Every time I go to the gym, I'm slightly tempted to try out the indoor rowing machine, or erg. I've heard from countless people that it's a great workout, but it's just always seemed so different from the other machines! Our gym only has one and someone is usually on it, but today it was empty. I decided to suck it up and try it.
The verdict? It's hard! I just did twenty minutes at a leisurely speed to get myself used to it, but man- my shoulders are going to be seriously sore tomorrow. I'm not sure that I like it more than the usual cardio machines, but I'm glad I gave it a go.
After my erg session, I went over to the weights area and completed three sets of 12 reps of each lower-body exercise:
- dumbbell squats, 12 lbs
- dumbbell lunges, 12 lbs
- calf raises, 12 lbs
- straight-leg deadlifts, 20 lbs
- hip extensions
- leg lifts
I finished it up with two sets of 50 crunches before heading home for lunch. I was feeling a smoothie, so a smoothie it was!
In the mix:
- 1/4 c hemp protein
- 1 c coconut milk
- large banana
- two big handfuls of spinach
- spoonful of chocolate Amazing Grass
- big spoonful of almond butter
Then, I topped it all with a handful of nutty granola for extra crunch.
A capful of roasted unsalted peanuts and an unpictured apple were also consumed!
I didn't sleep great last night, so I'm already feeling pretty tired and kind of want to take a nap. Is it just me, or does not having much to do make you more tired than being busy? I can't wait for my NGI program to start in a month!
Are there any machines or exercises you avoid at the gym? Have you ever tried an erg?
