Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts

YouTube creator spotlight: EMKFit

   When I started my home workout journey, I was overwhelmed by all the options available. Choosing a workout sometimes took longer than the workout itself, how could I even know if I could complete this video? Battling with mental health issues, I wanted something that could help me feel both physically and mentally better. While I started to enjoy movement by itself, I struggled with consistency. All videos felt the same, just copying the movements as best as I could and trying harder every time. Lacking feedback is a downside of home workouts, and even a little unilateral encouragement or written advice can go far. Even so, many guided workouts on YouTube can feel too overtly positive, to the point of coming off as inauthentic. When I discovered EMKFit, her honesty and strive not for perfection, but for movement were refreshing in an ocean of overpolished videos.

Thumbnail from one of EMKFit's Dua Lipa themed videos
   
  Emily Thorne, a theater school graduate and certified fitness trainer from Canada, has been teaching fitness classes both in studio and online for more than five years. Her YouTube journey began during the Covid pandemic, using the platform and Twitch to broadcast at home no equipment classes for everyone under lockdown. With over 600k subscribers and a loyal following (myself included), her channel is updated every Monday with a new video. 

First HIIT dance video posted on the channel

   During her time as a teacher in a dance studio, Emily created her own HIIT (high intensity interval training) style workouts, as seen in the video above. In the HIIT format, only two moves are choreographed and alternated in short intervals for the entire duration of each song. Unlike traditional dance steps, the HIIT moves are often similar to regular exercises, though with a dancey flair. What makes the HIIT format so successful is that you only need to memorize the specific moves taught beforehand, which is great if you struggle with coordination and following regular choreography. By having short, intense bursts of energy with built in rest, these dance workouts also feel far more doable than following a choreography non stop for an entire class. 

Music for all ages and tastes are featured in the videos

   Emily's raw and unfiltered teaching style is a rarity from fitness YouTubers. Her honesty and sense of humor is very relatable to every newbie to fitness, making working out alone in a room feel far more lively than with a regular peppy instructor. Her emphasis on having fun and prioritizing mental and physical health over body aesthetics is very refreshing, with "Wrong is Strong" being her signature phrase. Low impact modifications are also present in almost all her videos, making the workouts safe and approachable for beginners. Having simple, straightforward moves without the need to learn many steps or keeping up with the rhythm also makes her videos more accessible to those new to dancing or even fitness.
Dance along themed workouts from movie soundtracks and musicals

  Emily's videos often feature music from popular artists, movie soundtracks and musicals. Using current songs and all time classics, there is an option for everyone in her catalogue. Themed videos with curated playlist are also available, ranging from fun party themed HIITs to throwback playlists, great if you struggle with decision fatigue with music. Dirty HIITs are also a big favorite, featuring songs with explicit lyrics and sexier moves than usual. If you want a party in your living room while working out, HIITs are the way to go.
 
The Pilates inspired videos are great if you want the Pilates experience while standing

  Since last year, Emily has been releasing Pilates inspired videos. These all standing workouts include moves from contemporary Pilates and barre, such as lunges, squats and plies, with an emphasis on engaging the core for stability. With a follow along format, these workouts may not be the same as a regular mat Pilates class, but the fun music and standing core work makes it worth your time. 

Get a great burn with minimal equipment while having fun with the light weights videos

  Besides HIIT dance and Pilates, workouts with light weights and kickboxing workouts are available on the channel. Traditional strength training videos can also be found on the strength playlist, with a more functional approach to lifting. No matter the workout style, Emily's great sense of humor and effective instructions are always present to get you through the workout. 
The video that got me into EMKFit

   My fitness routine has constantly changed for the last three years, yet I've always stuck with EMKFit for my weekly fun dance session. I've thoroughly enjoy pretty much every single video of her catalogue, and on Mondays I try to tune in to her weekly update. Even if you're not a beginner anymore, her workouts can be just as intense as regular dance workouts if you keep up with Emily's pace.

