Now that I've explained to some degree what BodyPump is, and what to expect from the class, it's time to get over that first hump: Trying the class for the first time.
I'll start by saying a high percentage of BodyPump participants at both gyms I've taught at are women. For whatever reason, most men either don't enjoy group fitness as they do pumping iron in the weight room, or simply don't like the setting. However, a lot of folks don't realize that taking classes such as BodyPump can burn a LOT more calories than an hour on the treadmill (aka Dreadmill) or the Eliptical machine.
Even if you're a seasoned weightlifter, don't expect to chuck a ton of weight on your barbell when you step into your first BodyPump class. Why? Because in the weight room, you're only under tension for about 15, 20 seconds, as opposed to up to four and a half minutes in BodyPump.
In other words, if it's your debut and you toss 60 pounds on that bar for the squat track, your legs will be screaming after the first set, and there's at least three remaining!!
The big key: Start slow and let your muscles get used to the longer amounts of tension, particularly in the slower tempos, since those beats keep the muscles under tension longer. You also may find yourself doing moves not typically found in the weight room, such as bicep rows and tricep kickbacks. Also, you want to make sure you maintain proper form, especially in the second half of the track, when the muscles tend to fatigue.
Once you take the class two or three times, and you are feeling good about it, that is the time to start upping the weights. Trust me, it took me a while too! The most important things those first few times are to have some fun, get used to the music and the moves, and making sure your technique is spot-on! After that, the rest is history, and who knows, maybe you'll be on stage one day!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Quarterly Workshop Baptism and some GTL
Ever since I took the plunge and became a BodyPump instructor, all I kept hearing about were Quarterly Workshops, and how inspirational they are. My trainer, Julie, even grilled this into our heads at initial training.
Quarterly Workshops are generally offered four to five times a year, and feature top-notch instructors from across the country coming together to present the latest releases in all the Les Mills programs.
My first big-time workshop was a mere week after I had earned my teaching certification in September 2010, and it was quite the adventure. The workshop was in Poughkeepsie, New York, on a Saturday, and since it's nearly impossible to get Fridays off covering sports for this newspaper, I knew I was facing an all-night drive.
Thankfully, this newspaper allowed me to go to Farmington to watch a soccer game before hitting the road, and I was too wound up and excited to think about how tired I was, even while slogging between Albany and Poughkeepsie at 3:00 in the morning.
After dodging deer on the Taconic Parkway, I pulled into the club at about 4:15, giving me enough time to find my bearings and grab a catnap in the car before jumping in line. I was beyond excited, since one of the presenters for Pump was Sheldon McBee, one of the best instructors in the U.S., and someone whom I inspire to be. We were doing release 75, for which he was one of the video presenters, so it was only fitting that he was there.
The atmosphere in the club was electric. I walked in at 5:00 in the morning and people were fired up, there were HUNDREDS of benchtops waiting to be secured, and music was cranking. I'm NEVER awake at such an ungodly hour, so I must love Les Mills, right?
Once the Masterclass for Pump started (Pump is always first), the energy in the room was even more amplified. Sheldon and the other presenters were outstanding and inspirational, and teaching at quarterlies is one of my long-term goals for group fitness.
I even got to take some classes I had never tried, which was a fantastic experience, but since I had plans to visit friends in New York City and spend the night there, I had to head out after half a day.
Exhausted after a handful of classes, I headed to a nearby diner to grab something to eat, and it wasn't until I was leaving that I wished I hadn't left my camera in the car.
As I slogged toward the door after paying my bill, who else walks through the door but Poughkeepsie resident and "Jersey Shore" star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi. Even though I'm sure she's never taken BodyPump, or any group fitness class for that matter, she had a solid idea the workshop was in town for the weekend, saw I had a Les Mills sweatshirt on, welcomed me to Poughkeepsie and gave me a hug! No, she wasn't hung over and worse, she wasn't wearing heels, so she barely came up to my stomach!!
Les Mills workshops are an amazing way to mingle with fellow instructors/group fitness fanatics, get a plethora of kickbutt workouts and enjoy some new experiences! My first big workshop was certainly unforgettable, and was absolutely worth missing out on one day of sleep.
