I graciously lower my body into a semi-reclined position only inches off the floor; I was instructed to place my feet strategically on a platform above my hips and push. Sound like a medical procedure? Nope. It is a piece of equipment at Wrench Fitness in Martensville, and, truthfully, it is not as intimidating as I make it out to be.
Oh yeah, you guessed it, as my pledge to 'begin something new each month' I embark on a fitness program complete with a personal trainer. Now you have to understand, Carly has a great deal of respect for the human body and takes her job seriously, as does Reg, Wrench Fitness owner, who is also a personal trainer. They are incredibly accommodating to first timers, especially those mid-lifers such as myself.
But what I really like is that there is always time for smiles and laughter. From the moment you walk into Wrench Fitness, you are greeted by name with a smile and treated with respect. This is reflective in the attitudes of members as everyone I have met is friendly and encouraging. No intimidation there.
I arrive relatively early for my first consultation/training session. I look across the room to where the warm-up machines are: treadmills, stationary bikes and ellipticals. Uhuh, placed all the way across the room. I have to pass these energetic, toned workout artists to get to the warm-up equipment? "Not a problem," I say, as I gather my courage and begin to walk through the gym. "Hmmm, this isn't so bad," I say to myself while passing toned physiques and taking in the sights, sounds and smells of this new experience.
I felt mighty smug with myself thinking that my menial weight program and walking three miles three times per week was keeping me rather 'fit.' I also thought that my age would factor into the regime. I was soon to be corrected. On day two, after the session where we focused on the lower body and glutes, I was swallowing mighty hard as I attempted to walk across the room and I won't even begin to explain my 'bathroom experience' other than I am glad the toilets where I live are higher than most. After two sessions of upper body strength training, I was wondering if these trainers had ulterior motives. "Remove all ability to get food to your mouth with sore upper body muscles, hmmm, clever way to lose weight," I thought.
One thing I have learned in my few sessions thus far is my body's capability. Just when my muscles scream to my brain, "enough already!" I, under the supervision of my personal trainer, am able to transfer energy stored in reserve to complete yet another set and another, often at times surprising myself. I would have to admit that most of us would not have pushed ourselves, safely, to that limit.
I grew somewhat concerned, maybe it was embarrassed, about the excessive amount of moisture that was building up on my skin. Reg reassured me that it was OK and all I could think was that it was my fat cells screaming.
My mind wanders to the word 'up,' used so much in the fitness world. Sit up, push up, lift up, curl up. Trying to defeat the actions of gravity was going to be a struggle I could tell early into this training.
But realistically, if everything is considered an 'up' then it only seemed appropriate that our moods should be 'up' lifted. I am awakened from my dazed, robotic phase by the BANG of someone dropping the weights and no, it wasn't me.
Pulling, pushing, lifting. Do a set then recovery time, continue and repeat. Concentrate on breathing, focus on posture. This is not just a body workout but also a much needed mind and soul workout. Synergistically they work together and synergistically they work out together. The holistic approach creates the balance that evolves into a healthy wholesome being.
As I grow closer to the end of my upper body workout, I can feel my arms growing weaker, especially my left. I go for my fourth set of repetition when my arms begin to shake like a leaf. "Push, try," my mind says, "I can do it." My muscles scream "nay, nay."
Carly calls me over to the warm-up/cool-down area and asks me to do some pushups. After an upper body workout? I look at her and say, "SERIOUSLY?" Down on the mat to attempt to show her how tough I am - I was not going to let my weaker side get the best of me - first plank style. I can barely do one, so I then switch to the knee style. Uhuh, more successful (sarcasm), did two before the third attempt left me getting up close and personal with the floor mat. Lips meet Mr. Mat.
What keeps me going, you ask? I am a determined individual and I am not going to let exercise defeat me. What also drives me is that image of my toned body that will be the result of countless hours of strength training. This new and improved body will contribute to more self-confidence and improved posture just what I need in time for summer!
Seriously, I have never imagined the experience could be so uplifting, exhilarating and taught with such compassion and encouragement. I have never felt out of place or intimidated even when I walk in with sweats and T-shirt while others are wearing shorts and fitted exercise tops. I grin to myself thinking my day will come. It was also comforting to recognize some faces of business owners who I had had the honour of meeting through previous interviews for the paper.
Wrench Fitness is not at all what I had envisioned a gym to be. Yeah, I know I had been in there a few years ago when Reg opened the business to write an editorial on the place and nothing has really changed other than the membership has increased and the environment has become more dynamic and energetic as singles, couples and families exercise to achieve personal goals.
Whether you want to lose a few pounds, tone up or delve into bodybuilding, the warm friendly atmosphere is inviting. You are more than just a membership number to Reg and Carly, you are part of their fitness family.
