I Did 2 Workouts a Day For 7 Days Straight — Here's What Happened

Image Source: Franz Steiner Photography
Model Credit: @racquelnatasha

I work out a lot. Alright, that would be an understatement. As a fitness editor and writer, getting sweaty is a huge part of my day-to-day. As someone who once weighed over 200 pounds, I feel lucky that I can get up and have the energy to not only get in a solid sweat but also move my body.

I recently took a look at my calendar and realized that, for whatever reason, I had two-a-days planned for every single day in the upcoming week. People ask me all the time how I manage to work out twice a day. And I was finally steadfast on telling them the right answer. Here's exactly what happened when I did two-a-day workouts for an entire week:

The workouts: 4.5-mile run and hot yoga

I woke up a tad hungover. After consuming a flagel (flat bagel, for you newbies), I immediately contemplated my options for getting back to feeling amazing. My favorite instructor was teaching at my go-to yoga studio. Since the class wasn't for another two hours, I figured I'd get my act together and run the 4.5 miles there.

Determined to beat the next-day blues, I really picked up the pace heading to yoga. Four-and-a-half miles later, I got there with about 30 minutes left to spare. I snagged myself a coffee and chugged down an ice water before heading into the warm studio. The session, which was 75 minutes, made me realize how tight my hips were. I felt like I got a restart; I was less sluggish and definitely less hungover.

The workouts: Spin class and Equinox workout

On this particular Monday morning, a friend asked me to join her for a 45-minute Spin class. Feeling really strong, I managed to win a slew of sprints throughout the EDM-fueled class, which put me in a good mood for my Monday.

Sitting on my couch after a full workday that night, I was debating between going to a friend's to catch up and drink wine or stopping over to Equinox around the corner to do an arms circuit (and OK, maybe a little bit of running too). I opted for Equinox, as it was about 40 blocks closer than the wine. The workout ended up being a one-mile warmup and an arms circuit that included triceps dips, triceps extensions, bicep curls, shoulder presses, and plank up-downs. All followed by a one-mile finisher. I hit the showers and then hit the pillow.

The workouts: Teach 45-minute Spin class and hot yoga

My alarm went off at 5:15 a.m., and after getting my act together, I headed downtown to teach my weekly 6:30 a.m. class. A lot of Spin instructors will tell you that teaching is an entirely different ball game than taking class. True, as I'm not working as hard as possible and becoming breathless in the process. However, I'm not the kind of Spin instructor who gets off the bike. And because of that, it always feels like my class is a workout for me, too.

I later met a friend for a quickie 45-minute hot yoga class. It was warm in all the ways you hope it will be when it feels like 14 degrees outside. I changed and went to my friend's for dinner. Stuffed peppers, endless bruschetta, and healthy carbs fueled me for what would arguably be the pique of the week.

The workouts: Spin class, Mile High Run Club, and teach Spin class

I know. It's a lot. But a friend of mine who teaches at the studio asked me to come take his class, and I obliged. I snuck out of the class a few minutes early, bundled myself up completely, and headed down to the Mile High Run Club to meet a colleague. There, we cruised through about four miles of treadmill intervals over the course of the High 45 class. I was admittedly tired by the end and notably not giving the class 100 percent as if I had fresh legs.

That night, after treating myself to a manicure, I taught an almost-sold-out Spin class. The energy was great. I was so tired that I got home and immediately fell asleep on the couch. In my head I thought, "I am so not getting up to work out tomorrow. It's going to be great."

The workouts: CrossFit and Flywheel

I'm at a point in my life where I wonder if I'm just incapable of waking up past 5:30 a.m. on weekdays. When I rolled over in my bed, realizing that I felt pretty good and that I was indeed awake, I looked at the clock and realized that I could make the 6:30 a.m. WOD at my CrossFit gym.

The workout was a slew of overhead snatches, wall balls, and sit-ups. After cleaning up the chalk and racking my barbell, I changed and headed over to a workout at Flywheel, where I got a sneak peek of the brand's new FlyWheel Live studio. The class was challenging but entirely different than being inside of a no-cameras class.

The workouts: Spin class and hot yoga

I met a fellow freelance journalist at the Spin studio for a workout and smoothie combo. The Spin class gave me a boost I needed to get through a creative slump, and I managed to tackle four phone calls back to back with editors regarding assignments that had to be finished.

That night, before heading over to a friend's to bake gingerbread men, she and I hit up a hot yoga class. It felt nice to sweat it out before eating my bodyweight in vegan gingerbread dough.

The workouts: CrossFit and hot yoga

I have this group of friends that likes to get together and do CrossFit workouts on Saturday mornings around 9 a.m. This week's workout: a 40-minute burner including everything from power cleans and pull-ups (I did jumping pull-ups) to rowing for calories.

Afterward, reflecting on the hell I put my body through during the week, I linked up with one of my best friends from college to take a hot yoga class, catch up, and grab coffee. It was everything that a weekend workout should be: relaxing and filled with smiles.

How did I feel after it was all over? Great. However, I wouldn't suggest working out like this to any of my clients or a friend. But what I realized put a smile on my face: I'm an athlete. Working out is something I enjoy and something I excel at.

I know that the way I train is drastically different than the average person. But I am not afraid of eating, I make sure to hydrate, and I take days off when I need to take days off. Plus, I put a huge emphasis on recovery, including foam rolling, getting massages, and everything in between.

Is every week like this? Of course not. But I'm thankful that I'm capable. I'm thankful for my body.