Quarterly Workshops are generally offered four to five times a year, and feature top-notch instructors from across the country coming together to present the latest releases in all the Les Mills programs.
My first big-time workshop was a mere week after I had earned my teaching certification in September 2010, and it was quite the adventure. The workshop was in Poughkeepsie, New York, on a Saturday, and since it's nearly impossible to get Fridays off covering sports for this newspaper, I knew I was facing an all-night drive.
Thankfully, this newspaper allowed me to go to Farmington to watch a soccer game before hitting the road, and I was too wound up and excited to think about how tired I was, even while slogging between Albany and Poughkeepsie at 3:00 in the morning.
After dodging deer on the Taconic Parkway, I pulled into the club at about 4:15, giving me enough time to find my bearings and grab a catnap in the car before jumping in line. I was beyond excited, since one of the presenters for Pump was Sheldon McBee, one of the best instructors in the U.S., and someone whom I inspire to be. We were doing release 75, for which he was one of the video presenters, so it was only fitting that he was there.
The atmosphere in the club was electric. I walked in at 5:00 in the morning and people were fired up, there were HUNDREDS of benchtops waiting to be secured, and music was cranking. I'm NEVER awake at such an ungodly hour, so I must love Les Mills, right?
Once the Masterclass for Pump started (Pump is always first), the energy in the room was even more amplified. Sheldon and the other presenters were outstanding and inspirational, and teaching at quarterlies is one of my long-term goals for group fitness.
I even got to take some classes I had never tried, which was a fantastic experience, but since I had plans to visit friends in New York City and spend the night there, I had to head out after half a day.
Exhausted after a handful of classes, I headed to a nearby diner to grab something to eat, and it wasn't until I was leaving that I wished I hadn't left my camera in the car.
As I slogged toward the door after paying my bill, who else walks through the door but Poughkeepsie resident and "Jersey Shore" star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi. Even though I'm sure she's never taken BodyPump, or any group fitness class for that matter, she had a solid idea the workshop was in town for the weekend, saw I had a Les Mills sweatshirt on, welcomed me to Poughkeepsie and gave me a hug! No, she wasn't hung over and worse, she wasn't wearing heels, so she barely came up to my stomach!!
Les Mills workshops are an amazing way to mingle with fellow instructors/group fitness fanatics, get a plethora of kickbutt workouts and enjoy some new experiences! My first big workshop was certainly unforgettable, and was absolutely worth missing out on one day of sleep.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
What is BodyPump?
Every time people come up to me and ask what I do for a living, I often get asked the same follow-up question: "What is BodyPump?"
I guess I should start by introducing what this blog is about. I've been a group fitness instructor for a year and a half now, and I'll be telling you folks why group fitness can be fun, the benefits of it, and my own personal experiences on the BodyPump stage.
First of all, BodyPump is one of 10 exercise programs that Les Mills International offers people from Maine to New Zealand. It is a barbell class that shapes, tones and strengthens your entire body, according to the Les Mills Web site.
BodyPump is a fairly easy class to learn. The only equipment needed is a benchtop, risers, a barbell, a set of weights, and most importantly, YOU! Unlike in the weight room, BodyPump focuses on toning all the basic muscle groups by focusing on a higher amount of repetitions using a lower amount of weight. In other words, when you get to the chest press track, don't try to chuck 250 pounds on your bar! :P
A typical BodyPump class goes like this: Warmup, Squats (legs), Chest Press, Back, Triceps, Biceps, Lunges, Shoulders, Abdominals/Core and cooldown. The class also features chart-topping music, which in my opinion, makes the class a lot more fun!
The benefits of Pump include burning an average of 530 calories per class, developing strength and endurance in all the major muscle groups, and more importantly, having fun in a group-exercise setting.
This blog will also feature my own personal experiences with BodyPump, which include meeting a reality TV star, overnight drives to quarterly workshops, plates falling in the trash, and what happened on my long journey to becoming one of Maine's top instructors.
