“We’re all
very different in how we lose fat, store fat and gain muscle”, says personal
trainer Scott Marsh. “The “go to the gym, lose weight” scenario is a whole lot more
complex than we might think. Experts say there are 3 main body types, but in
reality each and every individual is unique. This means you might do the exact
same workout as a friend and have almost opposite results.”
So, what
shall we do? Just give up and become the couch potatoes we’ve secretly longed
to be? Stop right there with your couch potato pipe dream… we’re going to bust
your work-out-disaster excuses!
Big fat problem… OMG working out is
just TOO boring!
“Boredom is
the number one reason people actually give up exercising”, says personal
trainer Jodi Mullen. “If you stick with the same routine every day, this monotony
turns swiftly to boredom.”
Up your game…
“Keep your
routine mixed and varied and this will keep you
motivated,” advises Jodi. Let’s face it, doing the same thing each sesh can be pretty dull. But why trudge
tediously on the treadmill when there are endless possibilities for pounding your
podge.
What you waiting for? Go on, be more daring with your
work-outs. Try…
*Bungee Running “Bungee running has been used in
sports to improve fitness, specifically leg power”, says personal trainer
Papillon Luck from Liberte Fitness. “This technique began as a way of helping
athletes and sportspeople with sprinting.” A bungee cord is attached to you and
pulls you as you run. The technique forces your muscles to work at a higher
intensity than they normally would. You’ll need a training partner to run away
from, so it’s best to start this with a personal trainer who has all the kit
and who’ll make sure you’re doing it right. “One runner tows the other. To
allow them to sprint past using the extra pull of the bungee to trick their
nervous system in to running faster than they could on their own”, explains
fitness expert James Griffith. (get in touch with James www.wildtraining.co.uk)
*Trixter X-Biking This is basically spinning but with
bikes which better simulate real cycling, so giving your calves and thighs the
best possible work-out, whilst being a full-on cardio blast, that offers
serious calorie demolition. They are used for training champions, they’ve been
used by World Class Mountain Bikers for almost a decade. Ask at your gym or leisure centre if they
offer group classes, or if you’re feeling more Vicky Pollard than Pendleton you
can buy one for use in the privacy of your home. (see www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk )
*Bokwa This integrates customary African dance with boxing
manoeuvres and uses letters and numbers combined with the use of hand signals
and American Sign Language. “Bokwa is all about
making aerobics fun, and at the same time really pushing your stamina for
maximum results. You can burn up to 500 calories in an hour!" says Honor Roche, Bokwa instructor (puregym.com).
*HIIT (High Impact Interval Training)
For those willing to
feel the burn, but lacking in time, HIIT is perfect. It involves using cardio equipment
like bikes, cross-trainers and treadmills, for short periods. “HIIT is generally
2-8 exercises performed in quick succession for anything between 6 and 30
minutes. It’s usually one very intense exercise, followed by a moderately
intense exercise. It’s often done in local gyms as a circuit-type session”,
says personal trainer Michael Frampton. “It’s highly effective for both fat burn
and toning. But don’t overdo it as you might experience joint pain after a
while; I’d say no more than 2 of these sessions each week.” Check out www.no1studiotraining.co.uk who specialise in this.
*Vinyasa Flow Yoga Want your body and mind to reap the
rewards of exercise? Here’s a class that sees you toning up and zoning out:
Different from regular Yoga, in that it’s quick in pace and with a fitness
focus; it’s sometimes called ‘flow yoga’ as you flow from one pose into
another, almost like you’re dancing. “The class moves the body in all different
directions, strengthening and lengthening muscles and improving posture”, says
Yoga teacher Jane Wrafter. See www.jcwfitness.co.uk for class information.
Big Fat Problem… I
Need a Partner in Crime
You are
determined to go to the gym. You are going to go straight after work. Then all
your colleagues plan a post-work drink.
In fact it seems like everyone IN THE WORLD is going out tonight. You
need someone to stick this gym lark out with.
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