2017 Tour de France Fitness Challenge

Every July the world turns its attention to one of the most physically challenging athletic events in the world: The Tour de France.  Twenty-Three days of challenges with only two rest days that traverse Europe's most beautiful countryside.   Last year I decided (to help kick off some baby weight) to create a 23 day challenge that followed the Tour de France.   It was so much fun I want to do it again....with new challenges!  My challenge will follow their course with modified workouts for a mom schedule.  I am going to start the challenge with the actual Tour on July 1st kicking off in Dusseldorf.  I will be blogging each workout on Instagram to hold myself accountable, but also to share my 17 years of Group Fitness and Personal Training experience with everyone.

Who's in?????    July 1st - July 23rd.  Wear as much yellow as possible during this challenge to symbolize that you are in the lead!   Print the schedule and check off the stages as you complete them.

Here is the actual tour schedule for 2017

Stage:   (Feel free to move around the stages to fit into your schedule)

1.     Dusseldorf:  Individual Time Trials.  14 km.  3 miles - anyway you like it to get a feel for how in shape or out of shape your are.  Record your time.  You will repeat this same workout on stage 20 and compare the time.

2.     Liège:  Flat.  203km.   Long walk/run/elliptical machine.  At least 45 minutes.

3.     Verviers: Hilly. 212.5 km.  10 minute cross-fit at home, followed by a 10-20 minute walk/jog https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/10-Minute-Intense-Full-Body-Workout-23065707

4.     Mondorf-les-Bains: Flat.  207.5 km.  Long walk/run/elliptical machine.  At least 45 minutes.

5.     Vittel:  Hilly.  160.5 km    Jillian Michaels Level One 30 minute shred workout. You will need a light set of hand weights.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9aJsr718Js

6.     Vesoul:  Flat.  216 km   Group exercise class.....spin, Zumba, water aerobics, step, cardio blast, Barr, etc.....  Whatever you want to do, but find a group class.  If you are not a member of a gym, call and ask the local YMCA if you can try a class.....or just walk for a really long time this day.

7.     Troyes:  Flat.  213.5 km  Long walk/run/elliptical machine.  At least 45 minutes.

8.     Dole:  Hilly.  187.5 km.  500 Calorie Burn at home or in the yard as the kids play.  40 jumping Jacks, 30 Crunches, 20 Squats, 10 push-ups....... 5 Rounds.

9.     Nantue:  Mountains.  181.5 km.  Every Mountain workout will be this same 10 minute full body toning workout.  It is a challenge the first time you do it....but this is the Tour De France Fitness Challenge... You will get better!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPs3Vd7fp40

Rest Day

10.    Périgueux: Flat.  187 km  Long walk/run/elliptical machine.  At least 45 minutes.

11.    Eymet:  Flat.  203.5 km  Group exercise class.....spin, Zumba, water aerobics, step, cardio blast, Barr, etc.....  Whatever you want to do, but find a group class.  If you are not a member of a gym, call and ask the local YMCA if you can try a class.....or just walk for a really long time this day.

12.    Pau:  Mountains.  214.5 km   Your 10 minute video.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPs3Vd7fp40

13.    Saint-Girons:  Mountain.  101 km  Do it again!!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPs3Vd7fp40

14.    Blagnac: Hilly:  181.5 km  Repeat 10 minute cross-fit video followed by a 10-20 minute walk/jog.  https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/10-Minute-Intense-Full-Body-Workout-23065707

15.    Laissac-Sévérac:  Hilly.  189.5 km  500 Calorie Burn at home or in the yard as the kids play.  40 jumping Jacks, 30 Crunches, 20 Squats, 10 push-ups....... 5 Rounds.

Rest Day

16.    Le Puy-en-Velay:  Flat.  165 km  Group exercise class.....spin, Zumba, water aerobics, step, cardio blast, Barr, etc.....  Whatever you want to do, but find a group class.  If you are not a member of a gym, call and ask the local YMCA if you can try a class.....or just walk for a really long time this day.

17.    La Mure:  Mountain.  183 km.  Your 10 minute workout video.  It should be getting easier.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPs3Vd7fp40

18.    Briançon: Mountain.  179.5 km   This time, you are STRONGER.  So, do it twice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPs3Vd7fp40

19.    Embrun:  Flat.  222.5 km  Long walk/run/elliptical machine.  At least 45 minutes.

20.    Marseille:  Time Trials.  22.5 km   Repeat the same 3 mile workout from stage 1 and compare your time for improvement!!

21.    Montgeron-Paris:  Flat.  103 km  You have finished the challenge.  Show off your new health with a Power Walk - 3 miles.  Then go drink champagne.  Why champagne?  That is what they drink in Paris while cycling around the Arc de Triomphe!!!