Pilates for a Healthy Life

Revisited Healthy Life Fitness Centre to use their great facilities and massive upstairs group fitness room. This time decided to check out a pilates class. The teacher, Lisa, was very patient and dedicated effort to explaining and demonstrating each exercise and showing us what not to do. Sounds simple but very important to know because it's often easy to take a shortcut option which will not only minimize the benefit of the exercise but sometimes add additional strain or stress to weak points in the body like your neck and lower back.

Noticed a few familiar faces from the Yoga class I took at this gym a few weeks back. Great to see a few regulars who clearly love this gym and come back time and time again. Based on my experiences I'm happy to say that I'll be back again soon too!

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Thursday morning, 8:15am-9:15pm. Healthy Life Fitness Centre.
• COST: $17.00 per casual class
• TEACHER: Lisa
• BRING: You need to bring along your own mat, a towel to support your head, neck or knees and a water bottle.
• BEST BITS: Liked that Lisa spent time explaining the postures for the benefit of everyone in the class.
• HEALTHY LIFE FITNESS CENTRE TIMETABLE: www.healthylifefitness.com.au

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★

LIVe in store session

Remember how I've told you it's hard to keep up with myself sometimes? Haha I suppose that's what happens when a person goes a million miles an hour. But as a close friend recently told me "Ginny going at any other speed just wouldn't be the real Ginny!" ;)

Fortunately I was able to attend a few exercise classes at my work this week. That's the beauty of working at a store that transforms into a fitness studio after hours. I attended a pilates class with Pippa Hutchinson, Director of LIVe Pilates. Pippa is an incredible teacher, highly motivated and has an awesome sense of humour. If you have a million dollar check she'll make sure you never let it go! Her classes are physically challenging but massively rewarding. You'll walk away sore the next day if you're not careful so be sure to stretch.

Read below for more info on this particular class and to learn more above LIVe Pilates check out my post from 26th September.

• DETAILS: Currently Wednesday evening, 6:00-7:00pm. Inside the lululemon athletica Perth City store. Shop H127, enex100. (*Please note: class schedule changes weekly. For details about future in-store class timetables check out the website link below.)
• COST: Complimentary! lululemon athletica Perth city offers a range of complimentary in-store classes each week. We love offering a venue where we can witness first-hand the Perth city community getting active and living long, healthy and fun lives.
• TODAY'S TEACHER: Pippa
• BRING: No sneakers or mat are required for Pilates since lululemon athletica provides mats. Makes it super easy for you to come along straight after work.
• BEST BITS: Pilates is a fantastic way to tone and activate deep core muscles. It builds strength and flexibility, what more could you ask for?!
• LULULEMON ATHLETICA PERTH CITY WEBSITE: www.lululemon.com/perth/perthcity

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Zumba Fitness: A party AND a workout!

Like to party? Sad when the weekend is over and think you can't dance again until next Friday night? Never fear, Zumba is here!

Simone Dodd leads an exciting and upbeat Zumba class every Monday night at Vivace Performance Company in Greenwood. I've gone a few times now and found it a fab way to kick start the week and shake those Monday blues.

She mixes up the Latin inspired soundtrack and keeps the heartbeat racing throughout the hour. Not sure if you count dancing as a workout? Trust me, you'll definitely sweat in her class.

What I love about Simone is her ability to connect with every person she meets. Her personality walks (or generally shimmies!) into a room and everyone around her smiles. The ladies who join her class at Vivace Dance Studio are a mixed range of ages, from around mid 20s to up to about 65! When she came in to teach at lululemon athletica Perth City on Tuesday night the age range was towards the younger end of the spectrum. And yes, you got that right. I joined her for back to back Zumba classes on both Monday and Tuesday this week!

No matter who she is teaching Simone manages to bring out the young, active dance spirit in everyone. Don't believe me? Try her class for yourself! You'll laugh, you'll smile, you'll Zuuuuuumba!

Check out my post from 19th September to learn more about Zumba Fitness and my first experience at Simone's class.

Read below for more info on her regular Monday night class...