   Why I recommend EMKFit for beginners:

  • No need to learn full choreography, moves are easy to learn. 
  • All standing workout routines with low impact modifications.  
  • Built in rest between exercises and songs.
  • Huge video catalogue with something for everyone. 
  • No emphasis on weight loss and body appearance, just fun and movement.
  • No equipment required for most workouts.
  • Medium length workouts (15 minutes to 25 minutes), can be combined for a longer workout. Single song workouts are also available.
  • Warm up is provided in almost every workout. Additional cool down videos are available.
  • Relatable instructor with fun teaching methodology.
  • Creative moves in the dance and Pilates workouts.
   If you want to try for yourself, here is a link to her YouTube channel. A playlist to her entire HIIT dance catalogue can be found here, Pilates workouts here and strength workouts are listed here. And for weekly workout livestreams and exclusive videos, her paid Patreon membership is also available for those wanting more.

Marie Steffen x Julia Reppel Mobility eight day challenge review

   The last month and the beginning days of October have been pretty rough for me, my sleep schedule has been terrible and my diet has been pretty irregular. As for my workout routine, I successfully trained a 5K and tried to keep up with Sydney Cummings' BOLD program but I felt very tired. I decided to just focus on mobility, an aspect of fitness I've always neglected, in hopes of deloading my body to feel better. 

Photo by Vitaly Gariev from Unsplash

    To be completely honest: I hate stretching. I'm extremely stiff and I tend to skip the stretches after my workouts, my mobility overall is okay but could be so much better. Determined to overcome my fear of stretching, I searched Julia Reppel's channel for beginner challenges and found a short challenge made in collaboration with Marie Steffen. Julia, a sport scientist and Marie, a personal trainer and former bodybuilder, are both from Germany and post follow along workout on their respective channels. Julia's channel is mostly focused on mobility and Marie's channel hosts Pilates, mobility and strength training workouts; both channels are pretty active and getting constant new videos. I found out about Julia's channel while searching cool down for runners, her concise videos and great credentials caught my eye and made me try more. 

   As for Marie, I tried a few of her Pilates videos before but they were too advanced for my level and had no vocal cues. Though I did enjoy her polished editing and graceful movements, her workouts are definitely too overcomplicated for those unfamiliar with Pilates. Now that I was more familiar with Pilates and in urgent need of deloading, I decided to give their collaboration a try. 

   The challenge can be found in both channels, I followed the playlist from Marie's channel. These videos were not created as a program, but I decided to follow them as such.

   Challenge details:

  • Eight videos total, I did one every day.
  • I'd definitely label these videos as intermediate. 
  • Videos range from 15 to 25 minutes in length.
  • No equipment required besides a non slip fitness mat.
  • Warm up and cool down are provided in every video. 
  • No vocal cues are provided, some written cues are shown on screen.
  • Easier and harder modifications are provided for many exercises. All exercises are low impact.
   Day 1: Full Body Mobility

   Day 1 is a great start to the challenge. With circuits targeting the spine, hips and shoulders respectively, this workout is excellent to train your mobility with simple exercises. The transitions are easy to follow, easier modifications are shown by Julia if you're not too confident on your form. This session felt so doable and made my entire body feel less tight, so I decided to keep up with the challenge. This video is also fairly beginner friendly, so don't hesitate to try it even if you're a beginner to mobility. 

   Day 2: Pilates x Mobility


   Day 2 introduces Pilates to the format and it's harder than it looks. By mixing classical and contemporary Pilates movements with mobility exercises, this workout will challenge your stability and core strength. Starting with a standing sequence and ending with the classical Pilates teaser, the flow is fairly challenging, especially during the bridges. Even though I'm familiarized with Pilates movements, I struggled to get the teaser at the end. Still, Julia provides easier modifications and is visibly struggling with some of the moves, so I felt reassured that this was actually a pretty tough flow.