I guess I should start by introducing what this blog is about. I've been a group fitness instructor for a year and a half now, and I'll be telling you folks why group fitness can be fun, the benefits of it, and my own personal experiences on the BodyPump stage.
First of all, BodyPump is one of 10 exercise programs that Les Mills International offers people from Maine to New Zealand. It is a barbell class that shapes, tones and strengthens your entire body, according to the Les Mills Web site.
BodyPump is a fairly easy class to learn. The only equipment needed is a benchtop, risers, a barbell, a set of weights, and most importantly, YOU! Unlike in the weight room, BodyPump focuses on toning all the basic muscle groups by focusing on a higher amount of repetitions using a lower amount of weight. In other words, when you get to the chest press track, don't try to chuck 250 pounds on your bar! :P
A typical BodyPump class goes like this: Warmup, Squats (legs), Chest Press, Back, Triceps, Biceps, Lunges, Shoulders, Abdominals/Core and cooldown. The class also features chart-topping music, which in my opinion, makes the class a lot more fun!
The benefits of Pump include burning an average of 530 calories per class, developing strength and endurance in all the major muscle groups, and more importantly, having fun in a group-exercise setting.
This blog will also feature my own personal experiences with BodyPump, which include meeting a reality TV star, overnight drives to quarterly workshops, plates falling in the trash, and what happened on my long journey to becoming one of Maine's top instructors.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
It's that time again....
The way winter was going, many folks, including myself, were afraid the snow would never melt.
But it has, and while thoughts this week are directed towards southern California beaches, the Price is Right and many baseball games, the high school softball season is upon us, and it's time for the annual preseason prognostications.
CLASS A: Of course, it always starts with the defending champion, which is Bangor in this case, as the Rams will be defending an Eastern Maine championship for the first time in school history.
While Bangor did lose some key players to graduation, the Rams still have a potent offense, led by seniors Kim Jordan, Sadie Redman and Hannah Lust, and classmate Taylor Lewis has had a strong preseason in the circle.
Brewer should be better this year, as the Witches feature a talented lefthanded pitcher in Emily Cox, while Jordan Nickerson will handle the catching duties.
The Witches were young last year, but a year of experience under the underclassmen's belt will surely help.
Cony is another preseason favorite, led by pitcher Emily Soule, another lefty, while Skowhegan can't be counted out.
This will be one of those years where any of the top six teams can win it, but I've got to take BREWER.
CLASS B: A lot of softball pundits - including myself - think this region will come down to Hermon and Mattanawcook, which it did a year ago.
The Hawks are the defending state champions and return eight starters, including pitcher Debbie Colpitts, while the Lynx will counter with a talented ace of their own in Tayla Trask.
Perennial contender Bucksport cannot be counted out, along with Old Town, John Bapst and Medomak Valley.
When it all shakes down, it looks as if the Hawks and Lynx are the two top teams, and they should meet in the regional final again, with HERMON coming out on top in another title battle.
CLASS C: George Stevens Academy is the defending regional champion here, but Calais is the early-season favorite.
The Blue Devils ran the table in regular-season play last year only to get ousted in the quarterfinals by rival Woodland, so the motivation will be there for Calais.
George Stevens and Woodland, along with Washington Academy, will be solid contenders, along with Orono, which has fielded strong teams over the last few seasons.
The pick: CALAIS
CLASS D: Deer Isle-Stonington, led by Pittsburgh native Sidney Outzs, claimed the regional title last spring with a mix of strong pitching and hitting.
With Outzs and many of that 2010 cast back in the fold this year, it appears the Mariners are the team to beat again.
Other contenders include Southern Aroostook, Limestone and Bangor Christian.
The pick: DEER ISLE-STONINGTON
But it has, and while thoughts this week are directed towards southern California beaches, the Price is Right and many baseball games, the high school softball season is upon us, and it's time for the annual preseason prognostications.
CLASS A: Of course, it always starts with the defending champion, which is Bangor in this case, as the Rams will be defending an Eastern Maine championship for the first time in school history.
While Bangor did lose some key players to graduation, the Rams still have a potent offense, led by seniors Kim Jordan, Sadie Redman and Hannah Lust, and classmate Taylor Lewis has had a strong preseason in the circle.