• DETAILS: Monday night, 7:30-8:30pm. Vivace Performance Company. Canham Way, Greenwood.
• COST: $12.00 per class (discounts available for multi-pass purchases, first trial class is FREE!)
• TEACHER: Simone Dodd
• BRING: Wear sneakers, bring a water bottle & sweat towel and get ready to dance the night away!
• FIND ZUMBA ON FACEBOOK: Zumba Pro

Ginny's 'Finding Fitness' Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The World's Largest Pilates Class!

So great to see the Perth community getting
 active outdoors for a good cause.

On Sunday 23rd October at 9:00am I attended an awesome outdoor event: The World's Largest Pilates Class presented by LIVe Pilates at Langley Park.

The event was an amazing day with the intention of breaking the world record for the World's Largest Pilates class. Although the record wasn't broken the turnout was phenomenal and the weather held up its end of the bargain and stayed sunny. Such a great day!

Say hello to the lululemon athletica
colour coordinated team!

Funds raised from tickets sold at $35 were donated to the Sarah Gapp Cause. Sarah is a Brisbane Law Student who suffered a severe stroke weeks after her 21st birthday and had to have 60% of her cerebellum removed. Since her stroke she has been left with a condition where her mind is perfectly aware but unable to communicate with her body. She has already defied the odds and regained some speech and movement and funds will help her get the medical care she needs to hopefully learn to swallow and walk.

All participants received a gift bag and, obviously, the enjoyment of participating in an outdoor workout while supporting a worthy cause.

Our staff from lululemon athletica perth city teamed up with representatives from our Karrinyup and Cottesloe stores wearing surge colour coordinated clothes while participating in the event. We were so happy to get outside, get active and make a difference in our community.

Congratulations to Pippa and Owen Hutchinson from LIVe Pilates for putting together such a successful event. Hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed the workout!

Starting Saturday at Greenwood Yoga Academy

Signage outside the Greenwood Yoga Academy

Enjoyed a really relaxing start to my Saturday when I headed bright and early to the Greenwood Yoga Academy for a 9:15am yoga practice.

The class was instructed by Margaret, the Owner and Principal Yoga Teacher at Greenwood Yoga Academy, with the assistance of her colleague Eda. It was a wonderful opportunity to stretch and relax, yet still be challenged by some advanced balance poses and learn some new sequences.

I found it to be a real benefit that Eda was available to help out with the class. She continuously moved around the room giving guidance and helping attendees with their alignment while Margaret spoke and demonstrated from the front of the room.

There was a nice vibe to the class, many of whom are repeat visitors and enjoy this weekly practice to kick off their weekend. A few people told me they had been practicing yoga with Margaret for a number of years. Following the class quite a few participants headed across the road to the Wanneroo markets for coffee and invited me to join. A lovely class all around!

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Saturday morning, 9:15-10:45am. Greenwood Yoga Academy. Unit 2A (Ground Floor). 32 Prindiville Drive (opposite the Wanneroo markets)
• COST: $16.00 per casual class
• TEACHERS: Margaret and Eda 
• GREENWOOD YOGA ACADEMY TIMETABLE: http://www.greenwood-yogaacademy.com.au/timetable.htm

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Shaking things up at in store Belly Dancing

This evening I had the opportunity to try something really fun, new and different. Belly dancing! It was a complimentary class held for one night only at lululemon athletica perth city. Led by Carolyn Verhoef, belly dance teacher and owner of Outside The Box Organisation Solutions, the hour long class was a fun and different approach to movement which had everyone in the room smiling, shimmying and shaking. Who said exercise always had to be such a routine?!

There are so many fun and exciting elements of working at lululemon athletica perth city. For one I get to wear stretchy pants and sneakers to work, how many people are lucky enough to say that? Another great aspect of my job is in my involvement with the local community and ability to communicate with them the ease and importance of involving fitness in their every day life.

A super simple way for people who work downtown to do this is to come along and get involved in our complimentary in store classes! They currently run for one hour every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night from 6:00-7:00pm. The roster is subject to change and likely to be majorly altered in December over the busy Christmas period. But as I always say, variety is the spice of life and it's good to keep it interesting!