    Day 3: Full Body Mobility Animal x Primal


   I was pretty intimidated by the intermediate/advanced on the title of this workout, but it ended up being my absolute favorite from the entire challenge. Consisting of animal flow inspired movements building upon each other and ending with a full sequence putting every move together, this workout flows perfectly. Each movement keeps your mind and body engaged and the final sequence is a challenging test. The unique moves are great to engage your full body, with my favorite being the ape inspired low squat. As in the previous video, Julia shows easier alternative to some of the harder moves.

    Day 4: Daily Morning Mobility Routine

   This 15 minute session helped me start my day in the best way. My body was stiff due to sitting on the computer for long, with exercises to decompress the hips and shoulders. These moves might seem simple, but they can certainly make a difference if you're mostly sedentary. As in other videos, Julia shows easier modifications for a few movements. 

   Day 5: Deep & Dynamic Stretch + Mobility

     
  Day 5 was far harder than I expected from the title. I struggle with tight hamstrings, so the multiple cossack squats and lunge variations were a challenge for my hips. My depth and stability was not nearly as good as theirs, but I managed to keep up with the pigeon pose near the end. If you also struggle with tight hips and hamstrings, this video will surely be a challenge. Julia provides easier modifications again, although even the modifications might be hard enough to some of us.

   Day 6: Pilates x Core


   I wouldn't recommend this workout if you're not familiar with Pilates, Yoga or other mat based bodyweight practices. Yes, the workout challenges your core but your wrists and shoulders will be challenged with many bird dog and side plank variations. I didn't quite enjoy this workout as much as the others on the playlist, the repetitive moves didn't flow as well. This one has no modifications and seeing Julia struggle with some of the moves was refreshing. 

   Day 7: Full Mobility x Core

   Unlike the previous day, Day 7 is more mobility based but still focuses on core exercises. This session has a lot of variety, with creative functional movements to engage the deep core. I'm not good at traditional core exercises, but these mobility moves do help to enhance my mind body connection. One of the final moves was a plow (basically rolling like a ball) with a hip extension and I felt so accomplished when I got it correctly. This video has no modifications and is for intermediates, so search for easier options  if you're a beginner. 

   Day 8: Mobility Flow

   The final workout of the challenge is a mobility routine consisting of five short flows. With complementary exercises building upon each other to create each sequence, every more will challenge your stability and coordination. Flow number 5, consisting of straddle variations, was the hardest for me yet I completed it without much trouble. Something I loved about this video is that the transitions between one exercise and the other were so seamless, making the entire workout feel dynamic and energizing. No modifications are provided on this video.

   Bonus Day: Pilates x Mobility, Lower Body x Core


   After finishing the playlist on Marie's channel, I noticed that Julia had her own playlist with one more video. This Pilates based workout is beginner friendly, combining mobility moves with the Pilates methodology of controlled exercises. This flow was great and overall far more dynamic than the Day 6 Pilates x Core workout, so I recommend substituting for this one if you're more of a beginner. As in other videos, Julia show easier modifications of the harder movements.

 Challenge Pros:
  • Both trainers have excellent form.
  • Modifications are provided for harder exercises.
  • Creative moves and flows.
  • All low impact.
  • Warm up and cool down are included in every video.
  • Comprehensive approach to fitness including Pilates, mobility and functional training.
  • Movements are previewed on screen.
  • Excellent video quality and editing.
  • Great background music choices.
   Challenge Cons:
  • No vocal cues. Written cues and previews are provided but transition times are very fast.
  • Most videos are not beginner friendly even if labeled as such.
  • Some exercises can be hard to follow.
  • Can be heavy on the wrists and shoulders at times.
   Final thoughts:
  
   Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this short challenge. For the first time, mobility seemed like something doable and even enjoyable instead of a painful chore. As mentioned in the beginning, I did this challenge during a terribly busy week, it helped me unwind and made me look forward for each session. I felt challenged and learned quite a few moves I've never seen before; a welcome change from my usual routine. I combined these workouts with cardio and strength training, doing these before helped to prepare my body for exercise. 
  
