Brrrr!
Cold isn't it? If you are reading this is the UK, then you are most likely also suffering at the hands of the snowy weather. Gym Ninja is currently snowed in for the second day on the run. Not ideal as her current role is that of a travelling sales rep. Travelling in snow & ice doesn't happen in weather like this, especially if it involves heading up to the Lake District and Scotland. Nosireebob! NOT happening.
Now being snowed in also meant that Gym Ninja could not an would not risk a hazardous motorway trip to her gym last night. Turns out that was a good call, as the gym had closed as the weather was just too treacherous. Gym Ninja wonders how this may impact o all the Newbie Gym Members who were planning on great exercise resolutions in January? Will it set them back or will they remain focussed when the weather abates?
In fact, how is the snowy weather impacting you? It is driving Gym Ninja INSANE, as white is definitely NOT her colour!
So, last night she decided to do a home weights session, using her chrome spin-lock set to work through her lower body exercises. As ever, she had an audience of two cats who wanted to be just where Gym Ninja was at any one time...
.
'Are you using this floorspace?' Enquires Ninja Cat 1, just as Gym Ninja is lunging forward into the very space the cat is now sat in....
'What aaareeeeeee you doing?', Enquires Ninja Cat 2 from the window sill, a look of amusement on his furry face as Gym Ninja starts squatting with dumbbells.
'So, just to recap, you kind of need this piece of floor at this exact moment?', Asks Ninja Cat 1, as he begins to roll over on the floor, right in the way of Gym Ninja's foot.
Hmm, GN has had better workouts!
She awoke today to find herself still snowed in, and slowly going crazy having not done any cardio work since Sunday. With no chance of getting to the gym even if it WERE open, what was GN to do?
Well, she had plenty of options, so decided to share them with you, just in case you too are snowed in and were thinking of throwing in he towel, grabbing a mug of hot chocolate and vegging out in front of the TV...NO vegging out on Gym Ninja's shift!
1. An outdoor run.
Now Gym Ninja is a clumsy gal, and tends to slip & trip at the best of times, let alone in the snow. Well, snow itself is ok. It's when it starts to wear a tad thin or freeze over. Gym Ninja imagines that a jog followed by a trip to Casualty isn't the most productive way to get her workout done? Plus, she wasn't prepared to run the gauntlet of youths throwing snowballs at her! SO she crossed this option off her list. However, if you have special outdoor cross country trainers or a place you can run that has decent fluffy snow, then it's worth a go. The snow should make you work harder as it's a bit like running on sand. But less yellow (unless you are running past the side of a pub beer garden where the men who cannot be bothered going inside to use the toilet go......yukky yellow snow!)
2. A snowball fight
This is actually a decent workout if you get into it. If you have a friend or two and want to play out in the snow, then an hour spent lobbing big balls of frozen ice at each other will certainly get your heart rate up. be prepared to fall out with them, when someone 'gets hurt'. As long as it's not you, then who cares eh?
3. Build a snowman.
Gym Ninja did this last night. A Snow Ninja actually, complete with snow boobs. No reason other than sheer boredom really, and to be fair the Snow Ninja wasn't big. However if you plan on building a 'Big 'Un' then it should get your heart pumping!
4. Other snow related faff.
Clear the driveway with a shovel.
Go sledding
Get the Cross Country Skis out and shuffle across fields (or whatever it is those people on skis that the News At Ten always show every time it snows are doing).
Walk to the shops for your grocery shopping and then drag it all home, sweating like a pig as you dodge the ice snowballs from the dodgy looking gang on the corner..
5. Non snow options
Sky 282 is a Fitness Channel on TV that run back to back exercise sessions you can follow as your pets watch with bemused faces. Check them out online for further details on FitnessTV....
Wii Fit is OK if you like that sort of thing? Unless you are mega fit then it should give you a decent workout to keep you ticking over...
Try Home circuits as show on www.bodyrock.tv
Maybe use the exercise equipment that's under the stairs/in the bedroom under a pile of clothes/in the wardrobe...things like rowing machines, free weights, stability balls, resistance bands.....
6. Skipping!
Gym Ninja decided on this one today. She has just done 20 minutes of skipping having discovered a place in her lounge that didn't mean getting the rope wrapped around the light fittings or smashing a vase. She shall do another 20 minutes after she finishes her work from home, followed by free weights for her upper body plus abs.
So you see? Get creative! It'll jump start your New Year. You'll feel so much better for it too. Remember, the body was designed to be active and starts to play up like a hormonal teenager if you deny it it's activity! Just because you are snowed in and/or the gym is shut that doesn't mean you cannot exercise.
So, my little Snow Ninjas, stop reading this blog and get moving! Oh, and just because it is NOT a gym based session you are doing, do NOT forget to replenish after your workout with your favourite protein shake as per usual. You still need to keep on track with nutrition & supplements....
