30 Day Shred: Level 3

Only two days (TWO DAYS!!!) until my holiday now, and I'm coming to the end 30 Day Shred programme. So, what did Jillian Michaels have in store for me this time round?

CIRCUIT 1

Strength

30 secs x walking plank

1 minute x 'supermans'

Repeat

Cardio

30 secs x mountain climbers

30 secs x sumo pops

Abs 

30 secs x pipe crunch

30 secs x scissor crunches

CIRCUIT 2

Strength

30 secs x dumbbell cleans

1 min x jumping lunges

Repeat

Cardio

30 secs x punches with weights

30 secs x butt kicks with weights

30 secs x punches with weights

30 secs x starjumps with weights

Abs

1 min x sit ups

CIRCUIT 3 

Strength

30 secs x walking push-ups

1 minute x plank with back rows and leg raises

Repeat

Cardio 

30 secs x squat jumps

30 secs x rock star jumps

Repeat

Abs

1 minute x side plank raises

I'll be honest, when I did the level three session for the first time, I was a little nervous. There had been a fairly big jump up from level 1 to level 2, and I was expecting more of the same this time round. 

It certainly didn't help matters when Jillian growled menacingly "Oh, you think this is going to be easy? Think again, buddy." Eek!

But, I actually didn't find it that bad. Certainly, the cardio and ab parts proved a little more of a challenge, but the exercises were varied enough that my each part of my body had a chance to recuperate while I was working another part. It certainly made a change from the relentless planking from level 2. 

No, not that kind of planking.

But I must admit, there are a couple of exercises that REALLY kill. The scissor crunches in circuit one put constant pressure on your abs, and I've yet to complete a set without hovering my legs up from the hardcore "3 inches from the ground" level. 

Those and the jumping lunges. It took me a while to get my form right on those, but when I did, whoa boy. They are tough. If you struggle getting them right too, take your time and figure out how to do them properly instead of doing a full set half-assed. Quality is always better than quantity, I've found. Get the form right first, and the speed will come eventually. 

Finally, the rock star jumps. I'm ashamed to admit I still can't do these properly. If you don't know, a rock star jump is basically jumping off the ground with both feet, bringing both feet up to your bum and straightening your legs back out before landing again. No matter how hard I try, I can't get my feet all the way up to my bum. My jumps are just too quick and shallow. One to work on in the future, I reckon. 

So, yeah, that's level three in a nutshell. I only have one day left of the programme, so stay tuned for my results. My weight has stayed stable again this week, but the proof I suppose will be in the measuring tape! Eek!