Fit to Print Volume 23 Issue 4 December 2014 | Page 6

Group Ex

by Monica Jones

by Kelly Peckholdt

“Even though the word “stretch” is in
the name, do not let that fool you! After
my first Plyo Stretch class, I was really
impressed with the format which Kelly
implements. This class definitely gets
your heart rate up and challenges you for
a full body workout! It begins with a 5
min cardio warm up. Kelly then
continues by focusing on short tabata
drills incorporating cardio, weights, and
flexibility. The class ends with basic
abdominal exercises and stretching. I
took this class for the first time prepared
for your everyday yoga-type class. But
my expectations were pleasantly
surpassed!! Leave your yoga mats at
home and grab a weighted body bar and
light hand weights. This class is
everything but your average yoga class!
Plyo Stretch is a fantastic way to
incorporate all three elements of a wellbalanced exercise routine in just a single
hour of the day. I left my first Plyo
Stretch class feeling full of energy and
sweating! Even holding a basic yoga
pose, like chair pose or warrior, for 40
seconds had me sweating. I highly
recommend this class to anyone and
everyone looking for a change in their
workout routine! It's a great way to start
a brand new week on Monday at 7am. I
cannot wait to come back for more!”

Go Plyo
Yoga Meets Plyometrics

Gettin’ Their Kicks: Kelly (right) & Little Mary

T

ired of the same old fitness
routine? Try Plyo Stretch on
Mondays at 7am! People have long
understood the benefits of yoga,
including improved flexibility, strength,
posture, and mental clarity. However,
Plyo Stretch takes your idea of yoga class
to a whole new level. Plyometrics, also
known as 'jump training,' is an exercise
technique designed to increase muscle
endurance, power, and explosiveness. A
variety of hopping and jumping exercises
rapidly stretch the muscle (eccentric
phase) and then very quickly shorten it
(contraction phrase), which helps to
improve muscle response time.
Plyometrics training has an array of
benefits for athletes but can also help
anyone develop muscle strength and
joint protection.
Fitness Incentive's new Plyo-Stretch class
was developed to incorporate the cardio
and strength benefits of plyometrics
aerobics with the stretching rewards of
yoga. The class is taught tabata-drill
style – twenty-second cardio intervals
followed by twenty seconds holding a
static yoga pose, which acts as active
recovery for your muscles. For example,
a set might include a twenty second
round of regular squats, followed by
twenty seconds of jump squats (the plyo
set), followed by twenty seconds of chair

6

has to say:

pose. With each of these movements
in this set, you are dynamically
engaging your glutes, hamstrings,
quads, and even abdominals in
different ways. The class also
incorporates light weights for some
explosive weight training.
The best part of the class is that it is a
good fit for the seasoned athlete as
well as the fitness newcomer. There
are always ways to modify the
movement for your body's needs! For
example, a cycle of movements may
include squats, jump squats, and chair
pose. If you begin to feel fatigued or if
you have any kind of injuries, you may
eliminate the jump squat and opt to
continue with the regular squat until
we all settle into chair pose. Or
perhaps you have never taken a yoga
class before. All of the yoga poses we
use in class are basic, traditional
postures and can be learned quickly.
Don't worry – there won't be any
handstands in this class! Not only will
you leave sweating and feeling
stronger week after week, but you will
also feel balanced, focused, and
become more in tune with your body.
Still need convincing to try this class?
See what participant Diana Gorman
Holidays 2014 FIT to Print

V

ariety is the spice of life, and that
is particularly true when it comes
to your fitness routine. Switching
up your routine “tricks” your muscles
and helps you to beat those plateaus and
get stronger. Join me on Monday
mornings and beat your workout
boredom!

Kelly

Kelly Peckholdt is a certified instructor at
Fitness Incentive. She also is the owner
of Positions Dance Studio in Babylon.