences

So, what are the real differences between Peloton and a real in-person spin class? I found that Peloton seems to aim for high resistance all of the time during their workouts. Meanwhile, my local spin studio implements a lot more movement and choreography into the class which keeps us guessing and is oftentimes more fun! Sometimes a spin class feels like an all-out dance party on the bike and I find that Peloton focuses largely on resistance.

Chris thinks I’m crazy, but my thighs and gluts respond QUICK to heavy strength workouts and although I want a balance… I don’t want to be bottom heavy! Ya know what I mean?

Speaking of dance parties — both offer excellent soundtracks! Peloton even offers workouts that you can pick based on your preferred playlist. Whether you’re feeling a bit of 90s Britney or recent Pitbull tracks – it’s your call!

 

I’ll be honest, the Peloton was for Chris. It works great with his schedule. But I am definitely implementing it into my routine here and there. I really like our Peloton and would encourage you to do it if you’ve ever been intimidated by group workout, or you’re adamant about working out at home. At the end of the day though, I recommend trying one out if you can before you invest.

Have you tried a Peloton? Let me know in the comments below! I would love to hear your thoughts. 

 

Photos by Alexandra Folster 

Fitness

What everybody ought to know about my fitness routine

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A day in the life of Dr. Majestic, doesn’t always include a traditional workout.

Being an Emergency Medicine physician comes with frequent schedule changes and trouble sleeping, much of the time. I have learned to be creative, when it comes to my workouts.

In residency, I avoided working out completely, because I was so tired. Much of my calorie burning came from running around the hospital. I would try my best to get to the gym on my days off, but they were few and far between. Plus, I preferred to spend my days off sleeping, or doing something social!

I actually stayed pretty skinny. I didn’t gain any weight in residency despite my lack of regular fitness routine. Even though I was eating hospital food, and late night snacks on my 12-hour night shifts. I considered myself lucky. But what was happening underneath it all, was definitely not a healthy lifestyle.

Fast forward 3 years… no more residency excuses!

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Just Do Something 

I still struggle with finding the perfect workout schedule.

I know I’m supposed to write down goals, and keep a schedule, and honor my committments. It just doesn’t work that way for me. One minute I’ll be planning on the gym, the next minute I fall asleep on the couch because I worked a night shift the day before. There were times when I would scrap the workout all together, but I have learned to just DO SOMETHING. I may not make it to the gym like I had planned, but instead I will do a home workout. As long as I am showing up for myself, my health, and my body.

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Some of my favorite workouts 

Yoga

Yoga was something I had always practiced in college. I had really enjoyed learning the culture and poses. Once I got to medical school and residency, I didn’t have the time or the money for yoga classes. Instead of continuing my practice, I let it go.

Yoga was the first thing I picked back up, as soon as I could. I started going to CorePower Yoga sculpt classes, and I was IN LOVE. A heated yoga class that incorporates cardio AND weights? Sign me up! I know so many people that have accomplished their goals with yoga, in particular yoga sculpt. CorePower offers multiple class types and multiple locations, so I have bounced around to each of them, over the past couple of  years.

The workout is fierce. Initially I think I am dying, but then I always feel SO GOOD after the class, and the inspiration and meditation moments associated with yoga are just what I need.

I practice yoga sculpt ~2 times weekly

More recently, I’ve gotten Chris to come with me and he has become quite the yogi!

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HIIT (high intensity interval training) workouts

I have a love/hate relationship with them. They are quite possibly my favorite workout because they can be quick! We’re talking 25-30 minutes of go-hard, sweaty, high intensity fitness. My go-to workout because it saves time and you can do them anywhere!

25-50% of my weekly workouts are HIIT routines

My fave HIIT workout has always been Insanity. Shaun T… you always piss me off!!! But damnit you get me the results!

Chris and I bought the BeachBody workouts for $99 a year! I am so not a fan of pyramid schemes- I don’t buy into the shakes or anything, just the on demand home workout option. This includes a huge library of workouts to choose from, including ALLLLL the Insanity you could ask for. The OG Insanity was my jam back in med school. I still tap into those workouts sometimes, but they are 60 min. The newer Insanity MAX and T25 workouts are right up my alley these days, especially when I’m on night shifts.

Very few of the workouts require weights, although you can find those too. I like using minimal equipment, body weight only, and I’m done before I even realize I started! Downfall to some of the HIIT workouts are the amount of impact they can have on your joints. Plyometrics isn’t for everyone, so make sure you tailor these to your body.

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Running

I have a seriously difficult time with running. When I was a kid, I never did the running sports. I was a dancer, cheerleader, volleyball and softball player. Soccer, track, basketball… forget it. Therefore, I never really became great at running, especially not long distance running.

In 2008 I trained for, and completed a half marathon. I thought I was going to die. I trained so hard, for weeks, and my joints still killed me for days after the race. I have only run 5-10K’s since then! I do enjoy many parts of running, especially here in Southern California. Living by the beach, I try to take advantage of the location and run down to the boardwalk and beach at least once weekly. You can’t beat an outdoor workout overlooking the ocean! #thankful

My goals with running, are simply to complete my run without stopping! Sometimes I do the walk-run thing, but I never stop moving. My typical route consists of 4-5 miles, and once I hit about 3 miles, my knees start to remind me that they’re not happy.

10-25% of my weekly workout is running

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Walking

In the past, I feel like I underestimated the benefits of a nice, long walk. Walking actually burns calories similar to running! Of course the terrain and pace determines your overall results, but it is such a GREAT option for many of us.

Chris and I try to get outside for a walk together at least once weekly

I definitely dread walking, less than any other workout! Gee, I wonder why?! We try to walk at a 11-12 min/mile pace, and complete no less than 5 miles. We love to walk the beach neighborhoods and surrounding areas. Not only are we getting some vitamin D, but it gives us quality time to be without technology, and catch up with each other!

We started walking together, after Chris had surgery last year. He couldn’t do his usual sweaty workouts because would affect his cast and wound healing, so we walked all of the time! We share airpods during the walk, so we can listen to the same music but still hear each other talk 🙂

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The one thing not listed, is gym time.

That’s because I no longer go to a gym! I used to go to a beautiful gym that faced the ocean, it had state of the art equipment and great amenities. But what I realized about my fitness routine, was that I never really longed to be at the gym. I enjoyed all of the other activities listed above, so much more, and the gym was a waste of money for me.

If you take anything away from this blog post, it should be that fitness and exercise don’t need to come with a huge price tag OR a huge chunk of time. You can tailor your fitness routine to YOU and what you like to do. It does not need to be forced or dreadful. As soon as I realized this simple nugget of information, my anxiety associated with a fitness routine and working out hardcore everyday, miraculously dissolved.

So even if I have to get my fitness running around at work, or reducing dislocated shoulders and hips (that can really break a sweat sometimes), I do the best that I can and accept that my fitness routine will be ever-changing and dependent on many other life factors.

 

How is your fitness routine unique? 

 

 

Photos by Zo’e Fraley.

Dr. Majestic

I invite you to take a glimpse into my crazy, beautiful life in medicine and allow me to teach you my health, wellness, and lifestyle tips along the way. 

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