Brewer should be better this year, as the Witches feature a talented lefthanded pitcher in Emily Cox, while Jordan Nickerson will handle the catching duties.
The Witches were young last year, but a year of experience under the underclassmen's belt will surely help.
Cony is another preseason favorite, led by pitcher Emily Soule, another lefty, while Skowhegan can't be counted out.
This will be one of those years where any of the top six teams can win it, but I've got to take BREWER.
CLASS B: A lot of softball pundits - including myself - think this region will come down to Hermon and Mattanawcook, which it did a year ago.
The Hawks are the defending state champions and return eight starters, including pitcher Debbie Colpitts, while the Lynx will counter with a talented ace of their own in Tayla Trask.
Perennial contender Bucksport cannot be counted out, along with Old Town, John Bapst and Medomak Valley.
When it all shakes down, it looks as if the Hawks and Lynx are the two top teams, and they should meet in the regional final again, with HERMON coming out on top in another title battle.
CLASS C: George Stevens Academy is the defending regional champion here, but Calais is the early-season favorite.
The Blue Devils ran the table in regular-season play last year only to get ousted in the quarterfinals by rival Woodland, so the motivation will be there for Calais.
George Stevens and Woodland, along with Washington Academy, will be solid contenders, along with Orono, which has fielded strong teams over the last few seasons.
The pick: CALAIS
CLASS D: Deer Isle-Stonington, led by Pittsburgh native Sidney Outzs, claimed the regional title last spring with a mix of strong pitching and hitting.
With Outzs and many of that 2010 cast back in the fold this year, it appears the Mariners are the team to beat again.
Other contenders include Southern Aroostook, Limestone and Bangor Christian.
The pick: DEER ISLE-STONINGTON
Monday, November 29, 2010
Who will it be?
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and now is the time to look ahead to winter.
No, we're not talking about Christmas, snowstorms, black ice and long lines at the mall, we're talking about hoops, as in which Eastern Maine girls basketball teams will likely be the ones fighting for gold balls come March.
Let the prognosticating begin.
Class B: This ought to be an interesting battle this season, with three or four teams all with legitimate shots at playing in the state championship in Portland on March 4.
Nokomis won its first regional championship since 2003, when the Warriors were in Class A, and coach Kori Dionne's club did it the old-fashioned way, with an efficient offense and tough defense.
The Warriors did lose a couple key parts in point guard Mary Badeen, who transferred to Messalonskee, and Kara Batchelder, who graduated.
But Marissa Shaw, Danielle Watson and Julie Smith are all back, and they should make the Warriors a force in the KVAC, and one of the favorites come tourney time.
Presque Isle was young and powerful last winter, and features a quick, athletic squad led by Chelsea Nickerson, Chandler Guerrette and Kayla Richards.
MDI, which played in the regional final last winter, will reload a bit around PVC Player of the Year Megan Phelps and guard Brailee Black, while Camden Hills has a new coach in Marty Messer and one of Eastern Maine's top young players in sophomore Jordan Knowlton.
Presque Isle and Nokomis appear to be the top two teams on paper, so look for those two to meet in the regional final, with the Wildcats coming out on top in a close, hard-fought game.
Class C: Central enters this season hungry and motivated after falling in the regional semifinals to eventual state champion Calais in 2010, and the Red Devils have a talented returning cast led by 6-foot-4 senior Bekah Campbell, and classmate Hannah Pray, a 5-8 guard.
Max McHugh had a solid freshman campaign, and she, Roberta Trafton and Brianna Speed, along with Pray, will headline a strong backcourt.
Calais did graduate its two top players in Alex McVicar and Nicole Osborne, and seniors Shannon Brown and Rebecca Redding, who were solid in the tournament last winter, will be counted upon to provide some leadership for the Blue Devils.
Washington Academy, which fell to Calais in the regional final, lost only four seniors, and feature some talented returnees, including Taylor Seeley, while Orono looks strong out of the PVC as well, along with Stearns.
Central is the pick here, since they have a solid blend of height and speed.
