Blog

Top 10 Fall Fitness Moves

So that crazy part of the year has arrived, when we fill our plates with too many commitments and too many calories, and we forget about the routines and processes that have brought us health throughout the year.  Less than 3 months remain in this quick and zippy 2021, 3 MONTHS! Less than 25% left.

What have you accomplished this year? Did you set out to do more or less than you have? WAIT! Hold up! DO NOT JUDGE yourself right now for missing chances or not finishing X, Y, or Z.  Not the time. Has anyone over delivered and exceeded their expectations? Don’t sit there gloating if you’ve killed it this year. If you did, CONGRATS, HIGH FIVE, and WHAT’S NEXT ?! This is our chance to reset and move forward. What can we do with the next 10 weeks to finish this thing off with power?  Inside and out, I want you flowing into 2022 feeling fabulous. This time of year it’s not about just making it to the gym or making a few soups (yay! soup season!) since so much is pulling on us for attention, energy, money, time… let’s make a plan.

Plans only work when they’re realistic, so we’re going to list out some moves you can do during your adventures and highlight ways you can keep feeling on top of the world.

The Pumpkin Carry

Use these orange orbs for fun shoulder stability!  First thing, pick it up smart! Hinge your hips back and keep your spine straight (not vertical) and use the power of your legs to lift it.  If it’s got a good handle, carrying it like a suitcase will work your postural stability to keep you upright (just make sure you switch to the other side halfway to the car)!  If it’s the right size, lift it up to your shoulder and do a waiter carry (palm facing up, elbow pointing down, shoulder pulled back). Let the pumpkin rest on your shoulder or lift it up slightly, but keep the spine and head upright (not
tilting forward or sideways).  Option to press it up overhead (careful, no one wants a splatted pumpkin this way!) to a Statue of Liberty Carry – arm has to be pretty vertical here and this can work wonders for your shoulder stability.

Shake and Rake

Yard work is great FUNctional training!  But let’s be smart about it: rather than bend and reach and stoop and twist repeatedly, try these guidelines (they happen to work well for everyday life and exercise too!):

  • Keep your spine straight, facing your work
  • Keep the work close to you – move your whole self rather than reach and bend
  • Reverse prolonged or repeated postures frequently

Wheelbarrow Walk

Fall farmer’s carry!  As you load up the wheelbarrow with the gorgeous leaves falling all over your yard, you can bet your postural stability can benefit from walking that wheelbarrow around. Try both pushing it forward and pulling it behind you. Shoulders back and head over your shoulders.

Squash Squat

Squats are one of the most functional and simple exercises we know of, and we get lots of bang for our buck as long as we do them correctly:  knees over toes (not in front or inside), spine straight (not vertical) with chest up, shoulders back. Holding a weight at the chest can add to the stability challenge (goblet squat), and holding a weight on just 1 side (offset goblet squat) increases the complexity of the challenge without adding more load to the joints, just don’t let that weight bend you sideways (your squat shoulder look the same as it did without weight or with evenly distributed load, other than hand position).  This means your brain gets a chance to manage your strength with better control, which will help you with tossing or
chasing your little pumpkins.

Not that you really need to use a squash, but the alliteration is fun, right?

Halloween Hinge

DEAD lifting – think zombies lifting their headstones….mwwaahaha… or just think of you, lifting ANYTHING, and we need this move.  Say you’re a witch, and you’ve got a broom, which you place on your spine, holding one end close to the back of your head with one hand, the other end close to your tailbone with your other hand.   As you move, keep the broomstick stuck to your back, which will help you learn the right way to move here. The hips move BACK in a hinge (as opposed to a squat, in which they move DOWN), so the shins stay more or less vertical, and the spine (still straight) tilts forward.  Posture is still awesome and gaze is just a few feet in front of the toes. If this feels odd, keep practicing, try with a wall behind you to catch you as you move your hips back. Once the movement feels right, go ahead and grab a pumpkin or basket of apples and go for it. Adding load ONLY once you’ve nailed the movement.

Persimmon Push Pull

Our 2 main upper body movements: pushing and pulling.  We train these all the time in various ways, but we typically push way more than we pull.  So we like to mix in pull training in life whenever we can! When you’re reaching for those high delicious apples, persimmons, pears this fall, pull your shoulder blades down and back and keep your spine long, pulling with not just your arm, hand, or elbow, but with the integrated strength of your shoulder girdle, which will not only make the movement stronger and more efficient, it protects the structures that are working to make the move happen.

Apple Asana

Another example of my affiliation for alliteration and craze for creativity. Nothing here specific to apples…

Asana, or yoga poses, are all designed to address different body areas in different ways, but they all have at their root the same goal.  To prepare the body for meditation to allow freeing of the mind and fullness of the life force in the breath. This season, despite your feelings about yoga (don’t need it, it’s just stretching, I’m plenty flexible), consider this: breathe for 5 breaths in 5 different positions. Call it what you want, but taking the time to BREEEEATHE in various positions with varying levels of support can enhance not only your other training but also your mental state for whatever the season brings to your path.

