I’ve had a few questions lately about how PT is progressing for me, what kind of exercises they have me doing now, etc. Well, last week my physical therapist sent me a new workout, and I was totally excited to get it in a new online format that not only illustrates the exercises, but also animates them with step-by-step, printable instructions. Super cool, and helpful too!

I thought some of you might enjoy seeing exactly what kind of torture strengthening moves Brad is putting me through these few weeks. 

I count a total of 150 lunges. On both sides. 

This is an incredibly challenging workout for both the core and legs, at least it is for me. Coupled with stretching afterwards, it takes me an hour to complete, my heart rate gets up in the cardio range for at least half of it, and my muscles are rubber afterwards. From a time and intensity standpoint, it’s perfect.

I do it every other day so my muscles get a day of recovery in between. Or three.

You see, the first time I did this workout was on a Thursday and there were a few tears between sets. I easily talked myself out of tackling it again on Saturday. And Sunday. Surely lounging at the pool with K-Bear was a reasonable replacement, right?

The good news is I tackled it twice more this week, and each time it has gotten a bit easier. That’s not to say some high-tempo tunes on the iPod are not necessary. It’s definitely a head game.

Howard Head Sports Medicine prides themselves on “Don’t just recover. Conquer.” I suppose that’s why my surgeon and I – and pro athletes worldwide – trust our bodies to them.

What feels the best is knowing how far I’ve come in the last four months since surgery. It may hurt some, but I’m able to do these high-intensity exercises regularly without pain, which is a huge accomplishment after spending six weeks on crutches. I’m a bit fearful for the next workout Brad sends me, but the truth is that in another week, I’ll have conquered this one. And isn’t that the point?

I’m sure to be rockin’ and rollin’ on the trails before summer’s end!

If any of you haven’t had a hip or other reconstruction lately, I’d love for you to try this workout and let me know how challenging (or not – go ahead, make me jealous) you found it.

Time to brag: how many lunges can you do?