I was never Sporty Spice in our playground Spice Girls tribute act that used to stomp around on the benches and force the younger kids into watching us sing and parade around, whilst throwing in a Girl Power peace sign every five seconds. I was more of a Posh Spice (though I put it down to the brunette bob and my love of black even as child, more than anything else). I wasn’t sporty in my teens either. In fact the only detention I ever got in my life was for forgetting my gym kit on a day when we were supposed to be doing cross country (MY BAD!) and I was regularly picked last whenever we played hockey in lessons because I was more interested in reenacting the Liberty X ‘Just A Little Bit’ music video than anything else.
It’s only in more recent years that I’ve realised that health is pretty important in the grand scheme of things and that I couldn’t keep eating a Domino’s multiple times a week like I did in my uni days as my metabolism just wasn’t what it once was. Yep, I’m still a little bit bitter over that one. Now I’m in no way, shape or form an expert in fitness – I’m very much a beginner – but I’ve given a few sweat-inducing classes and techniques a go; so today I thought I’d share my insights on each one incase you’re eyeing up your local gym’s class schedule or itching to put on some lycra…
RUNNING. I was a pretty frequent runner for about a year and half, until a shin splint injury meant that I could barely get down in the stairs, let alone clock in a 10K. It didn’t take long to heal, but I feel like that’s when I realised that perhaps my body at that point just wasn’t cut out for long distances. It’s still something that I want to pick up again as I’d love to be able to take part in the local Park Run everyday Saturday morning, but it’s a case of getting my distances up again. The advantages of running though are that you don’t need much kit (except a good pair of running trainers), it’s free and you get some fresh air in your lungs. It might feel horrendous at first – but it gets easier. Promise.
SPINNING. If you want to sweat and really feel like you’ve got in a workout then spinning is the way to go. I’ve done a few different classes at a few different places, but I highly recommend Bangs’ classes at BoomCycle if you’re in London. That’s the thing with spinning; I feel like the instructor and the music play a huge role. Find an instructor that motivates you who has a kick-ass taste in music and you’re in. I’d say this is a good place to start for beginners too as you set your own resistance. It’s a workout that’s very much tailored to you.
YOGA. I feel like I’ll always have a special place in my heart for yoga. It’s just one of those practices that makes me feel yummy, if that makes any sense. Depending on the flow you can feel relaxed or strong or sweaty – it’s a very flexible workout. I’ve done a few classes but have never found an instructor that I like as much as my good ol’ Yoga With Adrienne. There’s something so lovely about dragging yourself out of bed, rolling out a mat and getting in a bit of yoga to start your day there and then.
REFORMER PILATES. I found this to be the perfect mix of something relaxing like Yoga, but mixed in with a bit of resistance and a bit more sweatiness that I was used to. I’m terribly imbalanced; with the right side of my body being much stronger than the left, so I found that this really helped with that as all the movements require you to give equal input from both sides. Just because you’re laying down for most of the class, don’t be fooled into thinking you’re getting an easy ride.
MUAY THAI. I did a few Muay Thai classes back in the summer and boy are these a workout. Jeez. In fact that are so much of a workout that my mate tore her cartilage during a class. Don’t let that put you off though because if you want a class that’s a great mix of cardio and strength training that doesn’t really feel like exercise then here is where you need to head. When my workout partner is all healed we’re planning on going back because they were so much fun. Even if you couldn’t walk down the stairs the next day.
RESISTANCE TRAINING. I struggled with what to call this category because I basically just mean ‘Going to the gym/Weights/HIIT/A Mix of Everything’. This is what I’m currently doing and currently loving. I try to fit in three sessions a week where I incorporate a mix of weights, resistance and a bit of HIIT to get my heart rate up and then I go in twice a week just to get in a short session of cardio. I’ve realised that there’s a lot to learn about the gym and even though I’m a newbie and noob, it’s actually quite fun. Except when I have to wall sits…. and box jumps…
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