Best Workouts on the Parade Routes

11:00 February 02, 2015
By: 2Fik

It's the time of year for cheer, beer, and that neutral ground spot we hold so dear. During Carnival we often tend to fill up our stomachs as much as our bead bags. Between the non-stop revelry of parties and parades it can be difficult to keep to a fitness plan or reasonable eating plan. So what can you do? You can let it all hang out—figuratively of course—or you can put a few workout moves into your parade regimen to keep Fat Tuesday from living up to its name.

I have included some fun, simple and effective workout moves to get the blood flowing and to keep you going in case you find yourself motionless at Muses, eating at Endymion, hanging around at Hermes or relaxing at Rex.

See below for some workout exercises that will help you stay warm if it's cold, stay active between floats, tighten your muscles as we move into festival season and without getting you dirty if the weather is less cooperative.

Bead Bag Biceps Curl

As we progress through the parade and our bags get full of beads, stuffed animals and other fun treasures, why not use your bead bag to build those biceps?

Stand upright with your arms straight and externally rotated, holding your Mardi Gras Bead Bag out to the sides with your palms facing out. Raise your Mardi Gras Bead Bag up to shoulder height, bending at the elbows and gently return to starting position by extending your arms.

Taming the Triceps

As we age we all start to get concerned about that under arm jiggle that tries to take residence in our triceps region. This exercise is perfect to firm the arms and prevent the jiggle when raising them and shouting "throw me something"!

Stand upright holding your Mardi Gras Bead Bag in both hands behind your head with your elbows bent and against your ears. Straighten your arms, raising the Bag of Beads up overhead. Lower the Mardi Gras Bead Bag back down behind your head, bending your elbows.

Squats for Doubloons

This is a perfect exercise for those of us who must reach down and snatch those doubloons. As elusive as those little coins are, if we want them bad enough, we will often have to squat and pick them up in order to add them to our collection. If that's the case, try this exercise to warm up beforehand and to help firm up your legs and buttocks.

Stand upright wit h your legs hip-width and hold your Mardi Gras Bead Bag in front of your body at chest height. Then, while looking straight ahead and slightly up, lower your body toward the floor, sending your hips back and down and bending your knees. Push through your heels to return to the start position. Make sure your knees do not extend past the imaginary line from your toes to the sky.

Lateral Raises to Clear Your Territory

Well' if you're like me, you feel crowded and somewhat claustrophobic at some parades. Fear not, I have the perfect way to stake out your territory and sculpt those shoulders at the same time.

Stand upright holding 2 small to medium sized Mardi Gras Bead Bags at your sides with your arms straight. Raise the Mardi Gras Bead Bags up and outward to the sides to shoulder height. Keep your arms straight or use a slight bend at the elbows.


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About Nolan Ferraro, Owner, Salire Fitness and Wellness


Best Workouts on the Parade Routes
[Where Y'At Staff/Provided Photo]
Certified personal trainer and licensed wellness coach Nolan Ferraro has been recognized as the #1 Best Personal Trainer in New Orleans.

Nolan counts Chef Susan Spicer among the thousands of New Orleanians who have gotten in shape with Salire's high-impact fitness programs like "Power in the Park" a month-long cross-training boot camp in City Park. He has also added a new high intensity interval training class, Body Blitz, at his studio. Visit www.salirefitness.com for more information on Nolan and Salire Fitness & Wellness.

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