I always start the New Year with good intentions, wanting to cut out the junk after the overindulgence of Christmas and get back into shape by throwing myself into a new workout routine.
It rarely sticks, though, and I find my enthusiasm for dragging myself to the gym when it's freezing outside waning quickly.
I started training with Fit Pro's gym in Blackrock (formerly iFit) last year, but the festive season got in the way of my best intentions and I wasn't able to give it my full attention.
Since the beginning of this year, I've been going to classes regularly, and have noticed a huge improvement in my fitness, energy levels and physique.
The studio is based in Brookfield Terrace in Blackrock and as you can see from the photo - this is no ordinary gym. There are no treadmills, no elliptical machines, no cycling bikes, instead there are kettle bells, weight stations, prowlers and chin up bars.
The emphasis for Fit Pro's owner and trainer Phil Giffney is strength and conditioning - using weights and body weight exercises to generate the maximum impact for your body. Generally the class is broken into two sessions - the first bulk strength training, then the class finishes with a burst of heart-pumping conditioning.
Fit Pro's Owner and Trainer Phil Giffney
The types of strength training includes weighted squats, lunges, weighted carries, shoulder presses, chest presses and leaning rows, all of which target different muscles groups. You complete six sets of three exercises, and by the end of the sixth set your muscles are seriously screaming.
Next comes the conditioning, which used to be the most dreaded part of the workout for me. It consists of cardio-based workouts, such as tire flips, burpees and pushing the prowler. Even over the course of the past four weeks I've most keenly noticed the improvement in my fitness levels during the conditioning sessions. I can complete reps of the exercises quicker and am less out of breath than before, which is a great motivator to keep pushing myself further.
Another benefit of the Fit Pro's approach is tracking your progress, so each time you take a class you are aiming to better your last performance. The weights you use for strength training gradually increase, so you don't fall into a rut and stop challenging yourself. The environment in the classes is not competitive, however, rather it encourages each individual member to participate within their own abilities and not to compare themselves to other people.
People who are interested in becoming members of Fit Pro's can meet with Phil to discuss the programme and see if it's suited to them. New members are also treated to a free Personal Training session to learn the basic movements, complete a fitness test and have their diet assessed. Fit Pro's also has an excellent online facility which contains nutritional information, food planners and advice on supplements so you can get all the info you need to compliment your new workout plan.
The cost of membership to Fit Pro's is €149 for 4 weeks of 4 sessions a week. The optimum approach is to attend three strength and conditioning sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, allowing for a day's recovery in between each class, along with one circuits class which are held on Saturdays and Sundays at 10am.
There's a huge choice of class times available, they're held as early as 6am and as late as 7pm Monday to Friday so you can find an ideal way to fit this into your routine.
Having tried a large variety of fitness classes, I can honestly say this is the most effective, challenging and fun workout programme I've come across. Although I sometimes have the fear about going to a class after work, I always come out of the session feeling better than I went in - invigorated and full of energy. Along with the excellent trainers, Phil and Joe, the gym's members make the classes enjoyable - so you can have fun while you're breaking a sweat.
For further information visit www.ifitdublin.com
Fit Pro's
Unit 3
Brookfield Terrace
Blackrock
Co. Dublin
Email: ifitdublin@gmail.com
Tel: 085 285 7587
By Sarah McIntyre