Boo Breath

  • Do this one with me.
  • INHALE for a count of 4.
  • At the top of the breath, close your lips tightly and puff your cheeks out, holding this for a count of 4.
  • EXHALE for a count of 4.
  • As you start the exhale, your lips open quickly making your whisper “Boo!” resetting your breathing as well as your attention on your task. Repeat 2-3 times as needed, boo-tiful.

Fierce Fuel

This season we are drained – giving and doing too much and not refueling enough. Fuel comes from food, hydration, and sleep. Simple as that. Better keep filling up your tanks as you burn energy so you don’t fall… in the fall.

Hydration:  Most of us need more water than we get (50% of your body weight in oz: 150 lb person needs 75 oz H2O daily!), and we should front load the water consumption to the earlier part of the day and around exercise.  Caffeinated drinks don’t count. Warm water with lemon and ginger is a great way to start a cold morning, and adding a pinch of Celtic sea salt to your liter of water can boost up some key minerals.

Food can be so complicated but it really doesn’t need to be:  protein, fats, and fiber (PFF) are our main categories to search for when we need sustained energy.  When we eat out, or potluck with family, or we travel, we can be driven to simple and diluted nutrients that lead to blood sugar fluctuations for our working bodies.  Simple advice is to keep searching for PFF and whole natural foods and you’ll shine through the fall.

Many homes will be accumulating what some people refer to as “treats” or candy over the next few weeks… these products are sweet and wrapped in interesting packages, and indeed seem tasty, but they wreak havoc on our bodies (AND OUR KIDS’ BODIES!). Sugar is highly inflammatory and the chemical and colors added to products like this are linked to some serious problems, including attention deficit and behavior problems in some studies. Luckily for us, THE SWITCH WITCH comes to visit our house a few days after Halloween.  She takes the loot and leaves a book or activity of some sort that’s better for my kids’ bodies and brains. Does she visit you too?

Rest in Peace

Hardest and most important one.  Restful, peaceful sleep is so elusive for many of us, and without it, we can’t thrive.  Many world-renowned coaches will tell us that the best way to drop unwanted weight, get back your 6-pack abs, or ___ (fill in fitness goal of choice) is to start with 7-9 hours of sleep per night.  You may think you can get by with less, but you can’t. You may not feel like you’re sick or losing focus, but your hormones (even those connected to blood sugar management and your menstrual cycle), digestion, nervous system, immune system, and everything in between can work better if you’re properly rested. Most of us lack this big time and compensate with caffeine. Works ok in the short term but it’s not sustainable. Unfortunately, one good night of sleep does little to restore us. It has to be a pattern. Prioritize your rest. You can’t take good care of anyone else or
make this season magic for them if you aren’t well-rested yourself.  Rest. With Peace. Just try and see how much better you feel.

If even one of you tries even one of these ideas this fall and feels good about it, SHARE WITH US! Tag @kaiafit and me @drivesportslab and #fallfitness and let us know what you think!

See you in the pumpkin patch,

Coach Carina

You can find more information from Carina Abrams over on her on Instagram @drivesportslab or on her YouTube Channel Drive Sports Lab!

Recent Blogs

7 Day Reset

We’ve incorporated inspiration and motivation to help you rock all 7 days. In the next 7 days you will make shifts in your mind and body that will boost your metabolism, improve sleep and increase energy.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

This is a self paced reset, so you can start when you are ready but we recommend to continue with the reset each day once you begin to see the maximum results.

All it takes is 7 DAYS. What are you waiting for?

Kaia Tri is a ten-week triathlon training program with workouts three times a week, which is an optional extra during our spring and summer CORE sessions. We swim, bike, and run, with some cross-training classes too. By being able to set a personal pace, our triathlon training program is suited to beginners tackling their first race and intermediate athletes looking to improve their finish time.

Our mock triathlons run several times to familiarize women with the course route. We finish the season with a Triathlon Training Camp which includes paddle boarding and power workouts. The next day is our exhilarating and fun Triathlon race day for all Kaia Tri women to enjoy working out in a beautiful location. Friends are welcome too!

SANDBAG

Kaia Sandbag combines traditional fitness with unconventional training methods. With sandbags, the weight shifts and moves in an unpredictable fashion. This piece of equipment is integrated into our conditioning & strength building workouts to simultaneously develop strength, power, endurance, mobility, and balance – with an additional emphasis on developing overall core strength and stability.

New to sandbag training? No problem! Beginners are always welcome.

TRX SUSPENSION 

TRX® Suspension Training® body-weight exercise simultaneously develops strength, power, endurance, mobility, durability, balance, flexibility, and core stability. Whether you’re younger or older, out of shape or a pro athlete, injured or at the top of your game, TRX Suspension Training meets you where you are and takes you where you want to go. TRX Suspension Training leverages gravity and the user’s body weight to enable hundreds of exercises that can be instantly scaled for any user to reach any fitness or training goal. The easily-scalable nature of TRX Suspension Training makes it a practical solution wherever you are on the fitness continuum.

