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Fitness For The Stage

Updated: 2 days ago

A woman dancing and exercising.

Combination Training builds Fitness for the Stage.


When I was consistently working in musical theatre in Los Angeles in the 90's, the costumers would take measurements at the first rehearsal, and laugh about the fact that most of the dancers would drop two sizes by opening night.


Something about learning new combinations just made our bodies respond fast. When I became a trainer, I learned that new movement patterns are much more demanding on the central nervous system, they take more energy than familiar movements, and they fire up the brain and the body.


Turbulence Training used intervals and non-competing super sets to cover a lot of variety in each training session. I loved it because it kept me interested, and it allowed me to explore many different ways to develop versatility, and staying power. By 2008, we understood that stamina didn't have to come from doing one exercise like jogging, cycling, or swimming to exhaustion.


These days, I practice singing, diologue, dance, piano, and guitar regularly. I need shorter training sessions in order to fit it all in.


I'm excited to share what I call, "Combination Training," with you. I use a Tabata timer, and I alternate resistance and bodyweight exercises with dance steps to cover all the moves I need to practice in just 16 minutes for a total body fitness session that includes a warm up, resistance, intervals, and flexibility.



This follow along workout is available now. Just four minutes of dance and bodyweight exercises.


I'll warm up with 10 Total Body Extensions, 10 Cross Crawls, and 10 Leg Swings on each leg. Then I'll demonstrate my Combination Training.

20 seconds of work, 10 seconds of rest, for 8 rounds.

  1. Running Man

  2. Plank

  3. T-Step

  4. Mountain Climber

  5. Happy Feet

  6. Stick Ups

  7. Criss Cross

  8. Reverse Toe Taps



This will be a medium intensity Tabata, using bodyweight moves. I'll be adding more intense Tabatas with weights.


As performers, we have to be ready for all kinds of movement, and with Combination Training we can cover the bases fast.


Remeber to consult your health care provider before starting a new exercise program, especially if you are managing any health conditions.

 
 
 

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