I was expecting it to take place in the fitness centre at the university; instead we met in a fitness studio on campus. There were about 16 participants ranging from obese seniors only able to exercise while seated, through uncoordinated overweight middle-agers to... well... me.
It's calisthenics. I was excited about the program but having now been to the first class, I'm not so sure. The exercises are done as a group and that means that the more able people are done their reps before many of the others. To stay warm (it's a cold room!) and to get some cardio exercise, we're supposed to "keep moving" while waiting for the next exercise. I just felt like I spent the hour marching on the spot or striding side to side trying to come up with creative arm movements that didn't make me look like a complete dork. I definitely didn't get feedback from any of the three trainers (one a practicum student who seems very reluctant to speak at all) as to whether I was doing the exercises correctly because they were very busy with others.
I was really hoping that this course would kick-start a weight-training program for me and that the "small group" size would allow for customization of an exercise program because I need to focus more on my core and upper body. I don't think that's going to happen.
Thursday's class is followed immediately by the nutrition session. I'm desperately hoping that it's not going to be mind-numbingly basic, but fearing that I'll be similarly disappointed.
Labels: calories out
