What a great monday morning! EXERCISE OF THE WEEK

Now I don't want to keep going on about how much I love my job, but it really is the small things that count.
Today I introduced "exercise of the week" which seemed to go down well, with a few of my clients giving it a try. It was a "single leg lift seated on swiss ball"- here is a picture.

The core muscles come into play as you stabilise yourself changing legs. The only adjustment I made was to place the arms at the sides. One lady did it with her arms out to the sides at shoulder height! I was really happy as some of these clients have health and mobility issues, but since they have been using the EASYLINE TECHNOGYM equipment, some no longer need to walk with a stick.
I have added the swiss ball, hand weights and resistance bands to the sessions quite successfully. Not only are they benefiting from the variety of movements, but I am having a whale of a time demonstrating gym exercises - I love it!
It's always nice to hear your feedback about my workouts. together with the results you can SEE, it helps guide me as an instructor. I can bring you new things to try, if you didn't think you could do it - go on, surprise yourself!
Anyhow, I'll leave you with a nice picture, well it's my poster for my new BOOTCAMP class starting in february. If you are local, come along - beginners are very welcome.

MISS B'S BOOTCAMP

Well I have taken the bull by the horns and booked the room to start my new class. It's a circuit training class and I'm calling it "Miss B's Bootcamp" I'm wondering if that might scare some people off,  but then again, some of us want to be pushed on in an energetic atmosphere to motivate us, and anyway, it sounds kinda funky so I'm going with it!
I've got some planning to do now, and it makes you think about how to motivate clients. One way of doing that is through music, so I'll be trawling through my cd collection, selecting suitable tunes that will drive peopele on. It's amazing to see people who thought they were struggling, see their faces light up when they hear the theme from "Rocky" - who would have thought it?
Even my attire and demeanour will make a difference to the class, I need to create an atmosphere that makes them feel energetic. It's almost like going into character....pleanty of time to collapse in a heap when they have gone home!
So what is circuit training anyway? well.....it can be many things. from gentle and relaxing to manic and energetic! but it will always be a series of exercises done in succession which will cater to specific aims and objectives.
hmm. let's have a look for some links to clips which will show some different classes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjUa89bcXn8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eENXBi-pkGo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0IoPfSmwzk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrkm5X4Xstw

These are just a few examples. Don't be put off!

Miss B's Bootcamp starts on 2nd february (thursday) at 8pm-9pm

Venue: Low Hill Community Centre

Kempthorne Avenue, Wolverhampton.

Class fee: £4

Busy this weekend designing posters and circuit cards! See you next time when I'll be sharing!

Back to work....time to reflect

I've just come out of the gym. My first morning's work after an extended christmas break. I had 2 groups of clients this morning, all eager to continue with their fitness. I work in a community centre in Low Hill, Wolverhampton, England. The classes I teach are Easyline Technogym.
My youngest client is 16, my oldest is in her 80's. If I'm honest, it's the best job I've ever had, so rewarding to see people lose weight, get fitter and acheive things they didn't think they could do.
Looking at some of them makes me think back to how I used to be before I gave myself a complete lifestyle overhaul. Ok, I had a few serious problems in my personal life to overcome (who hasn't had?) and this partly triggered my change.
Nowadays I love working in the studio, both as a client and as an instructor. But, it took months for me to pluck up the courage to go to my first exercise class. I worked out with dvds at home. I'll never forget what Billy Blanks' Tae-Bo did for me - gave me the confidence to carry on and the will to attend classes and take it a step further.
I took up Belly dancing and burlesque alongside my aerobics classes, I later got into shape ready to do my level 2 instructor qualification by doing 10 different classes a week - including easyline technogym, zumba, boxercise in addition to this.
In the old days, I hated exercise - now I love it! and I love my work.
Easyline technogym is a range of resistance equipment that is far more user friendly than conventional gym equipment. No weight stacks or cables to fuss with, it's perfect for people who want to get started or restarted in fitness, older people or those with weight and health issues that want to get started on the road to better health.
But, that's not to say younger, fitter people can't get a good workout. As it works on the principle of circuit training, there is scope for a great cardio vascular workout.
As it is a community based project, it is far more accessible to certain target groups who may not want to attend traditional gyms. As the groups form, people have the opportunity to make new friends and benefit from the social aspect. This, coupled with the physical co-ordination and development of motor skills make it a workout which benefits the mind as well as the body.

