So I did something I vowed not to the other day: I joined the gym. Long story short, I hit a wall mentally at the gym earlier this year and didn’t bother renewing my membership after it expired in February. I switched to outdoor workouts including running, swimming and bootcamp. This change made a tremendous difference- I started to actually look forward to my workouts again.
Although I love running through the streets & parks of London, I recently started to get the itch to incorporate more strength training into my workout routine. From past experience, I know that a cardio-heavy regime alone doesn’t work for me mentally or physically. After a trial session at a nearby Fitness First last week, I was sold. You guys, this gym is like a playground! From the usual cardio machines & weight training equipment to the pool, power plate machines, plyo boxes, TRX suspension trainers, ViPR rubber tubes and so much more, this place is the shit. Especially as a 1-month membership costs more than double of what I used to pay when I lived in London, I am trying to make the most of it- nothing like money as a motivator, right ;)!
I especially love the variety of group classes on offer. So far, I’ve taken a spin class & sandbells class. This was my first time trying/hearing of sandbells & I’m hooked. Sandbells are neoprene bag filled with sand that can be used as a substitute for dumbbells, kettlebells and medicine balls…but soft & squishy to minimise the risk of injury or bruising. We started the class by selecting 3 sandbells of different weights and then alternated between them based on the exercise. Along with regular squatting & lunging, we performed many functional fitness moves (i.e. moves we perform in our daily lives) like slamdowns, pick-ups & chopping.
As the class is essentially HIIT, it lasts 30 minutes- short yet anything but sweet..I was wiped (in a good way) by the end of it. And just for the record, there’s something remarkably therapeutic about slamming down a bag of sand on the floor! Next on the workout agenda is a body pump class later today, which I’m pumped for ;)!
What kind of workouts have you been doing lately?
This is my first time hearing about sandbells – such a cool concept – does the sand shift in the bags?
I let my gym workout expire too (3 years ago) I used to be a huge fan of “strength” machines – but now I love my free weights. I do love strength workouts – but I do love my runstoo, lately I had been alternating one week of cardio and one week of strength workouts that mostly included my old P90X DVD’s and workouts like these : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CNCv8KTcxs, but starting next week,think am gonna do a straight up round of P90X for 90 days with a few small runs thrown in.
Hope you have a wonderful week, Khushboo!
Oh thanks for sharing the link, Shashi- will definitely check it out 😀
Oh Fitness First….I give them such a side eye ha- they conned me when I first entered the gym world as a naive 18 year old and locked me into a 2 year contract! Although I hear they have changed their ways EXCEPT for their ridiculous price- Embrace ALL their amazing equipment!
I’ve never heard of sandbells but it sounds like an epic workout- I’d love to try it out!
Haha I think I made them confirm at least 5 times that I was only signing up for a 1-month membership!!
I love fitness first, I go here in Oz! Always something new to try out!
So cool that Fitness First branches are based in Australia too!
That gym sounds like paradise! Except the price of course.
Never heard of sandbells before, sounds like fun!
PS. Is it creepy that I just ate the exact same salad postworkout? Scary.
Not creepy at all..more like awesome :D!
I’m kind of going through the same thing atm… I got tired of the gym, let my membership expire, and haven’t been too interested in renewing it over the past couple of years, buuuuuuuut I’m definitely starting to feel the itch to get some more strength training in, and I find that I can only really get that done in the gym. Now to wait for the offers that always come around summer 😉
Ooh I’m definitely looking forward to hearing more about your upcoming workout regime 😀
This sounds so awesome! I wish my gym offered different classes like this and had all that cool equipment. Mine is pretty basic with just machines and weights. I haven’t really been wanting to do cardio lately so I really only go to the gym 2-3 times a week to do weights. The rest of the time I walk or bike outside. I would definitely consider going to the gym more if mine had better equipment and classes though!
I can’t get myself to do cardio on machines at the gym anymore- I rather save my runs/walks for outdoors!
I miss lifting heavier weights too! In a way, I’m really loving the 25 minute aspect to the Focus T25 program. But I also can’t wait to incorporate real strength training into my routine! 🙂
Glad you found something that makes you feel good! Sounds intense 🙂
Next time I feel a workout rut coming up, I will try out Focus T25!
I love that you found a gym that is still fun for you!! I do have a gym membership which I LOVE, but only because I use it for classes. I go to spin and yoga every week. Lately though I have been LOVING my outdoor hikes!
Ohh if only there were hiking trails nearby!!
Glad to see you getting the workout love back. Nothing like switching it up to rekindle the flame.
Sandbells sounds really interesting, although I’m curious to see what you think of body pump. I’ve been doing it for a few months now and I love it. I’ve also put on weight which I’m 99% sure is all muscle. Beast mode baby.
I LOVED Body Pump- am definitely going to aim to fit in 2-3 BP classes a week while I”m here :)!
Sandbells huh? Haven’t heard of them before but they sound very interesting! The fact that they’re soft and squishy makes them sound more preferable to dumbbells!
Haha no harm done if they fall on your toe 😉