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I know some of my friends have been wondering where I've been lately, since my blog hasn't been updated in a while. Lots going on. My husband and I are running the Hamburg Marathon on April 29th, so we've been training for that, and our highest mileage week was last week, culminating in our second 20-mile training run. (A marathon is 26.2 miles or 42.2 km.) I've also been busy studying. I have an "Anatomy and Physiology" exam to write a week after Hamburg (I'm working on a Masters degree in physiotherapy) so that has kept me busy too. During my study breaks, I've been busy acting as "secretary" for our Sphynx kitten, Dragonheart. As my husband says, it's clear the cat runs the house, since his blog gets updated daily! Anyhow, that's where I've been.
On to this week's topic. I have so many hobbies, it's hard to choose just one. My husband and I don't have any children, so we have lots of time for our hobbies, and many of our hobbies we enjoy together. We run together, we lift weights together, we both enjoy reading, and we both collect and read comic books. We both enjoy some TV: Mythbusters, Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, Battlestar Galactica (the new series), M*A*S*H (on DVD), and various Star Trek series (again, on DVD or in re-runs). Separately, he plays basketball and I teach group fitness (aerobics) and horseback ride (hunter seat and dressage).
Out of all of these hobbies, however, I probably enjoy Step the most. I love teaching a basic or intermediate step class, and I really enjoy taking a good advanced step class. Putting together a class is a lot of fun. Developing the choreography (putting the moves together in a logical way that makes sense), deciding how the choreography will be broken down, choosing what sequence the various combinations will be taught in, etc. Of course, in class, you always have to be prepared to change things on the fly, depending on how the class is responding. If you end up with a lot of beginners in class, you end up simplifying and doing a lot more repetition. If you have a large group of advanced members, and everything is flowing well, you have to be prepared to offer options for making things more complicated or more intense.
Teaching group fitness is a lot more complicated than most people realize. You have to know how to put together a balanced class, you have to know about biomechanics and exercise safety. You have to know about proper warm-ups, cool-downs and stretching. You have to know the major muscles in the body and the most effective and safe ways to work those muscles. You have to know about class design - how to correctly increase and then decrease the intensity, and how to modify moves for various populations (beginners, pregnant women, seniors, etc.)
Aerobics music is specially created to be at the rate speed, and it is all "32 count". 32 count music means that the music is arranged in 32 count phrases. So all the choreography you design for a class is put together is chunks of 32 beats per combination (or multiples of 32, like 64.) This makes the class flow more smoothly and helps in breaking down the choreography. You don't just put on any old CD and just stand at the front of the class, shouting out moves. You have to buy the right music and put a lot of thought into planning a class.
There's nothing quite like the adrenaline rush you get when a class just flows and the room is filled with energy! There's a wonderful glow you develop when a class just "rocks". It's even better when the members come up to you after a class and compliment you on the class and tell you how much they enjoyed it. It's also wonderful to help people get fit or help them to maintain their fitness, all while having a lot of fun.
Join the blogroll. Visit participants.
Hobby
I know some of my friends have been wondering where I've been lately, since my blog hasn't been updated in a while. Lots going on. My husband and I are running the Hamburg Marathon on April 29th, so we've been training for that, and our highest mileage week was last week, culminating in our second 20-mile training run. (A marathon is 26.2 miles or 42.2 km.) I've also been busy studying. I have an "Anatomy and Physiology" exam to write a week after Hamburg (I'm working on a Masters degree in physiotherapy) so that has kept me busy too. During my study breaks, I've been busy acting as "secretary" for our Sphynx kitten, Dragonheart. As my husband says, it's clear the cat runs the house, since his blog gets updated daily! Anyhow, that's where I've been.
On to this week's topic. I have so many hobbies, it's hard to choose just one. My husband and I don't have any children, so we have lots of time for our hobbies, and many of our hobbies we enjoy together. We run together, we lift weights together, we both enjoy reading, and we both collect and read comic books. We both enjoy some TV: Mythbusters, Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, Battlestar Galactica (the new series), M*A*S*H (on DVD), and various Star Trek series (again, on DVD or in re-runs). Separately, he plays basketball and I teach group fitness (aerobics) and horseback ride (hunter seat and dressage).
Out of all of these hobbies, however, I probably enjoy Step the most. I love teaching a basic or intermediate step class, and I really enjoy taking a good advanced step class. Putting together a class is a lot of fun. Developing the choreography (putting the moves together in a logical way that makes sense), deciding how the choreography will be broken down, choosing what sequence the various combinations will be taught in, etc. Of course, in class, you always have to be prepared to change things on the fly, depending on how the class is responding. If you end up with a lot of beginners in class, you end up simplifying and doing a lot more repetition. If you have a large group of advanced members, and everything is flowing well, you have to be prepared to offer options for making things more complicated or more intense.
Teaching group fitness is a lot more complicated than most people realize. You have to know how to put together a balanced class, you have to know about biomechanics and exercise safety. You have to know about proper warm-ups, cool-downs and stretching. You have to know the major muscles in the body and the most effective and safe ways to work those muscles. You have to know about class design - how to correctly increase and then decrease the intensity, and how to modify moves for various populations (beginners, pregnant women, seniors, etc.)
