This week has seen me mostly kicking my backside into gear – diet and fitness wise. I’ve been out clocking up miles for Run to the Moon, as well as hitting the weights. Also my trainer has noticed my core has gone to pot too, so there’s been lots of work on that too – I want to be able to do plank on medicine balls again, so that’ s a goal added to the list.
I’ve also been making a list of everything I need to move forward again – my trainers are fine, but I need new bras and leggings – so that’s a big payday spend.
My diet too has undergone an overhaul and already I’ve had a small weight loss, so we’re on the right track. Progress.
I’ve also been investigating other class options – anything to get myself back to tip top condition. Yoga is on the list, I need to improve my flexibility, but I’ve realised just how much choice there is out there at the moment. That’s when I came across the hub project from Reebok.
Reebok have been setting up lots of little FitHubs across the UK – and not just to flog you a new pair of kicks.
They’re pairing up with Personal Trainers in a bit to open the world of fitness up to anyone and everyone – given that’s why I set up this site, this is an idea I can get behind.
FitHubs, in their own shops, department stores and shopping centres, offer not only the best kit, but free training sessions open to anyone. Yes, that’s right. FREE.
They want to show everyone how accessible fitness can be, and whether it’s Cross Fit, or GRITT, boxing or yoga, these are held regularly and are open to all.
To prove just how open they are, I headed down to Stockport, to the hub in Sporting Pro (a short walk from the bus station) to have a nosey.
The man organising the fitness sessions (7pm on a Tuesday evening) is Kevin Foster-Wiltshire – as a PT who assesses PTs, you know you’re in good hands. Plus he’s a really nice chap.
Unfortunately for me, the bus I was travelling in got stuck in some serious traffic and so I missed be able to join in the GRIT session – frustrating as I arrived when they began the last set and I was prepped and ready to go.
Nathan, who ran the class, was encouraging and positive and it was great to see that both he and Kevin joined in too. Sometimes there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing your trainer sweat too.
Chatting to Kevin afterwards, it seems there’s lots of plans for different sessions to encourage people to join in and he’s enthusiastic about it.
“Reebok want to make fitness accessible to everybody so it’s free, we don’t charge anything for the classes and everybody is welcome. We’ve had people in their 70’s come, and tonight, we’ve had a local basketball team in. The classes really are for everyone.
The trainers are top level, and everyone can adapt their session, whether you’re a beginner or really hardcore, they can adapt to meet your level.
The main thing is, that it’s free – you don’t have to come in and buy anything from the shop, there’s no catch, it’s to try to get the community fit.”
Though this class was GRIT – a ‘HIIT’ or high intensity interval training session, the sessions change regularly, the next fitness classes will be boxing, beginning with a session with Brian Rose.
No pads required, this will concentrate on boxing fitness, so if you’ve ever fancied finding a way to take our your frustrations in the gym… now’s your chance.
Details can be found care of the Reebok website (look under Fithub) or check their twitter account and for those classes in Stockport? Tuesday evenings, 7:00pm – I might see you there!