I will be honest, I mainly prefer working out solo. I can go at my own pace and get in my workout zone (whether it is running or strength). Yet, sometimes I enjoy shaking things up a bit and making my workouts more social. Finding and making fitness fun at the park with a friend… and my three monkeys (because they are always with me).
I met my good friend, Yvonne, at a downtown Sacramento park yesterday morning. The boys and I had never been to McKinley Park and were excited to take a break from their lessons to go explore and play. Mommy (me) was excited to catch up and chat with my girlfriend as well as get a good sweaty strength and cardio session in.
While the boys played (and did their best to stay together), Yvonne and I did our cardio strength circuit on the outskirts of the park. Yes, we were those moms working out while their kids played.
This workout was a total body (body weight) workout. We didn’t use any weights. The only equipment we used was a jump rope and a towel (to wipe sweat and lay down on during sit-ups)… but you could easily do this with no equipment.
The circuit was intense and we could tell we were struggling to maintain proper form (mainly during sit-ups) after the second set!! We would take breaks to catch our breath, count and locate kids, take little ones to the bathroom and try to bribe the boys to hold our legs during sit-ups because we were tired.
It is a great workout to do if you are unable to go to the gym and want to get a sweaty workout in. I will be honest, as I type this up … I am a good sore! I am totally feeling those 300! walking lunges. My friend, Bobbi, really knows how to create a butt kicking workout!!
According to my polar Ft40 heart rate monitor, I had a good calorie burn. There were a few moments when it was beeping at me to slow it down (those walking lunges up a slight hill!). Feel The Burn!
Working out with friends or working out solo… as long as we are moving and challenging ourselves… that is the key! We can never grow and change if we never push ourselves beyond our comfort level. Yesterday’s park fitness circuit was a challenging fun workout and I am positive things are changing in my sore muscles this morning!
Divya @ Eat. Teach. Blog. says
I am obsessed with my Polar heart rate monitor! I feel like just having it on makes my workout so much more efficient!
Rachel says
I totally agree! I love my polar too.
Presley @ Run Pretty says
Great workout, but an AWESOME picture. So cute!
Rachel says
Thank you. Bobbi (nhershoes) comes up with some pretty hard core circuits! 🙂
Rebecca Jo says
I just wanna know how you all jumped so freaking HIGH!!!!
Rachel says
Do you see the picnic table behind us? 😉
The boys jumped from the table top, and my friend and I jumped from the bench. 🙂
The wonders of burst mode photography.
Sandra Laflamme says
That looks like a great workout! Good for you for working out while your kids played. It’s so good for kids to play without their parents hovering all the time 🙂
Rachel says
Thank you Sandra! I totally agree. It is even MORE FUN when they decide to jump in for a few sets of whatever move we are doing at the time. 🙂
Cori @ olivetorun.com says
What a great way to incorporate a workout! 🙂 Love it.
Rachel says
Thanks! It was a lot of fun… just knowing ahead of time that I needed to take breaks to count kids and have them check in. 🙂
Kristen :: Faith and Margaritas says
I nominated you for a Liebster Award! Check out my blog here: http://faithandmargaritas.blogspot.com/2014/05/its-honor-just-to-be-nominated.html. I can’t wait to read your answers!
Rachel says
Thank you 🙂 I will check it out.
Kevin says
Loving the first photo! I like how flexible that cardio circuit is. It looks like it could be done anywhere and that’s amazing for people who don’t have much time on their hands. Also, it’s great to hear that my wife and I are not alone – we also workout while our kids play. I don’t have the heart rate monitor, though. It might be a great idea to invest on one if it tells me to slow down every time my heart goes too fast. Thanks for sharing! – Kevin
Rachel says
Thanks! We had a great time! 🙂 And yes… it is a great workout!