My Fitness Routine Evolved
If anyone has talked to me in the last year they have most likely been bombarded with my non stop chatter about the workout routine I found in quarantine. When we were first sequestered to our homes a year ago I was concerned about how I would get a sweat in. Exercise is a non negotiable thing I do for myself 4-5 days a week. It’s a top priority for me. When we were told not to go anywhere, I immediately panicked about my gym membership. Soon after, I was serendipitously introduced to this method called P.Volve and now I am hooked. Don’t get me wrong, I am still a yoga devotee. Yoga is a spiritual practice for me that will never get pushed to the side. I always make time for it and it keeps me limber and balanced. But I really enjoy challenging myself physically in different ways.
About 14 years ago I moved to LA to pursue a certification in the makeup world. When I arrived in LA I came to realize that people got together to exercise and hike and do yoga instead of going to the bars. It was my introduction to the world of fitness and healthy living. When I came back to Chicago I continued my gym membership and got into all sorts of different workouts. I got a personal trainer, I did spin class, bootcamp class, boxing, weightlifting, dancing, cross fit, running, rowing, yoga, barre and everything else in between. I bought a fancy bicycle. I went to boutique fitness classes and big box gyms. There was always one common thing that would happen for me when I got into a specific workout. About 3 months into it I would start feeling good, seeing new muscle definition, and enjoying the community. But I would always end up hurting my body in one way or another. I’d be out of commission for awhile and eventually I would be off to the next workout that promised x,y and z. Until the bizarre year of 2020!
Welcoming a new workout routine into my small Chicago apartment last March was weird. But since I literally wasn't doing anything I decided why not. So I started what has been an amazing journey with this unconventional functional fitness brand. I started using the platform when they launched the live Zoom classes. So I was able to sign up for a class, and be held accountable for showing up. That was key for me, and the teacher was able to check out my form while I was working out and correct me. As I learned the method I then became comfortable with using the streaming platform. In the beginning I used water bottles as hand weights and washcloths as gliders, but as I became more into the method I decided to invest in the equipment. You actually don't need a lot of the equipment to have success. I liked being able to get the moves down with my body weight first and then slowly add resistance and weight as I got stronger. They do have a very cool piece of equipment called a P Ball. After using the P Ball I felt my inner thigh muscles and low abs for the first time in my life. I had immediate recognition of my pelvic floor muscles. The P Band is also a game changer, it's not really for your arms as much as it’s for your back. As a hairdresser my shoulders are overworked and this P Band has helped strengthen my back by my bra line and has improved my posture tremendously.
As I continued to do the workouts daily I noticed a lot of things happening quickly in my body. First of all I wasn’t exhausted after a workout. I was actually stimulated and alert. I would read about people getting energized from their workouts and that was never the case for me unless I was doing yoga. A spin class would send me to an exhausted state. I noticed that my body wasn’t as inflamed as it normally would be after a new workout, my joints didn't ache and I didn’t have an abnormally sore body. The workouts are very smart and they are alignment based. Correct form is the focus. It is a low impact high intensity workout. There are times in class when I haven't done a single burpee or jumping jack but sweat is trickling down my forehead like I have. This technique keeps the joints protected but the body engaged! It encourages a mind to muscle activation and helps you understand why you are doing the movements instead of just doing 20 squats because someone said so. The Pvolve movements mimic what we do in our everyday life, like getting in and out of a car, encouraging authentic natural movement in the body.
After a couple months I started noticing a big change in my confidence, energy and strength. My glutes are noticeably stronger and firmer. I am also able to hold planks and have improved my balance very quickly. Results come quickly with this method if you stay the course. However, the workouts somehow never get easier. But I never see a plateau, and there is no burnout, no pain and no boredom. This workout is great for someone who wants to learn about their body. The method isn’t just about fitness. It’s about the whole package.
As a woman who has been through major burnout in her life, finding a workout that can be dialed up and down is incredibly useful. Movement is important for me but I have to be very mindful not to over do it. P. Volve also offers pelvic floor exercise classes in the virtual studio and streaming. I am so impressed with their commitment to helping women understand their bodies and celebrate them. They have a doctor on staff that answers questions about the connection between endometriosis and exercise. It’s so helpful as a woman with a hormone imbalance to be seen and recognized. P.Volve is special because it connects mind to muscle and it helps you consciously engage your muscles. This has brought a lot of body awareness to my life. During certain times of your cycle like the ovulation phase, you can be more prone to injury than others, this workout offers tons of low impact options that protect tender joints. I am a gal who has had many injuries in my day, having a clear understanding of why I’m doing a movement is helpful. Not pushing until burnout has given me lots of awareness. You don't need to hurt yourself to transform your body.
As a hairstylist and health coach I just want to say that this new exercise is my absolute go to when I need a mental boost and a booty boost. For girls and guys in my industry especially, check out P. Volve. Hair Stylists are so active all day and it takes precious energy to do our work. Trust me here, I have spent many years looking for the perfect workout to compliment our jobs. Something low impact to preserve our joints but hard enough to burn some calories, work up a sweat and get that dopamine hit.
They also have a Chicago studio along with a LA and NYC studio. Maybe I’ll see you there!
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