No, we haven’t purchased a ski chalet, or even rented a slope-side condo. But, we finally installed heavy-duty floor mats in the partially finished room I use for my home workouts. With covid-19 cases on the rise, I won’t be going back to studio classes any time soon, so I’m trying to turn my basement gym into my winter happy place.
The single bare light bulb makes it that much more badass.
Setting Up My Winter Happy Place
I’ve been wanting to get rid of the ancient tan wool rug that covered the concrete floor for months now, but was overwhelmed by all the options. I knew I needed heavy duty mats to have sufficient cushioning, but the prices gave me sticker shock. I finally bit the bullet and settled on these, ordering three 4′ x 10′, 3/4″ thick mats to create my workout space.
When the customer service agent called to arrange a delivery time for my pallet, I should have taken that as a warning of how heavy they are! We got them into the basement, and left the set up for another day. Moving the Bowflex, elliptical, and treadmill off the old rug, laying the mats down, and then putting all that equipment back in place was exhausting, but I do love the new set up!
So much room for my strength workouts now!
We still need to relocate my medals to the other side of the Bowflex, and I want to replace the blue wall mat my husband insisted on hanging behind the treadmill with an off-white one that will blend in more. Another thing about living with an engineer is that he spends a lot of time thinking about what could go wrong and trying to prevent it. 😉
Speaking of my husband, I have to correct the record on the Tiffany jewelry he got me for our anniversary.
I’ll never be a hand model!
Now that I’ve had it sized and am able to wear it, it definitely is sparking joy. I think it looks really nice next to the band he got me for our 30th anniversary.
Weekly Run Down
After going overboard with my workouts last week, I took it down a notch or two this week. I still wanted to do it all, but running was less tempting on our rainy mornings. I ended up alternating running days with indoor cycling days, and sprinkled in a bit of strength most days.
Monday: 30 min Peloton Strength + 20 min Peloton Cycling
There are so many Peloton cycling classes, I’m finding it hard to choose which ones to do. I know Deborah likes Denis, so I opted for this 20 min Classic Rock Ride. His mellow but challenging vibe was a perfect fit for the playlist.
Tuesday: 5.3 Scooby Miles + 10 min Core + 10 min Arm
With rain in the forecast for the next few days, I took advantage of nice weather and went for a longer run than usual for a weekday. We started out at dark o’clock, but it got light enough to enjoy the fall colors after a few miles.
Wednesday: 10 min core + 35 min Peloton Cycling
The big news at Peloton this week was the new collaboration with Beyonce. In addition to getting access to some of her library for their classes, Peloton is giving digital memberships to students at 10 HBCUs, and also promising to develop long-term recruiting partnerships. The hottest class in the Beyonce collection so far is the ride led by both Alex and Tunde–the playlist was fantastic and their energy was over the top!
I know Michelle did this one too!
I’m interested to see if Kim did the 60 min Beyonce Bootcamp with Jess Sims this weekend–I’m saving that one for my birthday on Monday. 🙂
Thursday: 10 min core + 20 min Strength For Runners + 30 min Treadmill
The rain stopped, but our sidewalks were still hidden by wet leaves, so I took my run to the treadmill.
I finally got my Jess Sims-inspired poster framed too!
Friday: 45 min Intervals + Arms Ride + 10 min core
I enjoyed the format of this Intervals + Arms ride, which had three 10 minute cycling segments with two 4 min arms segments. Each cycling segment was a series of intervals–first resistance, then speed, then rider’s choice.
Saturday: 8.5 Scooby Miles + 10 min Peloton Core
It was another gorgeous fall morning, with temperatures in the upper 40s. I got a late enough start (7:30) that I needed a hat and sun glasses to fend off the November sunshine.
My legs felt noticeably fresher on this run. It was a good reminder that taking a day off from running does pay off, and Scooby definitely was eager for a run. He whined at me while I was getting ready, and leaped in the air when I got the running leash out.
Sunday: 3.2 Scooby Miles + 24.6 Miles Cycling + 10 min Core
It was a more typical November morning, with grey skies, but any day I don’t need gloves is great running weather!
We managed to beat the incoming rain, but definitely felt the wind on our bike ride.
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up. It’s always great for motivation and encouragement, but now it’s especially important for distance socializing. We may be physically apart, but we are in this together!
Have you figured out your Thanksgiving plans yet?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Your home gym looks great! I am all about making my workout space happy. Bright lights and sweaty good times. Enjoy it! Happy early birthday!
Hah, I prefer the dark cave look, but sweaty good times for sure.
Thank you!!
I love the look of the mats in your home gym! I’m a little anxious about OTF now because cases keep going up in my city. If that trend continues, I’ll have to freeze my membership if the studio doesn’t close down.
