Hello one and all!
So typical - January....everyone being super healthy. What better way to motivate myself if nothing else to go to the gym- than write a blog! I cant promise it will be as eventful as the SJ the traveller blog posts...but will hopefully be more insightful!
The aim is that it is a 4 week blog to start - 4 posts, outlining the different classes and activities I get up to in my gym. I confess -I was brutal for gymming before Christmas - so getting back was a nightmare. I am feeling unfit- so if I can survive any of these classes - you can too!
I will also aim to provide a tip or two that I get from the gym instructors or from the latest diet fads for you to read! Warning! - I am by no means a pro - just sharing my experiences of classes.
Also - I have added some links to various exercises if you dont understand the terminology or want to try them at home.
Happy reading!
Sooooo.... 1st week back in the Gym. I joined the other 550 people (in the queue to get into a class alone!) on Monday 6th January to sign up for "Pump n Tone". I typically go to classes after work...its great because I would never push myself that hard in the gym. Having someone roar at me is far better for me (I think this hails from years as an Irish Dancer and having teachers roaring at me - u know who you are!).
Tip #1 - do not sit down on that sofa when you get in from work. It makes it 10 times harder to get off it and go to the gym.
1st Class - Pump n Tone
Pump N Tone - this is a 45 minute class with about 20 other people where you have a weights bar for the whole class and you work on different areas of the body. E.g. - in the warm up you do lunges, squats, dead lifts and upright rows etc - and then later in the class, you will complete a track for each of those areas. If it is your first weights class - go light...maybe just even use the bar. Its highly mortifying having a rather attractive instructor staring at you because you cannot even lift the bar - let alone exercice using it!
Start with about 2.5kgs on each side of the bar - and work your way up to about 5kgs on each side. Before you know it you will be carrying 20-30kgs and working out (this is like carrying a big suitcase one would normally wheel!)
The instructor will explain how to do all of the exercices - so dont be afraid to try this class. Its REALLY enjoyable. My first class back wasnt to bad at all! It started with a warm up track/song (didnt really get heart rate roing), legs track, back/shoulders track, arms track and then legs again. The class finished with 5 mins core work which was a nice change from the bar. This involved Sit Ups, Crunches and the plank. The Plank for 20 seconds was a struggle. This illustrated to me just how unfit I was!
I felt fine after the class..some of the pro's and cons are below
Pro's - Good for toning, Music to Motivate you, you can choose what weight to use to suit you
Cons - does not really get the heart rate up
The next day however - I felt like I needed 2 hip replacements from all the squats with 30kgs on my shoulders! Not a good feeling at 28! It was sore to sit down at work, it was sore to stand up. Lesson number 1 - stretch out LOTS. I just walked it out for about 30 minutes to loosen my joints. I would not recommend going to the gym 2 nights in a row if your muscles are sore - you could do yourself a serious injury!
Class 2 - Circuits
Circuits is also 45 minute class with about 15-20 other people in a big hall. This class involves being broken into groups of 2-3 and working your way through different stations e.g. Kettlebells, sprints etc.
The warm up in this class was hellish. But I felt great after it - a puff of my ventolin inhaler to open me airways and I was good to go! After this - the instructor broke us into groups of 2-3 people to complete each station together. I would suggest trying to get into a group of people that look like they have similar fitness as you - this will help later when you are trying to encourage each other on!
There were 7 different circuits - kettlebell swings, sprints, farmers carry (carrying that bloody 20kg "suitcase" of kettlebells), plank, jumping jack, stepper and walking lunges with weights. Each circuit lasts a minute and then you move on. So even if its awful - its only for a minute!
This class was tough - but I really did fantastic after it. Would highly recommend people give circuits a go if they are on offer in your gym.
Very Very Important Point to note - Sports Bra's. An ABSOLUTE must in the gym (for girls duh). There was a girl there (not me may I add!) - who didnt get this advice and nearly ended up with two black eyes. Invest in gym gear - its worth it!
Thats it from gymming in week 1 - looking forward to week 2 now!
2 other points of interest:
Full Fat Milk!
I have started drinking full fat milk again - after years of skimmed milk. This article gives some insights as to why in fact full fat is better and has far more nutrients!
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/skim-milk-vs-milk-which-is-the-healthier-choice.html
Eating Brekkie
Never a fan of eating brekkie since I was a child - I am never hungry in the morning. However - apparently Im not the most tolerable when I dont eat (again you know who you are reading this!). So one of my new years resolution is to eat a solid breakfast each morning. I have started with porridge. Its handy - I have it in work and it really does fill me up until lunch time so I avoid snacking! So for all you non-brekkie people - try it. It will be worth it!
Thats all for week 1!
SJ Goes Gym Cray x
No comments:
Post a Comment