This is Gina... I'm in awe of her waistline!

Today was my first "Workout Partner Training" with Gina and I LOVED IT... which is a big milestone because we were doing weight training (which I normally don't enjoy)... and lets be honest... in the past I would totally avoid standing infront of a mirror next to a chick that looks like this... let alone workout with her! *hahaha*

It's amazing to think if you just take a different approach to a form of exercise, how it seems more manageable and enjoyable. Weight training today was actually fun! There is no doubt that everything is better with a workout partner! It's just like jogging, when I run with Kelly it's more challenging and entertaining then doing it on my own. Time flies by when you workout with someone else. Exercising with my friend of 20 years (Sarah)... well that is just the best way to stay in contact with busy friends... we've seen each other more in the last year then we probably did in the last 10 years. There is no question... no one can make piggy backing in the gym more fun then Sar-bear (she's tiny but mighty)! Workout partners rule!

Much like my other workout partners (Kelly and Sarah), Gina isn't a girlie girl... which is awesome. I'm not into froofy chicks... all my close girlfriends know this about me anyway... I like to keep it real and surround myself with other women that do too... Gina and I are like two peas in a pod... we like so many things in common... it's like we were twins seperated at birth but I got the fat gene.

So this morning... this is how it worked... I show up and the 360 gym and Gina is in her workout gear ready to rock... she's going to work out with me (hence the name "workout partner training"). Instead of having her demonstrate one rep and then stand over me counting and coaching me along, I'm going to try to keep up with her regular workout routine! Talk about genius idea!

It was a fabulous workout, definitely challenging and there is no surprise why she has the body that she does because for 1 hour we pushed it hard... even Gina was finding it rough at times, huffing and puffing (which made me feel great that I wasn't alone). We had the music on in the gym and the hour went by really fast. We worked so many different muscles, I couldn't even start to tell you all the different exercises that we did.

When we were done I had burned 975 calories. Instead of just doing machines (which really is what I dislike about weight training - especially after suffering injuries trying gym machines without proper direction)... we used free weights and incorporated cardio into the workout at the same time. Gina had told me that I wouldn't need to do cardio on my days that I worked out with her, and now I know why! My heart rate was in the 145-155 range the entire time (sweeeeeeeeeeeeet... that's my fat burning zone)!

The part I really liked about it, since we are both females, I was able to keep up with the same weights and reps that Gina was doing. If Gina picked up 15 pounds, then so did I and I didn't even count I just kept going until she was done! Since we were working out simultaneously, I used Gina's form, speed and posture as a benchmark of what I should be doing. The 360 gym has huge mirrors, so I basically stood next to Gina on all our exercises, watched her in the mirror and corrected myself if I noticed differences and she told me how to improve things that I didn't notice too.

Don't worry Devin... I'll be a booty girl until the end of time... but being Gina's workout partner was a perfect way to shake things up a bit in my routine! I give the concept of workout partner training... two thumbs up!