I want to be fit, but I never maintain motivation. Gyms end up costing £250 a session as memberships lie unused, aerobics DVDs gather dust, and just one more HobNob gets eaten with that cup of tea. Yet I can cycle for miles in the French countryside, I can swim over an hour to an inaccessible waterfall in an Australian valley, and I can ski almost non-stop for eight hours at a time.
For exercise to work for me, it needs to be seriously fun. Since I can’t ski to work, I set out to find an activity I enjoy enough to do more than once. Unbelievably, I found four …
Fencing
Fun factor
I’m not ashamed to admit that I am something of a poser, so dressing up and wielding a sword is always going to be a winner with me. Although my foil (as it’s technically called) would be about as useful as a balloon in a real fight, I can’t help but hum the theme to Muskahounds and envisage swinging from a chandelier.
Fit factor
The basic stance involves a semi-squat, so my thighs feel the burn within a few minutes. This is what makes fencing a great sport for pre-ski fitness. It’s also aerobic as you are constantly lunging forward in attack or beating a hasty retreat.
What does it involve?
After I’ve been given a brief introduction in fencing footwork and holding the foil we are paired up, shown a couple of moves and let loose. As the only first-timer in the class it’s something of a baptism of fire, but the friendly group and assurances from the instructor steady my nerves.
As this is a fitness class we don’t go into the rules of fencing, but essentially it is a point scoring game, with 15 points winning a match. As people improve they can take part in organised matches.
Who is it for?
Anyone of any fitness. The fitter you are the better you’ll be, but it is possible to start fencing with a very low level of fitness. Like dancing, it’s something that would be fun to learn with a partner. I’m sure there’s plenty to be said for the benefits of a weekly pain-free punch-up for any long-term relationship.
Where can you do it?
I went to the Factory Fitness and Dance Centre on Hornsey Road, N19, which runs six-week courses for £99
The British Fencing website lists clubs nationwide.
Trampolining
Fun factor
I don’t remember being scared of the trampoline at school, but it is terrifying. You go really high! And there are no sides! The flipside of this is the exhilaration: you go really high and there are no sides!
Fit factor
According to my instructor, trampolining works every muscle in your body – especially the ones used smiling. Cheesy lines aside, it is highly aerobic and a surprisingly good workout. The skin of the trampoline absorbs most of the impact and so it has all the benefits of a fast-paced jog, with very little strain on joints and muscles.
What does it involve?
We are put into groups of three per trampoline. Our instructor tells me that most accidents happen when people are tired. I should only bounce as long as I feel lively, and rest as I need to. This feels counter-productive at first: as soon as it gets difficult, I stop. But the next day’s extremely gratifying all-over-body ache tells me I must have been working something – and hard.
After learning to jump and stop, it’s on to basic in-air moves. As a beginner I learn three: straddle jump, where you attempt the splits mid-air as if you’re in Fame!; tuck jump – bringing your knees to your chest; and pike jump – putting your legs straight in front as if sitting down mid-air.
Watching the more experienced gymnasts around me (for that’s what we are, gymnasts), I am excited by where practice will lead me. They are doing twists and turns and backflips I thought I was way too old to learn.
Who is it for?
It’s particularly good for those who find traditional exercise a strain, but it’s good for anyone. At my session there are 15 people – men and women – ranging in age from 20-68.
Where can you do it?
I went to the Michael Sobell leisure centre in Islington, which runs three drop-in sessions a week for adults (there are also separate children’s sessions), for between £4.60 and £5.60.
Many council-run leisure centres offer trampolining, so try your local council website for more information.
There is also a list of trampoline clubs on the trampolining-online website, but you’ll need to call to check if they run classes for the general public.
Ice skating
Fun factor
Boredom can loom large as a demotivator at the gym or in a class and learning a new skill completely takes this away. I am so busy learning and practising each technique I don’t think about it being difficult or tiring.
Fit factor
My instructor estimates that recreational skating burns around 400 calories per hour – similar to a slow-paced jog. It’s an aerobic exercise that works your thighs and bum hardest, but because you are balancing on the ice, it is also very good for the stomach muscles. The benefits increase with experience – the more skills you have, the harder you can work.
What does it involve?
Skate UK is a national learn-to-skate course for beginners of any age. My local leisure centre offers ongoing courses where you work through ten levels at your own pace. As the sort of person who adds already-done tasks to ‘to do’ lists, simply for the pleasure of ticking them off, the progression through levels appeals. Hard evidence of improvement (they give you badges!) and goals to work towards are great incentives.
The group lessons work on a ‘demonstrate and copy’ basis: the teacher shows us how to walk on ice, we walk on ice. The rate of progress is surprising: in one half hour lesson we learn the basics of skating forwards and backwards, turning, and one-legged gliding. Obviously no one in my group can do these things well, but by the end of the lesson we have all had a good go.
Who is it good for?
Anyone who’s not afraid of falling over. There are people in my group who have never been on the ice before. The Skate UK course is for all ages and so adults and children learn together – this makes it a fantastic hobby to take up with your children. And if you don’t have kids, just enjoy learning with them – it makes you feel young, I can tell you.
Where can you do it?
My course was at the Michael Sobell leisure centre in Islington.
The National Ice Skating Association website lists details of rinks that carry out the Skate UK programme across the country.
Bollywood dancing
Fun factor
It’s great once I start to relax and enjoy myself. Bollywood is very expressive and – in this class anyway – not very technical. This is a great combination for enjoying yourself. The over-the-top moves release inhibitions and make you smile as you perform them.
Fit factor
Like any dance class the level of workout you get is variable, dependent on the teacher and the level. But as Bollywood dancing incorporates a range of moves, it’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll get an all-over workout.
What does it involve?
The class is set out like a typical aerobics session, with around 15 or so women (yes, all women), a big mirror, some music and an instructor. The teacher performs an impressive routine and then informs us this is what we will all be doing by the end of the hour. Unfortunately, I have trouble telling my left and right, particularly when there’s a mirror involved. The scars from the day I accidentally attended an intermediate step class are still visible. But breaking the routine down into chunks means I am able to follow, albeit clumsily.
Who is it good for?
This class seems to attract the standard gym-class group: women, mainly in their 20s and 30s with a few in their 40s or 50s. There’s no reason why men can’t take part, they just aren’t here today.
Where can you do it?
My class was at the Factory Fitness and Dance Centre on Hornsey Road, N19. Classes are at 11am on Sunday morning and cost £6, or free for members.
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