Need a little extra boost to keep your body guessing? Our TRX/Cardio class is an excellent complement to any Kaia FIT session. TRX workouts, which can be used by anyone at any level, builds true functional strength and improves flexibility, balance and core stability all at once. Mixed with cardio, the classes give every member the perfect balance of challenge and success.

*TRX classes not available in all areas. Please contact us your local studio.

CROSS-TRAINING

Our trademark Kaia Cross-Training™ classes are a unique mix of cardio, functional movement, and both weighted and non-weighted exercises.

Cross-Training benefits:

Each day brings a new workout. We have an elite group of advanced coaches who infuse each workout with their own flair and focus, meaning you’re never going to repeat a workout, avoid burn-out, and fitness plateaus.

Keeping the body guessing is key to sculpting lean muscle mass. We also have a 3-part modification foundation: Balance (non-impact); Strength (mid-impact) and Kaia (high impact). Each exercise has its own progression so that everyone can feel successful.

As a part of our program, we also offer nutritional guidance to help you make healthy food choices and keep your fitness on track.

What are you waiting for? Join us today!

BARRE

Our barre-based class is a unique combination of postures inspired by ballet, yoga, Pilates and Kaia. Using the barre as a prop to balance, you’ll complete a series of isometric holds combined with high reps of small range movements to elongate and tone your major muscle groups.

In addition to the barre, classes incorporate pilates balls, yoga blocks, and/or resistance bands for increased endurance, challenge and focus. Following each set of holds, you’ll rest and recovery with a short series of stretches and poses to increase flexibility prior to advancing.
Kaia Barre is a low-impact class that perfectly complements our program offerings. Meet us at the barre and try your first class for free!

Participating locations may vary. See the schedule page for more details.

DANCE 

Our dance fitness class is rooted in traditional dance. We use those foundational moves and offer a class that is easy enough for beginners yet challenging enough for the more seasoned dancer. The simplicity of the routines allows you to keep moving with ease. Although this is a workout, it feels more like a dance party with your girlfriends.

RUNNING 

Improve your speed, skill, endurance, stamina, and strength with our Kaia running program. The program works on developing running skills that can increase speed, endurance, and overall fitness. The program is designed for you to run at your pace and and help you see improvements every step of the way.

The Kaia training is a simple, progressive program designed for women of all ages and all fitness levels. Whether you are a walker, jogger, or runner, you will be able to join this program and move at your own pace. Research has shown that even 20 to 30 minutes of running (two to three times per week) is enough to help you lose or maintain weight and improve many other important health markers, i.e. your cholesterol, blood pressure and insulin response.

Don’t be intimidated by the Kaia Run program name, each class will have walkers, joggers and runners. Keep in mind that the first mile is the hardest mile you will ever run. Once you get off the starting block, things only get easier. All you have to do is be patient and disciplined in your training, and that is where Kaia

POWER YOGA

Kaia Yoga combines mind and body with a power yoga and core-strengthening weekly workout with Pilates-style techniques. We focus on balance, strength, and cardiovascular fitness through stretching, strength training and dynamic movement to improve overall fitness levels.

By creating long, lean muscles, Yoga promotes improved coordination, greater flexibility and a fuller range of motion, with a strong body that’s less prone to injury. Yoga keeps the mind centered and reduces stress through positive thoughts and a sense of mindfulness, which also inspires mental strength and confidence.

Yin Yoga, or restorative yoga, is a quiet contemplative practice. It targets the deepest tissues of the body, our connective tissues – ligaments, joints, bones, and the deep fascia networks of the body. Poses are held for 1 minute or more and transitions between poses are gentle and slow. This class is an excellent compliment to our other classes, provides dedicated stretching, and is known to reduce stress and anxiety.

6-WEEK BRIK BOOTCAMP

Our BRIK Bootcamp sessions are offered three times a year and are designed to help you reach your health and fitness potential, and you’re welcome to start anytime!

Our BRIK Bootcamps are six weeks long and feature classes daily.* This programming fits in seamlessly with our regularly scheduled classes, and it’s as easy as 1-2-3:

  1. Register for BRIK Bootcamp HERE (included for Platinum & Gold Memberships)
  2. Book your classes through our branded app and Show Up
  3. Let our expert coaches do the rest!

These sessions offer great results in weight and body fat loss and an increase in strength and cardiovascular endurance. Our nutritional support will boost energy, help you de-bloat, increase sleep quality, and enhance your overall glow.

BRIK Bootcamp includes:

In between BRIK Bootcamp, we offer a variety of classes to meet you at your level! We also have nutrition and fitness challenges, in addition to fun opportunities to spice up your routine. What are you waiting for? Join us today!

CYCLE

Cardio based, calorie torching workout with certified spin instructors. It’s a party on a bike!

Try a Week Free

WHAT IS KAIA FIT?