People working out on a monday morning in my class

at Low Hill Community Centre

This morning I've added 2 exercise balls into the mix, something that a couple of ladies didn't think they were capable of, and with a little assistance, they have achieved. I'm really happy about this. It just shows how much people can do when they don't think about their limitations.

I'm already looking forward to tomorrow's sessions........

See you soon.

New Year, New You?

Looking around the shops and in the press this week I have noticed a lot of fitness equipment on special offer. Well, you would expect this being a new year as all of us look to the future and vow to make some improvements to our lives. But this got me thinking about all the people, similar to some I've recently met who are absolute beginners at fitness - who might be tempted to buy some of these bargains, but not really know where to start.
Here's a few pointers:
1. Don't ignore advice about seeing your doctor before starting an exercise programme. It doesn't hurt to have a check up now and then. You will then know you are going to be safe whilst exercising and you can declare HONESTLY to your instructor/trainer that you are fit to exercise.
2.If  considering buying any large equipment to use at home, make sure it's not going to lie idle after a few weeks. also, will it take up a lot of room? I'm thinking treadmills here..... also do you really know how to use it? check out your local facilities at gyms and community centres, you could use theirs instead until you are sure it's going to be a worthwhile purchase.
3. What to wear. For beginners, I recommend wearing some loose fitting trousers in a stretch fabric, a cotton top/t-shirt, also some trainers which will support your feet and prevent slipping. Common sense, but exercising in jeans is really not a good idea, it will only restrict you and possibly cause injury due to impaired technique. Fitness clothing doesn't have to be anything fancy, just as long as you are comfortable and safe while exercising.
4. Before you start, have a look around to see what kind of classes are running in your area. There are many different types of workout and you need to find one that you will enjoy and benefit from.
5. Think about your aims. What do you want to achieve? Weight loss? Inch loss? Improved strength? Improved mobility? Increased confidence? Exercise can benefit the mind as well as the body, it gives us a focus and a social outlet.
6. If you are horrified at the prospect of attending a class or a gym, why not try some dvd workouts to build your initial confidence? at least then you will see which types of workout suit you. Then when you feel ready to take the plunge, take a friend with you - it's much easier than going alone.

That's just a few basics to consider. all I am saying is it doesn't have to be expensive..... so, what products do I recommend for a basic home fitness kit?
Here are some links where you can find some current bargains, this week from LIDL!

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg//lidl_uk/hs.xsl/offerdate.htm?offerdate=27538&ar2=

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_27584.htm

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_27544.htm

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_27582.htm

Now all you need to do is learn how to use them! Easy once you know how. A good instructor will be able to give you a few pointers. My clients at Easyline Technogym are picking up new exercises which fit in with the basic circuit programme. We work with hand weights, resistance bands, we do skipping, powerwalking, running and spin cycling. My oldest client is in her 80's.

As this blog progresses, I will be posting some simple exercises to help you on your way. I'll also be telling you MY story of how I got into fitness through a complete lifestyle change. You may meet some of my clients along the way....Hopefully we can inspire YOU to make some changes in YOUR life, IT CAN BE DONE!

See you soon...... :)

Welcome to my brand new fitness blog!

I will be keeping you updated on my classes, bringing you useful links, workout tips and lots of information on being a fit, strong WOMAN!
Don't wait for a man to come and do it for you - remember YOU can do it yourself!

See you soon......

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