Written by Anne Potter, Group Fitness Manager @ O2 Falls/540
You might have noticed we have a class at a few of the O2 Fitness clubs called Inner Strength. It’s a class you have to get into and take it to really grasp the concept. It’s challenging to describe because it’s nothing like you’ve ever experienced. It’s unique and it’s deceptively challenging.
Inner Strength is one’s ability to focus and follow through by persevering to accomplish a specific goal in mind. I can’t think of a better name for a group fitness class that embodies so many essential benefits wrapped into one quick 45 min long package.
If you have not had the opportunity to take this class, make it a priority to do so. It’s an effective O2 Fitness group fitness class where functional moves and flexibility is the focus. The different moves that work several muscle groups at once are built up in levels to give the participant strength, stability, balance, cardiovascular training and at the same time sculpting, toning and creating a strong, lean physique.
Now you may ask what functional movement means. How many times have you heard of someone throwing out their back doing something as simple as lifting their child or working in the yard?
Your body is never stronger than its weakest point, and this weak point can often be found in the way the body moves. That’s why it’s essential to exercise in all different anatomical planes of our body’s movement, forward and back, sideways and by rotation. In the class, we use our own body weight and a Bodypump bar without the weighted plates.
We will hit all the major muscle groups in this class providing an exceptional full body workout. The intervals of strength, flexibility, balance and cardio will strengthen the core and create a stable foundation for your body reducing the risk of injury in everyday activities, exercise classes and/or sports you may be involved in.
Inner Strength will not only improve your golf and tennis swing, it will enhance your performance in all of your athletic endeavors. It is also a perfect combination to other group fitness classes. The class can easily be adjusted to the participants level ranging from new beginner to the advanced athlete. Shoes are optional and we workout to the tune of groovy drumbeats and tribal remixes.
Lindsey R, O2 Fitness member and Yoga Instructor has this to say about Inner Strength, “It is such a challenge! I wish more people knew how great it was - it is such perfect cross training for runners or bikers or any athlete. It burns a ton of calories and works the little muscles that are often unused in our regular activities. So important for injury prevention and for improving athletic performance.”
Maria Olofsson, member of the Nike Elite Fitness Team in Sweden and the brilliant creator of Inner Strength always says, “We are all capable of much more than we think we are!”
Members often leave class feeling empowered, happy, proud of what they accomplished and describing the experience as rejuvenating!