Last Saturday I got super high. No, there were no unnatural substances in sight. I was literally riding the incredible endorphins from the successful launch of my new Fit Brit Collective Wimbledon Bootcamps. From the turnout (a healthy 9 people), to the weather (warm and dry, despite a dubious forecast), to the energy levels (maximum and beyond!), to the goodie bags (worth over £40, thanks to amazing contributors including Sweaty Betty and Fitty London) – every second between 10am and 11am was absolute perfection. I can’t wait until the next one this Saturday – it’s even busier than last week and we’ve set the bar so high already! To convince you to join in, or prepare you for what’s to come if you’ve already booked, here is a little summary of what to expect…

Teamwork (and friendly abuse)

We’re called a Collective for a reason. When you show up to bootcamp (or any Fit Brit Collective class or workout), you are attending a fitness family gathering. You might work alone, in pairs or in small groups, but whatever the format you’ll receive constant support from your family, and will be returning that support to everyone around you. Remember, sometimes this takes the form of encouraging words or the extra motivation of moving in unison with your partner, and sometimes this means inflicting revenge on your workout buddy when it’s your turn to put in the effort. Liz and Emily (below) were all too happy to ‘encourage’ each other by digging in extra hard during these resistance band sprints last Saturday. We’re a loving crew, with an extra specialism in tough love ;).

Bodyweight centred training

I say bodyweight ‘centred’ because I love equipment like kettlebells, slam balls, sandbells and resistance bands, but with every move I emphasise a core connection and body awareness to deepen the burn (and the benefits). You’ll do exercise with and without equipment, learning the importance of form, positioning and control in order to improve the quality of your exercise and the results that follow. It’s my hope that you leave every session feeling like you’ve learned something new, become more connected to your body and feel more confident about your next workout.

Exercise to fatigue

Now don’t be scared by this heading. I won’t leave you lying immobile and sweat-drenched on the Common, but I do want to help you achieve the right effort level to make your last few reps of every exercise a genuine struggle. Ideally, we’re talking shaky muscles, an elevated heart rate and that mind/body battle where your unstoppable willpower ultimately helps you get through to the very end. Why? Because those final few seconds or reps – the ones you least want to complete – are the ones that have the biggest impact on improving your strength, fitness, stamina and performance. You’re coming to bootcamp for a reason, and we both know it’s not for a comfortable, easy workout.

Constant surprises

From the playlists, to the workout formats, to the exercise selection, to the scenery (horses joining in for bootcamp, anyone?), right down to extra incentives and prizes when I’m feeling generous… I’m all about surprises, in every form and variation. Although I’m writing this post so you know roughly what to expect from these sessions, it’s only fair to warn you that you must also expect the unexpected. Every week I’ll keep your body guessing (which guarantees better results and helps you break past those niggly training plateaus). Plus, stay tuned for special collaborations, post-bootcamp brunches, Fit Brit Collective socials and plenty more surprises throughout the summer!

One grateful trainer

Phhhheewww, can you smell that? Yep, it’s a giant chunk of cheese coming at you. One thing you can always be sure of is my genuine appreciation for turning up, working your ass off and supporting my growing SW London fitness family. My clients (and now my bootcampers) are the main inspiration for everything I do, and by sharing your fitness journey with me you’re making me one seriously happy, grateful trainer. That’s enough rom com for now, time to get on with that tough love…

Book your spot in advance for the next Saturday that suits you. Make a date with yourself, commit to it, and get ready to start your weekend in the fierce & fun spirit of Fit Brit Collective Wimbledon Bootcamps. To book, email brit@fitbritcollective.com. Discount packages also available here. 

Last year, just a few months after launching the Fit Brit Collective blog, I posted five New Year’s Resolutions to help maintain my focus in 2015. A whole year later, I feel pretty happy looking back at my goals and the progress I’ve made.

Through regular yoga practice I’ve pinned down my favourite practice styles to Ashtanga, Rocket and Power Yoga. And since teaching at Heartcore, I now incorporate at least one Reformer Pilates session into my weekly workouts. Within the year I also decided to qualify as a PT and leave my office job as a copywriter to give Fit Brit Collective my full-time attention – I definitely feel more self-certain in my career. Between teaching classes, working with clients and managing a full-on workload, inventive packed lunches have become a must. And none of this would have been possible without a lot of positive thinking and checking in with my family and friends.

With 2015 proving such a strong and exciting year, I’m raising the bar in 2016 with five new resolutions to keep me learning, growing and giving.

Qualify as a post-natal fitness specialist

Starting this month, I’m advancing my fitness qualifications with a YMCA course in ante and post-natal training. I believe we’re all in transition, and that one of life’s greatest transitions for women is becoming a mother. Through smart and effective training, I’m looking forward to helping more new mums tackle their new responsibilities, new priorities and new challenges with unbridled energy and confidence.

