Fitness

One20fit

by Fiona Rossiter on May 21, 2013

One20fit

Last week I was invited to try out an EMS training session at One20fit, which is in Claremont in Cape Town. For those of you not in the know, EMS stands for electro muscle stimulation. You may recall the  Bodytec EMS trial session I did last month, well One20fit works on a very similar principle to that.

One20 Logo (Black)

ONE20 provides a unique approach to personal fitness training using Miha Bodytec, electro muscle stimulation(EMS), which delivers fast body-shaping results. One 20-minute exercise routine combined with EMS, is all you need each week to produce noticeable results. Training with EMS will save you hours in the gym and reduce your body fat content and weight and build muscle strength, endurance and muscle definition.

One20fit1

So what is different about One20fit? Lucy Marshall, a mom herself, opened her first Cape Town One20 studio in January 2012. Lucy saw the need for individual, one-to-one training, which is paramount to achieving the best results. All sessions at One20 are private and on a one-to-one basis, with the assistance of a personal trainer, who will ensure that your training session is customised to your specific needs. Very specific routines are strictly adhered to and the amazing Mountain View studio, provides an exclusive private workout environment.

The entire team at One20, are Miha Bodytec certified in EMS training and they run two different training programs; one being a Strength Program and the other a Weight loss Program. The focus is on progression (from introductory through to advanced training). This is essential for optimal results and can only be achieved through one-to-one training.

One20fit7 One20fit2

My training session was last week Wednesday, slap bang in the middle of a rather busy week! It was in fact perfect timing, as I had not yet managed to fit any other exercise in for the week.

When I arrived at the studio Lucy was waiting to greet me and introduced me to my trainer Kristel. I then changed into my training suit and was fitted with the EMS vest and necessary electrodes, which are fitted to your arms, legs and glutes.

One20fit6

Once you are ready your trainer will plug you into the Miha Bodytec console and take you through your exercise routine. The electrical impulses do feel rather strange at first but you do get used to the feeling fairly quickly.

The One20 training session was some what different to the previous one, which I had experienced. In addition to the strength training session, I also did a Metabolism and Weight-loss session. The Metabolism and Weight-loss program uses a slightly different frequency to the Strength Training. Both of the training sessions were rather intense and I must admit I built up quite a sweat! ;)

One20fit5 One20fit4 One20fit8

You will be happy to know, that there are shower facilities available to freshen up after your training session and Cavendish Square is just across the road, so you can pop over and do a bit of shopping or grab some lunch after!

So how did I feel after my training session? Immediately after I felt really great and quite invigorated. I had a fair amount of muscle stiffness the next day but day and two and three I was particularly stiff and quite sore is spots! Especially my glutes, well at least I know it worked!

Thailand6

As you may or may not know we are off to Thailand next month! This and the general need to increase my fitness level, has motivated me to continue with the One20 sessions, in hopes of getting this bod beach-ready and shedding a few of the extra kilos I seem to have adopted! I am very keen to see just how these sessions will help me, both from a fitness point of view, as well as a weight-loss perspective!

My next session is later today, which I am looking forward to. I will keep you updated with a weekly progress report, so watch this space :)

As an extension to Mother’s Day, One20 EMS Studio is currently running a “Mother’s Month” competition. They are offering 6 Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) sessions as a prize for Mothers. Entries close on the 31st May and the winner will be announced on the 1st June. Click here to enter this competition.

To find out more about One20fit and book as session pop over to their website by clicking here.

{ 0 comments }

Bodytec

by Fiona Rossiter on April 25, 2013

BODYTEC6

Two weeks ago I was invited to try a session at a Bodytec studio, as part of a campaign to help moms get their pre-baby bodies back! Yikes I somehow think that may never happen for me but who knows. I am not saying I am fat but not everything is where it used to be and I have a few added “curves” that were not there pre kids! I was interested to try Bodytec but I must admit I had no idea what it was, so I did a bit Googling, to find out more.