I was volunteering on Saturday so I missed doing the Beyonce Bootcamp live, but I will also be doing it tomorrow morning. Now I can say I’m doing it in honor of your birthday! 🙂
Oh, now I can’t back out! I’m sure it will be everything. 😉
Yeah, I just saw that CorePower Yoga was open, but told myself I’d at least wait until after Thanksgiving before even ^thinking^ about it.
Love the ring!!
Winter worries me. I don’t own anything.
I plan to walk and run but already I am not enjoying the cold. Just wait until there’s ice and snow.
I stocked up on some of the SkirtSports winter gear, so I’ll have no excuse. Get some YakTrax for your running shoes and you’ll be set!
I have them.
Congrats on your gym upgrades! You’re going to get a ton of use out of those mats. And hey, doing all of the moving was a bonus workout.
Thanksgiving is up in the air for us. Last year we had to delay our big family dinner to the weekend so it was just me and the hubs on the actual day, and we put together a pretty nice small spread (turkey breast and sides from the upscale grocery store). That’s probably what we’ll do again this year.
That sounds like a nice way to do it! My trouble is that I love all the traditional sides!
I love your home gym! Now that the boys have moved out, I have considered moving my TM from the back room to the basement. I’d have a ton more room down there! Waiting for my youngest to come home to help me with that, if I do it.
Thanksgiving will just be the 4 of us–maybe 5, if my son’s GF joins us. My sister wanted us all to get together but I think it’s just too risky.
Happy early birthday! Your ring is lovely.
Thank you! Moving all that equipment was quite a workout, but my husband did the bulk of it. Then he wondered why I beat him on the hills on our bike ride today!
Better safe than sorry on Thanksgiving. We are helping my son move that week so we’ll be exposed to them anyway, but my SIL is going to sit this one out.
Oh I really like the way your home gym is coming together! Sadly our numbers are on the rise here too so I’m all for making the most of your home workout space.
I haven’t done many of the Peloton bootcamps, but really want to take the Beyoncé class! Sounds like a great way to kickoff your birthday 🙂
Your ring is so pretty! Have a great birthday!
Thank you! If Jess doesn’t kill me, I’m sure it will be a great dose of birthday endorphins! 😉
Nice “new” gym! We have sort of a workout room (where the elliptical and stationary bike are perched), but we currently have a lot of other “stuff” in there as well (and it’s not workout equipment LOL). I’d love to get all that stuff put elsewhere and maybe move the treadmill down there. Someday! Your ring is beautiful!
Thank you! I love my ring and my floor mats. 🙂
That looks like a great setup for your home gym! I’m very grateful to have all my workout stuff at home so I don’t need to worry about going to a gym. Hope you have a great birthday!
Thank you! I am so grateful I had everything I need to workout at home from the start. Some things had been collecting dust for a few years, but it’s all getting good use now!
Ooo, this is awesome! I’ve been collecting ideas for my future home gym — I like the idea of the heavy duty mats and really like what you went with–it looks awesome!
Thanks. I’ve been building it piece by piece for years!
What a difference a floor can make! Your gym looks very professional!
Once again a great workout week, Coco. I like your balance between Peloton, strength, and getting outdoors with Scooby.
I took a day off from running yesterday so I hope my legs will feel fresher this morning too!
I’m sure they will! The mats do look very slick!
I would love to get rid of the carpet in my family room, aka my workout room. Your room does, indeed, look happy. Those rings are gorgeous! I’m more impressed that you wear them.
I’m all about taking days off when I need them. Which seems to be a lot this year, although I must say it frustrates me. I usually have so much to do I don’t want to take time off (and that’s without a job, LOL!).
Happy Birthday, Coco!
Thank you! I wear my rings all the time — even when I shouldn’t. I’m at the other extreme of rest days, but I think my body is acclimated to my level of activity.
Happy Birthday Coco! I love the mats and the ring is beautiful. I’m glad you decided to keep it. You crack me up with that bare lightbulb. Badass indeed!
Thank you! As for the light, I can’t imagine getting a fixture for it! When my husband uses the elliptical, he hangs a baseball cap on a nail so it doesn’t shine in his eyes. 😀
The gym look fabulous and that ring is gorgeous! I’m so glad you gave it a chance and that it’s sparking joy!
Yes, it’s a lovely ring and does make me smile!
I love your home gym! Looks great!
I love Cody for the cycling classes but have also enjoyed Jenn Sherman mainly because of her epic singalongs. Sometimes she does talk a lot and that annoys but the music is great.
Thanks! I’m not sure I have the energy to cope with Cody. I did Jenn’s arms classes during Pelothon, but haven’t tried her rides yet.
Love the updated space! Making it a happy space really makes all the difference in the level of enjoyment. I know a lot of people say they hate the treadmill, and then I find out theirs is in a garage or facing a blank wall. I can imagine how much work that was getting that flooring down and moving equipment! oof!
That’s so true on people who hate the treadmill! I like the bare-bones look of my space, but the concrete walls are painted nicely and the new floor mats look so much nicer!