Go on a fitness retreat

No more lusting after Instagram photos and videos of sunny getaways dedicated to twice daily workouts and whole, healthy nutrition. This year I’m putting a fitness retreat on my travel calendar – and looking out for opportunities to join or run one for myself!

The year of the headstand

My commitment to yoga is going nowhere, and in 2016 I’m turning my focus upside down with an emphasis on inversions. This January, I’m entrusting in The Power Yoga Company to help me connect with my intentions and lock into headstand with more strength and confidence. See you on the mat!

Give back to my #sweatsquad  

I get so much happiness and motivation from working with my incredible #sweatsquad – the fellow trainers, inspiring clients and unstoppable training partners who continue to settle for nothing but the best. This year, I’m doing more to give back to my #sweatsquad (if you’re reading this, that includes you) with more online workouts, training tips and special fitness events to show my thanks! Pop back to the blog next weekend for a special 2016 workout designed to give you a firm full-body fitness foundation with exactly 2016 reps.

Launch Fit Brit Collective bootcamps

I find nothing more rewarding than helping a client connect with their goals. Through Fit Brit Collective outdoor bootcamps, coming soon to Wimbledon Common, I’ll be further delivering on my mission statement to make meaningful connections through exercise. Think partner exercises, invigorating group training drills and the satisfaction of completing every workout as a team. You may even meet your next training partner in the process. Contact me at brit@fitbritcollective.com to find out more.

I’m ready to take on the new year. Are you? I’d love to hear about your goals and resolutions. If you’re considering personal training to set you on the right track, contact me to arrange a free consultation. Wishing you health, happiness and success in 2016!

“Get a treadmill before they go,” whispers a regular. I’ve bumped into an old university acquaintance and she’s kindly given me some insider knowledge into the Barry’s Bootcamp training system: always get the sprints over with first. Three minutes later, I understand why.

“12!”

Wide-eyed reluctance. These are American treadmills we’re talking about. 12mph is uncomfortably fast.

“12!”

Further reservations.

“Hit that f$!@ing button. You can run 12!”

Unsure, ruby-faced obedience.

This is my first exchange with Anya – the petite, stunning and toned-to-the-tee instructor with a booming voice that could be described as intimidating, but I’m going to call it encouraging. That’s because I knew exactly what I was getting into. You don’t come to Barry’s for a comfortable workout and gentle reassurance. You come to push your physical limits to the extreme and lose a kilo in sweat click this link here now.

Meet Anya: Your inspiration for today’s workout

The class is divided in two: the ‘treaders’ and the weights team. I consider myself a pretty capable sprinter, never shying away from a tough interval workout, but Anya’s intervals are longer and more extreme than anything I’ve ever done. If you even consider slipping into your comfort zone, she’s quickly on your ass to pump up the tempo until your lungs hit a fearsome burning point. By the time the 10-second countdown to the ‘rest period’ comes ’round my legs have no more control than last night’s chocolate mousse. No 60 second jog is going to fix that, so the four three-minute sprints to follow feel progressively worse.

Finally us treaders get to move to the floor – a treat I naively anticipate will be a welcome a break. Think big weights (the smallest dumbbells available are 4kg, and I intuit that Anya will shower me in expletives if I so much as look at those), tough compound moves and quick successive exercises to dig deeper into already-exhausted muscle groups.

Though it’s no break, I’d take another set of floor work before getting back onto the treadmill. Unfortunately there’s a second split so my wish isn’t granted. This time the sprinting sessions are four minutes long, but separated by longer runs to give your lungs if not your legs a chance to catch up. It still hurts, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and in my anaerobic delusion I’m beginning to believe I’m some kind of superwoman.

Floor work round two mostly leaves the legs alone. There are even some lying exercises. OK so I have to skullcrush a 10kg dumbbell, but at least I’ve got some solid contact with the floor should I feel the desire to pass out. I manage to stay conscious to the end, and am in fact extra alert as Anya announces it’s time to cool down. I think I’m responsible for at least half the condensation on the surrounding mirrors, as my now fully soaked top is certainly failing to absorb any more sweat. Despite my heavy limbs my mind feels sharp, my cheeks are flushed and one icy shower later I’m left only with pride for my morning’s accomplishment.

The treaders: So fast you can hardly see them

A saying I’ve recently encountered springs to mind: ‘You have to sweat like a pig to look like a fox.’ I shake Anya’s hand on the way out the door and see the evidence in flesh. Barry’s workout is beautiful on multiple levels. On the surface, his instructors and ambassadors are the embodiment of healthy modern-day role models. On a deeper and more significant level, the gratification with which you leave serves to reinforce the beauty of exceeding even your own expectations. And what could be more beautiful than confidence?

To learn more about Barry’s Bootcamp or book in for your first class, visit barrysbootcamp.com.