Carrying on from last weeks theme of classes I thought I would bring up the topic of attendance as this is something that I really struggle to understand. You decide to make the commitment to improve your health and join a class but then after a few weeks you drop out - why? If something about the class has changed that you don't like then tell the instructor - speak to them - they are not monsters, well not most of them anyway! Instructors need feedback, constructive mind!
Sometimes class formats change to adapt to the needs of the class but there will be something out there that is suitable for you. Maybe the class has advanced faster than your fitness. That is not a reason to stop coming. All classes should be able to cater for all levels, if they can't then they should specify what level of fitness you require before attending. Why make all the effort of attending if you have no intention of keeping it up?
If you have never attended classes before, it may take a few different classes before you decide which one is for you. Certain things are REALLY important. You need to be able to connect with the instructor. You will never stick at a class where you don't like the instructor. Make sure you enjoy it. This sounds obvious but I have seen countless people put themselves through classes as if it were an endurance test not liking any of it - why bother, you will only give up in the end.
As with all exercise, it needs to be fun and enjoyable for you to maintain it in the long term. I will never understand why people who have been coming for months and even years suddenly stop never to be seen again. Periodically I will contact them to see how they are but get repeatedly disheartened when I hear nothing back. I have lost count of the number of times I have racked my brains going over and over classes to work out what I had done wrong or what I could do differently. As instructors we quite often give ourselves a hard time when attendance is down.
I am human and I do appreciate that other things get in the way but don't forget that TIME is the number one excuse of all time for not exercising. Make time - that is the bottom line. If you used to go to classes and enjoy them then remember that and commit to a day this week when you will return. If you didn't enjoy the classes you went to then don't not go - find a different one to try. There are so many choices out there that there will be something that suits you.
I hope to see lots of you in classes this week - enojy the sunshine, spring is finally here fingers crossed!
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Body Sculpting - Fact or Fiction
There are thousands of exercise classes out there with all sorts of weird and wonderful names but what do those names mean and what do the classes achieve. Do they actually deliver what they say they will deliver. Well, there lies our first bone of contention. Ultimately your body shape is down to you and only you. YOU have to be committed and YOU have to be prepread to change if that is what it will take to achieve what you want to achieve. To be able to look in the mirror and smile at the reflection. How many of is can actaully say that we are able to do that. We live in such an image obsessed society and whilst I am all for being healthy and adopting an active lifestyle, your body image should not shape your life and if it does then make sure you seek the help that you need.
So, back to class descriptions, if the subject line does not tell you what you want to know then ASK. This is so basic but how many of you turn up for a class without knowing what you are letting yourself in for. If you are deconditioned are you really going to be able to last an hours class called Power Hour? If you are wanting a resistance based workout is Cardio Kick really the best option?
Talk to the instructors, after all it is their class so surely they are the best person to speak to. If attending classes are leisure centres some use the star grade system so the more stars the class has the harder it is going to be. If this is something that you think would help you decide which class to attend then let me know and I will set up a grading system on the website.
In relation to my classes, I try hard not to exclude anyone. I have a light and easy afternoon class on Monday's. This is an ideal class if you are new to exercise, slighlty older or are not sure if the other classes will suit. Try and avoid looking at this is a negative light. You are taking a positive step in improving your fitness and if it is too easy then just choose a different class the following week.
ALL of my classes are ALWAYS mixed ability. I strive to discourage 'competing' within classes so you can all work at your own individual levels. If you want to take it easy then keep it all low impact or you mix and match with some jumps, some low and even some in between 'bouncing' steps!
Ultimately the classes I offer all have comprehensive descriptions on the website. They haev a good mix of cardio and resistance exercises. I am looking to put on a 6 week body sculpting course and this will be a focused body conditioning class that will use balls, bands and gliders. If you want to see the difference that a 6 week intensive course can have on your body shape and watch the inches fall away then this is the course for you. Email or phone if you are interested.
Have a brilliant, healthy and happy week!
So, back to class descriptions, if the subject line does not tell you what you want to know then ASK. This is so basic but how many of you turn up for a class without knowing what you are letting yourself in for. If you are deconditioned are you really going to be able to last an hours class called Power Hour? If you are wanting a resistance based workout is Cardio Kick really the best option?
Talk to the instructors, after all it is their class so surely they are the best person to speak to. If attending classes are leisure centres some use the star grade system so the more stars the class has the harder it is going to be. If this is something that you think would help you decide which class to attend then let me know and I will set up a grading system on the website.