   Nine days is not nearly enough to see noticeable changes, but I tried to focus more on my range of motion and stability. I also managed to engage my core more, to the point of noticing some soreness during the rest of the day. I'm trying to stretch my hamstrings more, seeing some slight improvement especially when doing Pilates.

   After completing the challenge, I subscribed to both channels and been doing some of their individual workouts. Julia's workouts are short but excellent ways to train mobility; Marie's Pilates workouts are definitely tough but worth the challenge if you're experienced. Regardless of their different approach to fitness, both trainers provide excellent quality content with great form and variety.

Race report: my second 5K race

   I'm definitely not much of a runner. I can go without running for months, weather conditions and having no suitable route in my area being my main obstacle. I completed Couch to 5K a few years ago and completed the Bridge to 10K at the beginning of this year, but stopped running soon afterwards. At the end of July, I signed up for my first 5K at a national park but disaster struck when heavy rain poured down and turned the trails into mud. I did manage to complete the full 5K, but the dire weather and terrain forced me to stop quite a few times. As I've mentioned before, my city isn't runner friendly and this park is pretty much the only place suitable for a race. When I saw another race advertised for September at the same location, I definitely wasn't too thrilled to attend so I didn't sign up. But after lots of convincing, I signed up just ten days before the race.

Participants chatting before the 5K race

   I trained as much as possible, although I ran mostly laps around my backyard for convenience. Besides runs, I also added more cardio to my routine in order to challenge my cardio endurance more than usual. Although I was doing all the fitness related work, my diet and my rest were far less than ideal due to life circumstances, I was pretty drained by the late afternoon every day. Even so, I endured and confirmed my participation to the race, got number 156.

   I could't sleep well the night before the race; so I decided to wake up earlier and get ready earlier. For my warm up, I followed this pre running activation video by Fitness Kaykay.

Some nice activation with a little cardio to warm up the muscles

    An instructor also provided a warm up routine before the race, I followed along and got ready to start. The day was clear and sunny, with the temperature rising quickly and basically no wind. The 5K route was different from the previous race, with some segments requiring running over grass. Pebbles and rocks were also very present in this trail, making it feel more like a cross country race than a regular 5K. Regardless of the obstacles, I maintained my rhythm while struggling with the harsh sun. 

   Something I'd like to remark on is that many people on this race were doing interval walks with fast sprints, which is new to me. Seeing so many people walking somewhat discouraged me (to be fair, the conditions were harsh enough), but I kept pushing and didn't stop. Around the fourth kilometer, I fell down in a slope due to the uneven soil, hitting my right knee. I got up immediatly afterwards and ignored the pain, but my rhythm was certainly slower. I crossed the finish line and received my medal, with a time of 39 minutes.

This race was held to celebrate World Heart Day (September 29)

   To be honest, I was disappointed. This was definitely not my best run, now I'm sitting here writing this article with my bruised right knee. My heart rate was sky high, my mind was wandering and I didn't feel that excited during the race. But hey, I did everything without stopping regardless of the conditions and even a fall. After arriving home, I did this cool down by Julia Reppel and rested for the rest of the day.

Julia's videos provide modifications for every need. 
I had to modify the quad stretch due to my knee

   After reflecting over what went wrong, I realize I just need to run more. The majority of people attending the race were actual hobbyist runners and trekkers, so I can't compare myself to them. Aside from practice, I need to improve my daily habits ASAP, especially rest.

   Next week I'll take things easier due to my knee, but I definitely think I might incorporate running once a week to my fitness routine for now on. Practice makes perfect and maybe that's simply what I lack. I do hope future races can be held in a more appropiate location, I want to test my 5K time in decent conditions next time.

