Los Angeles Personal Trainer

Hi Lalo!!

I LOVE your workouts!!!

I have a 2-part question:

1. Is there a cardio workout routine you can recommend that doesn't require any equipment but is also effective for burning calories? I find the traditional jumping jacks, on the spot running and kick-back exercises you do in LaloFit v1 exceptionally effective. So on my "cardio only days" I do these exercises in rotation for about 30 minutes. Although I feel the burn, the exercises can get boring. Are there other simple exercises I can do in combination with those moves when I am on a "cardio day"? I really like to sweat it out!

2. Is it ok to alternate between LaloFit v1 and v2 (e.g. Mon, Wed, Fri: v1; Tues, Thu, Sat: v2) or is that too taxing on the body?

I really want to see results quickly...but I guess patience is a virtue!

Thanks!
Claire

p.s. any plans to produce a cardio-only workout DVD?

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Hi Claire,

I’m glad you like the workouts!

Take your cardio workout outdoors. While you’re getting some cardio done you are also enjoying the outdoors, which could be a great way of reducing stress. I filmed my fitness videos inside a warehouse and only using 5 Lb weights to send the “Do it anywhere”, “No excuses” message. Try running, hiking, biking, swimming, play tennis, beach volleyball, racquetball and the list is endless. Any of those activities will make you burn a lot of calories and fat. If you still want to keep it indoors, you should try to also include the ab workouts in between your cardio moves. That should get you sweating and will ad variety to your cardio days. The only way I would do a cardio-only DVD is if I end up doing a 3 month program

Having both videos gives you more variety, which is great, but you should not workout every day with them. Since both LaloFit exercise videos are full body workouts, you’ll be working the same muscles. Try to do V1 Mon, Wed, and V2 the same days but the following week. You can also do V.1 Mon, Wed, and V2 on Friday or the other way around. On Tuesday Thursday and Saturday you can do cardio and abs. And yes, patience is a virtue; as long as you do strength training, cardio and have a balanced diet you should be on the right track.

Good luck!

Lalo Fuentes, CSCS
Personal Trainer & Lifestyle Coach
Los Angeles, California

Dear Lalo,

I have been using the LaloFit V.1 workout 3 times a week for the last 5 weeks and my body has become more toned - THANK YOU! But I also feel that my body has gotten used to the exercises and it is now easier to work through each movement.

My goal is weight loss. How long should I stay on a workout program before changing it up?
Thanks,
Lay

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Dear Lay,

Each person responds a little different to each training program. If you workout three times per week and also do cardio and eat healthy you should be ready to change your workout regimen after eight weeks. The body (muscles & bones) needs this amount of time to adapt to certain movements and get results. While in a fitness program, not only your muscles will benefit from it, but also your bones.

When you start a new exercise program you muscles as well as your bones need to adapt to the new challenges or stress your body is experiencing. Your muscles will become more developed and your bones will gain density. The trick is that, not your whole body will get these benefits, only the muscles and bones where the stress is being applied repetitively for a certain period of time, which is about 8 weeks. That’s why I included a full body workout mixed with cardio in my fitness DVD’s, so you can get the most amount of muscles worked within one hour.

It is very important to always change your workouts. You can have a few different workouts you do for these eight weeks and put them on rotation. After those eight weeks, you should change it around and do something different for another 8 weeks. You can either try the same technique with an advanced and new set of moves or change the technique and style of workout all together for something completely different. You can always come back to your original workouts but this time around you will be adding more intensity to it and still expect results.

If you’re thinking about increasing the amount of weight because your workouts are getting easy, concentrate on your posture and technique before you do that.

Have fun!

Lalo Fuentes, CSCS
Personal Trainer & Lifestyle Coach
Los Angeles, California

Hi Lalo,

I use the LaloFit V.1 DVD 3 times a week in combination with cardio workouts. I really enjoy the exercises on your DVD and feel like I've accomplished something at the end of the day. And I love how my body feels the next day.

I would love to work out to your DVD everyday. However, I've heard that I should allow my muscles to rest between "aero/tone" exercises. Would it be unsafe and ineffective if I were to do the Lalofit workout everyday?

Thanks,
Lisa
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Great question Lisa!

The way you’re using the video by working out 3 times per week is the correct way of doing it. Since both LaloFit workout videos are full body workouts, it is important that you let your body rest for one day in between the workouts.

When you workout the same muscles every day you get what is called the Overtraining Syndrome, which could be also defined as excessive frequency, volume or intensity of your training. Overtraining can but doesn’t always include plateau or decrease in performance.

Lets suppose you do the LaloFit workout video on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Then Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays you could do cardio exercises such as running, hiking, biking or elliptical just to name a few and also depending on your fitness level. You also want to give your body a rest on the seventh day and do nothing. One of the three days of cardio could also be used for an active rest. On that day, you could choose an activity that is fitness related but relatively easy like a hike or a leisure bike ride.

On the cardio days, make sure you include cardio workouts that are just that, only cardio. You want to make sure not to workout the same muscles two days in a row.

Have fun!

Lalo Fuentes, CSCS
Fitness Trainer & Lifestyle Coach
Los Angeles, California