Working Out with Buffy!
December 25, 2010 12:27 PM Subscribe
How do I get in shape Slayer-style?
I just received all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on dvd! To avoid falling down the "just one more episode..." rabbit hole again, I'd like to limit my watching to one episode a day so my plan is to only watch Buffy while working out. That's where you come in!
I need help building a basic workout plan I can do at home in 45 minutes while watching Buffy kick some vampire ass. I have a treadmill and 10/12/15 lb. dumbbells at my disposal, along with basic living room furniture. I've been losing weight through diet over the last few months, but it's time to kick it up a notch by adding in some daily exercise. How should I start?
I just received all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on dvd! To avoid falling down the "just one more episode..." rabbit hole again, I'd like to limit my watching to one episode a day so my plan is to only watch Buffy while working out. That's where you come in!
I need help building a basic workout plan I can do at home in 45 minutes while watching Buffy kick some vampire ass. I have a treadmill and 10/12/15 lb. dumbbells at my disposal, along with basic living room furniture. I've been losing weight through diet over the last few months, but it's time to kick it up a notch by adding in some daily exercise. How should I start?
Best answer: Kettlebell swings might be fun -- kettlebell exercises tend to be more dynamic than dumbbell exercises, so they should feel more slayer-y. Get a kettlebell you can do swings comfortably with, and look here for other exercises you can do with it. You might also get two lighter ones, for doing two-handed exercises like these!
posted by vorfeed at 1:23 PM on December 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by vorfeed at 1:23 PM on December 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I'd think the crossfit-style, high intensity motion for time would lend itself well. Although, if you can watch TV while doing it, you're doing better than I am.
Try scaling down (way down) some of the standard workouts. If you can pick up one of those door-frame pullup bars at Big 5 or someplace like that, you can do a lot of the workouts in an apartment.
posted by ctmf at 1:55 PM on December 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
Try scaling down (way down) some of the standard workouts. If you can pick up one of those door-frame pullup bars at Big 5 or someplace like that, you can do a lot of the workouts in an apartment.
posted by ctmf at 1:55 PM on December 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
Oh, ouch. Just saw Thursday's main site workout. Bottom to bottom Tabata squats, then run one mile. You could do something like that to Buffy.
posted by ctmf at 2:02 PM on December 25, 2010
posted by ctmf at 2:02 PM on December 25, 2010
You could try regular calisthenics, jumping jacks, running in place, etc... you can do most of those without equipment and set your own time and pace.
posted by patheral at 2:13 PM on December 25, 2010
posted by patheral at 2:13 PM on December 25, 2010
Unless you're looking for vampire-themed exercises (as elizardbits suggests), 45 minutes is 45 minutes, and your question really isn't that different from any other starting-to-exercise question (which is a shame--when I read it on the main page, I was thinking you meant, y'know, Slayer).
You can do couch-to-5k on the treadmill (you'll have some time to spare, so you can squeeze some bodyweight exercises in there as well). Alternately, start doing 100-pushups or 200-situps. Crossfit is another good idea--the big thing, in any case, is to pick something that you'll enjoy and stick with it.
posted by box at 4:02 PM on December 25, 2010
You can do couch-to-5k on the treadmill (you'll have some time to spare, so you can squeeze some bodyweight exercises in there as well). Alternately, start doing 100-pushups or 200-situps. Crossfit is another good idea--the big thing, in any case, is to pick something that you'll enjoy and stick with it.
posted by box at 4:02 PM on December 25, 2010
Run during one episode, lift weights during another. It really is that simple.
posted by dougrayrankin at 4:03 PM on December 25, 2010
posted by dougrayrankin at 4:03 PM on December 25, 2010
Best answer: I used to watch Buffy on the treadmill and it was great! She tends to get in the climactic fights just when I'm starting to poop out, and that would inspire me to push myself to run faster in solidarity.
posted by Jacqueline at 7:17 PM on December 25, 2010
posted by Jacqueline at 7:17 PM on December 25, 2010
LOL - I don't really have any advice, but Buffy is my workout watch, too! I've watched all seven seasons twice now, while pedaling away on my stationary bike. :-)
I always liked doing cardio while watching Buffy. I don't think I would lift weight while watching, though.
Have fun!
posted by MorningPerson at 5:46 AM on December 26, 2010
I always liked doing cardio while watching Buffy. I don't think I would lift weight while watching, though.
Have fun!
posted by MorningPerson at 5:46 AM on December 26, 2010
Best answer: Here's what I do on the treadmill, as recommended by my physical therapist: 30 minutes walking at 2.5 to 3 miles per hour, the treadmill tilted as high as it can go and with me walking upright, shoulders back, pelvic muscles tightened.
No hunching! Do not hunch! It's a great cardio workout without stressing anything that shouldn't be stressed.
posted by The corpse in the library at 10:53 AM on December 26, 2010
No hunching! Do not hunch! It's a great cardio workout without stressing anything that shouldn't be stressed.
posted by The corpse in the library at 10:53 AM on December 26, 2010
Best answer: I tried doing step aerobics while watching Star Trek a few times (my favourite show :). It actually worked pretty well. You just do a few step tapes and pick up the moves (like stepping and kicking) and then you can do them while watching the show (or just stepping up and down works too). I imagine you could also just do floor aerobics while watching Buffy (e.g. lunges, tae bo/kickboxing, that kind of thing).
In terms of strength, I did try watching TV while lifting weights, but due to my inability to multitask (being male), I wasn't able to focus on both. I was using really heavy weights, though, so I think that may have been part of the problem. A lot of people go for lighter, high-rep weight lifting these days, and that'd be easier to kind of focus on Buffy while doing.
Also, check out exrx.net for a really good site with evidence-backed info that helps you build a strength/weight lifting routine.
posted by strekker at 11:07 AM on December 26, 2010
In terms of strength, I did try watching TV while lifting weights, but due to my inability to multitask (being male), I wasn't able to focus on both. I was using really heavy weights, though, so I think that may have been part of the problem. A lot of people go for lighter, high-rep weight lifting these days, and that'd be easier to kind of focus on Buffy while doing.
Also, check out exrx.net for a really good site with evidence-backed info that helps you build a strength/weight lifting routine.
posted by strekker at 11:07 AM on December 26, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks all! Can't wait to get started!
posted by platinum at 12:45 PM on December 26, 2010
posted by platinum at 12:45 PM on December 26, 2010
You could try a variation on the Law & Order Couch Potato Workout.
posted by bentley at 7:50 AM on December 31, 2010
posted by bentley at 7:50 AM on December 31, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Otherwise, can you ask your roommate/boyfriend/girlfriend/family member/friendly mailman to leap out at you with plastic fangs in a threatening vampiric manner, so that you can athletically "slay" them with a couch cushion or something? Despite the many ways that could go horribly awry I nevertheless feel that there is vast potential for fun times there.
posted by elizardbits at 1:02 PM on December 25, 2010 [6 favorites]