I am back in Florida and happy to be in my home state!
My family and I touched down in Jacksonville yesterday evening and I was exhausted by the time we made it back to my parents’ place. I decided to spend the night at my parents’ house rather than drive back to Ocala late at night. Plus, I wanted to take an early morning BodyCombat class at the gym in Jacksonville!
I set my alarm for 5:10 a.m. and grabbed an orange, a Luna bar and a packet of Justin’s chocolate hazelnut butter to eat. (I ended up eating the Luna bar on my way to the gym and saved the hazelnut butter and the orange for after my workout.)
Once I arrived at the gym, I quickly made my way into the studio where the class was scheduled to take place and was happy to see a ton of people were there for the early morning class. Sometimes it’s hard to feel overly energetic before 6 a.m. and the energy of other group exercisers does wonders for my personal motivation. I feed off the energy of my fellow early morning exercisers!
Not having access to BodyPump or any other Les Mills classes regularly makes me really appreciate any Les Mills class I can take. (BodyPump and BodyCombat are just two of the phenomenal classes that fall under the Les Mills umbrella. If you are interested, you can find a Les Mills class near you by clicking here.) I just feel so fired up any time I can take one of their classes because they are all so high-energy. They challenge me and invigorate my workouts in the best possible way.
I’m still working on a proposal to bring BodyPump to my gym in Ocala. My fingers are crossed! I think my chances will increase once our building goes through an expansion this winter and more members (hopefully) join which will (hopefully) increase our budget.
After I was done at the gym, I hopped into my car to make the drive back to Ocala. I am currently blogging from Starbucks where I stopped to grab a latte and type up this blog post, but once it’s published, I’ll be on my way.
I can’t wait to see Sadie spaz out the moment I walk through the door. Unfortunately our reunion will be cut short this morning because I will immediately have to head out the door to work until after 8 p.m. today, but it will be great to see my lil’ lady and Ryan later this evening!
Catcha later!
Questions of the Morning
- If you could make your gym offer any one class that is not currently on their group exercise schedule, what class would you like to see offered?
I’d love to see BodyPump, Les Mills GRIT, Jazzercise, SoulCycle, a barre class like Physique 57 and a trampoline class offered at my gym. I know that it is not possible for some of these classes to ever come to my gym, but a girl can dream!
- What is one thing you’re really looking forward to today?
I’m really looking forward to the moment I arrive home from work. I can’t wait to give Ryan a giant hug and curl up on the couch with Ryan and Sadie. I missed those two!
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I’d love to take a BodyPump class, but I have yet to have the opportunity to do so. I’d definitely like it if my gym offered Jazzersize. My mom and I used to go years ago and it was always a blast!
Luna bars are my favorite! Good luck with getting BodyPump to your gym–I think if you keep pushing for it they will have to give in soon 🙂 My gym offers a variety of workout classes so I am happy with the class selection. The only thing is that they are at kind of awkward times, so I’d like to see the same classes offered but more often (the only morning class they offer is spinning every morning and BodyPump once a week).
I would also love to see BodyPump at my gym! And a TRX class would be awesome. My parents just started going to the gym at 5 before my dad goes to work and they’re loving it! I also love feeding off the energy of other exercisers. So motivating!
BodyPump! There are no classes like it at my gym – would love to see it!
You and me BOTH! I <3 BodyPump SO MUCH.
I don’t belong to a gym right now, but am thinking about joining one, if only for all the awesome group fitness classes. Talk about dedication, I’ve never woken up that early for a workout, the les mills classes sound completely worth it though. Can’t wait for more pics of Sadie. 🙂
No bodypump where I live either! I definitely would appreciate it if they decided to come over to where I live.
I wonder if that will ever happen…
I can’t wait to get home and have my husband come home from work, too 🙂 Oh, and I’m hoping for some Fro Yo tonight 😉 I don’t belong to a gym, but if a Les Mills class was offered, I would totally pay just for that. I hear so many wonderful things but have never experienced it!
While my gym does offer a bunch of classes, I wish they were offered later into the evening. The latest class is usually 6:00 and I’m never able to make it because of work!