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Tuesday evening, 6:00-7:00pm. Inside the lululemon athletica Perth City store. Shop H127, enex100. 
• COST: Complimentary! The lululemon athletica perth city complimentary class schedule changes weekly. For details about future in-store class timetables check out the website link below.
• TODAY'S TEACHER: Carolyn
• BRING: If you happen to own a belly dancing coin belt this would have been a great opportunity to bring it out! The class was taken barefoot and Carolyn was generous enough to provide coin belts to a number of the attendees, which meant no other props or equipment were required. And don't worry ladies, although it is belly dancing there is no expectation to bare your midriff in class. None of us did! Just come dressed in a regular tank or t-shirt.
• BEST BITS: We got a shimmy and shake! What girl hasn't always wanted to give belly dancing a try? It was a fun experience and definitely not something I'd ever thought to do before. That's the beauty of the lululemon athletica perth city in store classes, they allow you to try something different and see if it suits you. Didn't find the class particularly strenuous but it was worthwhile putting on the bucket list I think!
• LULULEMON ATHLETICA PERTH CITY WEBSITE: www.lululemon.com/perth/perthcity

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★

Striking the balance at Qi Yoga

Following Body Pump my adrenalin was still high and the day was still young. A few weeks back my close friend Pete recommended I join him at Qi Yoga on an upcoming Monday night, so today felt like the perfect day for it.

We arrived slightly early and I had the pleasure of chatting with Fiona, the teacher and founder of Qi Yoga, prior to the class. Her dynamic energy and entrepreneurial spirit is evident immediately, both in her personality and her practice. She has developed Qi Yoga in both London and Australia and travels between the two, teaching and promoting the benefits of her training.

I thoroughly enjoyed the session which ran for just under 1.5 hours and encompassed a rigorous practice followed by a lengthy guided meditation. Found it to be a wonderful combination of body and mind, which when you read below you will understand is the actual intention of Qi Yoga.

QI YOGA is a blend of the 2 ancient healing sciences of Qi Gong and Hatha Yoga to create an enhanced practice. It harnesses your seven chakras, the energy systems of the body, through various physical postures. Tapping on the meridian lines of the body allows blood to flow freely and oxygenate all the cells. This activity, in conjunction with fluid movements and supple joints, helps to clear stagnant energy from the body. The philosophy of Qi Yoga is not affiliated with any religion or deity, it instead focuses on your own self, ancestors, soul and personal goals. It incorporates balance in the union of mind, body and soul.

• DETAILS: Monday evening, 7:00-8:15pm. Manning Hall, at the corner of Bradshaw Crescent and Jarman Avenue.
• COST: $16.00 per casual class
• TEACHER: Fiona
• BRING: Your own yoga mat. I would also recommend bringing a blanket or cozy scarf to drape over yourself for keeping warm during the guided meditation at the end of practice.
• BEST BITS: Qi Yoga was different to other yoga practices that I have attended recently, plus I had never experienced the technique of tapping the meridian lines of the body before. I really enjoyed the practice because I believe change and a challenge is always the spice of life! 
• QI YOGA: www.qiyoga.org/uk/home

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Getting pumped to start the week

Back at Fitness First this arvo after a pretty full-on day at work. Sometimes the best way to get out all the excess emotion and clear your head after a tough day is just to get into the gym and sweat it out!

It felt like an extra special treat going to Nathan's Body Pump class because he brought such a fun vibe and such positive energy into the room. Everything from singing along to the songs to cracking jokes about his recent trip to Sydney, he definitely delivered on both fitness and fun.

Try to follow the instructors advice but don't forget to listen to your body, if you're affecting your lower back be cautious and make sure you don't push your limits too early. Better to tone and strengthen than lift far beyond your comfort zone and risk doing yourself damage!

I've been to Fitness First a few times recently and have blogged about their Body Pump classes a number of times too. Be sure to read last week's post 'You've got to pump it up' from Monday October 10th for more general info on this fitness option.

Strongly suggest a class with Nathan, haven't experienced that many male group fitness instructors out there but he definitely made me smile!

