Posted the 14/11/2008 15:58:30 By Carrots 'N' Cake (Visit website)

Wahoo! I made it to the gym this morning! Now that the mornings are cold and dark, it’s so much easier to workout at home… or just stay in bed. I get a pretty decent workout in our building’s gym, but I get a MUCH better workout at Healthworks.

I arrived at Healthworks a little before my class was scheduled to start, so I hopped on the elliptical for about 15 minutes while reading Self and listening to the news.

I took a 30-minute SmartBells class this morning. I’ve taken SmartBells classes in the past– I love it and I am always sore the next day– but I don’t think I’ve ever discussed it on the blog. So, here’s what SmartBells is all about…

From the Healthworks website: “Revolutionary sculptural weights for strength, cardio, and flexibility training. Work the entire body in an integrated, dynamic, and functional manner.” Sounds pretty fancy, huh?

More on Smartbells from About.com: “With a focus on functional fitness, the SmartBell offers a unique way to incorporate dynamic, whole-body exercises into your routine. The SmartBell is a flat weight with handles that allows you to hold it in both hands and use it in conjunction with lower body exercises like squats and lunges to add intensity. SmartBells won’t necessarily take the place of traditional strength training, but might be appealing to athletes and advanced exercisers who want to spice up their routines. Beginners may find many exercises a little too challenging, especially if they’re not familiar with strength training.”

Pros:

SmartBells are easy to hold and come in a variety of weights
SmartBells exercises are dynamic and involve the entire body, great for core and functional training
They’re versatile and can be used for partner or group training as well as individual training
A variety of workout DVDs are available for cardio, strength and core training

Cons:

The basic weights aren’t heavy enough to build significant muscle mass
SmartBells are expensive at around $49 to $69 per weight

As mentioned above, the SmartBells workout is more about functional training than traditional strength or cardio training. The weight of the SmartBell is light-ish* and is designed so that you can hold it through a variety of dynamic, flowing movements using the entire body. In most of my classes at Healthworks, the instructor focuses on moves such as the “Russian” (holding the weight and squatting up and down), arm circles, triceps extensions, and lunges with side rotations. SmartBells is definitely a fun and interesting way to exercise. The movements are typically fast-paced, which keeps your heart-pumping while strengthening your muscles.

*SmartBells come in various weights: 1.5 lbs, 5 lbs or 12 lbs… and I swear the instructor told us we were using 6 lbs SmartBells today, so there could be a 6-pounder too!

After the SmartBells class, I ran 3 miles on the treadmill, followed by a 10 minute walking cool-down. I was a sweaty mess by the end!

Run Stats:

Distance: 3.17 miles
Time: 28:04
Pace: 8:50 min/mile
Calories: 311

Breakfast

Breakfast was my usual office breakfast of instant oatmeal, banana slices, and 2 scoops of Teddie peanut butter. It’s the easiest and most satisfying breakfast ever!

I also added in some TJ’s “twig” cereal to plump-up the portion. I was hungry after that workout!

As always, my morning cup of joe with agave nectar and vanilla soy milk. It might be a 2-cup morning!

Question of the Day

Would you rather… Be rich with an unhappy job or make less money with a job you like?