Functional training and other popular short, intense workouts are more than just a 2015 fad – we’re slowly realising over here in the Emirates that they really do work.
Whether your goal is to torch fat and lose weight or simply strengthen the body to better deal with the daily rigours it faces.
From the lifting and squatting involved in changing a massive FJ Cruiser flat tyre to the strength and stamina needed to haul some groceries, or your toddler, up a flight of stairs when the elevator’s suddenly not working in your high-rise; no one ever really thinks that these misfortunes will befall them until they actually do.
You may be a triathlete in your spare time, able to run, swim and cycle large distances, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re physically equipped to handle these day-to-day challenges with lessened stress or strain; and that’s because you may not be training your body in those particular movement patterns, merely the ones suited to your sport.
That’s the point of, and that’s why it’s called, Functional Training – it’s the one regimen that mimics natural movement and can keep you sustainably fit for life.
Essentially, this message is also what the team behind The Hundred Wellness Center are all about; they wholly believe in the teachings of Pilates founder Joseph H. Pilates, who once said: “Physical fitness is the first prerequisite of happiness.”
The award-winning studio may predominantly teach Pilates and Pilates-inspired routines that work hard to penetrate all the muscle groups and inspire immense strength and flexibility from within. But to better keep clients injury-free, as well as active on a higher intensity, they’ve introduced new Move IT functional fitness classes to the regular schedule, and we could not think of a more well-rounded combination of exercises offered under one roof.
Led by personal trainer Derryn Brown, Move IT classes are based on HIIT (high intensity interval training) principles that work to transform the way you exercise by combining the key principles of functional movement with exciting, and purposeful equipment in a fun functional playground.
The Hundred Wellness had some extra space to play within their new two-level facility in Jumeirah and decided to get it kitted out with high-quality bright, appealing and interactive functional equipment provided by the renowned Escape Fitness company in the UK.
“These workouts are a combination of things like Olympic weightlifting, body weight exercises, core exercises… and the point is you just keep moving the entire time,” explains South African, Brown.
“Basically, there are eight different stations and you’re at each station for thirty seconds, with a 30-second rest in between them (basically just to move over to and get set up on the next one).
“Once you’ve completed all eight, you have one minute’s rest and you repeat that circuit a total of three times.
“Each station will focus on specific muscle groups and body parts and we do try to keep the programme almost exactly the same (for at least a month before tweaking it), the point being to get the body used to the movements and stronger at them through repetition.
“But I know this can get boring so I do change it up a bit with a couple new stations every now and then,” she adds.
Brown, who is ranked as one of Dubai’s best trainers, says: “Most of the girls that have been coming are all girls from downstairs (i.e. they generally come for Pilates), and I kind of like that because if people start downstairs they come up with a good foundation, good core strength and great awareness of their bodies. Pilates really goes hand in hand.”
That said, she highly recommends this class for everyone, from hardcore fitness enthusiasts all the way down to the inactive, because it’s easy to tone down or increase the intensity at individual stations so that you’re working at your own level.
"The point is you just keep moving the entire time" – Derryn Brown
“It’s fun, it’s different and can really push you no matter how fit you are. We have the super fit and the super unfit in the same class together because you basically just need to keep moving at your own pace within a 30-second period. You know your own limit, and work to that.
“But as an experienced trainer, bear in mind I tend to know when people aren’t pushing themselves at their hardest. We move around and monitor that to ensure everyone’s doing their best for maximum results,” she adds.
Probably the best part is that all the hard work in a Move IT class only lasts 30 minutes, not counting the 15 minutes total it takes to warm up and cool down.
Brown has even more good news. “Even though it’s so short, it’s also intense and that means the calorie burn continues for a lot longer even after you’ve finished the workout.”
What: The Hundred’s new Move IT functional training classes
Where: The Hundred Wellness Center, Jumeirah 1, 53B Street
When: Currently available Mondays at 10:00 and Tuesday at 16:30, Wednesday at 10:30 but two new classes will be introduced shortly.
Cost: Drop-ins are Dh110
Contact: 04 3447333; [email protected]; www.thehundred.ae
