There are numerous benefits to working out consistently, and almost as many barriers to sticking to a regular workout regimen. Some of the most common reasons we hear from people all over the world on why they cannot commit to exercising include:
• I do not have enough time
• I cannot make it to the gym
• I don’t know what to do
• Exercising is boring
As a fitness instructor, I have seen, first hand, how powerful exercise is. There is far more to gain than changing your appearance. Chief among its benefits include the fact that regular exercise:
• Improves health and provides relief from aches and pain
• Reduces stress and generates good moods
• Increases cognitive function
• Promotes better sleep
So how can we tap into the benefits of working out while combating the barriers that keep us from taking that first step? Make it an enjoyable experience! Imagine a workout so well blended into something you enjoy – that you forget you are actually working out. One of the most powerful ways to get to that stage is through music.
To that end, I have created a slew of workout routines (ranging from strength training to cardio routines and abdominal workouts) set to some of the most popular Nigerian and African tunes. The goal is to customize workouts that fit our culture and identity. Each week, a new workout is uploaded to my YouTube channel (Adagurl). Technique coaching is available in the description of every song.
The great thing about these workouts is that they last the length of one song. Now you can get an intense workout in with whatever time you have in a day!
Check out some of the workouts below.
Flavour – Chinny Baby – Core/Abs
D’Prince – Amarachi – Speed/Agility/Cardio
P-Square – Personally – Upper Body/Abs
Wizkid – Untop Your Matter – Legs/Cardio
Oladele feat eLDee – Professional – Pushups/Pressups
Photo Credit: Adibe Photography. www.kanayoadibe.com
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Ada-Ari is an Elite group exercise instructor based in Washington DC. She teaches sports conditioning, step aerobic, and strength training classes. Ada is also an avid soccer/football player and contributes monthly to Genevieve magazine on health and fitness. Follow her on Instagram (@ada_ari) and subscribe to her YouTube channel (Adagurl)
Great job Adagirl! Now time to work out!
Kai…could only get through 2.5 videos…chai it makes less than 5min feel like an eternity when you work out like that. Great job Adagirl*exhausted*
m so on dis mata
Tnx love, am gonna try it out this evening while training.
Amazing fitness and endurance, just watching, especially the arm exercise is making my eyes water…just thinking of the lactic build up burn…as Sir Billy Blanks will say…let it buuurrrrnnnn
Good job Ada! I enjoyed the videos and the work- outs. But I’d choose a different song for the Legs/Cardio. Lol! Oladele and Eldee made a mess of Cassie’s Got a long way 2 go. Some 9ja artists though…what happened to the originality?
Sean T’s Insanity work-out video is another amazing way to work out at home.
*…to originality?
You mean Shaun T ?
Thanks for the correction @Busarni…I always make this error. *coversface*
Lolz, you are welcome dear.
I used Shaun T insanity workout CD to burn baby weight at home after my second child.I died and resurrected a million times but sincerely it works for real.
Easy for Adagirl to talk about fitness- in Nigeria, life is stressful- wake up each money and the first thing on my mind? How to make ends meet. Go to sleep each night and the last thing on your mind? How to make ends meet. Anyway sha,well done Adagirl and think of coming back home to start your gym fitness- your first customer will have to be dame Patience Jonathan- the woman looked like a colorful chicken draped out in purple beside Ethiopian first lady at dinner at Aso Rock last year- the woman has no shape,no hips, no neck, no waist, too much belle- Adagirl, can you work your magic on her?
Exercise works wonders not only for physical but also for mental health. Every one trying to make ends meet worldwide, even rich people look to getting richer and are always on d grind. U can find dat 30 mins in 24 hrs if u put ur mind to it. Only peeps dat do a physically taxing job like personal trainers, well diggers, deep sea diver’s can say dey dont need exercise.