How To Structure Your Workout The Alternative Way

Heidi Cannon loves the changes that happen within the gym, but her passion lies in the ability to be fit for all kinds of dance and includes cycling and motocross in her training routine.

“I started belly dancing professionally around Vancouver, Canada and incorporated dance as my cardio and am continually challenged to learn more. I started to get into jazz, lyrical and ballet for the first time in my life at age 29. I’m a true believer that age is only a limit if you allow it to be.”

Monday

40 minutes of cardio (stairmaster or a run) followed by a heavy leg day: front squats, back squats, deadlifts

Tuesday AM: Biceps/shoulders

Shoulder press, dumbbell flyes, lateral raises, face pull, standing bicep curls

Tuesday PM: Jazz lyrical dance class

15 minutes warm-up stretching.

30 mins across the- floor work to practice new jumps or pirouettes, or variations of arm movements across the floor.

30 mins – working on our jazz dance routine that will be performed at the end of each dance year or to be used in competitions.

30 mins – working on lyrical dance routine that will be performed at the end of each dance year or to be used in competitions.

Wednesday AM 2 hours: Belly dance practice

My dance partner and I meet to go over new routine concepts, combinations and floor work. We come up with new moves and dance routines for our performances. Hip shimmies, hip drops, chest circles body rolls are just a few of the common belly dance moves we incorporate.

Wednesday PM: Back/abs

Assisted pull-ups, rows, hanging leg curls, side crunches.

– RELATED: 5 Ways Music Helps Your Workout –

Thursday

Cycling 40-60 mins outdoor on my road bike or indoor on stationary bikes Legs & booty: front squats, back squats, leg curls, leg press

Friday & Saturday

Performing at restaurants (belly dance) depending on how many I get booked it can be anywhere from 1–4 shows per night.

Each show is a high amount of cardio style belly dance (hip shimmies/drum solo work) and each one is 20mins long so you can bet by the end of the night my legs are toast!

Saturday & Sunday

Motocross – I love to hit the local cycling tracks for 10-15 minutes at a time – it’s such a buzz!