This article was originally written for winter workouts - but we heard a rumor that spring is REALLY on it's way. Because of this it's a great time to remind everyone of the inside workouts that they can still get in that will leave them fit and fabulous for the spring and summer.  What can you expect and what is the right workout for you? Here are my top six picks for what's new, what's still in and what might work for you.

1. Budget-Friendly Workouts: One way to get a safe and inspiring workout that gets you results is group personal training. Fit Behavior offers our 30FIT group personal training. Routines are only 30 minutes in and out the door and the costs are greatly reduced. You can participate in classes Monday through Friday 6AM through 8PM and limited hours on Saturday.

2. Boot Camp-Style Workouts: Boot camp workouts are popular as they provide a total-body workout that's varied, fun and challenging and usually easy to follow. Up to 600 calories can be burned during a boot camp session - according to ACE(American Council on Exercise). Fit Behavior offers Boot camp classes every Tuesday and Saturday morning at 6AM.

3. Specialty Classes: Dance-based classes all the rage this year. Zumba, a fitness program inspired by Latin dance, combines South American rhythms with cardiovascular exercise. Shows such as Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance encourage dance style fitness classes that have grow in popularity such as ballroom, belly dance, Afro-Cuban and other exotic dance styles. Check out the class schedule at Fitbehavior.com.

4. Functional Training: The days of sitting on a machine and body building workouts are out. New more challenging and creative functional workouts challenge all the muscles, balance, core and cardiovascular at the same time. Personal training can help to ensure a safe workout and new innovating movements to get fit.

5. Circuit Training: Studies have shown that interval training combining strength training and cardiovascular activity at different intensities provides a more time-efficient workout than participating in traditional aerobic and weight training sessions. Time is the gym is greatly reduced by combining a weight training and cardiovascular routine.

6. New Equipment Kettle bell training, ropes, TRX, gravity training, free motion equipment, and heavy balls gets back to basic training that requires functional, whole body fitness.

By Carolyn Phillips

Carolyn Phillips has a 20 year history as a certified personal trainer with the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and Certified Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant, teaching lifestyle management, nutrition, weight training, cardiovascular, fitness testing, and behavior modification.  Carolyn is featured on WFSB Channel 3’s, Better CT and on radio 96.5 TIC FM with Damon Scott as the fitness expert every Wednesday.

Carolyn Phillips is founder and CEO of Fit Behavior (http://www.fitbehavior.com) and. Carolyn’s Menu of Life (http://www.Caroylnsmenuoflife.com) The facility has a 13 -year history and has been awarded winner of the best place to workout and best Pilate’s studio by the Hartford Magazine and voted best by The Hartford Advocate for its nutrition and cardio program. Carolyn won the prestigious 40 Under Forty award from the Hartford Business Journal for outstanding leadership in the greater Hartford area.

Carolyn has over 25 years of combined comprehensive sports and education experience.

• ·         2000-2010 ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• ·         2010 ACE Certified Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant
• ·         2007-2010 Featured on Better CT Channel 3 as a Fitness Expert
• ·         2009-2010 96.5 TIC FM's Damon Scott radio show as the weekly Fitness Expert
• ·         2007-2010 The Mary Jones Radio Show, WDRC-AM 1360 - guest Fitness Expert
• ·         2008-2010 West Hartford Community Television - Fitness Expert and Group Instructor on air
• ·         1990-2010 Guest Speaker on ESPN, WHCN, WCCC, WDRC
• ·         2002-2010  President - Board of Directors at Chrysalis Center Inc.
• ·         2009 BS in Organizational Leadership, Quinnipiac University
• ·         2007-2008 Published writer for Natural Nutmeg Magazine
• ·         2007-2008 Nutmeg Community Television - Fitness Expert and Group Instructor on air
• ·         2000 40 Under 40 Award from the Hartford Business Journal
• ·         2004 Licensed Professional Mountain Biker
• ·         1998-2004 CT State and Regional Mountain Bike Champion
• ·         1990-1997 CT State Bodybuilding Champion and National Competitor
• ·         1974-1980 VT State Gymnastic Champion and Junior Olympics Competitor
• ·         3 years coursework in Health Sciences

·         Currently studying for Master's Degree in Nutrition

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