.... Tell you what-seeing as it's cold, Gym Ninja will give you a tip. Grab yourself a Maximuscle Maki-Milk shake (she has provided the link direct to Maxi-Milk in the right hand long green box for you to click on). Pour it into a big mug and microwave it until it is hot. There you go! A gorgeous yummy nutritious high protein hot chocolate drink as your reward for your Snow workout!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Keep Warm!
Gym Ninja x
PS
Would you rather be a snowman OR a sandcastle?
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Jack's back! Oh...and so are the 'Haters' ;-)
Gym Ninja CANNOT contain her crush on new Fitness Hero Jack Lalanne. Remember from the other day? Well, Gym Ninja has watched even MORE of his motivational talks and wants to share.
Firstly we have a '10 point plan' that Jack came up with for us. Here he covers exercise, nutrition, positive thinking, good habits, grooming, smile, posture, help others, relaxation and faith. Not bad eh?
Secondly, he does a rather amusing pitch about what he calls the 'Hog Family', and I'm sure we've all known a few of those eh? Where they take better care of their animals than they do themselves, as if in some way they think they are indestructible? Why do people who over fuss their pets and feed them the best food they can, then forget to do the same with themselves? Do you ever find yourself spending more time in the pet food aisle of the supermarket trying to choose your cat or dogs food then just grab stuff off the shelves for yourself in a millisecond? Why don't you want to take better care of yourself? Prevent illnesses before they happen simply by making sensible health choices? It doesn't take much-you just need to shop in the 'moment' rather than on auto-pilot.
Maybe there are some of you reading this blog who think that Jack was out of order to call the family the 'Hog Family'? How 'nasty and cruel' of him to pick on these people and call them such a name...is that what you are thinking, having read that and watched the video clip?? Gym Ninja knows that most of you agree with what Jack is saying, and yet she also knows for a fact that there ARE a select few of you reading this blog who are haters. Haters who love nothing more than to jump all over the words written here, no matter what source they are from, and pick them apart, take offence, growl and curse and ooze anger. Haters who like to take offense at pretty much everything that comes out of the Ninja blog Gym Ninja gets to see the IP addresses & map locations of every single one her readers so can identify these ladies with ease. But what Gym Ninja would like to say to those girls (that is, if they can focus for long enough through their cloud of indignant rage that she's mentioning them again), is that they should really focus their attentions on something else. Something more important to them? Just an idea, as pent up anger causes illness and damage to the immune system over the long term. Is this really the thing that is causing you such annoyance in your life right now? Truly? Hell, don't get GN wrong...if these ladies wish to carry on reading her blog then they are more than welcome to do so, and she is very flattered that they read it. After all, it pushes Gym Ninja up the rankings and gets her lots of 'hits' on the blog. But when they start to feel the need to add 'comments' on status updates and so on.....*sigh*....really?
Are you really doing that?
Why? Gym Ninja knows you know. She doesn't need 'clues'. Anyhow, she decided to mention it today after the 'comment' so that they get what they need-they get a 'mention' in the blog; they get a reason to get angry or annoyed or to slag her off, or whatever it is that they are hanging onto.. Do whatever makes you feel better. Just work through it and move on to something more worthwhile with your time. That is your final mention in the blog. If you follow it still in the future then you are very welcome to do so,and you can simply relax and enjoy the content along with everyone else. Gym Ninja may even give you a smile next time she sees you eh?
;-)
Anyhow, back to Jack! He is the guy who knows what he is talking about. He truly knows what it is to have the charisma and charm needed to help steer people in the right direction that GN can only dream of being able to do. So, my final Jack fix is not an advice thing. No. He decides to demo his now famous 'Fingertips pushups'. This guy does press ups using the tips of his fingers, and even at one point with JUST ONE HAND! Gym Ninja LOVES how Jack suggests you don't try this at home....was anyone about to?
WAIT! Gym Ninja lied! She has one more Jack pearl of wisdom to share with you all today. For those of you struggling to get motivated to exercise. To those preferring to stay at home as it's a bit cold/dark or you're a bit tired/busy rather than go out and exercise.... For those who say they do not have the time to spare.....Jack says you are a 'Slave' to your body.... and you know what? He's right!
*sigh*
OK little Ninjarettes, that's your lot for today. Normal service to be resumed tomorrow (and she does apologise for the middle part of the blog that wasn't aimed at 99% of you, nor aimed at fitness, but to be fair she needed to say it.)
See you all (yes, even you!) tomorrow
Gym Ninja xx
Firstly we have a '10 point plan' that Jack came up with for us. Here he covers exercise, nutrition, positive thinking, good habits, grooming, smile, posture, help others, relaxation and faith. Not bad eh?
