You’d be hard pushed to find a better or more entertaining workout than joining a class at Great Outdoor Fitness.
Intrigued with a parent addicted to exercising outside in all weathers, I decided to see what the fuss was about. So one sunny Saturday morning I made my way to Nonsuch Park in Cheam, full of apprehension about what on earth was in store. My fears were allayed immediately upon arrival however, as everyone made me so very welcome.
Great Outdoor Fitness was set up a year ago by ex-Royal Marine, Paul Prothero, who has many years experience of training people in a “boot camp” style. I was scared I wouldn’t be able to keep up with experienced members, but everyone wears a coloured bib to reflect their different abilities. Those just starting on their fitness journey wear one colour, those who are relatively fit another, while the super-fit keen beans put on a third. This enables the instructors to tailor-make each activity for every individual by giving them the best-suited number of reps and run lengths.
I chose a general fitness class, but there was plenty of choice from boxing, a strength session with weights, a specialised running club and even a walking group for those new to exercise or recovering from injury.
It took just a few minutes for me to be out of breath and to realise that I was about to be pushed harder than I’d ever been before. After a comprehensive warm-up, there was a full range of exercises from press-ups and lunges to squats and burpees, interspersed with long runs or short sprints guaranteed to exhaust. Some moments demanded I pair up with another person, such as for shoulder presses or into a threesome for pull-ups. This helped tremendously in making me feel a true part of the group, as these complete strangers started chatting to me and motivating me to keep going. Lying in the mud was never such fun.
Indeed, halfway through, I became aware that I was enjoying the banter between instructors and members, as much as the exercises themselves. I had never heard people give a teacher cheek before, but here it was the lifeblood of the group and I found myself laughing constantly at the continuous stream of wit and teasing. I can honestly say that the constant buzz of chatter made working out very enjoyable.
It amazed me to learn that whole families exercise together, making it a real bonding experience. Viv Nutt, who attends with husband Phil and daughter Charlotte, told me, “We love Go Fit! It’s hard work and I moan a lot when I can’t do the running (poor instructors!) but we all laugh a lot too. We’ve made loads of new friends – we’ve been to weddings, birthday parties and nights out – usually all involving partying hard and that’s why we keep going. It has everything – fitness, friendships and fun.”
Although you can’t join fully until you are fourteen, there are special classes that include children, put on out of term-time, as Caroline Nicol, mother of Ben, 8, and Sam, 6, explained. “School holiday exercise droughts can be avoided by the very popular parent and child exercise classes. Whether you’re playing tug of war or doing press-ups at the feet of your bossy child, it’s a great way to keep your kids entertained whilst maintaining your fitness. Add a coffee with friends afterwards and it’s another morning of the school holidays sorted!”
The next day I found I ached in places I didn’t know I could, but I knew regular attendance would make me faster, stronger and more confident. Although the instructors push you all the way, it’s really up to you how competitive you want to be. I heard some members whinge at the end of a class that it “never gets any easier”, but this is because the instructors see you improving and take you to your limit every lesson.
Indoor gyms can be unpleasant with pretensions and posing, so I found this fitness group a refreshing change. People of every size, age and ability exercise together without judgement or mockery. Infact it’s the complete opposite, with positive comments and encouragement making it an hypnotically attractive way to exercise.
So, if you want a workout in the glorious fresh air, as much focused on laughter as building up a sweat, then Great Outdoor Fitness is the one for you.
Check out their website https://greatoutdoorfitness.com/ for a free trial session.
