1st March 2016
Hello! Anyone who knows me will know how much I love skiing - there's nowhere I'd rather be than on the slopes. So, when Virgin Active asked if I wanted to collaborate with them on their new #MyWorkoutFor campaign on the topic of skiing, I ski-jumped at the chance. The challenge was to put together my own workout class based around the idea of getting fit for the slopes, though I did have a fair amount of help from some actually qualified personal trainers (I was definitely the aprés to their ski). Together we concocted this exercise class, which took place at the swanky Virgin Active Collections Gym in Merchant Square, Paddington. The PTs made sure no-one ventured off-piste, while I sweated it out and participated in the class, trying my hand at all the different exercises we'd designed.
Hello! Anyone who knows me will know how much I love skiing - there's nowhere I'd rather be than on the slopes. So, when Virgin Active asked if I wanted to collaborate with them on their new #MyWorkoutFor campaign on the topic of skiing, I ski-jumped at the chance. The challenge was to put together my own workout class based around the idea of getting fit for the slopes, though I did have a fair amount of help from some actually qualified personal trainers (I was definitely the aprés to their ski). Together we concocted this exercise class, which took place at the swanky Virgin Active Collections Gym in Merchant Square, Paddington. The PTs made sure no-one ventured off-piste, while I sweated it out and participated in the class, trying my hand at all the different exercises we'd designed.
The premise of the class was to get fit for skiing with a range of different exercises, to test out the beautiful Virgin Active facilities and equipment and, most importantly, to have fun while doing so. No, I never thought I'd see the words 'exercise' and 'fun' in the same sentence either, but I really think we found the perfect mix. Once we'd welcomed our budding skiers and snowboarders to the gym, we got started with a quick warm-up to get pulses racing. And, boy, were pulses racing.
Our class was circuit-based, meaning that we incorporated a variety of different exercises and skills. This included weight lifting, Burmese squats and, my personal favourite, the tyre push. We paired up and then things got serious, with an endurance competition leading to three lucky attendees winning a free Virgin Active membership. I didn't win... but only to make sure everyone knew it wasn't a fix! Everyone seemed to be having a brilliant time and it was fantastic to chat to people who love skiing just as much as I do. The class certainly put us through our paces and everyone was suitably exhausted by the end, but it was so rewarding at the end to see happy faces, albeit a bit sweaty and red.
The Virgin Active gym was simply beautiful, and no-one could believe how luxurious a workout could be! We were treated to state-of-the-art facilities, including a jacuzzi and sauna which served as the après after our ‘ski’. If anything’s going to motivate me get fit, then that’s it! Today I wanted to share some of the exercises we did, helpfully illustrated below I'm gif-form. I thought i could try to explain it, but I'm about as hopeless at describing exercises as I am on black runs.
To watch the highlights from the full class, and to see me pretend not to be absolutely shattered having completed it, check out the funky video below! Big shoutout to the wonderful film and photography team who worked with me on this campaign, as well as all the attendees for working extremely hard. Finally, the Virgin Active PTs were absolutely brilliant and a pleasure to work with – I loved every minute! If you’re thinking of getting fit for a ski trip then get yourself to your nearest Virgin Active to get started right away!
Thank you very much for watching and good luck! Until next time, have a lovely day, and goodbye!
DISCLAIMER: This is a paid for advertorial, kindly sponsored by Virgin Active UK, however all opinions are my own.
By Jack Edwards