• DETAILS: Monday afternoon, 4:30-5:30pm. Fitness First Perth CBD. 166 Murray Street, Perth, 6000.
• COST: $22.00 per casual class
• TEACHER: Nathan
• BRING: Water bottle and sweat towel. Also bring $3.00 in change if you want to rent a locker.
• BEST BITS: Pump is great because you have the ability to choose your own weights and adjust them for every single routine and muscle group that you work.
• FITNESS FIRST PERTH CBD TIMETABLE: www.fitnessfirst.com.au/clubs/timetable

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★

Yoga for a Healthy Life

Shakespeare once asked 'what's in a name?' At the Healthy Life Fitness Centre the name just says it all. It's a well laid out gym located right by Whiford City Shopping Centre where people can move about, twist and shout plus (most importantly) sweat it out to raise their fitness levels and develop a healthy life.

Today's class with Sandy was an experienced yoga class and I could definitely tell the difference when I compare it to some of the beginners classes that I have recently attended. Although she began the class slowly and eased us into our practice it was not long until she was asking us to take a complex sun salutation series at our own pace and hold advanced balance poses for significant periods of time.

The Healthy Life Fitness Centre has a really large group fitness room and the class was clearly a popular choice. Sandy had a great rapport with a number of students and although the skill levels varied it was pretty clear that everyone in the room had practiced yoga at least a few times before. Really enjoyed the experience and would definitely go back again!

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Friday morning, 11:15am-12:15pm. Healthy Life Fitness Centre.
• COST: $17.00 per casual class
• TEACHER: Sandy
• BRING: You need to bring along your own mat to this practice. An ideal option is 'The Mat' from lululemon athletica. It is a serious yoga mat with super-grippy PU (polyurethane) top layer to stop you slipping during your power and flow yoga class. This ultra-thick mat has four different layers of rubber and PU so gives excellent cushioning for your knees, hips and spine. It is treated with an additive called ultra-freshTM which prevents the growth of mildew and bacteria. 'The Mat' is clearly called 'The Mat' for a reason! ;)
• BEST BITS: This class was just great but I'd say definitely for advanced yogis rather than first timers. Everything from shoulder stands to self-led sun salutations, the group was definitely kept on their toes! 
• HEALTHY LIFE FITNESS CENTRE TIMETABLE: www.healthylifefitness.com.au

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Change of Pace at The Yoga Space

I found last Wednesday's 45 minute Vinyasa yoga practice at The Yoga Space so enjoyable that I decided to head back over there today and bring my work colleague Jess with me to join in the fun!

One nice thing about yoga is the ability to share the benefits of your practice. During class you are expected to tune in to your own body and focus on your own movements. But before and after class you'll generally notice a real variety of actions and attitudes in any given studio. Some people clearly love to share, engage and interact with the people around them both pre and post-yoga. Others remain quiet and meditative before, during and after their practice. Whatever your method, it's totally cool and it's totally up to you. Just be sure to own your practice (by 'own' I mean 'make it your own!') and get out of it what you need.

Today I was seeking company, motivation and to share a practice I loved with someone who I knew would appreciate it. Bringing Jess along to this session with me was the ideal way to share the benefits of my practice in the company of a great friend!

Unfortunately Samantha informed us today that her 4:30pm session on Wednesday afternoons will no longer be running at this studio. However she will still be leading some classes at The Yoga Space, as well as in other locations too. Therefore I won't share the details of this class below (you can check out my post from last Wednesday 5th October if you're super keen) but stay tuned and I will hunt down another of Samantha's awesome classes in upcoming weeks!

• THE YOGA SPACE WEBSITE: www.yogaspace.com.au

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Pilates treasure trove at The Cove

Found myself with a bit of time to kill downtown this evening after work and before an event I was scheduled to attend in the Perth CBD. What better to fill the hours productively and boost my energy levels than a quick workout?!

I didn't want to get all hot and sweaty but did want to move, stretch, tone and strengthen.  Headed over to The Cove Fitness Club and joined in a 45 minute pilates class lead by Christiane in the upstairs workout room. For my needs today this was the perfect solution!

The pilates class was slow and rhythmic compared to other classes I have take. In fact it almost felt like hypnolates with the music, drawn out movements and repetition. Christiane led the small class through the movements with good guidance and many explanations on how to hold postures correctly. She focused on very small movements to activate deep core muscles, and led a seemingly gentle but effective class.

Read my post from September 26th to learn more about pilates in general, and check below for more info on this specific class at The Cove Fitness Club.

