This week we we shared the love with several first timers to NPO. We planked to near perfection in order of birthdates; then Cupid shuffled our way through a workout of heart racing bench jumps and Vday ups, regularly taking relationship breaks to pair up with a new partner and bust out some burpees, partner pushups or curtsy lunges. Once our hearts were sufficiently racing, we were led through a relaxing cool down by one of our beloved members who regularly shows up for her community, her friends, her loved ones and herself. Let us introduce you to Lara.
Like it, love it, want more of it! (ORL)
I saw lots of people drawing face cards, which gave them the opportunity to run a happy little lap by the lake. And, I saw no one choose more burpees as their cardio-which is fine, I guess– because no matter what, you have a hand in this game as long as you just show up!
This gem of a workout originated in Minneapolis and had made appearances in Grand Rapids, NYC, and Baltimore before making its way to Orlando. The idea is simple, straightforward and fun while allowing your creative and silly sides to shine through. Partner up with a new friend; one person performs assigned exercise while the other runs, when the runner returns, the fun begins by creating move #1 of their new secret handshake. The new found friends had just begun their journey to something beautiful. They then swapped activities and continued on their journey to a refreshing, newfound friendship bliss. Dozens of squats, dips and lunges later, they had a new bond with their new bff, as well as their very own handshake that each pair demonstrated for the rest of the group. 
An enthusiastic round of applause had Erik and Chelsea brushing off their shoulders in a triumphant Round One victory. The second half of recess had everyone making a new friend and an inventive new shake. Lara and Todd’s smooth moves including the running man, the Carlton and some persuasive pelvic thrusts won the crowd over as they were hailed as the title holders of the first NPO handshake shakedown. 
Their grand prize was a choice between a Roxanne, Sebastian, or Bazzi burnout. You don’t turn down a Bazzi when the opportunity is presented. 16 burpees and a fast lap later, the tribe proved that they are excelling at their challenge to better their burpee technique, and can’t wait to relay those improvements to the Headmasters. Solid work, students.
illegal use of the hands ⬆️
proper form ⬆️⬇️
Would they be able to keep the momentum up as we moved right in to the main competition? Teams could choose any three out of eight exercises, and complete 17 reps of each action. Then, they got to run-following a rainbow route that led them back to the main deck and directly to a pot of coins. There they drew one at random, and if it was gold, they had the luck of avoiding the 3 burpee penalty and banking that gold coin for their team. If they were just as lucky, they choose blue, purple or silver, threw it back in the pot, got to do the three burpees and start fresh from the top with another set of 3/17. 
Depending on your outlook, all teams could be considered winners on Wednesday. While Team Three brought home the most gold coins, thus doing the least burpees and winning chocolate, Teams One, Two and Four got to do bonus burpees and avoid the temporarily satisfying confections. No matter how many Blarney Burpees, Shamrock Shuffles, Dublin Dips or Jameson Jumping Jacks those lucky little leprechauns did, they were all eligible for a Tubthumping burnout of half burpees, planks and squats that left the lads and lasses quite knackered! 
So, it’s hard to name real winner, when it’s 6 o’ one and a 1/2 dozen of the other! As always, we are thrilled that you show up week after week to improve yourselves and encourage others to do the same. The shenanigans and friendly competitions that we come up with would not be possible without your participation. Now, get out there this weekend, celebrate your roots-have some corned beef, taters and Guinness-you earned it and, well, everyone’s a wee bit Irish this weekend!