Ps. Just wanted to say thanks, love reading your blog, you are so motivating. This past Saturday I ran my first Marathon (I’ve only done 5ks), The Baltimore Marathon, despite the dreary forecast, I had such an amazing time. Set a goal to finish in 4:30, but beat it and finished in 4:12. Definitely have found a new passion in running! You post some awesome treadmill workouts, it would be great to see some running tips if you have any! I’m a newbie to this! 🙂 Thanks and have a safe drive back to Ocala!
Oh my gosh, you are a ROCKSTAR!!! A marathon!? Congratulations! That time is incredible! You should be very proud. 🙂
I adore Les Mills GRIT and wish I could get it at my gym too!! Haven’t tried SoulCycle, but I have heard amazing things and would love that too!!!! 🙂
Luna Bars the best 🙂 I would like to see Barre be added! I’ve heard many good things about it, and would love to try it out one day!! Looking forward to sleep tonight or in my car in between classes, I didn’t really sleep much last night, so today will be interesting 😉
I love Body Pump!! I just wish my gym offered more classes earlier in the morning/later at night. It’s hard on the days I have a long commute to make it to a class! And I’m looking forward to a mexican dinner with friends tonight 🙂
I’ve been doing Les Mills classes for over 10 years now!! There is really something for everyone. Speaking of which, I am doing 18 hours of instructor training this weekend so that I can teach Body Attack. Have you tried that one before?! It’s such a fun cardio workout, and very intense if you choose all of the higher options!
I think Body Attack is so so fun! Good luck at training! (I teach bodypump, cxworx, and grit)! 🙂
BODY PUMP. They had it at my old gym, but when I switched jobs I found a new gym closer to my office and my apartment. I wish they had it…it was the only time I truly enjoyed lifting! Now I force myself to do it and it’s not done with a smile. Haha.
I had my first shift at the running store today! It is just paperwork and stuff but I am excited to meet the staff and all that jazz!
I lovd BodyCombat and am so happy that my gym offers it. I myself have never been a huge fan of pump but I love kickboxing. I would like to see a class with more and lengthier combinations. Love Combat but sometimes I want the combinations to be longer and more complex. I took a class in NYC called powerstrike and that’s the type of class I’d love to see!
Powerstrike sounds awesome! NYC has some awesome workout options. I’m jealous!
I’m looking forward to a family dinner tonight and for my school day to be done… It’s one of those days where I just want to relax at home during this stormy weather we are having! I’m thinking of stopping for a coffee treat, though, so that should brighten my day. =)
I’ve always been a fan of step aerobics but they don’t seem to be “the thing” anymore. I’m the only person on earth who isn’t a huge fan of Zumba and I’d love it if our gym would offer a step class! I also would love a 30 minute ab class. Not sure I could survive 30 minutes but I’d definitely give it a try!!!
Yum! Looks like a good breakfast to me! I absolutely love LUNA bars and actually plan to do a review of them soon!
I would love for our gym to offer insanity- I don’t know how feasible that is but a girl can hope right?? And it would ideally be like 30 minutes- get in, get out, get done!
Today I can’t wait to go to the apple orchard and then go home and make homemade apple butter!
The gym I used to belong to when I was in university (I don’t go to a gym now), only offered a few classes – just about any additions to the schedule would have been an improvement. I would have loved to have a yoga class.
I would love to try body pump! I have heard such great things about it and love strength training, so this class would be right up my alley! 🙂
puppy excitement is the best!! But I feel so bad when I have to leave again. I am most excited for my puppy’s 9th birthday today!! I can’t believe that she is 9 already.
Body pump classes always kick my butt!
I’d love to try Drums Alive! a class where you can get a good workout and pretend to play the drums sounds awesome!
I’m not a big group exercise class girl but I feel like I should probably give em a try sometime because people always have such great things to say about the Les Mills classes.
II recently started taking BodyPump and spin. I really enjoy both. I wish my gym had more TurboKick offerings. I can only make one of the classes and only some of the time. I love TurboKick. At least the one I can go to has a great instructor. That makes such a huge difference.
