Fitness fads come and go but the following, relatively new fitness-related items and workouts have captured my heart and, in the spirit of the season, I would like to share the love. These are things tried and tested by yours truly.

TRX Suspension Trainer

The product of a former US Navy Seal, this thing uses the concept of body weight training as opposed to traditional weight training and gives a killer workout. It’s perfect for students confined to little wee dorms or cat-sized apartments – just anchor it to your door and get the most unique and challenging workout you’ve had in a long time – possibly ever. If you don’t have a sturdy door to work with, a wall mount works just as well. If you don’t have a wall, I’d advise contacting your landlord, unless said missing wall is your fault.

Plyometrics

Otherwise known as plyos, this explosive workout is so intense that experts recommend doing 20 minutes, once or twice a week. I can attest to the intensity and results of the lower-body plyos I started in the summer – I replaced my five kilometre run with these once a week and typically struggled to descend staircases the following day. Love that burn.

High Intensity Interval Training

Long, steady runs on a treadmill, in my opinion, are so monotonous that I can understand why hamsters eat their young – it’s that boring. HIIT solves that problem – short bursts of sprinting over a 20-minute span not only feels more intense, it is more intense. Studies show that not only do you cut your risk of offspring consumption but that you burn more calories than running at a constant pace for a longer period of time. Everybody wins.

Check out any of the aforementioned in any popular fitness magazine and/or Google immediately for best results.

Happy Heart Month!

Read more from Jenn at inthebeginningwasmuscle.wordpress.com.