In relation to my classes, I try hard not to exclude anyone. I have a light and easy afternoon class on Monday's. This is an ideal class if you are new to exercise, slighlty older or are not sure if the other classes will suit. Try and avoid looking at this is a negative light. You are taking a positive step in improving your fitness and if it is too easy then just choose a different class the following week.
ALL of my classes are ALWAYS mixed ability. I strive to discourage 'competing' within classes so you can all work at your own individual levels. If you want to take it easy then keep it all low impact or you mix and match with some jumps, some low and even some in between 'bouncing' steps!
Ultimately the classes I offer all have comprehensive descriptions on the website. They haev a good mix of cardio and resistance exercises. I am looking to put on a 6 week body sculpting course and this will be a focused body conditioning class that will use balls, bands and gliders. If you want to see the difference that a 6 week intensive course can have on your body shape and watch the inches fall away then this is the course for you. Email or phone if you are interested.
Have a brilliant, healthy and happy week!
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Fat Burning, Fat Busting, Fat Melting Exercise!
Is there such a thing? Well, there are certainly exercises out there that definitely boost the metabolism and that in turn will help you to burn fat so YES these exercises do exist. But which ones are the best ones to go for. Well, any exercise that uses large muscles is going to have the greates effect.
Press ups - brilliant, utilising major groups of muscles and pushes them to their max! Remember there are loads of modifications to this exercise. If your upper body strength is not too good then start with your knees on the floor under your hips, as you get stronger take the knees further back. Then move up on to your toes to the traditional press up position. Then when you can comfortably do plenty of those you can put your toes on a bench and hands on the floor and for the absolute fat blaster place your feet on a fitball and then your abdominals get a fantastic workout too!
Squats - again utilising the large leg muscles, make sure you keep that core strong and engaged. Make sure your knees stay in line with your ankles and steadily lower so that your legs are at a 90 degree bend. As you get stronger add weights in each arm, then progress to one heavier weight out in front of you with straight arms - you will really feel this one! You can also use the fitball to do the squat. With the fitball against the wall, lean against it so that the ball is against your lower back and then do the above. You will need to make sure that you feet are slightly further forward to ensure that your knees stay in line with your ankles.
Lunges - there are several ways to do these. You can do them in a static position so that you assume the lunge position and then do however many reps you are doing. You can start from a standing position and take one foot forward, you do walking lunges across your living room! For that matter you could do walking squats for a bit of variety! Again, as alwasy, technique is very important. Both feet must be pointing straight forward, lift the heel of your back foot so you are just standing on your toe but your front foot is still flat on the floor! Without allowing your front foot to travel over your toe, lower your back knee. You will feel the quadriceps really working as well as the hip flexors.
These are just three fantastic fat melting exercises that you can do but there are many more. The earlier you do these in the day the better. Think about it logically, why would you do fat melting metabolism boosting exercises last thing at night before you crash out for the evening? You want your metabolism to be working as efficiently as possible throughout the whole day so that you can burn up those extra calories while you are actually doing something. If you do these exercises in the morning, preferably first thing you will be burning more calories doing the same things every day! Stick an additional workout in that day and the results will speak for themselves.
I will pledge to you that this week I will complete 3 sets of 15 squats, lunges and press ups (knees on floor I might add - I am no superwoman!). I might vary it and do the plank, side and back leg lifts but I will ALWAYS do SOMETHING!
Have a fantastic week and let me know how you get on, I certainly will in next week's blog!
Remember if you are not sure how to do an exercise then seek the advice of a professional.
Press ups - brilliant, utilising major groups of muscles and pushes them to their max! Remember there are loads of modifications to this exercise. If your upper body strength is not too good then start with your knees on the floor under your hips, as you get stronger take the knees further back. Then move up on to your toes to the traditional press up position. Then when you can comfortably do plenty of those you can put your toes on a bench and hands on the floor and for the absolute fat blaster place your feet on a fitball and then your abdominals get a fantastic workout too!
Squats - again utilising the large leg muscles, make sure you keep that core strong and engaged. Make sure your knees stay in line with your ankles and steadily lower so that your legs are at a 90 degree bend. As you get stronger add weights in each arm, then progress to one heavier weight out in front of you with straight arms - you will really feel this one! You can also use the fitball to do the squat. With the fitball against the wall, lean against it so that the ball is against your lower back and then do the above. You will need to make sure that you feet are slightly further forward to ensure that your knees stay in line with your ankles.