I recently moved to Sioux Falls, SD from Chicago and the fitness classes are definitely lacking at my new gym. They do offer bodypump and bodyflow, but only at noon and 5:00 on weekdays! Which doesn’t really jive with my work schedule.
I wish they had a great early morning spin class at my gym. I’ve been dying to try soul cycle every since I saw a story the today show did about it. Looks like a blast!
I’d love to see a barre class! My university offers a ton of classes but nothing like barre!!
I really like BodyPump! The gym I go to is nice, but does not offer any Les Mills classes either. Have you taken GRIT? I would LOVE to take one of those classes, but have not found any around here…I’m a couple of hours South of Chicago.
I really wish my gym had a Barre class. I want to try it out but do not want to commit to an entire other gym membership. I go to 24 hour fitness so there are still lots of options!
Today, I am looking forward to going to lunch with my mom. She just moved to Austin, where I live, and now we only work 2 miles from each other. Yay!
I would love my gym to offer HIIT Treadmill and I would run the class. I think it’s a great way to get in fast, burning, fun cardio.
Awww, reunions are the best! You should film Sadie’s reaction when you get home!
Have a great day!
I just joined a new gym that offers Body Pump and I am so excited to try it! I wish my gym offered a trampoline class – they look like so much fun! I also would love a belly dance class because it looks like a great core workout.
I have never done BodyPump, but have heard so many good things about it! I don’t belong to a gym, but now I really want to find a gym that offers it so I can give it a shot!
I bet Sadie will be so excited to see you! I know whenever I’m gone, I miss my dog more than I miss people…they’re the best!
I’m sorry to hear your still trying to get Body Pump at your gym, it is such a great program! Ocala seems very slow to change.
I would love to have a barre class at my gym so I could finally try it!!! I’ve heard SUCH great things about it!!
Hi Julie!! Long time no comment 🙂 I wish my home gym had OULA dance workout, have you heard of it?! It is a super fun, silly, high intensity 60 minute dance workout. This weekend I will begin the certification process to be an instructor and I am TOTALLY looking forward to that! Have a good day!
I’m not a gym member but used to love spinning – talk about high energy fun group vibe!
Our day is almost over, so I’m looking forward to … just relaxing. The blessing is in the “being” and enjoying what is. So watching some Law & Order SVU with my man will end my day off nicely 🙂
Have an awesome reunion with your two special stars 🙂
I would love a kickboxing class with some bags and pads. Nothing better than taking out some aggression on a heavy bag!
Anything by lesmills, such high energy!
I love BodyPump so much that I’ve recently become an instructor! I wish that my gym offered other Les Mills classes!
Lucky for me my gym offers a ton of classes that normal gyms don’t. They have spinning, kickboxing, Zumba, yoga and different HIIT classes. If I had to pick to add one I would definitely say BodyPump because I’ve heard AWESOME things about it but have never had the chance to try it out!
We need pilates at our gym big time! I put it in the request box every quarter but no luck so far. Clearly, I need to start stuffing the box ha.
I would DEFINITELY ask for Body Pump! I’ve never actually taken the class but I’ve heard so many great things about it and I think it would be the perfect compliment to running. Plus you don’t have to think about what weights workout you’re going to do – you just go to class!
I am looking forward to hopefully start cross training today! I am nervous and excited coming back from injury but it still should be nice to do SOMETHING!
I would kill to have a soulcycle near my house! I always wanted to live in the city purely for the enjoyment of various exercise classes. I love keeping my body guessing so taking different classes every day would be awesome.
tonight is date night for me and my husband! i’m taking him to a concert and realllly looking forward to it!
I am a Jazzercise instructor and it’s so great to see another blogger mention it because not many people know how awesome it is!…We still have that 80’s leg warmer/leotard stigma! In addition to teaching Jazzzercise, I absolutely love Body Pump!
I would LOVE if my gym would offer a Barre class…I really enjoy those!
I wish my gym would offer a Pilates class and a Barre class! I love Pilates but they stopped offering it about 6 months ago. Total Bummer! I’ve never been to a Barre class but all of the reviews that I read are positive so I would love to give it a try!