Might as well JUMP...

This morning I awoke with my usual desire to work out.  However, on Sundays, my gym opens late and I have to be on the road down to Cherry Hill soon (more about this in a minute).  I therefore turned to the lovely and fantastic  Jamie Eason for a quick home workout.  I did her amazing plyometrics routine which only took 20 minutes, but got my heart rate up, my muscles burning, and broke a mean sweat (routine to follow).

If you are unfamiliar with the term PLYOMETRICS, the term literally breaks down to plyo (plus) and metrics (movement).  It is a form of exercises that utilizes fast, explosive movements to strengthen muscles both concentrically and eccentrically.  There really is no better form of strength training (assuming your joints and cardiovascular system can handle it!).  I try to incorporate plyometrics into my workouts at least 3 times a week, and I always enjoy treating higher level patients (particularly young athletes) who can begin to utilize plyometrics in their recovery process.

Jamie Eason's Plyo Card Routine:  
Jamie instructs you to use a deck of cards for this workout!  You flip 3 cards at a time, add up the values, and that's how many reps you perform.  Leave the jokers in and depending on your fitness level, they can be valued at either 1 or 11.  I couldn't find cards this morning, so Jamie instructs you to use sets of 15 reps if you don't have cards.  Here is the workout:

• 2 sets of 15 JUMP SQUATS
• 2 sets of 15 JUMPING JACKS
• 2 sets of 15 ALTERNATING JUMP LUNGES
• 2 sets of 15 HIGH KNEES
• 2 sets of 15 MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS
• 2 sets of 15 RUNNING BUTT KICKS
• 2 sets of 15 WIDE PUSH UPS
• 2 sets of 15 JUMPING JACKS
• 2 sets of 15 BICYCLE CRUNCHES

Jamie is even so kind as to include a video clip of the exercises (love her!):  Plyo Card Routine - Video

Now that I worked up a nice sweat, I am more than deserving of this morning's smoothie:

• 1 cup Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
• 4 frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 2 tablespoons flax seeds (ground)
• 1/2 scoop of protein

Clean Smoothie on top of the Clean Cookbook :o)

I'm off to Cherry Hill to cook a birthday dinner for my mom.  Recipes and photos tomorrow!