What Exercise I Think Different Monsters Would be Based on Their Vibes
Initially, I planned on putting together a Hallo-Workout using spooky movies like Frankenstein walks and dreadlifts, but then I got to thinking about what different monsters’ favorite exercises would be and had to share. Some are specific to certain characters, while most generalize monster types as a whole. Check them out here and get inspired by your favorite creepy character!
Ghosts: Jazzercise
Why this fits the Vibe: Assuming most ghosts don’t have a physical form and generally can’t touch things, equipment-based exercises won’t work. A lot of bodyweight exercises probably wouldn’t fit either, as I’m pretty sure gravity doesn’t work on ghosts. Jazzercise seems like a great solution! No gravity is required, ghosts can get their groove on in mid-air!
Werewolves: Deadlifts
Why this fits the Vibe: I know DEADlifts might seem more fitting for something like a ghost, but hear me out! Deadlifts are a top gym-bro alpha-male exercise, and what’s more alpha-male than a werewolf? Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson holds the world record for most weight deadlifted at 1,105 lbs, but I think the supernatural strength of a werewolf might top that record!
Vampires: Bicep Curls
Why this fits the Vibe: I went back and forth between back squats and bicep curls for vampires. I get a similar gym-bro vibe from vampires and werewolves, but since they’re traditionally seen as rivals, that means that Vampires are Team Upper Body. Also, bicep curls seem a little easier to do without needing to check your form in a mirror. Since vampires have no reflection, this seems like a safer option!
Frankenstein’s Monster: Burpees
Why this fits the Vibe: In Mary Shelley’s famous novel, Victor Frankenstein creates a monster from an assortment of body parts. Similarly, burpees are a monster created from an assortment of other exercises. However, in the novel, Frankenstein’s monster was a sentient and emotionally intelligent creature. Burpees really are a monster.
Ghouls: Bent Rows
Why this fits the Vibe: To be fully transparent, I had to look up what a ghoul was. The general consensus seems to be that ghouls are evil, grave-robbing spirits that eat the dead. Mostly due to the grave robbing factor, I feel that bent rows would be the most useful exercise for a ghoul. I imagine that robbing a grave as a supernatural creature takes a lot of upper-body strength, and rows seem like the perfect exercise to help them get it done!
Zombies: Glute Bridges
Why this fits the Vibe: Poor zombies have a lot of work to do when it comes to their physical fitness. When everything could use improvement, core strengthening seems like the perfect place to start! Glute bridges are a great beginner exercise that focuss on the glutes but also works the hamstrings and transverse abdominis. I think zombies would benefit from hiring a personal trainer to ensure they keep proper form and to help them adjust exercises to fit their abilities.
Gargoyle: 90/90 Hip Switch
Why this fits the Vibe: When I think of gargoyles, I think of their crouched position on the roof corners of buildings. Crouching in such a way takes a lot of hip flexibility and mobility, and 90/90 hip switches are a great way to achieve that form. Really, I think all monsters could benefit from better hip mobility (looking at you, zombies).
Fun fact: In gothic architecture, gargoyles actually serve a purpose! They function as runoff spouts to keep water from eroding the mortar between masonry walls.
Witches: Pull-Ups
Why this fits the Vibe: I had an especially hard time deciding on this exercise. There are so many genres of witches and so many fitting exercises, but pull-ups seemed like a good inclusive exercise for all witches. Pull-ups are often considered the most challenging upper-body exercise, and that feels right to represent tough, fierce witches like Circe, the Sanderson Sisters, Marie Laveau, and other good and bad witches.
The Grim Reaper: TRX Rip Twist
Why this fits the Vibe: The Grim Reaper is rarely seen without a scythe in his hand, but is he using it with proper form? Thanks to strength and muscle memory built from performing the TRX Rip twist, he is! This rotational exercise helps build core strength and is unilateral, which means each side of the body gets worked individually. Though the Grim Reaper might not care to swing his scythe from both sides, he’s able to even out his body strength with the TRX Rip twist!
Swamp Monster: Bench Press
Why this fits the Vibe: After a fair amount of research on swamps (and then a dive down the rabbit hole about the difference between a swamp and marsh, how deep lagoons get, and the Bayou Chene community in Louisiana,) I found out that the water in swamps is generally not very deep, ranging from a few inches to a few feet. With this being the case, water aerobics just doesn’t fit the Swamp Monster. The bench press feels like a good exercise for a monster who gets enough of a lower body workout wading through mud, sand, and mangroves. He can build his strength and endurance with this compound exercise that hits the shoulders, chest, and arms all at once. Bonus points for the workout-at-home swamp monster who uses an alligator instead of a barbell.
Put These Together for one Spooky Workout!
Though your workout might be a little upper-body-heavy, putting these 10 exercises together would make for a frightfully good workout!
Am I missing any monsters? Do you have different opinions? Let me know!
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