April is here; spring is in the air! The warmer weather leads to more skin being revealed, and more often than not, people start to feel more frisky! Oh yes! One thing I will take into next year is to remember that January, February, and March are depressingly AF. However, they are the perfect months to plant those wellness seeds. It’s time to catch up with yourself, time to train, time to look after your financial wellness. And now it’s April. You can unleash the beast.
• The pockets are feeling a little heavier.
• The wellness books you received for Christmas have been read and put to good use.
• After those dark three months of training in the gym to beat the blues, the body is now feeling strong and ripe and ready to represent, just like Ariana says, “Say it with your chest!”
Welcome to the next chapter of the year! Because it’s spring, Workout with Pride is spicing things up. I’ve curated a special workout event—XXX STRENGTH SWEAT! It’s a unique Friday night workout designed to blend the energy of a fitness session with the liberating vibes of sex-positive music. Our playlist features tracks from artists who embrace themes of sexual empowerment, body positivity, and inclusivity.
To amplify the impact, we’re partnering with the charity GMI, providing sexual health testing boxes and on-site information. Plus, we’ve secured discounts at Closezone for all your clothing and toy needs.
A Spring Workout with Pride.
Get ready to sweat, groove, and feel empowered as we harness the energy of music to fuel our bodies and minds. Let’s break free from societal norms and embrace our authentic selves while getting fit and having fun!
If you want to join in the fun, you can find the full details below.
The event is scheduled for April 19th:
Workout begins at 7:00 PM at the YMCA.
Dinner follows at 8:30 PM.
Join us at Zodiac Bar at 9:30 PM for more social shenanigans!
For those who are new to this column, I’m Mark, the founder of ‘Workout with Pride’, your friendly LGBTQIA London fitness group. We provide a variety of options including fitness sessions, events, and social gatherings. So, don’t hesitate to give us a try. Use the code QXFRIEND on our website www.workoutwithpride.co.uk to book a free class or personal training.
Over the last few months, I’ve noticed a significant number of individuals seeking advice from me. Despite their consistent gym training, they’ve been experiencing setbacks rather than progress. Typically, this can be attributed to two main factors: plateaus and nutrition, and in most cases, it’s both. Here are a few tips to combat both:
Tip one: Feed Your Gut.
People often underestimate how important nutrition is. Good gut health can play a huge factor in your mental health, anxiety levels, and energy levels! Think of it like this: like most horror movies, the call is coming from inside the house. Well, your gut has your brain on speed dial, and it will tell it to stress out, get anxious, all of which can leave you stressed and lethargic!
Feed your gut with a diverse meal. It’s easier than you think. Just a sprinkling of seeds and nuts on your meal will make a huge difference to your energy levels.
Switch from all the food that’s marketed as “healthy” and just go for food with one or two ingredients. If it says “with added vitamins,” then leave it! Remember, food doesn’t have ingredients; it is the ingredients! Better nutrition, better Gym gains!
Tip 2: Take a Break.
I bet you never thought I’d say this, but take a 4-day break from the gym. You might find yourself coming back feeling stronger than before. Many people overtrain, leading to fatigue! If you’ve been following the same training program for more than three months, then you need a break and a new routine. It could be as simple as changing the sets or reps, all of which will help you push through your plateau!
Tip 3: Embrace Competition.
Competition fosters growth. Challenge someone in the gym or class and strive to match or surpass their performance. Often, we become complacent, sticking to familiar weights, neglecting the untapped strength within us. Try adding an extra 2.5kg to your bar or dumbbell today—I’m confident you can lift it!
Finally.
If you’re feeling stuck in your fitness journey, don’t worry; we’re here to assist you. Let’s sit down, chat, and collaborate to overcome those plateaus together. Strength progression isn’t always straightforward, and external factors can greatly impact it. Reach out for a free consultation, and let’s guide you back on track – with no obligations attached!
For a spring Workout with Pride visit www.workoutwithpride.co.uk