Secondly, he does a rather amusing pitch about what he calls the 'Hog Family', and I'm sure we've all known a few of those eh? Where they take better care of their animals than they do themselves, as if in some way they think they are indestructible? Why do people who over fuss their pets and feed them the best food they can, then forget to do the same with themselves? Do you ever find yourself spending more time in the pet food aisle of the supermarket trying to choose your cat or dogs food then just grab stuff off the shelves for yourself in a millisecond? Why don't you want to take better care of yourself? Prevent illnesses before they happen simply by making sensible health choices? It doesn't take much-you just need to shop in the 'moment' rather than on auto-pilot.
Maybe there are some of you reading this blog who think that Jack was out of order to call the family the 'Hog Family'? How 'nasty and cruel' of him to pick on these people and call them such a name...is that what you are thinking, having read that and watched the video clip?? Gym Ninja knows that most of you agree with what Jack is saying, and yet she also knows for a fact that there ARE a select few of you reading this blog who are haters. Haters who love nothing more than to jump all over the words written here, no matter what source they are from, and pick them apart, take offence, growl and curse and ooze anger. Haters who like to take offense at pretty much everything that comes out of the Ninja blog Gym Ninja gets to see the IP addresses & map locations of every single one her readers so can identify these ladies with ease. But what Gym Ninja would like to say to those girls (that is, if they can focus for long enough through their cloud of indignant rage that she's mentioning them again), is that they should really focus their attentions on something else. Something more important to them? Just an idea, as pent up anger causes illness and damage to the immune system over the long term. Is this really the thing that is causing you such annoyance in your life right now? Truly? Hell, don't get GN wrong...if these ladies wish to carry on reading her blog then they are more than welcome to do so, and she is very flattered that they read it. After all, it pushes Gym Ninja up the rankings and gets her lots of 'hits' on the blog. But when they start to feel the need to add 'comments' on status updates and so on.....*sigh*....really?
Are you really doing that?
Why? Gym Ninja knows you know. She doesn't need 'clues'. Anyhow, she decided to mention it today after the 'comment' so that they get what they need-they get a 'mention' in the blog; they get a reason to get angry or annoyed or to slag her off, or whatever it is that they are hanging onto.. Do whatever makes you feel better. Just work through it and move on to something more worthwhile with your time. That is your final mention in the blog. If you follow it still in the future then you are very welcome to do so,and you can simply relax and enjoy the content along with everyone else. Gym Ninja may even give you a smile next time she sees you eh?
;-)
Anyhow, back to Jack! He is the guy who knows what he is talking about. He truly knows what it is to have the charisma and charm needed to help steer people in the right direction that GN can only dream of being able to do. So, my final Jack fix is not an advice thing. No. He decides to demo his now famous 'Fingertips pushups'. This guy does press ups using the tips of his fingers, and even at one point with JUST ONE HAND! Gym Ninja LOVES how Jack suggests you don't try this at home....was anyone about to?
WAIT! Gym Ninja lied! She has one more Jack pearl of wisdom to share with you all today. For those of you struggling to get motivated to exercise. To those preferring to stay at home as it's a bit cold/dark or you're a bit tired/busy rather than go out and exercise.... For those who say they do not have the time to spare.....Jack says you are a 'Slave' to your body.... and you know what? He's right!
*sigh*
OK little Ninjarettes, that's your lot for today. Normal service to be resumed tomorrow (and she does apologise for the middle part of the blog that wasn't aimed at 99% of you, nor aimed at fitness, but to be fair she needed to say it.)
See you all (yes, even you!) tomorrow
Gym Ninja xx
Monday, 4 January 2010
Fitness Freebies
Good evening. Nice to see you all again.
Gym Ninja is taking the evening off the gym tonight.
*gasps*
She has had a very full high-intensity weekend of workouts. 2 intense Spin Classes in 2 days and both extremely enjoyable. 2 weights sessions ...one upper body and one lower body over the weekend,,plus 1 run too. So now Ninja needs a rest! The rest days are JUST as important as your training days for your results to still continue, hence her taking tonight off.
Well, that reason, and also the fear of the Newbie Crush! Gym Ninja thinks too many people will stuff themselves into the gym tonight and she does not wish to be unable to find any equipment to use! Not just new people of course. No, old members who may have become a little slack at attending over the past few months and see January as the boost they need to get back on track. They too will be heading back there today after their first day back at work. Either way, it will be like The Boxing Day Sales at Harrods!!!!!! But less green.
So instead Gym Ninja decided to do a little bit of rummaging around to see what freebies are out there for us fitness folk. Oh, and also what bargains!
Firstly, she began with the basics. A gym! Now gyms do not give anything away for free usually so it is kind of hard to find a deal, especially in January when they are usually overwhelmed with enquiries. They do not NEED to give away a free trial in January. Nope. Yet Gym Ninja was WRONG! She found a deal. Yep. She has even added a little link to the right hand side of this blog for ease of locating as she thought it may be fun to do!