Aerobics music is specially created to be at the rate speed, and it is all "32 count". 32 count music means that the music is arranged in 32 count phrases. So all the choreography you design for a class is put together is chunks of 32 beats per combination (or multiples of 32, like 64.) This makes the class flow more smoothly and helps in breaking down the choreography. You don't just put on any old CD and just stand at the front of the class, shouting out moves. You have to buy the right music and put a lot of thought into planning a class.
There's nothing quite like the adrenaline rush you get when a class just flows and the room is filled with energy! There's a wonderful glow you develop when a class just "rocks". It's even better when the members come up to you after a class and compliment you on the class and tell you how much they enjoyed it. It's also wonderful to help people get fit or help them to maintain their fitness, all while having a lot of fun.
29 comments:
Oh no! Not on a Saturday! I want to stay in bed! Okay, if I must...
I so wish I had an excercise buddy...that's what I really need right now to keep me movtivated....good luck with your marathon....amazing...great healthy hobbies and I love that you and your hubby share the same...
OOH! I used to teach aerobics for years. I loved it- my favorite was trying to see how intense I could get it. lol. Much to my students dismay. No, Iwasn't that bad.
It was great fun though.
OF course that was 30 pounds ago. What happened?
Thanks for visiting. And, for inspiring me to get this a** moving again.
Oh...I am very, very impressed! There are two groups of people that I have always admired - musicians and athletes - because I know that to excell in either takes a discipline I do not possess. Your hobby would be my work! Thanks so much for stopping by Pollywog Creek and your kind words about my photography. Have a blessed weekend - running and stepping!
Your post is very motivating. Exercise I must.
Your hobby sounds so much like exercise to me!! hehe Seriously, I admire people who put in so much fitness into their lives. Thank you so much for visiting me:-) Have a wonderful weekend! xo
What a wonderful hobby!! I used to work out with a trainer and I was amazing at everything he had to know and process to create just the right workout. Plus, he would have to mix things up for different skill levels in case someone new had to work out with me.
I like group exercises, except for the part where I am out of sync with everyone...especially in step. I am a few "steps" behind. Ugh.
I tried doing Step once - just once - and I thought I was gonna die! And that's after I'd been going to the gym for months and months! This would fit in with next week's theme of "Step", too!
Good luck with that marathon, I bet you do great!
loved reading about your hobbies!... and thank you for visiting me
That's a really interesting post. A Canadian living in one of my very favourite cities. I've been there 3 times over a 46 year span.
jmb
For the last three years maybe I've been going to circuit classes. I never ever thought I would be a person who went to gym but I love it! That is, I love it afterwards! Our trainer is great too, very thorough and conscientious.
I had the first season of MASH on DVD for Christmas and I'm working my way through that. Just as good as ever it was.
Good photo.
Thanks for dropping by. And thanks to Dragonheart too.
Hi Caylynn,.... Thanks for stopping by my blog today.You and your husband must be thin people, doing all this kind of exercise!!! I do Curves 3x a week , have lost 50 pounds.Have a good weekend. Baba
Good luck with the Marathon! Thanks for the visit.
Boy, I was tired just reading about all of your hobbies - you are a busy lady! :-)
Thanks for stopping by - Happy Weekend and good luck with the marathon.
That sounds a lot more complicated than I thought. Nice post.
If you like Mythbusters, you should check out Brainiac on the G4 network. It's like the British equivalent of Mythbusters.
You're a better woman than I with hobbies like running & aerobics, LOL.
How fortunate you are to share so many things with your love. My best wishes on your exam and marathon. I just heard on NPR this morning that elite Olympic marathoners train 150 miles a week! That knocked me over. But the problem with American marathoners was that they get lonely so now they are training together. It was an interesting show. I can't wait to see Dragonheart again today!
Wow! I never knew so much thought and work went into preparing for an exercise class such as this. If I were there I might just have to take your class! And play with Dragonheart!
Some times I ponder: What is a hobby and what is what you like to your speartime?
It changes over the most, but what will you still stick to after a certain amounts of years on the "flat planet"?
Stay tuned and Playful with a hobby.
Terrific hobby. Sounds exciting really.
Best wishes for your marathon.
I admire your dedication -- stepping to and from the fridge is sometimes the best I can do LOL.
I used to have an excellent step instructor. Too bad they closed down the women's gym *sigh*...It was great to have a good instructor...Cool that you instructing step. I wish I were in Munich :)
Your hobby is very motivating. I admire your focus. Thanks for stopping by to visit my hobby this week.
Which reminds me I need to go on diet!!!
I wish I had the health to excerise now, after throwing away 55 years lol...good hobby! Thanks for visiting my photo hunt this weekend
Oh, so your a physiotherapist. I am too :) But non-practicing.
I thought you'd be glad to know- I signed up for gym membership! So i am now officially getting fit. :) I try to workout at least 3x a week... I'm feeling great- must be the endorphins!
Hi Caylynn. Sorry for my late visit. I've been a little busy lately.
Good luck on the upcoming Marathon. Hope everything will go perfectly well.
Step sounds like a very healthy hobby. I admire your healthy lifestyle. How wonderful that you share many hobbies with your husband.
Group step exercise is a lot of fun as long as you can keep up with the pack :)
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