Lunges - there are several ways to do these. You can do them in a static position so that you assume the lunge position and then do however many reps you are doing. You can start from a standing position and take one foot forward, you do walking lunges across your living room! For that matter you could do walking squats for a bit of variety! Again, as alwasy, technique is very important. Both feet must be pointing straight forward, lift the heel of your back foot so you are just standing on your toe but your front foot is still flat on the floor! Without allowing your front foot to travel over your toe, lower your back knee. You will feel the quadriceps really working as well as the hip flexors.
These are just three fantastic fat melting exercises that you can do but there are many more. The earlier you do these in the day the better. Think about it logically, why would you do fat melting metabolism boosting exercises last thing at night before you crash out for the evening? You want your metabolism to be working as efficiently as possible throughout the whole day so that you can burn up those extra calories while you are actually doing something. If you do these exercises in the morning, preferably first thing you will be burning more calories doing the same things every day! Stick an additional workout in that day and the results will speak for themselves.
I will pledge to you that this week I will complete 3 sets of 15 squats, lunges and press ups (knees on floor I might add - I am no superwoman!). I might vary it and do the plank, side and back leg lifts but I will ALWAYS do SOMETHING!
Have a fantastic week and let me know how you get on, I certainly will in next week's blog!
Remember if you are not sure how to do an exercise then seek the advice of a professional.
Sunday, 1 February 2009
ZUMBA - NEW MOVES, RHYTHMS AND STYLES
You guys are going to love this. While some of you may have been enjoying a lozy Saturday chillin out I was up at 5.30am getting ready for my Zumba II course in London. I ahve to admit when the alarm went off I did wonder what I was doing but then I thought of my friend Helen on the Isle of Wight who had to get up at 4.30am to attend the same course!!
For those of you who have never attended one of my Zumba classes they are the most fantatsic form of exercise that genuinely doesn't feel like an exercise class. The music is loud, LOud, LOUD! It naturally motivates to move and you can't help but smile. The Music is Latin based but mixed with international rhythms to create exposive and dynamic songs that we then create dances to. As with any of my classes you can do as much or as little as you want. If you want to stand there are sashay your hips then that is fine with me.
Zumba's phrase is 'ditch the workout, join the party' and it so so true. So, following on from that I say if you can move your arms, wigggle your hips and smile then you can Zumba.
So what was yesterday's workshop all about? We learnt new moves, listened and tried to understand different rhythms, if you are into your music then we were learning the different ways of phrasing and bridges etc - not essential for you guys to know!! It is always brilliant ot meet up with fellow instructors as you gain so much from them. I learnt a whole host of new moves that I know you will love.
Remember for you to incorporate exercise into your lifestyle it has to be something you enjoy so if you haven't already tried Zumba then give it a go, if nothing else it will feel like a great night out! If you stick with it the changes you will see in your body will astonish you. The inches will drop off and a shapelier you will emerge. When you are dancing you are enjoying yourself so much that you forget about how hard your body is working. Some of my current group lost a dress size by December and we only started in September - how is that for results!
Zumba is EASY, DIFFERENT and EFFECTIVE - I look forward to seeing you there.
Wednesday - 9.30-10.30 -Durley Memorial Hall
Wednesday - 20.15-21.15 - Swanmore Community College
For those of you who have never attended one of my Zumba classes they are the most fantatsic form of exercise that genuinely doesn't feel like an exercise class. The music is loud, LOud, LOUD! It naturally motivates to move and you can't help but smile. The Music is Latin based but mixed with international rhythms to create exposive and dynamic songs that we then create dances to. As with any of my classes you can do as much or as little as you want. If you want to stand there are sashay your hips then that is fine with me.
Zumba's phrase is 'ditch the workout, join the party' and it so so true. So, following on from that I say if you can move your arms, wigggle your hips and smile then you can Zumba.
So what was yesterday's workshop all about? We learnt new moves, listened and tried to understand different rhythms, if you are into your music then we were learning the different ways of phrasing and bridges etc - not essential for you guys to know!! It is always brilliant ot meet up with fellow instructors as you gain so much from them. I learnt a whole host of new moves that I know you will love.
Remember for you to incorporate exercise into your lifestyle it has to be something you enjoy so if you haven't already tried Zumba then give it a go, if nothing else it will feel like a great night out! If you stick with it the changes you will see in your body will astonish you. The inches will drop off and a shapelier you will emerge. When you are dancing you are enjoying yourself so much that you forget about how hard your body is working. Some of my current group lost a dress size by December and we only started in September - how is that for results!
Zumba is EASY, DIFFERENT and EFFECTIVE - I look forward to seeing you there.
Wednesday - 9.30-10.30 -Durley Memorial Hall
Wednesday - 20.15-21.15 - Swanmore Community College
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