GYM FREEBIE
Apparently you can get yourself a FREE one-day pass into any of the Fitness First Gyms across the UK this month. Kind of like a 'try before you buy' scenario? Now Gym Ninja happens to think this is a rather good idea for those people looking to start at a gym or switch to a new gym. You need to go in, try out the equipment and see how you feel when you train there. Having a guided tour just isn't enough to be honest. You need to see what kind of people go there, what range of classes they have, what the showers are like when you use them, how clean the toilets and changing rooms are. You need to see how attentive and friendly the staff are, what the cafe facilities are like (if that is important to you and it is to some people), whether it is easy to park and so on.... See? A free trial is a good idea no? Even if you are NOT looking to move to a new gym, it's worth taking them up on their offer. It'd be rude not to. Think of it as a kind of 'holiday' from your usual gym routine. A new place to work out shakes it up for you. Gives you new enthusiasm and new ideas. Appeals generally to your nosiness. That way you can maybe return to your usual gym and think "It's not so bad here after all". or maybe even "Hmm, time to move on"? So...AFTER you have finished reading this click on the logo banner thingie with Fitness First on it and claim your pass. Let's all see what Fitness First think is SO amazing about their gym that they want us all to turn up! Psst-also, this may be a good option if you have to spend time away at a hotel with your job this month but don't want to miss out on a workout? See if there is a Fitness First near your hotel and grab your free day pass!
So...what else can Gym Ninja find that is free today?
EXERCISE CLASS FREEBIE
How about....'GET FIT FOR FREE', courtesy of Sweaty Betty? Gym Ninja couldn't find a flash side panel for that so has added the link to the highlighted name for you! Get fit for FREE Online and in store apparently. Oooooh. HANG ON! It offers an online blogger to get you inspired? Isn't that what Gym Ninja is for? Grrr! Do not abandon Gym Ninja for Sweaty Betty blogger! However, DO attend their weekly free exercise classes if there is a store near where you live. Plus, if you win the £250 in clothing vouchers then you will get a free gym wardrobe too eh?
DIET AND NUTRITION PLAN FREEBIE
Gym Ninja's beloved Maximuscle are offering everyone in the entire universe (ahem), a free nutrition plan that will take into account your goals, be they to increase muscle, burn body fat etc, and then give you a diet plan based on what to eat and when. Takes all the guess work out of this, plus they certainly seem to know what they are talking about as they sponsor God knows how many athletes, teams plus the Gladiators...ROAR!
*waggles sponge finger*
They chuck in FREE delivery if you order their supplements and FREE welcome pack if you are new to ordering from them. Oh and you can get free advice on exercise too. Now as well all knows, Gym Ninja is mightily happy with her Maximuscle supplements and has wasted oodles of cash on bad or poor quality supplements elsewhere so that YOU do not have to, my little Ninjarettes! This is why she has also added the cute banners on this blog and has made sure they show her favourite supplements so if you want to see why she loves them so much you can just click straight on them. More fun than the in-bedded link in the text. Prettier too...! Oh, and something she didn't know but found out....apparently if you ordered say, chocolate something or other and then hated the taste, spat it out and cursed the stuff, then Maximuscle let you return it to swap it for another flavour!!!!!!! YAY!
HARDCORE HOME CIRCUIT FREEBIES
Yep. You guessed it! You can get FREE circuit sessions almost on a DAILY basis from www.bodyrock.tv website. Gym Ninja has spoken of this site before and has even partaken in some of the workouts herself, and can recommend them for being hardcore and burning up calories! There is a whole back catalogue on that site that will keep you exercising for months. Ideal for working out at home, or even if you have to travel with your job and are stuck in your hotel room with just a laptop for company. (also, it'll stop you looking at things you shouldn't on your laptop in your hotel room!!!!)
Hey!
Gym Ninja has saved you MONEY today!
Now you can get a Gym Session, a motivational blog that isn't as good as Gym Ninjas (ahem), a weekly aerobics class, a daily online aerobic circuit workout, plus a nutrition and workout plan and delivery on your supplements FOR ABSOLUTELY NO CASH WHATSOEVER!
No excuses Ninjarettes! How can you turn down all of that eh?
Okey dokey-off Gym Ninja pops. She has a chicken stir-fry to do before settling down to so some revision on Hypertension! Now you get busy with your link clicking and claim whatever you like that is free!!
(Sorry that GN could not provide cute banners on her blog for ALL offers. but hell, she saved you some time with the ones she has provided eh??)
Toodle pip
Gym Ninja xx
PS
Would you rather have FREE gym sessions for life or FREE creamcakes for life?
(you KNOW the answer to that one!!!!!!!!)
Gym Ninja is taking the evening off the gym tonight.
*gasps*
She has had a very full high-intensity weekend of workouts. 2 intense Spin Classes in 2 days and both extremely enjoyable. 2 weights sessions ...one upper body and one lower body over the weekend,,plus 1 run too. So now Ninja needs a rest! The rest days are JUST as important as your training days for your results to still continue, hence her taking tonight off.
