It’s 8.30am on a Saturday morning and I’m awake. Feeling unnaturally energised after my Friday night, I head to ‘circuits’, potentially the most hard-core of Bodysoc classes. This session is perfect for those who want to push themselves, build stamina and get a burst of cardio. Although a scarily early morning, this class is well worth the wake-up call. My biggest reservation came from my horrific memories of secondary school P.E class where a teacher stands at the front, like a mini dictator, screaming “move faster!” Gladly, I can tell you that Jo, our instructor, is a great combination of motivator, teacher and, well, just all round lovely really! So here is why Circuits with Bodysoc gets me out of bed on a wet Exeter Saturday morning:
1. Strength and Cardio:
Although no weights are added to any of the exercises (unless you hold your water bottle to give extra resistance) you use your own body weight to build stronger muscles and greater stamina. Jillian Michaels, celebrity fitness guru, explains ‘resistance circuit training burns more calories than straight cardio…you are getting the benefits of a resistance-training workout and a cardio workout all in one.’ By combining push-ups, tricep dips, lunges and sprinting, this class amps up the calorie burning whilst effectively toning muscles…what more could you want on a Saturday morning!
2. Cardio burst
This class certainly gets the blood pumping. As part of the circuit, you have to repeatedly sprint from one end of the Lemmy to the other for 60 seconds. The fast, cardio intervals are great for shedding calories and will help you to see the toned muscles built up during strength training. The aerobic exercises, like star jumps and jump squats make the class dynamic.
3. Time:
As a third year, I am definitely pushed for time. This class is conveniently near-by (it’s at the Lemmy on campus) and is early enough in the morning for everyone to get in, get out, get showered and get on with the rest of the weekend! Bring along a work-out buddy for the incentive to rise and shine rather early. It is a great start to the day, which you can reward yourself for later…or just feel smug!
4. Sociable:
The class is very sociable, which can be said for most bodysoc classes. Everyone laughs at the hard bits and powers through the easier bits together. Circuits work in pairs as two people move onto each different exercise in 60-second intervals. Jo mixes it up by reversing the circuit and adding more time to certain exercises. She also adds in tougher or easier ways of completing the exercise to suit individual needs.
5. Every minute counts:
From the moment you step through the door, this workout works you hard. To warm up, you run circles around the Lemmy and get your heart rate raised straight away… *warning, maybe not the best if you’re feeling gross after a heavy Friday night!