Pilates by Izzy 25 Day Pilates x Strength Challenge: my honest review

   One of my favorite finds on YouTube at the beginning of this year was the Pilates by Izzy channel. Run by Izzy Samuel, a certified Pilates teacher from Australia, her approach is creating strength training based Pilates inspired workouts. Aimed at intermediate and advanced learners, these workouts are some of the most intense Pilates based videos on the platform with fast paced flows and advanced progressions. Although Izzy's workouts might not be a traditional approach to the practice, the class structure and instructions are very similar to regular modern Pilates classes. Featuring real time recorded videos and full vocal guidance, the videos offer a in studio class-like experience with great image quality and no music. 

  I was lured to Izzy's channel by her minimalistic video thumbnails and non clickbait titles, and after browsing some of the videos her professionalism as instructor won me over. Prior to finding this channel, I had basically null experience with Pilates besides the occasional no voiceover "Pilates" ab workouts so these videos seemed on another level. I grabbed my mat and equipment and chose the Pilates x Strength challenge, thinking 'Yeah, I do strength training. This won't be that hard, hard?'. I was so wrong.

   Before you begin:
  • If you're a beginner to any type of exercise, I recommend skipping Izzy's workouts for the time being. They're aimed at intermediate-advanced learners.
  • If you workout regularly but are new to Pilates, try to take things slow or follow a few beginner level classes first to learn the basics. These workouts by Flow with Mira and Isa Welly are a great way to get started.
  • If you feel any severe discomfort or pain during the workouts, stop and take a rest. 
  • All equipment besides the mat is technically optional. Don't be afraid to drop the weights or the band if it's too hard for you.
  • Follow Izzy's instructions and stay on the easier progressions if it's too hard for you to advance.
  • The program has no explicitly scheduled rest days so plan accordingly to your needs
   Equipment required:
  • Exercise mat, preferably a Pilates mat with enough cushion for the spine
  • Light hand weights (Izzy uses 2 kilos/5 pounds, I used the same weight and occasionally went lighter with 1 kilo/3pounds. I recommend the latter)
  • Resistance band (I used a medium, recommend light or very light for beginners)
  • Yoga block (I used a thick book)
  • Pilates small ball (I switched between a pillow and a round plushie, sometimes I used a small inflatable ball when safe to do so)
Some of my Pilates 'equipment'. A book to replace the yoga block and a Squishmallow to replace the small Pilates ball

 

   Program Duration: 25 days
   Full program playlist on this link.
 
   Day 1: I thought my 2 kg/5 lbs weights were light enough and got so humbled. I struggled with keeping the weights up during the floorwork but decided to keep the weights. I could barely hold my legs up in the tabletop position due to my weak core, barely managing to keep my lower spine on the mat. Overall a humbling experience and I was already dreading Day 2.

This workout has humbled me (and many) Pilates by Izzy newbies
 
    Day 2: Even though I've used a yoga block before for strength training, this workout was on another level. The single leg bridges took my glutes and hamstrings to failure, with cramps making me stop once or twice.

   Day 3: This day seemed surprisingly easy until I reached the upper body focused portion in the kneeling position. My 2 kg/5 lb weights feel like a ton and the Arnold press inspired arm extensions made me feel like I'd never lifted a weight in my life. The planking finisher after that segment was straight torture.

   Day 4: I didn't have wrist weights or a ball so I used a very round plushie (Squishmallow) as a substitute for the ball. Overall it was the easiest workout so far and the extra cushion was a nice way to help activate my core muscles more than usual.

    Day 5: For this upper body focused routine, I used my 2 kg/5 lbs weights and it was definitely too heavy for me. I had to drop the weights many times during the kneeling segment, felt disappointed at myself at the end.

    Day 6: This time, I used a small pillow to substitute the required Pilates ball. The pillow helped to activate my core muscles more and I didn't struggle that much to hold the tabletop position. What I did struggle with was with holding the weights that again might have been too heavy for me. The standing portion with the ball (pillow) felt so refreshing compared to the nightmarish upper body segment.

