Keeping in theme with 2017 – the year of fun! Today I’m talking about recent obsession; the Les Mills classes at my local gym.

I never thought I had it in me to become a gym junkie (or whatever the correct title is for someone addicted to group atmospheres and endorphin rushes),  yet here I am, quite the convert. I’ve always preferred outdoor sports; jogging, walking, hiking, swimming and team sports, such as netball and tennis. Sure I played badminton indoors in eighth grade, became quite a stickler for my fave pilates DVD, and wasn’t opposed to using the treadmill on rainy days, but that was the extent of my ‘indoor training’.

I had this stigma that gyms are for people that …

a) Lack self-motivation and thus need a group fitness session or personal trainer to kick them into gear

b) Love lifting heavy things and drinking franken-food-containing protein shakes (you know there’s something suspicious going on when you can buy birthday cake flavoured protein!What even?)

c) Don’t like exercising out in the elements

Oh how wrong I was.

I’d figured that my daily jog, home yoga practice and walking wherever possible, was more than enough. I told myself I wasn’t built for weights and that with jogging I had cardio covered. I’m flexy thanks to yoga and toned due to a combination of favourable genetics and my tendency to fidget all freakin day long.

It wasn’t until dad got this great deal at our local gym (I think it was something like; join and get a second membership half price – which works out to about $5 a week) that I reluctantly decided to give the sweaty, loud environment a go. I started with just taking advantage of their Pilates and yoga classes but then figured I should at least try some of the group fitness classes.

First was CX works – a 30 minute core strength-focused class that works (and burns) the abs in the best way possible.Plus it’s so much fun that it’s over before you know it. There’s something about the psychology of knowing you only have to work hard for 30 minutes – you can get through anything if you know it’s over soon and you can go home, relax and reap the rewards of all those planks and crunches.

Then I tried body balance – a fusion of tai chi, yoga and Pilates. What’s not to like there? It’s a little more upbeat than the general yoga I’m used to and I liked how you get a more diverse range of stretches over the 45 or 55 minute class.

Then this year I hesitantly decided to give body pump a go. At first I thought I was mad (the second and third class I tried were from the latest track release Body Pump 100 – which is apparently the hardest combo of repetitions so far … what a rude awakening that was). I was so unbelievably sore the next few days, and wondered whether my initial suspicions had validity; maybe I’m really not cut out for weight training.

Despite the pain, there was something strangely addictive and uplifting about the classes, so I thought I’d stick them out a little while longer.

Well Brighton Fitness you’ve created a pump monster! I’ve adapted to the light weights and sometimes even manage to add an extra kilo or two to my bar for leg work – all without “feeling it” the next day … winning.

My baby-sized guns making an appearance

I know I’m a tiny human, and my full-on, I’m-actually-trying-here weight, will probably remain the average person’s “warm-up” weight, but I don’t care. I’ve found a class I can get to most days of the week that is fun, endorphin-inducing and makes me feel strong rather than sore – so long as I don’t push myself. When the trainer encouraged us to push our limits the other day because she’d picked “easy” old-school tracks, I (being the bright-spark that I am – ha!) lifted 4-6 kilos rather than my normal 2-4 … I really felt it … not my smartest move. Though in saying that, the pain wasn’t debilitating and didn’t last longer than 24 hours so my recovery time is improving.

I tried body combat for the first time the other day, and although it takes a bit of getting used to, the freestyle boxing moves to music make for a gosh time flies-type session. It’s basically boxing without the punching bag and gloves.

I gave body attack another go again on Saturday, and I liked it so much more now that I’m fitter. I tried it last July and it made me feel awful; sore, uncoordinated and vulnerable. Now that I’m in better shape, it’s still tough, but a fun tough, rather than “floor swallow me whole” tough. I’d recommend trying this one after you’ve built your fitness up a bit.

The Grit Series is also something I’ve tried and liked – it’s a 30 minute high intensity interval training-based class, so even if something nearly kills you (I exaggerate), it barely lasts for any time at all. The great thing here is that there are levels and plenty of options – so I take them whenever I like. For example I don’t do jumping lunges, I stick with stepping lunges. I don’t want to end up like the elite athletes that have injuries galore by the time they’re in their late twenties … and we wonder why (I blame too much movement and thus strain on joints … though maybe this is just because I really hate bouncing around and am being ego-defensive … don’t be surprised if in a years time I am fitter and eating my words – professing my perculiar newfound love for the humble squat jump).

Finally, just this Sunday I tried my hand feet at body step, because Ulana, on of my fave instructors was taking the class (apparently she only teaches step one every two years so I knew it was now or in two years time never. Warning: you will feel ridiculously uncoordinated the first few times you do this one – there’s a lot going on. However, if you surrender to the music and just keep moving (even if you’re doing your own freestyle dance whilst everyone else stays on point), you’ll have a ball and then eventually one day, you’ll get a grip on what you’re supposed to do.

Why am I writing this? Because if I was a gym sceptic, then I’m sure there’s a few of you out there that still are. It can pay to have someone reminding you to stop judging a book by it’s cover. You don’t have to become stereotypical fitness “god” (or “goddess”) to be a member of the gym community.

I’ll never be that classic gym stereotype ….

I don’t believe in generic protein shakes (you can read more on that little soap-box opinion here).

I don’t workout just to burn a multitude of calories so I can eat whatever I like …

I exercise out of respect for my body, not because I regret what I put into my mouth.

I’ll never be one for running on a treadmill when I could be outdoors at the beach, chugging away whilst inhaling the salty air and admiring the vast array of can-I-please-just-scoop-you-up-and-take-you-home dogs on their morning strolls.

But there’s something oddly addictive about doing exercises you wouldn’t normally do, in a motivating environment being guided by a friendly trainer and listening to groovy tunes whilst doing so. It’s something that sounds oh-so-cliché in writing and has to be experienced to be properly understood.

So if your local gym offers some of the Les Mills classes and you’re in a bit of a fitness rut (doing the same thing every day and in denial about ever needing to step outside the box to give your muscles some variety), then maybe consider trying a few classes out to see if they change your mind about the gym environment.

I’m a stronger, happier and healthier person thanks to these group classes, and though I’ve never been what you’d call unmotivated when it comes to fitness, I sure have been bored and resentful of my monotonous routines. I say no more (!!!)- moving your body (for lack of a more suitable word) should be so enjoyable and so addictive that you forget to feel any sense of obligation towards it.

Strong doesn’t have to look bulky … it just had to feel freakin-amazing

I’ve always said exercise shouldn’t be a chore or obligation, but rather a part of life that you never compromise on and genuinely look forward to. When school finishes and you no longer have compulsory PE or team sports available, it can be tricky to find something to fill the void. After being out of school for two years, I’ve finally found my niche.  

I hope that this post inspires you to try something new, and maybe even helps you discover a new way of moving your body that sticks, so that you can be strong and healthy for life – without being a slave to something repetitive or boring. Life is too short to be held back because of your own stereotypical judgements (or limiting beliefs about what you body is capable of). The gym can either be a prison or a party – it comes down to mindset and that other thing I’m always banging on about …

Choosing to do what you LOVE!!!!!

This post isn’t sponsored by Les Mills or Brighton Fitness. I am genuinely  in love with the Les Mills fitness classes and impressed by the trainer’s upbeat and fun delivery of them. When businesses, no matter how big or small, are doing an ace job, why shouldn’t we give them a bit of love with a random shout out? Exactly!