We spontaneously went to the zoo this morning.  It was fun!  Here were the highlights:

PicMonkey Collage

“Awww, look, the turtles are hugging!”

 

This weekend, I found out that my gym is going to start offering PiYo classes!  I am so pumped.  I am DYING to try PiYo.

piyodefinition

Does it feel like PiYo is everywhere right now?  I sure feel that way… I think it’s going to be ‘the next big thing.’

 

PiYo is a combination of Pilates and yoga.  You don’t hold poses for a long time; instead it’s a non-stop, fluid workout.  Some gyms offer classes, but it’s my understanding that PiYo is mostly known as a Beachbody workout DVD (you know, like P90X or Insanity).  And classes are normally set to Top 40s or club music, which I think is pretty awesome.  Oh, and there’s NO JUMPING. Jumping always kill my knees and scare me away from soooo many similar workout.

 

I cannot waaaait to try this.  I think I’ll like it, but I need to peek into a class first.  I’m not sure if I could do this while pregnant… Any thoughts?  But I’m really waiting for post-baby.  I could use a toning program when this process is said and done; plus – I can do PiYo at home!  I’m going to need some new workout DVDs once I combine newborn life + winter.

 

Other fitness ‘crazes’ that I’ve been into:

 

Running (if that counts as a ‘craze!’)

Triathlons (still am into this, at least in my heart – I dreamt about doing one the other night!)

The 30 Day Shred <—here’s my review!

Hot Yoga (the steamier, the better… Now, I feel like I am dying in a normal air conditioned room if the fans aren’t on. Hah!)

Spin (also still enjoy, but there was a time where I’d go to multiple classes a week)

 

What fitness crazes have you been into?  Anyone else try PiYo?  Thoughts?

{ 25 comments }

 

  • Erica { EricaDHouse.com } August 11, 2014, 4:04 pm

    My PiYo set and shakeology just arrived today! I’m so excited to try them out. I think it’s going to really help me stay flexible and injury free as I train for my next marathon.

  • Ashley J August 11, 2014, 4:23 pm

    OMG, I LOVE the turtle “hug” – hysterical!!!
    I totally agree that PiYo seems to be everywhere right now! I haven’t tried it, but now I’m curious if my gym offers classes!

  • mary @ minutes per mile August 11, 2014, 5:03 pm

    if running is considered a craze, then i guess that makes me pretty crazy ;). in addition to running, i go into a zumba craze about once a year for a few weeks!

  • Breanne August 11, 2014, 5:37 pm

    Bahaha, awww, hugging turtles!! 🙂

    I haven’t tried it myself, but a friend recently went through instructor training and loves the program. Just based on the description, I would imagine you can do it doing pregnancy (while taking any necessary modifications as you do in yoga). I think I mentioned this in last week’s post, but I teach BodyFlow (a combination of tai chi, yoga, and pilates) and I’ve had women come to class right up to their due date.

  • Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs August 11, 2014, 5:43 pm

    “Awww, look, the turtles are hugging!” <— Ha!

    PiYo definitely seems to be all the rage right now — I haven't tried it, but I am curious!

  • Trisha August 11, 2014, 6:32 pm

    I recently tried out Pound at my local gym. It’s a lot of squatting and abs, but the best part is you use plastic drum sticks to pound the ground in sync with the music while you’re working out. It’s set to mostly rock music, which is a fun change to the usual music fare. It’s also a fantastic way to take out any aggression you may be feeling that day!

  • Darcy August 11, 2014, 7:02 pm

    I regularly go to the PiYo class at my Y, and I love it! I had no clue what I was getting into when I took the first class as I was expecting something more similar in pace to Pilates or Yoga. Ha! Once I got over that, I was all about it as I too don’t like jumping and high impact on my knees. Can’t wait to hear your review!

  • Allison August 11, 2014, 7:40 pm

    I love piyo! I have done it quite a few times. If doing it pregnant, I would just be careful of certain positions on the ground. 🙂 I love Chalene Johnson (the founder). I have her turbo jam DVD’s and they are such a blast. They don’t even feel like a workout! However, if you don’t like jumping, turbo jam definitely isn’t for you. Love your zoo pictures!

  • Emily August 11, 2014, 7:45 pm

    I love PiYo! I did it in college regularly (the rec offered classes) but haven’t found anywhere near me that does it since! I definitely noticed my upper body getting stronger after I did it for a while, I remember. It depends on the round, some are a lot more fast paced than others, but I would think that with modifications as necessary, it would be possible while pregnant.

  • Aundra @ Fit for Life August 11, 2014, 8:52 pm

    I teach PiYo Strength Live! I’ve been teaching it for 2 years and it’s my most popular class. You see results — strength, toning, balance, core power and it’s super fun.