Well, that reason, and also the fear of the Newbie Crush! Gym Ninja thinks too many people will stuff themselves into the gym tonight and she does not wish to be unable to find any equipment to use! Not just new people of course. No, old members who may have become a little slack at attending over the past few months and see January as the boost they need to get back on track. They too will be heading back there today after their first day back at work. Either way, it will be like The Boxing Day Sales at Harrods!!!!!! But less green.
So instead Gym Ninja decided to do a little bit of rummaging around to see what freebies are out there for us fitness folk. Oh, and also what bargains!
Firstly, she began with the basics. A gym! Now gyms do not give anything away for free usually so it is kind of hard to find a deal, especially in January when they are usually overwhelmed with enquiries. They do not NEED to give away a free trial in January. Nope. Yet Gym Ninja was WRONG! She found a deal. Yep. She has even added a little link to the right hand side of this blog for ease of locating as she thought it may be fun to do!
GYM FREEBIE
Apparently you can get yourself a FREE one-day pass into any of the Fitness First Gyms across the UK this month. Kind of like a 'try before you buy' scenario? Now Gym Ninja happens to think this is a rather good idea for those people looking to start at a gym or switch to a new gym. You need to go in, try out the equipment and see how you feel when you train there. Having a guided tour just isn't enough to be honest. You need to see what kind of people go there, what range of classes they have, what the showers are like when you use them, how clean the toilets and changing rooms are. You need to see how attentive and friendly the staff are, what the cafe facilities are like (if that is important to you and it is to some people), whether it is easy to park and so on.... See? A free trial is a good idea no? Even if you are NOT looking to move to a new gym, it's worth taking them up on their offer. It'd be rude not to. Think of it as a kind of 'holiday' from your usual gym routine. A new place to work out shakes it up for you. Gives you new enthusiasm and new ideas. Appeals generally to your nosiness. That way you can maybe return to your usual gym and think "It's not so bad here after all". or maybe even "Hmm, time to move on"? So...AFTER you have finished reading this click on the logo banner thingie with Fitness First on it and claim your pass. Let's all see what Fitness First think is SO amazing about their gym that they want us all to turn up! Psst-also, this may be a good option if you have to spend time away at a hotel with your job this month but don't want to miss out on a workout? See if there is a Fitness First near your hotel and grab your free day pass!
So...what else can Gym Ninja find that is free today?
EXERCISE CLASS FREEBIE
How about....'GET FIT FOR FREE', courtesy of Sweaty Betty? Gym Ninja couldn't find a flash side panel for that so has added the link to the highlighted name for you! Get fit for FREE Online and in store apparently. Oooooh. HANG ON! It offers an online blogger to get you inspired? Isn't that what Gym Ninja is for? Grrr! Do not abandon Gym Ninja for Sweaty Betty blogger! However, DO attend their weekly free exercise classes if there is a store near where you live. Plus, if you win the £250 in clothing vouchers then you will get a free gym wardrobe too eh?
DIET AND NUTRITION PLAN FREEBIE
Gym Ninja's beloved Maximuscle are offering everyone in the entire universe (ahem), a free nutrition plan that will take into account your goals, be they to increase muscle, burn body fat etc, and then give you a diet plan based on what to eat and when. Takes all the guess work out of this, plus they certainly seem to know what they are talking about as they sponsor God knows how many athletes, teams plus the Gladiators...ROAR!
*waggles sponge finger*
They chuck in FREE delivery if you order their supplements and FREE welcome pack if you are new to ordering from them. Oh and you can get free advice on exercise too. Now as well all knows, Gym Ninja is mightily happy with her Maximuscle supplements and has wasted oodles of cash on bad or poor quality supplements elsewhere so that YOU do not have to, my little Ninjarettes! This is why she has also added the cute banners on this blog and has made sure they show her favourite supplements so if you want to see why she loves them so much you can just click straight on them. More fun than the in-bedded link in the text. Prettier too...! Oh, and something she didn't know but found out....apparently if you ordered say, chocolate something or other and then hated the taste, spat it out and cursed the stuff, then Maximuscle let you return it to swap it for another flavour!!!!!!! YAY!
HARDCORE HOME CIRCUIT FREEBIES
Yep. You guessed it! You can get FREE circuit sessions almost on a DAILY basis from www.bodyrock.tv website. Gym Ninja has spoken of this site before and has even partaken in some of the workouts herself, and can recommend them for being hardcore and burning up calories! There is a whole back catalogue on that site that will keep you exercising for months. Ideal for working out at home, or even if you have to travel with your job and are stuck in your hotel room with just a laptop for company. (also, it'll stop you looking at things you shouldn't on your laptop in your hotel room!!!!)
Hey!
Gym Ninja has saved you MONEY today!
