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 If you're interested in finding a new fav sport or exercise, but are just a little bit nervous about actually taking the plunge and want a few pointers first, our new section Active nzgirl, is perfect for you!
Julz Darroch (you might have seen her on Good Morning), our resident fitness guru, will try out a range of new and different fitness classes and bring you her very own verdict. It's a little like trying before you buy - without you having to ever step foot outside your home! First up, she tries Pilates...
 BackgroundThis Pilates thing has been around for a bit; at the beginning of last century a guy named Joseph Pilates chucked on a pair of wooly gym shirts and a singlet, and strung up folks on weird contraptions that looked like something out of a bondage dungeon (not that I’d know, I’m just imagining…). Obviously he was onto something as Pilates is now a super-popular exercise form that promises to stretch, strengthen and tone your muscles, making you sleek, lean and less prone to injuries.  Pre lesson...So, being the intrepid fitness reporter I am, off I go to give a Pilates one on one session a whiz. My concerns? I have the attention span of a goldfish so it’s going to be a challenge to get me to concentrate. Also, I’m not famous for my relaxing abilities, so my instructor best not get all floaty and new age on me or I’m going to wet myself laughing. After the lesson... I have to tell you, I am sitting at my computer with the best posture! My instructor Kirsty first made me go through a sequence of mat exercises that didn’t involve any equipment so she could check out my posture and strength. Kirsty insisted I didn’t need to impress her so I just shut up and did what I was told as she took notes, and tried to impress her without her noticing.  My efforts worked - I impressed her so much she let me loose on the rack! Feeling less like a rotisserie chicken than I thought I would on the springy/benchy structure, I had straps attached to my feet and then my hands. Next Kirsty made me do a number of different things at once to work my body and my brain. It turns out to be quite a challenge to keep feet in 1 st position, butt contracted, shoulders relaxed and elbows bent. Lucky she didn’t make me wear scratchy pants like Joseph or there could have been trouble! Next it was on to ‘the chair’. Kirsty explained that the  exercise I was about to do was called the teaser. At this point I got a bit nervous as I imagined being strapped down with Kirsty poking fun at me (well, that’s what teasing is!). I was feeling lucky when all I had to do was put my legs on a Swiss ball, butt on a platform and push backwards on a springy bit. Then she took my Swiss ball away and I was pleading to be tied down and called names. The session ended with me rolling my back on a big foam tube thing - unusual yes, but strangely enjoyable. The verdict... It was definitely a workout, which appealed to the overachiever in me. It felt more like my muscles were holding hands and helping each other rather than having them feel like they are screaming to stop. The pace was gentle but I didn’t get bored at all - well done Kirsty! Pros: You don’t need to be coordinated, it’s relaxing so great for the stress levels and is a rocking abdominal workout Cons: The equipment work needs to be done in a studio so is going cost a bit, it’s not something you can do with the girls as a social thing and it’s not going to fully satisfy the cardio junkies in the world. Now it's your turn... What you’ll need: Clean and matching socks- as you work with your shoes off and comfortable, reasonably fitted clothes so your instructor can check your posture. Cost: A one on one session using equipment with Kirsty was $60, most studios charge in this price range. Many Pilates studios also offer mat classes. I went to see Kirsty Dickson at the Free Form Pilates Studio which is located at Level One, Contours Complex, 77-87 Tory St, Wellington. Call her on 027 417 5820 or email her at freeformpilates@gmail.com for more information and bookings. She’s offering all nzgirl readers the chance to come and try a session with her for $40! Just make sure you get in before the end of July.
Julz
If you're Wellington based and looking for a personal trainer, why not give Julz a call - she's a mobile personal trainer with an eye for creating health and fitness plans that suit real-life nzgirls. Click here for more.
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