  • Kattrina August 11, 2014, 9:28 pm

    I just started the PiYo Beachbody program two weeks ago. I am really liking it. It doesn’t feel like a workout while doing it but I can tell I’m getting stronger and my running feels awesome.

  • Sandy August 11, 2014, 9:34 pm

    I love PiYo, we’ve had a certified instructor at our gym for probably 3 years. I did it all throughout my last pregnancy 2 years ago until the very end.

  • Maryea {happy healthy mama} August 12, 2014, 7:08 am

    PiYo is on my list of workouts to try. I think my husband would like it, so I’m thinking about ordering the DVDs for him.

    Older fitness crazes I tried: Tae Bo (haha! Reeealllly old school), Body for Life, P90X, Insanity.

  • Tracy August 12, 2014, 7:36 am

    I have the PiYo DVDs from Beachbody! I’m doing it now and loving it! Chalene Johnson is fabulous! I’ve also done some of her other DVD workouts – Chalean Extreme and Turbofire!

  • Preeti August 12, 2014, 7:57 am

    This is an oldie, but a goodie. But, I love Step Aerobics!! It’s hard to think of it as a workout when I’m having so much fun. I try to join a class at least twice a week.

  • Sara August 12, 2014, 8:16 am

    I love PiYo! I don’t really do Pilates or yoga, but my gym offers piyo at a time convenient for me and my little one, so I went and now go every Monday! To me, it is great because it is fairly calm (especially compared to insanity or other “high intensity” classes) but it kicks your booty! I bet you could try it pregnant, as long as you can still balance, ha! Our teacher gives great mods though… Like setting your toe down while doing moves if you can’t get your balance. You could do regular chair instead of one leg chair, for example. Anyways, I love it! One of my favorites in my class rotation!

  • KatieTX August 12, 2014, 8:38 am

    I think it is crazy since Piyo is making a comeback..I got certified to teach it in 2007! Good for Chalene! It is a great blend of pilates and yoga that is safe and effective! You should definitely try it. It is great for those who think traditional yoga is a bit too slow-paced but still want some relaxation aspect. Enjoy!

  • Tara August 12, 2014, 9:16 am

    I’m into Chalean Extreme right now…I’m actually on my second time through the program (it’s a 12-week program). I love this workout and the results have been great for me. I’m ordering Piyo as soon as I’m through with this round of CE. I can’t wait to try it! I do not like pilates, but love yoga, so I’m hoping it balances out in Piyo!

  • sara August 12, 2014, 9:37 am

    If you are interested in piyo you should look into pure barre! Piyo seems similar as far as it being low impact and a fuse of pilates/yoga. I’m in my 3rd week of pure barre classes and so far I love it! I can already see changes in my body and there is no muscle burn quite like the burn I feel during class. I have also seen a few pregnant ladies in class and teachers offer modifications for some of the moves that may be a little more difficult for a mom to be!

  • Lyndsey August 12, 2014, 9:48 am

    Oh, this is like a class at my home gym, called Centergy.

    http://bodytrainingsystems.com/pages/bts_programs/GroupCentergy.htm

  • Carly August 12, 2014, 10:23 am

    You can TOTALLY do PiYo while pregnant! I did it every week through my entire pregnancy (with very few modifications) and it made me feel GREAT. Good luck – I hope you love it!

  • Stephanie Burton August 12, 2014, 10:46 am

    I’ve been doing PiYo for a few weeks now and I LOVE it! I have the DVDs and do it at home. I started this program to work on getting my strength back post baby and I could tell a difference in my strength levels after just two weeks! You can easily do this while pregnant! There are a few moves that you will need to modify (but as with all BB programs, they show you modifications too) but mostly its a lot of lunges, warriors, planks, tricep push ups, etc. Definitely worth the investment!

  • Ashley August 12, 2014, 12:29 pm

    Running and hot yoga 🙂

  • Nicole @ Squash on Squash August 12, 2014, 1:02 pm

    PiYo sounds cool! Kind of sounds like it would be a power yoga/vinyasa type of workout, but maybe less meditative? Haha because I just can’t imagine doing yoga to Top 40 or clubbing music…
    Besides squash, my latest favourite workout has been at Unite Fitness! 30 minutes of hard intense cardio, followed by circuit style strength for 30 mins, and 15 min stretch/yoga at the end. It’s a killer workout but addicting!

  • Sarah August 13, 2014, 5:27 pm

    I’m doing PIYO right now at home with the dvds. I am 25 weeks pregnant and love it! I have to modify some moves of course and the Core one I pretty much cant do anymore. Besides that, it is awesome! Go for it.

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