Now you can get a Gym Session, a motivational blog that isn't as good as Gym Ninjas (ahem), a weekly aerobics class, a daily online aerobic circuit workout, plus a nutrition and workout plan and delivery on your supplements FOR ABSOLUTELY NO CASH WHATSOEVER!
No excuses Ninjarettes! How can you turn down all of that eh?
Okey dokey-off Gym Ninja pops. She has a chicken stir-fry to do before settling down to so some revision on Hypertension! Now you get busy with your link clicking and claim whatever you like that is free!!
(Sorry that GN could not provide cute banners on her blog for ALL offers. but hell, she saved you some time with the ones she has provided eh??)
Toodle pip
Gym Ninja xx
PS
Would you rather have FREE gym sessions for life or FREE creamcakes for life?
(you KNOW the answer to that one!!!!!!!!)
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Happy New Gym Year
Gym Ninja's first official 2010 workout at the gym began on 2nd January. 'Yesterday' to you.... A Saturday. You know what that means in GN world? Saturday Slaughter Session! Correct.
Off she pootled, having downed some Maximuscle Viper Extreme Capsules for an added boost of energy (she didn't have any of her usual wheat-free pitta breads to have with peanut butter for breakfast on her hardcore workout day, so had instead had a Promax Shake & figured the Viper would give her a boost seeing as she'd foregone carbs). She'd not attempted a spin class for at least a month due to scheduling.
She arrived at the gym by about 9.15am and already it was fairly busy. The old January rush eh? Lots of new people (Newbies) desperately trying to reverse some of the self-indulgence they'd partaken in. Aren't we all? That is why Gym Ninja is also here-that and her love of working out of course! As ever she began with a run. Just enough time to do 15 minutes on the treadmill before heading upstairs to take part in the 1 hour Extreme Spin Class.
In she walked, gel seat cover in hand. She'd envisaged some saddle soreness due to the fact that her derrière would no longer be used to the spin bikes. Princess Ninja and the Pea situation! The class wasn't as full as she'd expected, but she was delighted to see a new instructor who was very enthusiastic and encouraged everyone to answer her when she spoke.
"How long is this class supposed to be everyone? An hour or is it 45 minutes?" The Instructor enquired.
The room fell silent, the Spin Gang looking at each other shiftily.
'AN HOUR" Shouted out Gym Ninja suddenly. Damned Gym Tourettes!
Well, no point turning up if you plan on cheating yourself by cutting it short before you begin is there? So off we went, into a beast of a spin session that was fantastic from start to finish. The Instructor would periodically hop off the bike and wander around just at the moments when you were flagging, so it kept motivation high and everyone worked hard. Ahh, t'was good to be back in Spin again! Turns out she is due to do the one hour 10am session Sunday too. Gym Ninja is now cancelling out her last lie in, so she can attend!!!!
Following the Spin Session, Gym Ninja started her leg workout. Squats, Romanian Deadlifts, front/back lunges...ahhhhr! Wibbly wobbly legs! By now the gym was really filling up for a Saturday. Lots of new faces! Couples coming in to train together, older people kitted out in their old weight training belts and gloves (but without the weight training body so obviously back after much time off), a few younger people,... all of them absolutely hell bent on sorting themselves out (for want of a better phrase) for this year! Gym Ninja is somewhat concerned however, that large corporate gyms never bother to nurture the Newbies. Does anyone check up on them after their first month to help keep them on track? Do they offer a 'Buddy' system whereby they could link up like-minded people with more established members? No, not necessarily to train with them, but so they have a few 'introductions' and the gym then isn't as scary or intimidating and they have someone to look forward to seeing on those gloomy dark winter days when they'd rather be sat at home watching TV? Isn't it easier and far cheaper to retain members than go and recruit new ones? I guess that is why gyms lock members into annual contracts. Maybe they don't care if they stop attending? After all, the money still rolls in every month. So what DOES stop a Newbie from becoming a regular? Gym Ninja came up with a brief list...
1. Fear!
Gyms are often very intimidating places full of hulking great men and bionic women all strutting around grunting and pounding weights all over the place. The Poor Newbie is petrified that everyone will be looking at them/laughing at them/thinking they are stupid for coming here..
But little Newbie, remember this. No one is looking at you. Firstly, the hulks and bionics are too busy looking at their own reflection to check technique to worry about yours. If you DO catch them staring at you they are probably NOT looking AT you, more 'through' you as they get into the zone.
2. Fear (again)!
The Newbie is fearful of the machines and weights. All scary instruments of torture that clang and whirl and light up and potentially pull all your limbs from your torso, leaving you as a stump with a head. What to do with them? How to set them up? AHHHR!
But little Newbie, all it takes is a few sessions with a Gym Instructor or Personal Trainer and you can gain confidence quickly. Or, just ask someone. They will happily show you how things work.
3. Fear (the sequel)!
Newbie may think that they have a body that cannot possibly set foot over the door of a gym. They fear everyone will laugh or mock their body or stare in the changing rooms.
