Is This Going To Hurt?
Gigi convinced me (after much persuasion) that I may benefit from joining her in the gym – 9am Tuesday 20th February (my daughter’s birthday). Gigi and I arrive at the gym – Fernwood, Haberfield NSW to the chirpy, greetings of the happy and smiling receptionist. We are immediately introduced to a female instructor who offers us questionnaires to complete. Various health related issues and general lifestyle, dietary etc. are covered, including a section for me to list my expectations and what I hope to achieve through exercise. I answer – toning, weight reduction, fitness and general well-being, (I don’t go overboard, as I don’t have the motivation to work out too hard just yet and I don't want the trainer to have a high expectation of me).
We are treated to a full tour of the facilities (very impressive). I notice that this being a “woman’s only” gym, the mood is light and friendly. No testosterone here! I also notice that I am not really dressed in the right gym attire (very easy to pick me as a “newbee”). Better put gym clothes on the shopping list.
Our belongings are placed in our personal lockers before being introduced to Katie our assessor and personal trainer. After a brief chat to get to know one another, she weighs and measures us. Katie is thorough and notices that my hips are somewhat lopsided, although I have not noticed that myself before. She explains that this may be the cause of my lower back pain (I’m wondering at this point if friends and family have noticed my lopsidedness before and just haven’t said anything!)
We discuss our current diets and exercise régimes and Katie provides us with sensible and realistic advice to improve both.
It’s now on to the cardio! Katie assesses our performance on the treadmill (or in my case, lack of performance!).
I’m pretty impressed by these machines as they come complete with personal televisions.
I notice that Gigi is walking much faster than me and even performs some sprints. I try to keep up at first then notice on the display monitor that her heart rate is much lower than mine so I ease back in the knowledge that she is obviously much more fit than I and I have absolutely no chance of competing with her…..yet!
5 minutes on the treadmill, 5 more on the bicycles and a further 5 minutes on the stepper. I’m starting to feel that my legs belong to someone else. Walking on the floor now seems difficult, or, is it because I now know that I’m lopsided.
We move into the weights room. I really enjoy resistance training and the various machines prove to be…..fun, probably because we are using very light weights.
Lana & Katie my Trainer at Fernwood Haberfield NSW (above). I look quite terrified, don't I?
Our next challenge is floor exercises. I have been so grateful that Katie has taken my age and lack of fitness into consideration in each activity she has prescribed. She is ever mindful of the effects on joints etc. – a true professional.
More than 2 hours have gone by and I must say I’m feeling a lot more motivated than when I first arrived. Gigi and I are given a program that meets out level of fitness and we are asked to commit to at least 2 sessions per week.
I leave the centre with a glow, perspiration and a feeling of personal satisfaction.
PS I am happy to report …… I jumped out of bed the following day and the next - with no pain! Thank you Fernwood!
