Variety is Verity! Discovering new workout styles.

Variety is the spice of workouts!

After deciding to take a short break from traditional strength training, I took a week off to rest and recover. The itch to get back into it was overwhelming. My body craved the daily morning movement it had grown accustomed to. Slipping into a sluggish state was all too easy for someone like me. I inadvertently let my fitness routine fall by the wayside. With newfound time and energy, I felt an intense drive to do something different. I wanted to inject a burst of variety into my training. I embarked on an exciting journey to trial different types of exercises and workout styles. I was eager to discover which ones I enjoy the most.

BIKRAM YOGA

It felt ‘easy’ to start with because most of the poses we did were, I was familiar with. but it felt hard because of the technique. There were minor and major corrections. “Bum back, shoulders in line, legs straight. Hold, hold, hold! Keep holding, keep stretching till the point of pain!” shouted the tough instructor. I’ve got to say this style of yoga really pushed me out of my comfort zone. Bikram yoga was founded by Bikram Chaudhary. He suffered a knee injury in a weightlifting competition and recovered fully with this style of yoga. He then devoted his life to bringing this wisdom to all. Done in a hot room steaming at 40.5 degrees C and 40% humidity, hot yoga aims to flush out your toxins. The hot room is meant to enhance the detoxification process. Akin to labor pains, once it’s over you forget the pain. In fact, the after is a feeling of opened up body. The supposed benefits of this yoga style range from promoting weight loss to flushing out the lymphatic system. Surprisingly this was not as centering an experience for me as I would’ve liked. Check out Bikram Yoga Bella Vista-Castle Hill Hot Yoga, Sydney for more information and to book an intro class. I rate this experience a 7/10.

SANTE PILATES

Having done Pilates before, I had a preconceived notion of what this session would be like. F45 runs a class called Sante Sweat which is a more of a light-weighted strength training session. It had a higher number of reps and little or no breaks. It got me moving and I felt the burn in my already sore shoulders. Although I didn’t feel as challenged or excited through it. The studio is spacious, well-lit, and clean. I will revisit for a strength class. But I won’t be going back to this session. Instead, I’m keen to try reformer Pilates. I rate this experience a 4.5/10. Check this out for more info – Life Changing Gym & Functional Team Training | F45 Training

MUAY THAI

First thing, I walked in blind. I booked this place on the Mind Body app. I rocked up for an ‘all levels’ class as I interpreted this as beginners inclusive. I was informed by a very cheerful owner prior experience was expected! That said, the owner, Sing, was very friendly and welcoming and decided to demo some moves! As the group session began, he queried me to gauge my level of interest in boxing. The only thing that came close was watching Ong Bak movies (they feature a more traditional style of Muay Thai). With that, we started practicing some punches and the stance. The first thing that struck me as a little odd was the rhythmic to-ing and fro-ing in the stance. You don’t stand still. Apparently, it’s to be ready to strike any moment, like the shuffle in boxing/kickboxing, I suppose? As I got familiar with the moves, I started hitting with a bit more accuracy and power. I won’t say it came naturally and the routine tired me out REAL quick!! Simple yet hard. 40 minutes into this session and I was tired as a battle horse! I slept like a baby that night! Key features about Payak Muay Thai: Energetic vibe, authentic style. They even play some authentic Thai music, really getting into character. Check out Payak Muay Thai at Payak Muay Thai | Sydney Muay Thai Gym | 8/201 Parramatta Road, Homebush NSW, Australia. Giving this experience a rating of 8/10.

BOXING

I broke away from my usual 5 days a week PT strength and conditioning classes routine. I decided it was time to try something new. I’ve always had a passion for boxing. Once I searched for it online, Instagram instantly hit me with ads for local boxing fitness classes. Nik from Punch Love Fitness reached out, and I was set for my first technique class. This first session was a slower, essential ‘evil’ to endure before getting to the actual classes. My first class left me feeling uncertain about my punches. By the second session, I started to get the hang of it. By the third class, I saw a marked improvement in my foot work. My technique improved with the help of their amazing instructors. It’s a phenomenal workout that pushes your physical limits! The program combines boxing and circuit training into a powerful 45-minute session. A couple of weeks in and I already feel a boost in my strength. My endurance and overall fitness have improved. Punch Love Fitness offers a spacious, clean and well-stocked facility. It has everything you need, from a phone charging station to a royal seating area for its book club members. It’s a fabulous community to be part of. Learn more at Punch Love. I rate this experience a 9/10.

What’s next?

I feel like I’m back in a nice rhythm with my workouts for now. I wouldn’t be averse to trying out a wider variety of workout styles or even sporting activities. What do you think I should try? Is there anything you really enjoyed and recommend?

Have a great week, fitness freaks!