My name is Sarah and I'm a fitness addict! There, I said it! But let's be clear. I'm the sort of person that breaks out in a cold sweat at just the thought of running and when I try to motivate myself to hit the treadmill, or pick up a free weight, I'm about as useful as a chocolate teapot!
But, and it's a very big but... sometime ago I discovered a fitness craze that I fell in love with; in fact we're now having a full blown affair. When we're together, it's mentally and emotionally exhilarating and he always leaves me wanting more. Ladies, I'd like to introduce you to Les Mills: welcome to the world of studio fitness.
I've been an active member of the Les Mills tribe for the last 15 years, religiously attending classes from Body Combat to Body Step, always looking for ways to challenge myself and take my fitness onto the next level. So imagine my excitement when I started to hear whispers of a totally new workout concept that was set to revolutionise the studio fitness industry. Not only that, but it was a collaboration with Reebok, a brand that has group exercise in their DNA and a rich and storied heritage in training and fitness. Together they were promising to showcase fitness in the digital age and introduce us to the "future of fitness." Needless to say they had my full attention and I set off to find out more.
Named simply, The Project, the initial details of what it was all about were sketchy to say the least, shrouded in mystery, we were left wondering what we were letting ourselves in for. As we were led into the immersive experience I felt like I was queuing up for a special 3D cinema screening. In a darkened corridor, with red strip lighting flashing overhead, I was half expecting someone to hand me a bag of popcorn. Instead I was handed a fitness experience that blew my mind!
We were taken through a series of workouts: THE TRIP, BODYCOMBAT, LES MILLS GRIT, BODYJAM and BODYBALANCE. All familiar workouts that I'd done hundreds of time before but with one huge, glaring, game playing difference - we were going "immersive"! We were surrounded with cinema quality, video content that was projected onto the screens of a purpose-built studio.
The instructors led exercise moves that synchronised perfectly with music and graphics, creating a truly immersive fitness experience. I got to fight space invaders, cycle along snow-capped glaciers and dance like no one was watching. At times, I was so immersed in the cinematic scenery, I forgot I was even exercising! Well, until GRIT anyway!
Did I love it? Yes! Did it live up to my expectations? Yes! Did I come out wanting more? Yes! Am I going to be able to pop down my local gym to do it again...? Watch this space! With innovators and trendsetters like Reebok and Les Mills combining forces, I think we can agree that anything is possible! The future of fitness maybe closer that we think!