With the last few days of winter this week, you might be thinking about your spring health and fitness program.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There will be those of you out there who have battled the elements by continuing to train outside or stuck it out at the gym through the colder months. You might be looking for your next challenge.
But there will be plenty who have spent winter in hibernation mode and are now wondering where to start with spring upon us.
The good news for the ladies out there - sorry guys - is that women's only gym Lissome is helping say goodbye to winter with a free boot camp at The Station next Saturday.
The August 31 session will be free and located on Watt Street at the old Newcastle train station.
Nerida Bint founded Lissome and has gyms in Newcastle and Maitland.
She was keen to extend an open invite to all women in the Newcastle community to attend the free workout.
"We are excited to give women in the Hunter region a taste of what Lissome is all about, and The Station is a beautiful space to do it in," Nerida said.
"Our main objective is to get more women moving, whatever that looks like. We also want to encourage women to connect with others and really be a part of their community."
The event is held in partnership with Hunter Development Corporation and The Station.
Bookings are essential for the boot camp, so trainers can gauge numbers and equipment. It will cater to all ages and abilities. You can find out more and book through searching 'Lissome' at eventbrite.com.au.
Springing into a new season
One tip to hitting a new season with confidence is to work out exactly what you want to achieve for the three months of spring.
Is it a specific health-related goal? That might be modifying your diet or trying to limit certain foods and drinks.
It might be a fitness goal. This could be to improve your cardiovascular fitness so you can walk, run, cycle, swim or another activity for a set time. Or it could be to improve your strength so you can perform push-ups, pull-ups or squats, for example, with good technique. Joining a gym and seeking direction from staff might kickstart your program. A lot of gyms offer a free first trial so maybe try a few to see what will work for you.
There are also plenty of events to aim for. They include the newly announced Newcastle International Half Marathon on October 6. The course is from Nobbys Foreshore to Merewether and back and the event also has a community 5km. The Fernleigh 15, which can also be done as a five-person relay, is on October 20.
In September, the Variety Spin 4 Kids charity bike ride at The Forum, University of Newcastle is being held on September 13. The six-hour event can be done solo or as a team. Steptember is another option. You commit to moving 10,000 steps for 28 days in September to raise funds for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.
Upcoming Fitness Events
Lissome Bootcamp, The Station - Watt Street, August 31: A free women's only bootcamp for all levels of fitness, ages and abilities. Bookings can be made through eventbrite.com.au.
Wollombi Wild Ride, Wollombi, September 7: Featuring 13.5-kilometre, 30km and 60km courses, this is one for the novice to the experienced mountain biker and one for the whole family.
Fernleigh 15, Fernleigh Track, October 20: A 15-kilometre running or walking event which is staged along the Fernleigh Track from Adamstown to Belmont. It can also be done as a five-person relay.
Winter Workouts Week #13
Finish your last week of winter with a circuit or two.
Circuit 1: Pick 10 exercises. 1 minute on each per round. Three rounds. Squat with press, mountain climbers, renegade rows, step-ups, bent-over rows, dead lift, ab rotation with weight, squat jumps, glute bridge, skipping.
Circuit 2. Pair up exercises and do three sets of the pair before moving on. Six minutes per pair. Five pairs. Pair 1: Squats, push-ups. Pair 2: Lunges, bent-over rows/pull-ups. Pair 3: skipping, mountain climbers. Pair 4: Dead lifts, shoulder press. Pair 5: Ab rotation, glute bridge.
Add a 5-10 minute warm-up and cool-down.
Send your health and fitness news to r.valentine@newcastleherald.com.au.
Renee Valentine is a writer, qualified personal trainer and mother of three.