WHEN YOU’RE FOCUSING on a specific programme and fixed goals, it can be easy to become narrow-minded and lose sight of what you’re actually on the journey for.
It’s a game of small gains and that lends itself to a repetitive process which requires perseverance and patience. It becomes a way of life rather than a part of your life.
There is no quick fix or way of fast-tracking the process other than hard work, application and a determination to get wherever you want to be – and you need it all in abundance.
But oftentimes you can become bogged down in the process. You concentrate all your efforts on the daily grind and become consumed by it all – hitting each session with maximum intensity, adhering to the food plan and transfixing yourself on results.
So it was a welcome relief during the week to rediscover the joys of group exercise and the merits of such a lifestyle.
With just three weeks of my three-month programme remaining, we’ve reached a juncture when you’d like to see tangible results – and an invite to a unique boot camp presented a chance to assess my progress.
20 of Ireland’s most influential fitness bloggers, YouTubers and social media personalities – and me – took part in a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workout with a difference.
As darkness fell on the capital on Wednesday evening, personal trainer John Belton led a session in the conspicuous surroundings of Crampton Court, off Dame Street.
There was an electric atmosphere as gig-goers heading into the Olympia Theatre decided to stop off and lend their support as we were put through our paces over the course of an hour.
Five stations – including burpees, medicine ball slams, kettle bell swings, overhead lunges and squats – provided a stiff assessment of everyone’s fitness levels and provided a reminder of what exercise is really about.
It was a tough session, no doubt – but working out in a group environment saw everyone feed off each other and, as is only natural when you’ve got 20 like-minded people in the vicinity, it got pretty competitive.
The set-up for Under Armour’s first ever Dublin boot camp was incredible. Do you ever walk into a bizarre situation and you’ve no idea what is happening but have to stay around and watch?
Well, anyone passing on Wednesday evening must have be bemused by the idea of 20 people, all dressed the same, being roared on by three personal trainers with loud music and flashy lights providing the backdrop.
But, in fact, there was nothing strange about it. Instead, looking over at the scores of fascinated on-lookers who had gathered, smoking and drinking their way to better health, reinforced the assertion that leading this lifestyle outweighs everything else.
The harsh reality of it is that not every session will be as enjoyable as an outdoor boot camp in the heart of Dublin city centre – but if one lesson can be taken from it, it’s that all the hard yards do begin to pay off.
That legwork continues in the gym on a daily basis as we near the end of this 12-week challenge. As I’ve said all along, the curtain won’t come down once we reach the finish line.
Conversely the last three months, and indeed week, have demonstrated that exercise and leading a healthier lifestyle can be fun and open up new opportunities.
There’s no denying it requires a lot of mettle but being surrounded by ‘fitness people’ for that short period on Wednesday was hugely enlightening.
Of course it’s not for everyone but if you don’t try it and take a chance and move out of your comfort zone then you won’t get anywhere.
It’s something I’ve discovered over the last eight weeks and hope to extend far beyond the time frame of this programme – take control of your own journey and rule yourself.
The previous eight diary pieces are available here.
More details on The Health Club at The Shelbourne can be found here. Facilities include an 18-metre swimming pool, sauna, steam room, dance studio and gym furnished with modern equipment.
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