It's Time To 'Activ8' with Embody Bia

I'm excited to announce a new group fitness program that will help get you in the best shape of your life! My new program, Activ8, is a guided personal training program that will keep you mentally and physically sharp and focused. This program runs twice a week, for 8 weeks, and will start very soon!

One of the best things about 'Activ8' is the variety of workouts! Some days we'll go outside for a jog (don't worry if you're currently unable to jog- I'll teach you how and we'll progress slowly to make sure everyone is working comfortably at their own fitness level), or we'll meet at a park for a dynamic and fun workout using the natural objects around us as equipment, and other times we'll meet at the Spa Total Fitness Centre (located in the Charlottetown Mall) for weight training and fun new cardio techniques!

I'm going to launch two programs at once, one at 7:30pm on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and one on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 4:30pm. This is a program best suited for intermediate exercisers, but will accommodate all levels of experience. If you're not sure if it would be right for you, message me for more information!

I can't wait to start this new program! Contact me at embodybia@gmail.com for pricing!

Out Door Boot Camps Starting Next Week!

There's not much time left to sign-up for the NGB Boot Camp ladies! I'll be teaching Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at noon as well as 5-6pm and 6-7pm, Tuesday and Thursday mornings 7-8am and 8-9am, as well as every other Saturday from 7-8am and 8-9am. I'd love to help you get in the best shape of your life this summer! Message me for details or visit nevergoback.ca to register! We start NEXT WEEK!!! :-D

Focus

Did you know that you will achieve significantly greater results in your weight-lifting routine if you simply focus on the muscle you're working? It's true! Studies have shown that those who let their mind wonder during their weight-lifting routines don't get nearly as much out of their workouts compared to those who simply thought about what they were doing and what muscles were contracting. It's called "Neuromusclar Facilitation".

Having a strong connection between your muscles and neurological system is crucial to performing movement and exercise; so the next time you're performing any exercise, focus on the muscle you're working and how it contracts. Let your mind create a stronger contraction to get the most out of every rep!

I tend to put new-exercisers in front of a mirror; it encourages them to pay attention to how their body is moving and they can actually see the muscles contracting. It helps create strong pathways from the brain to the muscle so that when the brain sends a signal, it gets to the muscle faster and is able to create a stronger, more effective contraction.

Now, cardiovasular exercise doesn't follow the same rule, not really. You can hop on a treadmill and watch TV, or let your mind float off to reflect on your day, and you'll still burn the same amount of calories. It's with strength training that the mind plays such a huge role.

With a strong mind-body connection your results will sky-rocket, and the possibilities for what you can achieve will be endless! Start to engage your mind in your strength-training workouts for optimal results, and watch yourself transform!

The BEST Part of Your Day!

Getting the motivation to exercise can be difficult, I know! Ultimately, your goal should be to make your workout the best part of your day! And it's not as hard as it sounds, really!

First, you need to make sure you're doing the RIGHT workouts. Nothing is worse than spending your precious time and energy doing what you think is correct, only to find yourself hitting a plateau and unable to achieve the great results you were hoping for. Finding a routine that is designed to get you where you want to be is crucial! In order to make sure you've got it right, seek help from a professional. What worked for your best friend, family member, or significant other, might not work for you.

Second, try a variety of workout styles and routines until you find something you find fun. There are SO many options available! You can do group fitness classes, one-on-one training, partner-training, indoor or outdoor programs. There's many different and fantastic types of equipment to use as well; the possibilities are practically endless so don't get stuck on machines!

My third recommendation is to figure out what time of day you like the most for working out. If you have the most energy in the morning, than fit it into your morning schedule so you're able to do your workout at a time that you feel the most positive. If you're a night-hawk, than you want to adjust your schedule and meal times so that your evening workouts fit into your lifestyle and you're eating properly before and after. The best time to exercise, no matter what you read that states otherwise, is the time that you feel you're at your best!

A few other small ways to make sure you enjoy your workouts to the fullest would be to bring an I-Pod or MP3 player with you so you can listen to all of your favorite tunes while you bust into a nice sweat! Also, eat a light carb-based snack approximately 30 minutes before working out to give you some extra energy; this way you can push a little harder and feel great about what you accomplished when you're all done! And make sure you let everyone (your significant other, boss, and children, most of all) know that your gym time is YOUR time. You're not to be bothered or interrupted. It's your time to release some tension, enjoy yourself, and take care of your body!

Let me know if you have any questions about how to make working out the best part of your day. I'm sure I can help you ;)

BFIT

So I'm getting ready to teach my next class which is at 6:10pm this evening at the Spa Total Fitness Centre! It's called 'BFit' and is a TON of fun!! It's an interval-based routine; for 3 minutes we do intense cardio drills (kickboxing, plyometrics, athletic drills, etc) and then we follow that with 1 minute of strength (squats, lunges, pushups). There's no equipment in this class, instead I teach you how to use your own body to achieve an unbeatable calorie-burn and fantastic workout.

This class is only $5 for non-members of the Spa, and $2 for members. There's no registration required- just show up with a drink, a great attitude, and get ready to work!!!

Outdoor Training

The nice weather is definitely upon us and it's at this time that I like to start taking my training outdoors! The fresh air and natural light seems to make every workout more enjoyable and you might find you're even able to push yourself harder on an outdoor program.

It's easy to create outdoor workouts using the land around you for equipment. If you're interested in training, I'd love to show you a dynamic and fun routine outside!

I'm also very pleased to announce that I will be teaching outdoor boot camps starting May 3rd through a company called NGB! These outdoor boot camps will be held at Victoria Park and each boot camp session runs for 8 weeks. For more information and to sign-up, visit nevergoback.ca or message me for details!

A New Get Fit Program

So for the past two months I've been running a program called 'Get Fit' through the Spa Total Fitness Centre. I wanted to mention the program on my site because it is open to non-members of the Spa too! I've had such great success with it that I wanted you all to know about it :) It's a lot of fun and is less than half the price of regular training, so is great for those who are on a tight budget!

'Get Fit' is a small-group personal training program designed to get you in tune with your body and on your way to being the healthiest you have ever been! It is for groups of 3-8 people and runs twice a week for 4-weeks.

There are 8 sessions in total and in each session we'll focus on fun new cardio routines, proper technique and form for strength training your entire body, and flexibility to promote relaxation and to improve posture. We use lots of interesting equipment, including bosus, medicine balls, agility ladders, and resistance bands! There's also a nutrition component to ensure you're eating properly for optimal success!

The next program is starting in April, so if you're interested in signing-up please message me for details ASAP!