I never needed to spend much time in gyms. As a collegiate runner, I was on the trail, in the field house, or at the track.

Racing in Phoenix.

In Phoenix, my apartment complex had a small fitness center for residents. I only used it when the weather went over 90 degrees, preferring the extensive footpath right outside my door, or the trail-filled park 3 miles away.

The pathway right outside my door. It went for miles in either direction.

Living in Ho Chi Minh City, where the sidewalks are filled with street vendors and the roads are filled with motorbikes, I need a gym membership for the first time.

Vietnam = Not a friendly place for runners.

I don’t feel lost in the gym, but I do feel bored. With no races to train for (a novelty for me), I find that I lack a focus when I walk in. Treadmill running gets dull as I often feel like a gerbil on a wheel, and lifting weights has never been my “thing”.

Here is my typical gym routine:

Stretch

Run 30-45 minutes on the treadmill

Lay on the floor to do “abs”

Stretch

See what I mean? Boring. And rather ineffective.

From now on, I have decided to walk into the gym with a plan. My usual, “just go for a run” doesn’t work at the gym.

One aspect of walking in with a plan is using circuit workouts. The first circuit I put together had me hooked! This workout is fast paced, and keeps you moving as you have a time limit.

These videos should help if you’re not sure of the moves:

• Lawnmowers
• Tricep Pull Back
• Swimmer’s Press
• Groucho Walk – Cute kids in this one!

I find circuits challenging, fun to create,* and they give me a focus among all those guys lifting heavy.

Reader Question: What is your typical gym/workout routine?

*Disclaimer: I am not a certified personal trainer. My workouts, training plans, and recipes are all  based on my experiences and lifestyle. They should not be taken as medical advice.

Brooke Selb

I’m Brooke Selb, a Personal Trainer and Health Coach specializing in helping busy moms and moms to be to easily juggle mom life with family friendly recipes, and easy exercise routines to help you achieve your fitness goals that fit in with your already busy life with sound nutritional advice.