     Day 7: As I've mentioned above, my weak core made me dread having a full a focused workout. Despite my fears, this day was not that hard and I felt very proud of my progress after finishing it. Izzy's cues definitely helped me understand the neutral spine position.

    Day 8: Day 8 was very heavy on the wrists which made the mat segment really hard for me, I had to stop for a few times due to wrist discomfort. The standing portion of the workout was hard but my strength training experience helped me pull through. 

     Day 9: This day required a ball so I used a pillow again. Felt surprisingly easy, workouts with the ball were definitely my favorite at this point of the challenge.

    Day 10: A band was required for the first time, so I grabbed my medium band. Perhaps it was due to my band having lots of resistance, but this workout felt just as challenging as the first day. Although I didn't stop a lot during the routine, my lower body was extremely sore for the rest of the day and the next day.

     Day 11: Though the routine of this day was not as hard and only required one weight, my body was just too sore from the previous day. The plank segments felt very hard, and the standing work seemed eternal. I decided to take a rest for a day after this workout.

     Day 12: The dreaded kneeling upper body focused segment came back, and this time it was basically the whole workout. I literally gave up around halfway and switched to my 1 kg/3 lb weights, and still struggled up to the end. Though I was frustrated by my poor performance on this day, I decided to keep going.

     Day 13: With so many pulses and the yoga block for extra range of motion, this day was challenging albeit doable for me. I had to stop once o twice to adjust my book (block substitute) but managed to finish without much trouble.

      Day 14: While I did struggle with holding the legs in tabletop for long during this day, the rest of the workout was dynamic and fun.

       Day 15: Titled as 'Revitalising Pilates', Day 15 definitely lived up to its name. A challenging yet approachable flow, this workout made me realize I was finally connecting with my body which is the main goal of Pilates.

A full body flow that feels revitalizing at the end
     
   Day 16: Returning to the usual difficulty, this day featured tricky moves like bear crawl rotations with weights. The unilateral bridge work went on for so long but I managed to follow it almost perfectly.

    Day 17: While rewatching the videos for this article I realized that I did the workout with a medium band instead of the required light band. And now I know why I struggled so much during this workout, especially during the knee lifts abduction. Oops.

   Day 18: This workout is one of the few from the challenge described as 'beginner-level' and it's definitely easier than the others, although I wouldn't it's newbie friendly. With only one weight, the progressions can get quite complicated at times, especially during the floorwork.

      Day 19: Kneeling upper body focused exercises are back again, and now with even more core focus. I decided to use lower weights (1 kg/3 lbs) from the beginning, and it was still a big challenge for my arms. 

    Day 20: Day 20 stands out from the other days due to having no standing work and being entirely done on the mat. Targeting the full body with bridges, side leg lifts and more, this workout left me tired but satisfied with my overall improvement.

     Day 21: By far the most difficult day of the challenge for me, at least at the time. With no equipment needed but just your bodyweight, this upper body routine was definitely too much for wrists, with multiple planks variations, push ups and more. Stopping many times made me feel like I didn't actually complete this particular workout.

     Day 22: For this workout with resistance band and weights, I used my medium band and 2 kg/5 lbs weights. My band was heavier than Izzy's therefore I didn't have the same range of motion as her. Nevertheless, I managed to perform quite decently. My muscles were sore for the rest of the day though.

     Day 23: This routine required a ball and I couldn't substitute with my usual plushie/pillow, so I used a small inflatable beach ball. Just like with the other ball workouts, it really helped me to activate my lower body.

      Day 24: Day 24 was by far my favorite workout of the challenge. Consisting of standing work only, the squat and lunges variations put my lower body endurance to the test. I felt accomplished after finishing without stops or breaks, proving the progress I'd made during the challenge.
 
