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: ★ ★ ★

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: ★ ★ ★

Hot, hot, HOT at Bikram Yoga Joondalup

If you're hunting for a way to seriously sweat it all out I definitely suggest giving Bikram yoga a try.

I visited Bikram Yoga Joondalup at 9:30am this morning looking for an energizing kick start to my day. I definitely got what I came for. The class is lead in a heated room so the minute you step inside you feel like you're entering a sauna. I've tried hot pilates while I was living in Toronto, but the practice of bikram yoga is quite new to me. I believe the classes always follow the same 26 postures so it took a little while to adjust to teachers instructions and I spent quite a bit of time scanning my eyes around the room trying to follow what was going on. There seemed to be a lot of rules and directions given out, but I suppose they need to make sure everyone is doing the postures correctly to avoid injuries.

I think the major benefits for me actually became evident later in the day. Throughout the practice I felt a little overwhelmed by the complicated poses and suffocating heat. Especially when we were directed NOT to wipe any sweat away from our face! However a few hours later, after showering of course, I felt refreshed, rejuvenated and invigorated. Which means the practice worked wonders I suppose!

BIKRAM YOGA is a holistic workout in a heated room. You are led through a series of 26 postures as well as breathing exercises which begin and end the 90 minute class. The intention is to build stamina and strength, improve posture, develop muscle tone and strengthen your immune system. The heat encourages sweating which eliminates toxins from your body and the meditative aspect of the practice improves your breathing, aids evening sleep and helps to reduce stress. A full body and mind workout.

Check below for more info...

• DETAILS: Wednesday morning, 9:30-11:00am. Unit 7/200 Winton Rd, Joondalup.
• COST: $18.00 per casual class (however they currently have a special introductory offer which costs $20 for 10 consecutive days. Seriously good value if you have time to pack in a lot of classes.)
• TEACHER: Lisa
• BRING: You'll definitely want to take a large (mat-sized) sweat towel and a water bottle or 2 for this one!
• BEST BITS: It's quite an incredible feeling to remain in a hot yoga room for 1.5 hours constantly moving. Following the practice you leave the room feeling light as air and, after a much-needed shower, you'll spend the rest of the day feeling fresh with a healthy glow.
• BIKRAM YOGA JOONDALUP WEBSITE: www.bikramyogajoondalup.com.au

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★