What is Natural Edge Fitness all about?
We are about welcoming people of every ability to discover the strengths they have, even if they don't know they have them... yet.
We want people to feel welcome, and comfortable; never belittled.
We create a fun workout environment with encouragement, not competition.
We want you to feel challenged, pushed, and a little sore... but at a pace you are comfortable with.
We create variety in workouts so neither your body or your mind will become bored.
We promote changes in your body through fitness and eating properly.
We want you to try us out!
So if you are nervous about starting, if you have wanted to try fitness classes but are worried what people will think, or if you are 'good' enough, here is a chance for you to REALLY find out what we are all about.
Your first one-on-one personal training session is FREE! Contact us to set up a time to meet for a chat and a workout. Learn more about how we can help you meet your goals and if Natural Edge is right for you!
Where DO Natural Edgers go in the winter?
We are a tough group so we don't shy from the elements! Well, maybe a little... we go under cover at Bowen Park.
...and that is where we are now! The classes have moved to Bowen in the lower picnic shelter. We do the same great circuit workouts, same great format, just with a river, a roof, and few picnic tables to add to the ambience!
For those of you not quite ready to contend with mother nature in the winter, we have also started classes indoors in the 'studio'! Contact us for indoor times and options!
If you have any questions about location, class times, or class format give us a call or send us an e-mail: naturaledgenanaimo@gmail.com
Change is good!
If you have been working out for a while and have noticed results are slowing, maybe it is time for a change... and that change may not have to be that radical!
Our bodies are amazing things and have the ability to adapt to the stresses we place on them. When we start exercising there are relatively quick changes both mentally and physically. But, if you continue with the same program with the same resistance these changes will diminish; it simply means your body has adapted to the new demands and is now efficiently meeting them!
If you want to continue to change you need to alter the parameters... This can be as simple as increasing weight, increasing reps, or playing with time. With the circuits we perform I find time is the easiest element to change and creates the greatest results. So if you have been performing a task for 30 second intervals, try 40... if you have already done this, try altering the breaks you take between exercises, or add a cardio component between resistance exercises. Try a few 30 second resistance exercises followed by 5 minutes on the treadmill, then back for a few more resistance exercises.
By changing the parameters you will keep your body 'guessing' and keep it changing! If you need a little more advice or clarity, let me know, I would love to talk to you about your current exercise regime!
Intimidating!
One of the main focuses of our workout circuits is keeping them fun and friendly… we work hard, but keep it very welcoming to anyone that takes part.
I have been asked a few times lately about supplementing the outdoor circuits with other workouts, which is great! The one hurdle people keep coming up against is what to do! Whether it is running, cycling, swimming, strength training, or any other activity I would be happy to help you balance it all in your busy life.
But the one area that people seem most intimidated by is the gym; and let’s face it, the gym can be a pretty intimidating place. You are inundated with machines you have never seen before, rows of cardio machines, sign up sheets, the dreaded free weight area, and the feeling that everyone else knows what they are doing! Trust me, it isn’t that bad!
I started thinking about how I could help people get over this fear. As many of you know, I am certainly not a huge fan of the gym, but it definitely has its place. So, I decided to offer a little assistance to anyone that needs it! I have set up a program where I will meet you at your gym, show you how to use the equipment there, and even set up a basic beginner program to get you going!
If you are interested please let me know and we can work out when and where! The gym doesn’t have to be an overly intimidating place, and with a little knowledge about what to do and how, it can be a great addition to your overall fitness plan!
Getting out there!
We had the opportunity to take part in a fundraising event at Vancouver Island University Tuesday to help raise funds for the United Way. VIU has been inviting fitness businesses up to the campus to put on classes by donation for ‘GOOD KARMA WEEK’. It was a blast and all the money donated went straight to the United Way!! Thanks to those that came out, and if you are interested in finding out more about The United Way and what they are doing find out at: http://www.uwcnvi.ca/
Also, if you have a fundraising event and would like Natural Edge to lend a helping hand, we are always looking for ways to give back to this great community!!
My muscles hurt!
So over the last few months there have been a number of comments made about muscle soreness… and to be honest, most of the times it makes me smile because usually it is related to a particularly difficult workout! But there have also been times when I comment on my own muscle soreness which is sometimes met with
surprise. I have also received a couple of comments about how people wouldn’t think I would get sore anymore. This got me thinking about muscle fatigue and soreness and I thought I would explain a little about what is going on!
First off, muscle soreness has nothing to do with how ‘in shape’ you are… as long as you are pushing your limits and trying different exercises, sore muscles are just part of exercise; and not necessarily a bad part! In general this is what is going on when your muscles hurt…
That discomfort you feel during exercise, and shortly after is primarily caused by Lactic acid build up in your muscles. Your body combines oxygen with glycogen in your body to create energy for working muscles. If it can’t get oxygen to these muscles fast enough you start to produce energy in the absence of oxygen. When this process happens one of the bi-products is lactic acid. When Lactic acid builds up, your muscles will send messages to your brain to stop in the form of muscle discomfort. Thankfully lactic acid ‘flushes’ out of your muscles fairly quickly after you stop the movement. This recovery can be aided with a proper cool down, stretching, and replenishing lost fluids.
Then there is the feeling you get in the muscles one to two days after the workout. Although there are a few theories about what is happening, the most accepted theory is that you are actually tearing muscle fibers when you work the muscle. The soreness you feel after a hard workout is your body repairing these tiny tears. The good news is when they are repaired it makes the muscle stronger. So, the more you do the exercise the stronger that muscle will become. It is also why you want to give muscles adequate rest after a workout so they have time to repair themselves. It is also why proper nutrition after a workout is so important. Your body needs nutrients to repair the muscles, higher protein after a workout aids in this repair!
Hopefully this brief explanation lets you know what is going on in your body and why, no matter how fit you are, if you continue to challenge and push your body, soreness is just part of the game! But the good news is the more you do, the more you can push what your body can do! So the exercises you find difficult now will become easier in time and you will be able to meet new challenges you never thought possible!!