Recently, Regina’s’ athletic room has been renovated with new machines, weights, and other “work out accessories” in order to make the idea of getting fit and staying active more appealing. What many Regina girls do not realize is that a gym membership can run anywhere from 40 to 60 dollars a month according to CNBC, whereas, obviously, using the utilities at the Regina gym is completely free. It’s open before school, after school, as well as during free periods if an adult is present.

Although it’s small, our fitness center has a lot to offer! We have new ellipticals, three treadmills, bosu balls, medicine balls, weight machines, free weights, yoga blocks, and practically anything else your healthy heart desires. Of course, this is not new information. I’m sure anybody reading this article already knows what the fitness center has to offer. The real question is one that many have yet to master—how do we take advantage of these items in the most effective way possible?

I used to think that the Regina fitness center was limited in that I couldn’t find motivation in a small, semi-junky room with finite machines. However, I now know that there are endless possibilities if you are motivated enough.

Sometimes it helps to be told an exercise plan to follow, rather than just walking in and ‘seeing how you feel.’ I have created a suggested full-body cardio and strength work out with modifications below. This will help you take full advantage of what Regina has to offer, and will leave you feeling good about yourself!

1)Warm up: one mile, or ten minutes on the treadmill at your own pace.
2) Resistance bands (found by yoga mats). 4 sets of 20 steps. Tip- the levels of resistance bands go from lightest colors being easiest, and darkest colors being hardest.
3) 5 sit-ups reps X 3 sets with exercise ball. See pictures below for example.
4) 30 leg lifts on knees for each leg with weight of your choice, typically between 5 and 10 pounds. See pictures below for example.
5) Cardio machine of your choice for 15 minutes, like the elliptical, rower, or recumbent bike.
6) 30 Russian twists with medicine ball of weight of your choice. See pictures below for example.
7) Wall-sit for a minute, followed by plank for a minute. Repeat this twice.
8) STRETCH (OR YOU WILL BE SORE).

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