Class A: Skowhegan broke through for its first regional championship since 1979, but will have to do without the services of point guard and All-Maine third-teamer Whitney Jones for about a month (foot injury).
Bangor has a new coach in Katie Herbine, and the Rams nearly squeaked into the tournament last winter after a slow start, so look for Bangor to continue that momentum.
Hampden Academy had a strong 2010 under first-year coach Chad Bradbury, and returns its entire cast, led by senior guards Katelyn DeRaps and Michaela Stephenson.
Messalonskee, with the addition of Badeen and Megan Pelletier, who transferred from Winslow, is improved, while Brunswick took Skowhegan to the limit in the Eastern Maine final last year.
Again, as any coach will tell you, its a tough call, because anything can happen, but look for Jones to come back strong and lead Skowhegan, but Hampden, Bangor and Messalonskee will be formidable challengers in the KVAC North while Brunswick looks strong in the south.
The pick: Brunswick.
Class D: History was made last season, with Fort Fairfield claiming the school's first state title, girls or boys, and the Tigers are poised for an encore performance.
Fort Fairfield is led by 2010 Eastern Maine tourney MVP Amanda Hotham, a junior, while the Tigers graduated just two seniors.
Guard Sydney Churchill had a strong freshman season, while senior center Brooke Beaulieu will complement the hard-working Hotham inside.
Central Aroostook, the No. 1 seed last year, graduated its top scorers in twins Chelsea and Brianna Hartin, but still feature Kristen Long, Rachel Grew and Victoria McIntyre, while Southern Aroostook should be tough as well, along with Bangor Christian and Washburn.
Fort Fairfield is the pick here, as Hotham will continue to improve.
Enjoy the games. It'll be tourney time, and for me, California-time, before we know it.
No, we're not talking about Christmas, snowstorms, black ice and long lines at the mall, we're talking about hoops, as in which Eastern Maine girls basketball teams will likely be the ones fighting for gold balls come March.
Let the prognosticating begin.
Class B: This ought to be an interesting battle this season, with three or four teams all with legitimate shots at playing in the state championship in Portland on March 4.
Nokomis won its first regional championship since 2003, when the Warriors were in Class A, and coach Kori Dionne's club did it the old-fashioned way, with an efficient offense and tough defense.
The Warriors did lose a couple key parts in point guard Mary Badeen, who transferred to Messalonskee, and Kara Batchelder, who graduated.
But Marissa Shaw, Danielle Watson and Julie Smith are all back, and they should make the Warriors a force in the KVAC, and one of the favorites come tourney time.
Presque Isle was young and powerful last winter, and features a quick, athletic squad led by Chelsea Nickerson, Chandler Guerrette and Kayla Richards.
MDI, which played in the regional final last winter, will reload a bit around PVC Player of the Year Megan Phelps and guard Brailee Black, while Camden Hills has a new coach in Marty Messer and one of Eastern Maine's top young players in sophomore Jordan Knowlton.
Presque Isle and Nokomis appear to be the top two teams on paper, so look for those two to meet in the regional final, with the Wildcats coming out on top in a close, hard-fought game.
Class C: Central enters this season hungry and motivated after falling in the regional semifinals to eventual state champion Calais in 2010, and the Red Devils have a talented returning cast led by 6-foot-4 senior Bekah Campbell, and classmate Hannah Pray, a 5-8 guard.
Max McHugh had a solid freshman campaign, and she, Roberta Trafton and Brianna Speed, along with Pray, will headline a strong backcourt.
Calais did graduate its two top players in Alex McVicar and Nicole Osborne, and seniors Shannon Brown and Rebecca Redding, who were solid in the tournament last winter, will be counted upon to provide some leadership for the Blue Devils.
Washington Academy, which fell to Calais in the regional final, lost only four seniors, and feature some talented returnees, including Taylor Seeley, while Orono looks strong out of the PVC as well, along with Stearns.
Central is the pick here, since they have a solid blend of height and speed.
Class A: Skowhegan broke through for its first regional championship since 1979, but will have to do without the services of point guard and All-Maine third-teamer Whitney Jones for about a month (foot injury).