• DETAILS: Tuesday afternoon, 5:15-6:00pm. The Cove Fitness Club. Perth CBD, 6000.
• COST: $15.00 per casual class
• TEACHER: Christiane
• BRING: Nothing required but a smile!
• BEST BITS: Found this class relaxing and would recommend it as a way to activate your core and muscle movement after a long day of sitting behind your desk at an office.
• THE COVE FITNESS CLUB TIMETABLE: www.covehealthfirst.com

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ 

You've got to Pump It Up!

Another blast from the past this evening when I decided to hit up a Body Pump class at Fitness First in the Perth CBD.

Back in my uni days I had quite a soft spot for Body Pump and Body Combat. Living at college across the road from UWA campus was really amazing. It was quite epic to be able to wake up dazed and confused on a weekend morning and be able to stumble across the road to the gym, then back across the road for breakfast an hour later feeling drained and sweaty, but at the same time energised and ready to start the day!

Tonight was no different, but already starting to think I might have gone a little too hard. Will no doubt be hurting tomorrow! Good pain though, if you can't tell you've worked out then you probably haven't. However that being said, if you are new to Body Pump then definitely go easy on the weights and don't push yourself to the max. It's better to use smaller weights but lift them correctly without straining your back, wrists, knees or other joints. Light weights help you tone too especially if you do lots of reps!

Like I mentioned last week, the cool thing about Fitness First is that once you're in the door of the gym you can attend a class and then go on to do a work out, or even do two back-to-back classes. All for the same price, the casual rate of $22.00. Last week I took the 5:30pm Body Combat class that lasted an hour. You could potentially start with that and then follow it up with the Body Pump class I took tonight. If you're really keen that is... It'd be a hectic workout but quite a good balance since the Combat provides great cardio that helps you work up your heart rate and the Pump goes on to tone you up with reps and weights.

BODY PUMP is a weight-based group fitness program performed to music using free weights, barbells and an aerobic step. Each class entails 8 plus a warm up and cool down exercise. The focus is endurance and is achieved by repetitions. Apparently the original concept of Body Pump was intended to get men involved in aerobics classes.

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Monday evening, 6:30-7:30pm. Fitness First Perth CBD. 166 Murray Street, Perth, 6000.
• COST: $22.00 per casual class
• TEACHER: Jacinda
• BRING: Nothing was required but I brought a sweat towel to cover up the mat for a few sit-ups at the end of class. I suppose just bring a rational attitude... don't try to lift too much on your first attempt at Body Pump or you'll walk away feeling mighty worse for wear. I'm hoping that tomorrow's aches and pains will be good ones.
• BEST BITS: Felt nice to do reps with weights for something different. Definitely felt the toning benefits almost immediately.
• FITNESS FIRST PERTH CBD TIMETABLE: www.fitnessfirst.com.au/clubs/timetable

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★

Space for you at The Yoga Space

Really enjoyed a calm and quiet 45 minute Vinyasa Yoga practice at The Yoga Space on Hay Street this afternoon.

The Yoga Space is a cute little upstairs studio just off Hay Street, great location because it's only a super quick Red Cat ride or short walk from downtown Perth City. Since I'm currently working shifts I was able to break away a little early today and catch this class. There was only three of us there, but as I left the 5:30pm class was arriving and there must have been at least 20 people lining up for that later 90 minute session. It's clearly a popular venue!

It was lovely to participate in a brief practice in the early afternoon. Was also great to have such a tiny class so we each got lots of one-on-one attention from the teacher, my postures and alignment definitely benefitted from that. Plus I left the studio when it was still light and sunny outside, so my mood was definitely brightened too. A refreshing experience all around!

VINYASA translates to 'breath synchronised movement' and is a practice which dynamically links breath and movement. The teacher instructs the class to move from one posture to the next on an inhale or exhale, ideally allowing each pose to flow together. Most vinyasa classes will include the simple cat-cow stretch as well as sun salutations which are slightly more complex.

