It’s always about knowing your limits and knowing when to push it.
Working out for the first time can be really intimidating. You’ll always think, “are these people looking?” With all the doubts beginners like me have, going all out in the first day can be too much a pressure for us. While there’s nothing wrong with going for the easy routines, we still looked for one that’s challenging without the fear of being judged by the others around you. In this class, everyone is on the same level. At the UFC Gym in Robinson’s Galleria, we learned that circuit training is one workout routine perfect for all ages and level of expertise.
The Challenge
When we arrived at UFC Gym, we were expecting a “boxing class” as we’re told. I thought maybe we were going to go one-two punch after stretching a bit but of course, I have proven myself wrong the moment we met our trainer, Adam Kechil. Adam immediately put us in the circuit with 17 other people. I was immediately told to do sit-ups for 60 seconds. I was, of course, shocked. Everyone was on a haze and doing different things at once while Adam holds on his stopwatch to time the routine. He told us to observe what the person beside us was doing because that’s what we would be doing next. Planking was next for me.
The class was made up of 20 people but according to Adam, ideally, the number of routines should match the number of participants so everyone can experience each station. Among these people, I have noticed that we’re all from different age brackets. There was us, the 20-somethings, but the circle also included people in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s. Not to mention, there are a bunch of beginners like me and some who seemed like they’re already experts at what they’re doing. At that time I realized how circuit training was a workout routine perfect for all ages, shapes, and sizes, not to mention expertise.
We went through 17 stations with a minute break every after few stations. I remember falling a few times in between. I was worried people would laugh at me but if you’re focused enough on what you’re doing then you’ll realize you won’t really have time to pay attention to other people’s progress. Though, of course, you would have to observe them a few times for a smoother transition towards the next station.
After going through the “circuit”, we did some cool-down sessions where I really felt the need to tap out and sit down, so I did. I got off the circle and drank a lot of water and sat down to wear off the fatigue. Adam gladly checked if everyone was okay, including me and a few others who sat down for the cool-down session.
Knowing Your Limits
It was at that moment when I realized my limit. I may have pushed myself too hard in the training that it took a toll on me last minute. Knowing your limit is very important in circuit training. Of course, it would be nice to challenge yourself to go as fast as you can in lifting dumbbells while doing lunges but your body can only take so much especially if you’re a beginner.
To push your limits is at your own discretion but you won’t be judged if you decide to tap out in the middle of the session. If you do want to be ready for this though, it would be best to start improving your cardio beforehand. Jogging every day would be a great idea to train yourself.
When I asked Adam if that was just the beginning of our boxing training, he said, “that’s the training!” Boxing isn’t immediately about throwing punches and having sparring sessions. You still have to condition yourself before going inside the ring. “What I like about this is that it’s a workout routine perfect for all ages. It doesn’t demand. If you want to stop, you stop. If you feel like tapping out, you tap out,” Adam shares. According to Adam, not everyone knows how to coach people while working out people who have professional backgrounds and are certified trainers like him would be the best people to consult and workout with.
The Perfect Workout
Finding the right workout for you can be a challenge in itself but once you found the right one, you’ll understand how discipline, hard work, and having fun all play together in building a whole new you. There will be times when you’ll fall but it shouldn’t be enough reason for you to give up. It’s all part of the routine. Doing it over and over you’ll realize how you’ve improved. But to tell you how rewarding it feels, it would go like this: “If you’ve survived circuit training then it would feel like you can survive anything at all.”
Train Different® at any UFC Gym at the following locations: Alabang, Vertis North, Glorietta 4, and Robinson’s Galleria. For more information, check out their website at https://www.ufcgym.com.ph/.
See Also:
https://mega-onemega.com/we-took-this-activewear-line-for-a-spin/
