I like to move it, move it

Now that the mornings are downright cold, I’m having to transition out of my summer running schedule.  The past several winters, I’ve spent my mornings with Denise Austin and, by that, I mean she silently leads me through various exercises while I listen to Elliot in the Morning because they’re far funnier to listen to than an exercise guru’s enthusiasm at six in the morning.

I’ve previously toyed with the idea of joining the JCC in my neighborhood, but grad school doesn’t lend itself to spending money on things like gym memberships (though I would love the pool access).  I also gave half a second’s thought to using the free gyms on campus, especially since there’s one in the building where I work.  Then I realized that I wouldn’t want to put athletic undergrads in the uncomfortable position of having to feel sorry for the mildly out-of-shape graduate student.  What I really miss are dance classes, but those aren’t happening until I get a real job.  (I did look up local adult ballet classes and then had wistful reminisce time about leotards and pointe shoes.)

But, really, I’m bored with Ms. Austin.  I mean, how many times can you do the same routine over and over again?  I enjoy consistency as much as the next person, but there is a line, and I think I’ve found it.  So in my travels, I went in search of something new to do with my mornings.  It seemed that the it person for home exercise these days is one Jillian Michaels.

You’re probably like, duh, where have you been?  But, as I’ve been in my rut for so long and have not seen even a single episode of The Biggest Loser, I missed the memo.  I heard much about The 30 Day Shred from the comments section over at Cranky Fitness and the Facebook status updates of the popular girl who had the locker next to mine in high school.  (Excellent research methods, I know.  Also, where’s the hyphen in 30-Day?)

My initial reaction from reading left me skeptical.  Counting warm-up and cool-down, each workout is not even thirty minutes long.  Quick exercise fixes like that smack of the same disasters that come from crash dieting.  As someone who grew up playing sports, I’ve been readily trained that things like strength and technical skill don’t come quickly.  But I decided to give a test whirl anyway as the first two days are available for free On Demand.

Jillian Michaels does not screw around.  Those are an intense thirty minutes.  It didn’t help that day one starts off with more push-ups than I’ve done in the last year.  (My strength is all core- and leg-based.  Never in my life have I successfully completed a pull-up.)  Also, on my first viewing of any exercise DVD, I do actually keep the volume up, which I dreaded immensely.  But Michaels isn’t exactly what you would call cheery.  She alternates between telling you to work harder, damnit, and explaining why she’s having you do what you’re doing.  Also appreciative is that she demonstrates what your body is not supposed to be doing – common slouches in posture, miss-bending of the knees, etc.  Sometimes you’re not sure you’re doing the wrong thing until someone shows you.

I’m impressed enough that I’ll drop some cash on the DVD, though, when I checked, Target was cleaned out of them.  (Buffing up for the holidays, Pittsburgh?)  Another report when I’ve cycled through.

And, for when I get bored with this, any other recommendations?  Have any of you made it through the 30 Day Shred?  Or do you hate it and all at-home workouts?  Do tell.

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