I don't know about you but I enjoy using a variety of fitness equipment when I train, as it helps me to
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| SkiErg Machine (looks harmless doesn't it?) |
not get too bored. I attend one of the local gyms and they have, naturally a large range of free weights, cardio machines, assisted weight machines and now, 'monkey bars' which I am staying right away from. Then, when I go to the beach class, our trainer brings down her Viprs, sandbag and boxing gloves and pads. Her studio has other equipment in it too. She has introduced me to the Skierg, which I have to say I really enjoy using. It mimics using ski poles and if done correctly, uses the same leg and back position that you would if you were skiing, not that I ski. The 'resistance' can be increased, making ones arms, and scapular (I think that's what they're called) muscles and those down the sides of your ribs, work hard, as well as get a good sweat up. Using this is good practice and builds up the muscles needed to use walking poles, which I certainly will be using on the Kokoda Challenge in 2018.
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Blade roller - instrument of pain
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My least favourite piece of equipment is the blade roller - no, unfortunately not like the roller blades of my children's teen years, this thing is designed to cause pain, while "rolling" out muscles, and finding all the really really sore spots in the process. On Wednesday, Susanna, my PT was a 'pain angel', getting stuck into my shoulder, the back of my triceps, right down the three trigger points - finding one in particular that made me break out in a sweat. Suze uses a little torturous device that lives inside the roller blade and looks like an innocent half hard ball to break up the 'fascia' which is where lots of tightness and pain originate from. I have silly shoulders and my right one is giving me plenty of grief at the moment, so as much as I resist having the muscles around it "heated up" with the little torturous device, I know in the long run, it does loosen the muscles and assist in letting my shoulder have a much greater range of movement than it currently does.
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| Vipr's, Kettlebells, rollers |
I also have weights etc at home, that are gathering dust. I always have good intentions to use them when I add to my collection - honestly.
Oh the roller. I remember I had one of those bumpy rollers when I ran a lot. In the end I switched to a foam roller as it was too strong for me. The Skierg is one I hadn't seen before. Looks like an all over body workout.
ReplyDeleteIf I was out with a running injury I would go to the gym and use the Ellipitical Cross Trainer as it mimics running without the impact.
Sounds like you have a great gym and trainer with plenty of variety.
Kylie