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: ★ ★ ★

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: ★ ★ ★