Run Forrest Run!

Over the past few years I've fallen in love with running. It's an effective, free and fun activity you can do absolutely anywhere, anytime. 

In case you haven't heard, I'm a total travel junkie. Moving country and being frequently 'on the move' makes it hard to commit to just one gym or health club. So running is my drug and the easiest way to get fit fast with a transient lifestyle.

Chuck on a quality sports bra, a breathable top, decent pair of sports socks to prevent blisters. Then grab your sneakers, a hat and, for those who can't move without tunes, your iPod and you'll be ready to rumble!

I've been blessed enough to run in a number of epic locations. From the 'Rocky' steps in Philadelphia, to the canals of London, through snowy streets of Toronto, the New Jersey waterfront where I could see views of New York City, the suburbs of Santiago and parklands in Bosnia Herzegovina. But want to know the best bit? You can run right here in Perth: around Herdsman Lake, through Kings Park, along the beachfront, at Perry Lakes, through your local suburbs. The list is endless (as will be your passion for smashin' the pavement after a couple of jogs!)

Epic ocean views from the jogging path 

by Hillarys Marina

Running burns calories quickly helping you to achieve weight loss, increases your cardiovascular health, strengthens your bones, stimulates your mood and improves your coordination.

Make the most of the remaining sunny weather and exercise outdoors NOW. Release those positive endorphins, sweat out the stress. Run today, you'll smile tonight (and don't forget to stretch, or you'll feel mighty sore tomorrow!)

Sharing the Lurrrrve with Partner Yoga

'Lean on me' - partnering with Shonelle
at Lululemon Athletica

Happy Valentine's Day Peeps!

It's one of those dates that is every year, without fail,  massively controversial depending on who you talk to. Is it a holiday? A day to celebrate, buy lavish gifts and shower your special somebody with love & affection? Or is it just another cheap, tacky and commercialised holiday enforced by modern day consumerist society to make people to spend their hard-earned dollars on unnecessary possessions.

Ummm... Irrelevant debate!!!

Arguing for the sake of arguing over the meaning of a 'date' like this is COMPLETELY beside the point as far as I understand it. I see days like Valentine's day as an opportunity to smile, think about how much fun people out there are having and how deliciously happy some people in love can be! Yes sure lots of readers might hate the mushy stuff, but leave each to their own and let the loved-up people have their fun and enjoy each other's company.

In the meantime, try to enjoy your own company. That's always a good start :)

A perfect pair: Karen & Shonelle
balanced in yoga harmony

This year my warm-up to Valentine's day consisted of a very different kind of sharing. Karen Then led a beautiful 'partner yoga' class at Lululemon Athletica on February 13th.

The great thing about the class was that your partner could be absolutely anyone. The room was linked up with friends, couples and even mother-daughter combinations - all just there to help each other stretch through some new poses and enjoy a quality, relaxing practice.

It was fun to work together in balance poses and literally support a friend or partner who might be a little off balance. Today's class was yet another fun example of just how adaptable the practice of yoga can be, with or without company!

• DETAILS: Monday 13th February, 6:00-7:00pm in-store at Lululemon Athletica*
• COST: Complimentary in-store class*
• TEACHER: Karen Then
• BEST BITS: Learning that the practice of yoga doesn't need to be a solitary journey! I love sharing my practice with room full of like-minded people, but never before have I literally relied on someone else to help me through the moves. Karen's class brought a smile to all of our faces, a fun new way to share the lurrrrve.
• LULULEMON ATHLETICA PERTH CITY: *Timetable constantly changes. Check out the below link to review the monthly class calendar! http://www.lululemon.com/perth/perthcity

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Pilates Strength & Stamina

Hadn't planned to hit a fitness studio today but was visiting a friend Bayswater and happened to drive past the WA Pilates Studio. Parked the car to take a better look and realised they had a Strength & Stamina pilates class starting at 5:45pm. Was an opportunity too good to pass up!

Really pleased to have the chance to check out studios on the 'far side' of town. Living up in Sorrento has meant I often visit studios in the northern suburbs. But obviously this is a blog about Perth and I'm keen to get out and hit classes across the city. And want to keep my readers happy! If you know any cool classes, anywhere in Perth, that you think I should visit let me know and I'll join you for a workout :)

Phil led this 45 minute session at a steady and consistent pace. It was really great to attend a pilates class led by a male instructor. There was a lot of initial focus on stretching and moving your body through the postures which gradually built up into stronger and longer exercises. The title of this class 'Strength and Stamina' was spot on and definitely a great way to end a Monday!

• DETAILS: Monday evening, 5:45-6:30pm. The WA Pilates Studio, 1070 Beaufort Street, Bedford.
• COST: $15.00 per casual class
• TEACHER: Phil
• BEST BITS: This studio doesn't look like much from the outside but indoors it is lovely, fresh and clean with nice mats, large mirrors and decent equipment.
• THE WA PILATES STUDIO: www.pilateswa.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: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

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: ★ ★ 

Bec's Personal Training - Fun in the Sun!

Deciding to start hitting up any and every fitness option in Perth is one thing, but actually getting organised to find and attend them all is quite another...!

Once committing to my goal I started thinking through the resources most immediately available to me to make it happen. I figured that contacting my nearest and dearest friends would be a great way to start. My gorgeous girlfriends Amy and Bianca have become awesome fitness devotees in recent years, testing out everything from BoxFit to personal training! They were definitely my first point of call when taking on this endeavour. They invited me to join them at their Saturday morning personal training session with Bec in East Vic Park.

Bec lead us through an awesome hour commencing with a jog and encompassing a range of activities. We rotated through a circuit which included weights, boxing, ab, arm and leg work. The session she takes with my friends is just perfect for them. There is usually just four females plus instructor in attendance and the PT is beautifully tailored to suit their needs. One participant was recovering from an injury and Bec was extremely attentive, she modified the activity at each station for the girl's unique circumstance - exactly the level of care and expertise you hope for from a personal trainer. She also took the group through some great stretches at the end. Really worthwhile doing lots of stretching following a session like this because we used a variety of weights for different exercises.

A PERSONAL TRAINER is a fitness professional who develops a fitness program and assessment for their clients. They motivate by setting goals and providing feedback. PT's may also educate their clients on nutrition, general health and wellbeing.

Check below for more info on this session...

• DETAILS: Saturday morning, 9:30-10:30am. John McMillan park off Kent Street in East Vic Park.
• COST: $15.00 per individual
• TEACHER: Bec
• BRING: A decent-sized towel for exercises done lying on the grass. A hat and sunnies are a definite must, especially as we come into the hot summer months. Also recommend applying suncream before the session gets cracking or alternatively wearing a good sun-blocker shirt to cut out UV rays. Water bottle is obviously a must.
• BEST BITS: Being outside in the sunshine! Bec brought along all the equipment we needed from boxing gloves and pads to various weights, it was awesome to have all of that provided. Thanks for an awesome morning Bec!

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