Bangor has a new coach in Katie Herbine, and the Rams nearly squeaked into the tournament last winter after a slow start, so look for Bangor to continue that momentum.
Hampden Academy had a strong 2010 under first-year coach Chad Bradbury, and returns its entire cast, led by senior guards Katelyn DeRaps and Michaela Stephenson.
Messalonskee, with the addition of Badeen and Megan Pelletier, who transferred from Winslow, is improved, while Brunswick took Skowhegan to the limit in the Eastern Maine final last year.
Again, as any coach will tell you, its a tough call, because anything can happen, but look for Jones to come back strong and lead Skowhegan, but Hampden, Bangor and Messalonskee will be formidable challengers in the KVAC North while Brunswick looks strong in the south.
The pick: Brunswick.
Class D: History was made last season, with Fort Fairfield claiming the school's first state title, girls or boys, and the Tigers are poised for an encore performance.
Fort Fairfield is led by 2010 Eastern Maine tourney MVP Amanda Hotham, a junior, while the Tigers graduated just two seniors.
Guard Sydney Churchill had a strong freshman season, while senior center Brooke Beaulieu will complement the hard-working Hotham inside.
Central Aroostook, the No. 1 seed last year, graduated its top scorers in twins Chelsea and Brianna Hartin, but still feature Kristen Long, Rachel Grew and Victoria McIntyre, while Southern Aroostook should be tough as well, along with Bangor Christian and Washburn.
Fort Fairfield is the pick here, as Hotham will continue to improve.
Enjoy the games. It'll be tourney time, and for me, California-time, before we know it.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Two types of people in the world....
In the week-plus since I had gotten my hard-earned and well-deserved BodyPump certification, the celebrating had never stopped. After getting home from the County and receiving congratulations from my teammates and gym members, Caroline and I headed to a party at SkyDive New England in Lebanon for the weekend, and after that came and went, I prepared for my first big event as a qualified instructor, the Super Quarterly in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
This was something I had been looking forward to all summer, as it was my first major workshop. My teammates had informed me to expect hundreds of people in the master classes, as instructors come from all over the world to do the new releases before their respective clubs launch them (I think we're launching BP 75 sometime in October).
The workshop was Saturday, with Pump at 7:30 a.m., so I asked for a Bangor-Mt. Blue girls soccer game in Farmington on Friday, and got my wish. After watching the Rams and Cougars battle to a 3-3 tie and grabbing some dinner with a couple friends, I headed to Poughkeepsie around 9.
My original plan was to drive to Boston, and get on a midnight bus to Albany and get to Poughkeepsie from there, but an accident on I-95 just south of the I-93 interchange prevented me from getting there by 11:30 (luckily I hadn't bought a ticket), so I just decided to drive the rest of the way to Poughkeepsie.
I finally got there at about 4 a.m. It sounds like a grind, but the trick to driving all night is taking breaks every couple of hours, stretching the body and getting fresh air (which was vital, since I'd be doing a ton of Les Mills classes in just a short time).
The gym wouldn't open for people to line up for check-in at 5, so I found a gas station to hit the restroom. The clerk, however, would have none of it, and angrily asked me to leave (apparently he thought I was drunk or something HAHA).
Nevertheless, I got to the gym around 4:50 and checked in to set my bench top up at about 5:45. Luckily, the benches and weights were set up for us, so all I had to do was put my camera and water bottle on top of my bench to claim it.
After doing that, I took quite a few pictures, and meandered around and got to know some of the other instructors, including a few from New Jersey, and a nice woman from Connecticut, who claimed the step next to mine.
The most touching thing was the September 11th tribute, since this workshop was held 9 years to the date of the greatest tragedy on American soil. It was emotional, as there were quite a bit of tears shed by those around me, including the emcee, and it was a great way to bring the Les Mills tribe together.
The master class was like a rock concert, with spotlights everywhere, a huge stage, and amazing presenters, including Shelbon McBee, whom I had met at a workshop over the summer. He's one of the best instructors in the world, and was on the Pump 75 Instructor DVD, so taking a class with him again was the best feeling in the world (he even took a couple pics with me, and congratulated me on my certification).
