Scotty has opened his new gym in the heart of Auckland city, and it’s a welcome relief.
I have always preferred training in the scenic great outdoors, where I can admire the scenery – rather than training in an indoor centre, where the surroundings stays the same.
But, after the recent cold snap, I am sprinting to the warmth of the gym. Inside, comfy couches beckon, saying, “Snuggle on me and I will wake you when it’s over.” Instead we’re thrown into a huge room, equipped with hanging ropes, punching bags, sprint space and shiny weights.
Today his choice of torture is circuit training. And just when we are gasping for air, and thinking it couldn’t get any worse, the proud new gym owner orders us out the door, up the hill and around the block for a blow-out run.
our engines are well and truly blown, but when we get back, Scotty just smiles and says, “Right, on the floor and give me more.” What more?
Why do we do this to ourselves? Why would anyone pay someone to yell at them?
The answer to this is simple – the challenge and discipline. As we get older, we get lazier and need to be re-shown structures that re-establish our routines. The physical intensity, and desire to succeed at training is all part of it. It leaves us with a euphoric sense of satisfaction and achievement. Admittedly it’s a catch 22, because, while I moan about working hard, I love the way I feel at the end.
This week I worked really hard. I ran each day, went to Bikram yoga three times and did the muscle-forming exercises daily. It would be fair to say I was expecting a huge result on the scales at weigh-in. I lost 1kg. oany would think that’s great., but, to be honest, it didn’t feel great because I had worked really hard.
This was the hardest I have trained in the entire “30kg in 30 weeks” journey, so when I got the results I felt sad. I’m halfway through this ride, and instead of being 15kg lighter, I am 13.1kg lighter. I’m now back to the weight I was before I went to Alaska.
on the up, the effects of training are definitely showing, I am wearing some of my old favourites again. A smart black dress that had zip failure several months ago now fits perfectly and looks great. And my old knee-high boots, which I couldn’t get past my calves, are now zipping up easily.
I am in the danger zone, where the weak quit and the committed dig deeper. From now on, the routines will get harder and the rewards, fewer.
**A note from Scott Cottier
**April’s introduction to the Specforce fitness facility this week was a change from the normal Victoria Park surroundings. The facility is designed for all ages and abilities, with highly-skilled physical trainers on hand to help resurrect your fitness ambitions. Though the space is currently only in Auckland, but it has an interactive website to cater for those in other parts of the country. Summer is coming, and it’s now imperative to get back on track and start hitting the roads again.
There are no excuses – just results.
So set yourself a target. Next week we increase running to eight hours total, side bridges for 20 seconds total, ten each side. Also do 25 repetitions of pulses (lying on ground, feet in air, raise hips to ceiling) and 60 lying side bends (lie on back, knees bent, reach around with hand to touch one heel, then over to other side). These must be done each night.
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