Movement and exercise is a powerful element of our overall health in everyday life. Why? We are born to move! And to move regularly. Movement and exercise is beneficial to our mind, muscles, joints, heart, brain, digestive system, immune system, stress response and so on. Ancestrally speaking, we were on our feet most of the day, collecting food, preparing food, looking after family members and 'surviving'.
Whereas nowadays, the average person spends most of their time sitting at a desk, on the couch, in a car and repeat. And some days, I'm absolutely guilty of this too! This sedentary lifestyle puts so much physical stress on our body and this is when aches and pains, along with many dis-eases begin to appear.
If you want to have a natural state of energy, a healthy weight, a well-functioning body and a clear mind, it is important to incorporate movement in everyday life. Whether that be a high intensity session at the gym, a yoga class, a walk along the beach, stretching during your lunch break or a swim at the local pool, it is entirely up to you.
On a cellular level, movement creates life, so as long as there is movement, there is life!
How often do you join a gym with the motivation, intention and hope that you will go a few times each week? Thinking that THIS gym will be better than the last, or THIS time you might find people you enjoy training with.
This time of year, leading into the warmer weather, we start to notice our bodies a bit more. We pick at the things we don't like and tell ourselves it's time to join the gym again. This can feel like a chore for some, rather than actually feeling excited about the health that they can create.
Enjoying the exercise and movement that you choose to do is so important. Whether that be the gym or a walk each day. If you enjoy your movement, you gain many more positive effects, aside from the physical goal that you set yourself. It can settle your mind, enhance your self-esteem, move away from negative thought patterns, help you to push out of your comfort zone and explore new limits.
Enjoyment in movement is not something that many consider, instead the focus is generally about lifting heavy, doing it because you "should", living up to others expectations or looking a certain way. Chances are, if you aren't enjoying anything in life, you aren't going to stick to it.
So, how do you find exercise that is enjoyable and that supports a lifestyle approach to movement?
Perhaps try something totally different to what you have tried in the past. Ask your body what it would like to do. Some days that may be a swim, other days that may be a walk. If you prefer being in a group setting, look for community events or a community gym that values who you are and what you want to achieve.
One of Perth North's finest community-minded gym's; Cube43 in Clarkson, is my gym of choice and for so many reasons. Not only am I greeted with a smile each morning (even when I'm a few minutes late...thanks social media), I also have the invaluable benefit of training with a group of like-minded people who feel like a 'fitness family'. This community-feel, along with the supportive workouts are why Cube43's members enjoy (yes enjoy), each and every workout. Don't get me wrong, it's a love-hate relationship sometimes when you're pushed past your limits all for your greater good, but the support is unwavering and these pushes are what helps their members continue to grow.
Cube43's owner Megan stated that her goal is to give her members a "happy, healthy place to put themselves first." "We spend so much time each day doing what we "have" to do, it's nice to have a place we can just be!"
When I asked Megan what her philosophy is and what sets her gym apart, she advised that Cube43's philosophy is "Define yourself". "Create the best, healthiest version of yourself in a community of likeminded people."
Megan stated that they are a community. "Members love that together we have an environment that helps each person train harder and smarter! Members enjoy & benefit from interactive and personalised coaching as well as a welcoming and friendly team environment."
It is no wonder that Cube43's members keep going back day after day for their workouts as well as uplifting conversations and support.
What would your body like to do? Check in with your body and ask what is desires to choose. Does a fitness and lifestyle community like Cube43 sound appealing to you? Perhaps you prefer to workout on your own, in your own time and space? The choice is yours and making the choice then taking action, is what counts.
Enjoy your movement lovelies. I hope this has inspired you to be kind to your body, give it the movement that it requires each day and ultimately enjoy what you choose to do. When you adopt movement as a lifestyle approach, rather than a quick fix, you will turn your health around.
Here's a 20 minute workout that you can do at home, provided by Megan from Cube43. This will have your blood pumping and your happy hormones flying for the day ahead.
HOME WORKOUT
As many rounds as possible in 20 minutes.
10_9_8_7_6_5_4_3_2_1 (reps each exercise)
- Burpees & Jump Squats
- Add one 20 step sprint each round
And remember....ENJOY :)
Bianca X
For more details on Cube43, you can find them here: https://www.cube43.com.au/