Little Newbie, stop being a silly billy! EVERYONE has odd things about their body. People do not stare in changing rooms. They do not stare at the gym because do you know what? If you are in there, no matter what your shape, it proves you plan to change and that is the main thing-we all start as a beginner.
So, Gym Ninja suggests that next time you go to the gym and you spot a Newbie staring nervously at you, smile. That's all. She's not asking you to adopt one. It's not like the Donkey Sanctuary whereby if you smile you then get a quarterly newsletter about the Newbie you 'adopted' and pictures of them as they train/reports on how they have done etc. 'For just £2 a month you could help support a gym Newbie on their struggle to overcome the January blues'......
Oh, incidentally, if you are looking for some decent dance tunes to drive you through your workouts, then look no further than this! Gym Ninja paid £9.99 to download the Ministry Of Sound 'Running Trax' fro iTunes...60, yes... 60 tracks and 2 mixes of the tracks! AWESOME! Go check it out!
Right! Off Gym Ninja pops. More revision to do. See you all tomorrow.
PS..
Would you rather adopt a Newbie for £2 a month OR a donkey for £2 a month?
Gym Ninja x
Off she pootled, having downed some Maximuscle Viper Extreme Capsules for an added boost of energy (she didn't have any of her usual wheat-free pitta breads to have with peanut butter for breakfast on her hardcore workout day, so had instead had a Promax Shake & figured the Viper would give her a boost seeing as she'd foregone carbs). She'd not attempted a spin class for at least a month due to scheduling.
She arrived at the gym by about 9.15am and already it was fairly busy. The old January rush eh? Lots of new people (Newbies) desperately trying to reverse some of the self-indulgence they'd partaken in. Aren't we all? That is why Gym Ninja is also here-that and her love of working out of course! As ever she began with a run. Just enough time to do 15 minutes on the treadmill before heading upstairs to take part in the 1 hour Extreme Spin Class.
In she walked, gel seat cover in hand. She'd envisaged some saddle soreness due to the fact that her derrière would no longer be used to the spin bikes. Princess Ninja and the Pea situation! The class wasn't as full as she'd expected, but she was delighted to see a new instructor who was very enthusiastic and encouraged everyone to answer her when she spoke.
"How long is this class supposed to be everyone? An hour or is it 45 minutes?" The Instructor enquired.
The room fell silent, the Spin Gang looking at each other shiftily.
'AN HOUR" Shouted out Gym Ninja suddenly. Damned Gym Tourettes!
Well, no point turning up if you plan on cheating yourself by cutting it short before you begin is there? So off we went, into a beast of a spin session that was fantastic from start to finish. The Instructor would periodically hop off the bike and wander around just at the moments when you were flagging, so it kept motivation high and everyone worked hard. Ahh, t'was good to be back in Spin again! Turns out she is due to do the one hour 10am session Sunday too. Gym Ninja is now cancelling out her last lie in, so she can attend!!!!
Following the Spin Session, Gym Ninja started her leg workout. Squats, Romanian Deadlifts, front/back lunges...ahhhhr! Wibbly wobbly legs! By now the gym was really filling up for a Saturday. Lots of new faces! Couples coming in to train together, older people kitted out in their old weight training belts and gloves (but without the weight training body so obviously back after much time off), a few younger people,... all of them absolutely hell bent on sorting themselves out (for want of a better phrase) for this year! Gym Ninja is somewhat concerned however, that large corporate gyms never bother to nurture the Newbies. Does anyone check up on them after their first month to help keep them on track? Do they offer a 'Buddy' system whereby they could link up like-minded people with more established members? No, not necessarily to train with them, but so they have a few 'introductions' and the gym then isn't as scary or intimidating and they have someone to look forward to seeing on those gloomy dark winter days when they'd rather be sat at home watching TV? Isn't it easier and far cheaper to retain members than go and recruit new ones? I guess that is why gyms lock members into annual contracts. Maybe they don't care if they stop attending? After all, the money still rolls in every month. So what DOES stop a Newbie from becoming a regular? Gym Ninja came up with a brief list...
1. Fear!
Gyms are often very intimidating places full of hulking great men and bionic women all strutting around grunting and pounding weights all over the place. The Poor Newbie is petrified that everyone will be looking at them/laughing at them/thinking they are stupid for coming here..
But little Newbie, remember this. No one is looking at you. Firstly, the hulks and bionics are too busy looking at their own reflection to check technique to worry about yours. If you DO catch them staring at you they are probably NOT looking AT you, more 'through' you as they get into the zone.
2. Fear (again)!
The Newbie is fearful of the machines and weights. All scary instruments of torture that clang and whirl and light up and potentially pull all your limbs from your torso, leaving you as a stump with a head. What to do with them? How to set them up? AHHHR!