After doing Pump, RPM and BodyVive, I headed to NYC for the rest of the day for dinner at my friend's house.
It had been a long day and I had been up all night, but was too wound up to take a nap even though my body was telling me too. After all, I needed this energy to find a place to park outside the city. I found a Metro North station in nearby Rye, so I put the car there, and headed to Brooklyn.
Everyone subsequently congratulated me on my certification, and we made a delicious Beef Stew dinner, played some Harry Potter Lego on XBOX, had some drinks, and just cherished the moment.
I decided to hit the road at 7 the next morning to get home at a decent time, and made it back to Old Town around 3:00, and it was finally time to catch up on my much-needed sleep.
This workshop was an amazing experience, and the culmination of how far I've come in these last 12 months, from a sucky student to a (hopefully) inspirational instructor. This is only the beginning, and I'm hoping this will launch my Les Mills career far beyond my own expectations.
This was something I had been looking forward to all summer, as it was my first major workshop. My teammates had informed me to expect hundreds of people in the master classes, as instructors come from all over the world to do the new releases before their respective clubs launch them (I think we're launching BP 75 sometime in October).
The workshop was Saturday, with Pump at 7:30 a.m., so I asked for a Bangor-Mt. Blue girls soccer game in Farmington on Friday, and got my wish. After watching the Rams and Cougars battle to a 3-3 tie and grabbing some dinner with a couple friends, I headed to Poughkeepsie around 9.
My original plan was to drive to Boston, and get on a midnight bus to Albany and get to Poughkeepsie from there, but an accident on I-95 just south of the I-93 interchange prevented me from getting there by 11:30 (luckily I hadn't bought a ticket), so I just decided to drive the rest of the way to Poughkeepsie.
I finally got there at about 4 a.m. It sounds like a grind, but the trick to driving all night is taking breaks every couple of hours, stretching the body and getting fresh air (which was vital, since I'd be doing a ton of Les Mills classes in just a short time).
The gym wouldn't open for people to line up for check-in at 5, so I found a gas station to hit the restroom. The clerk, however, would have none of it, and angrily asked me to leave (apparently he thought I was drunk or something HAHA).
Nevertheless, I got to the gym around 4:50 and checked in to set my bench top up at about 5:45. Luckily, the benches and weights were set up for us, so all I had to do was put my camera and water bottle on top of my bench to claim it.
After doing that, I took quite a few pictures, and meandered around and got to know some of the other instructors, including a few from New Jersey, and a nice woman from Connecticut, who claimed the step next to mine.
The most touching thing was the September 11th tribute, since this workshop was held 9 years to the date of the greatest tragedy on American soil. It was emotional, as there were quite a bit of tears shed by those around me, including the emcee, and it was a great way to bring the Les Mills tribe together.
The master class was like a rock concert, with spotlights everywhere, a huge stage, and amazing presenters, including Shelbon McBee, whom I had met at a workshop over the summer. He's one of the best instructors in the world, and was on the Pump 75 Instructor DVD, so taking a class with him again was the best feeling in the world (he even took a couple pics with me, and congratulated me on my certification).
After doing Pump, RPM and BodyVive, I headed to NYC for the rest of the day for dinner at my friend's house.
It had been a long day and I had been up all night, but was too wound up to take a nap even though my body was telling me too. After all, I needed this energy to find a place to park outside the city. I found a Metro North station in nearby Rye, so I put the car there, and headed to Brooklyn.
Everyone subsequently congratulated me on my certification, and we made a delicious Beef Stew dinner, played some Harry Potter Lego on XBOX, had some drinks, and just cherished the moment.
I decided to hit the road at 7 the next morning to get home at a decent time, and made it back to Old Town around 3:00, and it was finally time to catch up on my much-needed sleep.
This workshop was an amazing experience, and the culmination of how far I've come in these last 12 months, from a sucky student to a (hopefully) inspirational instructor. This is only the beginning, and I'm hoping this will launch my Les Mills career far beyond my own expectations.
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