I first came across Metafit™ at our local gym in Swindon. Keen to try anything new, I signed-up for the next class. Many of the other members were saying that they were intrigued by the fact that it was only 30 minutes long, which would certainly make it easier to fit in before work or at lunchtime.
When we walked into the class the only equipment to be seen were the mats on the floor. Starting with a series of dynamic warm-up exercises, my heart-rate started climbing upwards and that is where it stayed for the rest of the class! The instructor explained the format - that we would be doing a series of high-intensity bodyweight exercises for very short intervals (typically 20 seconds) with short rest periods in between. We were given demonstrations of different versions of each exercise that we could choose to suit our own fitness level.
Then came the first big surprise. One of the Metafit™ slogans is "this ain't no dance class" - and it certainly isn't - but that doesn't mean that there is no music. The class is structured around a pumping soundtrack that integrates the timing and sequence of the exercises. It counts down the last few seconds of each interval and tells you what is coming up next. The great thing about this is that the music can be nice and loud, as the instructor doesn't have to shout over it to tell you when to move on to the next exercise. And when you are giving everything in a workout, the high-energy music really helps to get you in "the zone".
A few of the exercises, such as burpees and press-ups, were relatively familiar to those of us who had done traditional circuit classes in the past. However, that was where any similarity with a circuit class ended! Rather than moving around a series of stations, you stay in your own space throughout. This means you don't get as much of a rest between exercises. It also means that everyone is doing the same exercises at the same time, so it is easy to see what you are meant to be doing. If you are competitive in nature, it also acts as a bit of added motivation to try to out-perform those beside you!
As for the exercises themselves - WOW! I used to think burpees and planks were hard. In Metafit™, these are the "easy" exercises! Now I have been introduced to a world of "borrower squats", "skaters" and "crab press" and I LOVE IT! Do it right, and your muscles will be screaming with lactic acid! Justin Corcoron, the creator of Metafit™, sure knows how to put the intensity into high intensity interval training
I was hooked from that very first class and have since made Metafit™ an integral part of my weekly training. Wanting to offer the same opportunity to my Swindon personal training clients, I trained to become a Metafit™ Instructor and now run Metafit™ fitness classes in Swindon twice a week.
So what about the warning that "Metafit™ will seriously change your body"? Well, I have been fit all my life. As an ex-international athlete and rugby player and more recently a marathon runner and half-ironman triathlete, I have tried every form of training available. But after doing Metafit™ regularly for the last six months, I have never had so many compliments about my body! If you are prepared to give your all for just 30 minutes, I can personally testify that you will reap the rewards.
After all, it's tough - that's why it works.
Read More