But little Newbie, all it takes is a few sessions with a Gym Instructor or Personal Trainer and you can gain confidence quickly. Or, just ask someone. They will happily show you how things work.
3. Fear (the sequel)!
Newbie may think that they have a body that cannot possibly set foot over the door of a gym. They fear everyone will laugh or mock their body or stare in the changing rooms.
Little Newbie, stop being a silly billy! EVERYONE has odd things about their body. People do not stare in changing rooms. They do not stare at the gym because do you know what? If you are in there, no matter what your shape, it proves you plan to change and that is the main thing-we all start as a beginner.
So, Gym Ninja suggests that next time you go to the gym and you spot a Newbie staring nervously at you, smile. That's all. She's not asking you to adopt one. It's not like the Donkey Sanctuary whereby if you smile you then get a quarterly newsletter about the Newbie you 'adopted' and pictures of them as they train/reports on how they have done etc. 'For just £2 a month you could help support a gym Newbie on their struggle to overcome the January blues'......
Oh, incidentally, if you are looking for some decent dance tunes to drive you through your workouts, then look no further than this! Gym Ninja paid £9.99 to download the Ministry Of Sound 'Running Trax' fro iTunes...60, yes... 60 tracks and 2 mixes of the tracks! AWESOME! Go check it out!
Right! Off Gym Ninja pops. More revision to do. See you all tomorrow.
PS..
Would you rather adopt a Newbie for £2 a month OR a donkey for £2 a month?
Gym Ninja x
Saturday, 2 January 2010
Gym Ninja respects her elders....
Recovered from the festivities yet? Gym Ninja hopes you all feel a lot better after your night of partying.
Today (yesterday by now) she decided she'd welcome in the New Year with a run outside, however her plans were scuppered by a rather dangerous layer of ice on the pavements. Hmmm, Gym Ninja does not want a broken leg. That would mean it would go all withered and look silly next to her non-broken leg! So instead, she dug out the new Skipping Rope she'd bought from TK Maxx for all of £2.99 and set about doing a 15 minute high intensity skipping session in her garden (watched, of course, by one of her ever-curious cats). Amazing workout, and now 8 hours later she can feel the DOMS kicking in!
After her workout she decided to ring her inspirational Great Uncle Harry. Great Uncle Harry is 91 years old and is a great believer in eating healthily and taking regular exercise. So she rang him to wish him a Happy 2010...but the phone rang out. An hour later Gym Ninja called again, and this time he was in. He'd been out for his DAILY 3 mile walk. Yes, DAILY, and up the Malvern Hills too!
Gym Ninja and GUH (Great Uncle Harry) chatted about exercise and diet as usual. He told her that on his old stationary bike at home he'd clocked up 7000 miles before trading it in for a new one. Puts to shame those people who use theirs as a glorified clothes hanger eh? GUH is very enthusiastic about Gym Ninja's plans for her own PT business, and the conversation they both had was very enjoyable and motivational. One fantastic 'quote' GUH came up with that Gym Ninja plans to steal and use too is aimed at those people who always procrastinate about not having time to exercise...Do you know what GUH says to them? He says...
"Those minutes you spend now on exercising you get back added onto the end your life as years."
Wow.
Later on, as Gym Ninja was multitasking (revising with the TV on in the background), she noticed that QVC had a typical fitness and health related 1st Day of the Year show, and the Today's Special Value was in fact a Juicer. But no...not an ordinary juicer. A juicer by Jack La Lanne. Hmmm......now Gym Ninja had heard about Jack La Lanne quite a bit recently. In fact, it was only the day before she'd been reading in a fitness magazine (Oxygen Magazine) about his latest book being launched. For those of you who have never heard of him, check out this link on Jack here.... He is the godfather of fitness and waaaaaaaay ahead of his time when it came to diet and exercise. He invented the first leg extension and pulley machines, also the Smith Machine, was one of the first to advocate that women lift weights, & started a gym chain that he eventually sold that is now Bally Total Fitness. He is still going strong at the grand old age of 95, so he knows his stuff! Anyhow, this juicer was sold as 'his' and basically appealed to Gym Ninja partly due to the fab colours you can buy it in, but also because she used to have a juicer and loved how drinking fresh vegetable juices made her feel. That was until she broke her juicer by ramming apple complete with pips into it by accident. This would NOT be an issue with HIS juicer as you can lob stuff in whole without peeling or chopping. Gym Ninja is now getting this juicer as her birthday present this month! YAY! Expect lots of lovely juice inventions in the near future...
Anyhow, once reminded about the 95 year old Jack, she did a search for him on You Tube and came up with some fabulously motivating speeches, and she has added the links for you all..
'Nuff said.........watch, search for more of his inspirational speeches on YouTube or read his site at www.jacklalanne.com and try and take at least some part of what he says to heart..........in the very words of Jack himself.. "Exercise is King, Nutrition is Queen. Put them together and you have a kingdom!"
Gym Ninja xx
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