Pumping in Paradise
One week new to Paradise Valley Estates and I was walking into a Pump class. Pretty much a new experience for me, but I’d heard lifting weights was good for bone strength. The class was advertised as a full-body, major muscle group workout that was appropriate for most fitness levels. I figured it was worth a try. I could always stop attending if I didn’t like it.
Kelly Bordeau, trainer extraordinaire, immediately took me under her wing. First, she told me what gear to collect. A lighter weighted body bar for warm-up, a heavier one for the workout (ok, so far, I can do this), dumbbells for the shoulders (getting more nervous) and a floor mat for chest presses (say what?!).
Along with eight other residents, I picked up my warm-up bar. Kelly started the music and said, “Take your set position (feet under hips), brace your core (pull in your stomach), roll your shoulders (ears away from your shoulders), now bend from the hips and do a deadlift.”
Over the next 45 minutes, we did rows, bicep curls, squats, lunges and, yes, chest presses. The pace kept changing to work on both our “fast twitch” and “slow twitch” muscle fibers (I’m really not making this up!). We exercised our quads, triceps, pecs, upper back, lower back, shoulders, glutes, and the all-important core.
Most exercises included alternative methods to fit your fitness level. We were encouraged to “feel the burn,” but never to the point of pain. Stretching each muscle group after exercising them helped prevent lingering muscle aches. Again and again, Kelly reminded us that this is not a competition.
Throughout the class, Kelly made sure that we both used our equipment and moved our bodies correctly. I’ve since discovered that this personal attention in the midst of a group class is a valuable benefit of all Paradise Valley Estates fitness classes.
Almost two years later, I’m still enjoying Pump classes. I like the music, the camaraderie with my classmates and the endorphins that follow a good workout. Pumping in Paradise is fun!