 
My favorite workout from the whole program due to its dynamic flow 

       Final Day: Izzy wraps up the challenge with a full body workout very similar to the first day, a nice way to assess our progress and reap the fruits of our effort of the last 24 days. While I felt challenged by my usual weaknesses, I did see lots of improvement especially with the tabletop position hold. I phoned the pushups but it was because I was too eager to finish the workout. The final standing work felt like a breeze compared to the rest, felt like a champion at the end.

     Results:
 
   I saw great improvement of my core and upper body strength, my lower body balance was also better after finishing the program. Holding regular and elbow planks for longer became easier, plus I learned to place my neck properly during core workouts engaging the upper abs.  I feel more confident doing mat exercises I normally avoided thanks to learning about the neutral spine position. The program also helped me with my mind-body connection, with improved body awareness of all my muscles. As for body changes, my waist and my arms looked slightly more defined.
 
   Besides the physical changes, I also felt less exhausted afterwards that when doing other types of workouts. Izzy's calm guidance with no music helped me keep focused during the workouts and forget other thoughts. Finishing the videos was also pretty rewarding, although sometimes I felt eager to do the daily workout due to muscle soreness. Overall, it was a challenging yet pleasant experience that made me fall in love with Pilates.
 
    Programs Pros:
  •  Clear instruction and excellent form by Izzy.
  •  Visually pleasing with the exercises being performed in real time.
  •  No music and good audio for listening to the class queues.
  •  Variety of props used keeps the workouts interesting.
  •  Teaching style is challenging yet not too pushy.
  •  Warm up and cool down are included in every video.
  •  Modifications and easier variations are mentioned by the instructor during the class.
  •  No body image talk, no weight loss mentioned.
  •  Emphasis on listening to your body and mind-body awareness.
  • Classes are very challenging yet rewarding, with dynamic flows and transitions.
    Program Cons:
  •  Warm ups sometimes feel a little bit short.
  •  Not much variety in the actual exercises.
  •  Transition time can be fast at times.
  •  Suggested weight of 2 kg/5 lb can be too heavy for beginners. 
  •  Some details like neck posture during core work and core engagement could have more in depth explanations.
  •  Definitely not beginner friendly.
  •  No mention of rest days during the program, should be scheduled according to your own needs.
    Do I recommend this program?
 
   Yes, if you have some exercise (especially strength training) experience. Ideally, I would recommend reviewing the basics of Pilates from other sources before trying Izzy's workouts. I wouldn't recommend this program to absolute beginners, if you want to try Pilates please check out Flow with MiraTrifecta PilatesThe Girl with the Pilates Mat, and other more beginner friendly certified Pilates trainers.
 
    Final thoughts:
 
   Izzy is a wonderful trainer focused on blending her knowledge of Pilates and strength training to provide her followers with studio quality workouts. This program is an excellent way to advance your Pilates practice and challenge your own strength, especially when it comes to endurance and balance. Be prepared to test your strength and try to connect to your body as much as possible during the workouts.
 
   Aside from this program, Izzy also has many free workouts on her channel targeting different areas and the full body with all props and bodyweight only. She has also released her own on demand workout platform with exclusive content and programs, if you're interested feel free to check it out in this link. Keep in mind that at the moment almost all her workouts are aimed at intermediate to advanced learners, make sure to browse the workout first and modify accordingly.
 
   After finishing this program, I followed her weekly calendars for a few weeks. To be completely honest, her workouts can be quite too intense so I decided to search for easier Pilates workouts to properly build my foundation. I'm currently doing Pilates Body Raven workouts, but I plan to revisit Izzy's workouts eventually. 

I tested the Japanese walking protocol for seven days: thoughts and more

 Trends are a common sight in the online fitness world, with social media algorithms changing and pushing topics and products at breakneck speed. While most workout fads are mostly based on achieving aesthetic goals, some are influenced by news about clinical studies and scientific research. A 2007 study published by Japanese researchers has been making the rounds in the news and social media, with headlines and posts raving about the wonders of the 'Japanese walking protocol'. 


Photo by Masao Mask from Unsplash