Best Web sites for workout routines?

Yep. This is the year, people. This is the year I'm finally getting in the best shape of my life. Really. Really! Even though I've resolved to do this for the past 20 years, this is the one. I just turned 39 and I figure that if it ain't gonna happen this year, it ain't gonna happen ever. And even though I just resolved to slow down over on EnviroMom, I feel like exercise will help me clear my head and give me the energy to slow down. Strangely that makes sense to me.

Walking and biking will figure prominently. What I need are some weight-lifting routines, like dumbbell moves and exercises that will work all of the muscle groups (whatever those are). I'm thinking I'll be heading back to the SW Community Center gym for some of this and can use the big honkin' machines, but I've got some dumbbells at home, so I'd also like the option to say put some days. Should I give the ol' Winsor Pilates DVD another shot? Doesn't really excite me, but everyone tells me that pilates is the only way to firm up the beer belly. (And I'd really like to find my ass. I know I've got one somewhere.)

Are there Web sites you like for exercise routines and motivation?

Comments

[Lori]

Windsor pilates is good for toning I think. But I love Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred dvd which blends cardio and weights. It's only 20 minutes but you'll feel it! If you have Comcast On Demand, you can do the 30 Day Shred workouts for free on Exercise TV On Demand.

My new fav site for other ideas on diet & exercise is Bodies in Motivation (http://www.bodiesinmotivation.com/) It's filled with lot's of different people talking about what works for them.

[Hope]

I've been using http://www.sparkpeople.com/ for the past year. It's completely free, and personalized. You put in your stats and your goals and it will provide a cardio and exercise routine together for you based on your goals. The exercises have video demos and/or printouts. They tell you how many reps and sets to do. And you can keep track of how many calories burned. I use it for the routines and to keep track of how active I am. But you can keep track of how many glasses of water a day you drink, it will generate meal plans, basically anything to help with weight loss. Lots of group support as well.

[Lara]

For the absolute BEST overall, real-life PRACTICAL movement program (that lists daily workouts on their extremely comprehensive national website) try out CrossFit. It's all the rage, and the folks down at Crossfit Portland are great! I am 39 and have worked out at The Academy of Kung Fu at SE 21st and Powell for the past 10+ years. If I don't go to class, I don't work out...so I signed up a long time ago resolving myself to go to class!

http://www.crossfitportland.com/

[kathy]

My sister does crossfit...she's all buff! But that's a bit extreme for me.
If you have a Wii machine, then this might be just what you're looking for! It's a new program called My Personal Coach (here's a link to it on amazon) http://www.amazon.com/My-Fitness-Coach-Nintendo-Wii/dp/B001H0RZX2 I got this for Christmas, and so far I think it's great! You do NOT need the Wii fit to use it, only a wii-mote. It has you enter in your personal data (weight, height, body measurements, etc.) and then it sets up a program and tracks your progress! You commit to working out with Maya (the trainer) as often as you want. She incorporates hand weights, exercise ball, step, if you have them available, or just regular aerobics. It's really set up to your specific situation. Then, she puts you through workouts! It's really pretty cool. You can choose the length (15, 30, 45, 60 minutes) and you get credit for your efforts. I'm really going to give this a try...I need to do something other than the treadmill! I actually just found a reebok step on craigslist that I can use. I used to love Step classes back in the day!

[Barbara]

I would recommend the Mount Tabor Boot Camp as a good place to meet other moms and tone up and lose some weight. They have a 9:30am Women-Only class, which is great for after my babysitter arrives. The trainer Natalie is from New York and works you hard enough for your level, and I didn't feel bad about being a little heavy (the other 15 people in class weren't in top shape to begin with either). You can go 3 times a week or 5 times a week. www.taborbootcamp.com