Virgin Active Health Club


You call this spring? Time to discover the great indoors…
	With freezing temperatures, gale force winds, drizzly rain – and not even the faintest glimmer of warm weather on the horizon – there’s no better time to discover the great indoors. And since snow is even expected to arrive with the Easter bunny this year, we’re pretty sure most of you won’t be spending your break frolicking through the fields lapping up the weather. But that doesn’t mean you have an excuse to hibernate the whole weekend with a basket of cream eggs by your side! Bad weather and chocolate overload can spell disaster for your figure. And although we’re all entitled to a few indulgences and some downtime, you need to make sure you’re working off the excess calories by squeezing a few hours in the gym over your break. All of those Easter eggs means plenty of surplus energy to burn, and we’ve got plenty to keep the whole family occupied. So, follow our top five body
boosting tips to get a head start on getting your body back in shape for spring, and you’ll be able to peel off those extra layers with pride when the sun finally does come out to play… 1. Play ball indoors instead You don’t need a park to throw a ball around anymore – step inside our studio and have a go with the exciting new BOSU Ballast Ball! Launched exclusively by Virgin Active last year, this unique weighted ball has a Dynamic Stabilising Load, which makes it unmatched for core strengthening, ab crunching and leg toning benefits. There are hundreds of exercises you can do with the ball, from beginner to advanced levels, so the variety will keep boredom at bay and ensure you keep your body challenged. For one-on-one guidance, book a session with a Personal Trainer to incorporate BOSU into your regular routine. 2. Gain weight to lose weight Strength training is usually at the top of men’s workout agenda, but is often avoided by women, who falsely believe weight training will make their muscles big, bulky and decidedly unfeminine. On the contrary, working out with weights can give you a leaner, more toned body by revving up your metabolism and speeding up weight loss. The more muscle you have, the faster you burn calories so you should aim for a minimum of two sessions per week for best results. Each session should work out all of your major muscle groups, completing 2-3 sets per exercise, with 8-12 repetitions, at a resistance level where your muscles feel tired by the final rep. 3. Up your intensity Interval training demands greater exertion during your workout by alternating spurts of high-intensity exercise with periods of rest. For example, on a treadmill you would push yourself to your maximum for ten minutes, then rest for three, instead of maintaining a steady pace throughout your session. Strive to complete three 30-minute interval-training sessions each week to improve your endurance, build muscle and burn more calories. By exercising harder for short periods of time and then allowing yourself recovery time, you can measure your cardiovascular fitness, too, seeing how quickly your heart rate returns to normal. 4. Splash out a little No matter how cold it is outside, the temperature in our heated indoor pools is always just right. And there’s no better way to get confident in your swimwear than by working out in your swimwear! (In the pool only, of course.) Swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise, which delivers powerful strengthening, toning and calorie-burning benefits. So plough through the pool with a few lengths, or jump into an aqua aerobics class – and then afterwards, reward yourself with a stint in the Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room where you can soak up your steamy surroundings, enjoy a little natural detox, and feel renewed vitality and calm. 5. Stretch yourself more The more flexible you are, the more effective your workout - and the less likely you are to injure yourself. So make sure to include regular stretching into your routine - or even better, try our brand-new Reflex group training class to learn the very latest flexibility training techniques and equipment. Reflex is just the latest in a packed timetable of exhilarating group exercise classes, available from beginner to advanced. Benefits of group exercise Why group exercise can work for you: You’ll forget how hard you’re working out because you’re having so much fun. Experienced fitness professionals teach you how to exercise safely and effectively. You can enjoy the company of fellow gym members in a sociable, fun environment. Following a group-training schedule makes you more likely to stick to a routine, which means you’ll get results faster. You enjoy constant variety of exercise formats, instructors, routines, people and classes, catering for all abilities. For more information about the group exercise classes we have currently available, contact your nearest club or have a look at the timetables on the website.