The Bodytec concept is based on personal fitness training with electro muscle stimulation (EMS) and is the first EMS studio in South Africa. The most amazing thing I discovered, is that a Bodytec training only takes 20 minutes once a week, which makes it perfect for moms to fit a quick workout into their busy day.

BODYTEC3

I went along to my session to find out if this training solution was indeed the miracle I needed! As this was my first session I had to answer a few fitness and health related questions. Once this was completed I was given a pair of Bodytec lycra shorts and a T-shirt to put on.

Your personal trainer will fit you with the Bodytec vest which holds the majority of the electrodes, the vest is first sprayed with water and then adjusted to fit your body snuggly. The vest, along with additional electrodes, which are fitted to your arms and legs stimulate your muscles while you do a series of low-impact exercises.

BODYTEC7

I must admit that the electrical impulses felt rather strange at first but you get used to the feeling quite quickly. Your trainer will adjust the strength of the electrical impulses as you progress and your exercises  program is  also structure to your fitness level. The exercises were not easy but I do believe that the amount of effort you put into to exercise is apparent in the results you achieve.

So I guess you are all dying to know what I thought and what the results were like! I felt a bit of muscle stiffness about two days after my session and I could definitely see an immediate difference in my muscle tone! I am considering the idea of joining up for a year to see what results I can achieve, as I am finding it more difficult to maintain good muscle tone as I am getting older, which is essentially the concept behind Bodytec. The Bodytec training sessions are not cheap but I think may be worth the cost, if you get the results that are promised!

BODYTEC1

Bodytec training is the perfect fitness solution and all-round training: it quickly produces effective, visible results and fat content and weight are reduced. Your muscles are gently defined as your physical strength and endurance increases. This highly effective training method has been used by professional athletes and sports rehabilitation centres for decades. Research shows that EMS training is up to 18 times more effective than conventional fitness training. 20 minutes with Bodytec is as effective as 3 x 90 minutes workout in a gym! ~ Bodytec

To find out more about Bodytec and book a session click over to their website.

{ 1 comment }

Hot Mamma’s Fitness Programme

by Fiona Rossiter on January 7, 2013

Print

 

Looking to get rid of some of that post baby weight or just in need of getting fit, why not try the Hot Mamma’s Fitness Programe! Contact Lindsay on 082 882 2211, for more details.

{ 1 comment }

My First Big Walk

by Fiona Rossiter on November 12, 2012

Yesterday 31 000 Capetonians took to the streets for the 2012 Discovery Cape Times Big Walk. The weather was perfect for a brisk walk along one of the 10 routes on offer on the day.

Participants could choose a walk that suited their fitness levels from 5km, 10km, 11km, 12km and 13km walks, to the longer and more gruelling 20km, 25km, 30km, 50km and 80km events.  While most walks commenced between 07:00 and 10:00 at various locations around Cape Town, the 80km and 50km events commenced at 03:45 and 06:15 respectively.

In a moment of sheer madness, I opted to do the 30km walk, which started in Simon’s Town at 09:00. The weather for the first half of the walk was cool and pleasant but it certainly heated up as the day progressed! There were plenty of refreshment stations and first aid stops along the way. I did make use of both of these to keep my fluids up and to nurse a few blistered toes! I must admit there were times when I felt like stopping and giving up but I just kept pushing myself and kept in mind the very worthy cause I was supporting.

The funds raised at the Big Walk go to CANSA, The Steenberg Foundation, Nazareth House, The Rotary Club of Claremont and Spartan Harriers to support the initiatives of these organisations.

Head of Sponsorships at Discovery, Jody Foster, says Discovery was delighted by the turnout for the Cape Town event.