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Wednesday afternoon, 4:30-5:15pm. The Yoga Space. 11/1251 Hay Street, West Perth.
• COST: $10.00 for a 45 minute class
• TEACHER: Samantha
• BRING: Everything is supplied by The Yoga Space so there's no need to bring a mat. But as always with yoga be sure to wear an outfit that offers you a lot of flexibility, freedom of movement and good coverage.
• BEST BITS: Since my previous yoga sessions have all been 90 minute classes I really appreciated this 45 minute short and peaceful practice. A great choice for beginners with a patient and supportive teacher.
• THE YOGA SPACE WEBSITE: www.yogaspace.com.au

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

History in the making: Wise Words This Week

Recently remembered that my intention was to have a new set of 'Wise Words This Week' posted each Monday morning so that my readers can be constantly surprised, delighted and inspired...

But the Wise Words of the Week mean so much to me. They are quotes I've picked up from friends, family and loved ones along the way. Would hate to see them disappear from my site all together each time a new set of Wise Words is published.

So I'm starting a history of 'Wise Words This Week'. Each week when I change over the Wise Words I'll update this section... It'll end up a dynamic database of epic catch phrases and quotes from my nearest and dearest. Cool huh? ;)

• 09/26/2011:   "Time which you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted time." - Eloise
• 10/03/2011:   "I don't think anyone ever really grows up, they just kind of get a bit taller." - Tom
• 10/17/2011:   "Nothing happens before its time." - Carol
• 10/24/2011:   "You always make my day!" - Geoff
• 10/31/2011:   "You are who you are, you're not defined by what you do." - Trinity Leadership Course
• 02/13/2012:   "You can only play the game with the cards you hold in your hand, not the rest of the unknown cards in the deck." - Kent
• 03/12/2012:   "Joy is not in things, it is in us." - Richard Wagner
• 03/20/2012:   "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I; I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost

Combat in the City

Decided to get physical and check out another Body Combat class tonight after work at Fitness First in Perth City. Was interesting to see the gym so tightly packed! I suppose being located right on Murray Street and going there straight after office hours at 5:30pm on a week day it makes sense, but was a bit of an eye opener for me. Loads of people downtown hit up the gym for an end of day workout!

The Body Combat class was totally packed, I'd say there were more than 45 people in the room. Definitely made for a big and busy group. The teacher was full of fire and fury as she bounded around the stage screaming encouragement and asking the group for more power, more energy, more, more, MORE. It was quite a mind-blowing experience as a follow up to my recent stint of yoga and Zumba but it felt good to smash it out with a variety of jab cross, uppercut, kicks and hooks. Definitely worked up a sweat tonight!

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Monday evening, 5:30-6:30pm. Fitness First Perth CBD. 166 Murray Street, Perth, 6000.
• COST: $22.00 per casual class (but apparently once you're in the door of the gym you can attend class, then do a work out or even do 2 back-to-back classes. In theory. If you're not too exhausted after just the one!)
• TEACHER: Jacinda
• BRING: You'll definitely want a sweat towel and a water bottle for this one!
• BEST BITS: Totally different levels of energy and aggression to the last few fitness options I've tried. If you're dealing with a lot of pent up anger or frustration come along to this class and punch, kick and upper-cut it out of your system!
• FITNESS FIRST PERTH CBD TIMETABLE: www.fitnessfirst.com.au/clubs/timetable

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★

Back to Bec for more PT

Although most of the time I believe that change is good, familiarity also has its advantages.

Having felt a little maxed out from the massively varied fitness options I've attempted over the past few weeks I decided to re-group with my close girlfriends and again visit their PT, Bec, who runs training sessions in East Vic Park. This was literally a last minute decision to join in and I was swiftly picked up en-route to training and switched outfits in the carpark. Was well worth the effort though.

Personal trainers are a great choice because they provide variety in the exercises they set out for you, but continuity in the fact that your general expectations of the session can be the same. The trainer gets to know you personally, then tailors your training program to suit your areas of strength... and weakness.

That's right, you heard me. Weakness. Don't be fooled into thinking that getting a personal trainer is a great way to only do the fun exercises that you really enjoy. Their role is to motivate, even push, you into challenging yourself and exceeding the limitations you may perceive are there.

It was great to see Bec again, to combine that familiar recognition element with a variety of new exercises. This time we held weights above our head and in front of us while running and side stepping plus did sit-ups, planks and squats.

Like I said, personal trainers do push you. In a good way ;)