“I am heartened by the enthusiasm and goodwill that was evident throughout the day. This type of initiative is firmly in line with Discovery’s vision of a more active and healthier South Africa with the population benefitting from fewer health risks and an improved quality of life.” ~ Jody Foster

Event Director, Tanya Carolus says that organising the 2012 Discovery Cape Times Big Walk required a significant amount of logistical planning and implementation, from determining the routes and planning medical points and refreshments stations to getting partners on board to help facilitate the event.

“Seeing how many people turned up in their walking shoes to enjoy the event makes it all worthwhile.” ~ Tanya Carolus

Discovery thanks all participants who took part in the event, as well as its partners, and the Cape Times for ensuring the day was such a great success.

I am certainly proud to have taken part in this event and would encourage anyone who has not yet done a Big Walk to get involved in 2013! I will be doing it next year along with my family but I may opt for a slightly shorter route!

{ 0 comments }

Discovery Cape Times Big Walk

by Fiona Rossiter on November 7, 2012

“The Discovery Cape Times Big Walk is happening this weekend, so I thought I would share this press release with you, in the event that you are participating!” ~ Super Mom Blog

DISCOVERY CAPE TIMES BIG WALK

COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS TO THE DISCOVERY CAPE TIMES BIG WALK

By Dr Craig Nossel, Discovery Head of Vitality Wellness 

With just five days to go till the 2012 Discovery Cape Times Big Walk on the 11th of November 2012, it’s time for the Cape Town community to make sure they are fit and ready to make the most of this active and fun walking experience.

Improve fitness and strength training

Improving your fitness ahead of the Discovery Cape Times Big Walk can include walking up hills, as this is one of the best ways of performing cardio training; it boosts your fitness levels, burns kilojoules and gives your buttock muscles a work out.

Before performing such training, make sure that each session includes a warm up and ends with a cool down and stretching. Structuring your training in this manner will help you avoid injury, improve your performance and get the most benefit from walking.

Warm up exercises are crucial, as they are designed to increase blood supply to your working muscles and to prepare your body for more vigorous activity. Warm up for five minutes before walking briskly.  You can do this by starting out at a relaxed, leisurely pace to prepare your muscles for more intense activity, and then pick up the speed.

Suggested hill session

  • After warming up, preferably choose a route that includes three to four 300m hills,
  • When going uphill, lean forward slightly and pump your arms
  • Walk briskly and try not to slow down too much
  • Do expect to be a little breathless, but you can recover on the flats or downhills. After finishing your main walk, continue to walk at a very leisurely pace for five minutes to cool down and assist the body in returning to its normal, resting state. Once the body has cooled down, perform stretching exercises. This may help improve your physical performance by increasing your flexibility, lowering your risk of injury and improving your coordination and balance
  • If this type of training is new to you, do no more than one hill session a week

The Importance of stretching

Most people make the mistake of stretching before they walk, but by stretching cold muscles you risk straining or tearing them. You should do static stretches after your walk, while your muscles are warm.

“Golden rules” to keep in mind when stretching:

  • Always warm up before stretching – It’s best to do static stretches after your walk or any other cardiovascular workout
  • Static stretching should be slow and controlled, with no bouncing
  • Always hold each stretch at a point of mild tension for 20 to 30 seconds
  • Repeat each stretch twice
  • Do not greatly extend, flex, twist or lock any joints
  • Do not stretch through pain – release the stretch if you feel any pain
  • Try to stretch four to five times a week

It is extremely important to prepare correctly for any exercise-focused events, such as the upcoming Discovery Cape Times Big Walk. Doing so will go a long way to prevent injury and will also afford you the best chance of a strong finish.

Free health screenings will be offered from Wednesday, 07 November until Saturday, 10 November at the Good Hope Centre, leading up to the actual walk which takes place at Rhodes High School on Sunday, 11 November 2012. Vitality members will be able to earn up 26 000 Vitality points, with bonus points rewarded for results that are in a healthy range.

To find out more about the Big Walk and visit their website click here.

Image: My Cape Town Stay

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

{ 0 comments }

← Previous Entries