When I spoke to the good folk at KFit about writing this article, I put out a full disclaimer: I’m not the sporty type. I wish I was. I wish I was trendy and fit and had matching gym outfits and thoroughly enjoyed green smoothies. But I don’t. So I need all the goddamn encouragement that I can get. This is where I thought KFit might just be my lifeline as I’d be able to nab a friend and take them along for the ride.
Day 1
I’d downloaded the KFit app (for freeee!) a few days prior and browsed through the classes on offer. I settled on a SpeedFit class in Claremont. I was a little unsure about exactly what it entailed, but I convinced myself that it’d be a gentle introduction. I then flicked the reservation to my friend, who was more than a bit excited at the prospect of venturing outside her normal fitness routine.
Off we trotted to our class. The class is small so we got some special one-on-one attention. It started with an enjoyable warmup but then things got real and I realised I’d been kidding myself about my base-level fitness. But I’m super competitive, so I gritted my teeth and pushed through. Turns out that SpeedFit is Australia’s first EMS personal training business. The sessions only go for 20 minutes (my kinda work out) and they’re enhanced by Electronic Muscle Stimulation. Put simply, it is a short, sharp, personal training session with some fancy electronics. Our instructor was encouraging and chirpy in all the right ways, so I daresay we’ll be back. Off we went to treat ourselves to breakfast smoothies.
Day 2
I browsed the shiny little KFit app and settled on something a bit more zen than the day before: morning yoga in Kings Park. I composed an extremely enticing message and had two friends joining me in a jiffy.
We bent and stretched and did yoga-ry things that I’m guessing real yoga people do. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and we gave it a big thumbs up. All three of us agreed that yoga in a park is about as zen as it gets for us.
Day 3
It’s Wednesday and I planned to stay at a friend’s house for the sole purpose of watching MKR, meaning it was a chance to venture outside my usual suburbs and try some new activities. Before settling in for a night in front of the TV, my host friend and I squeezed in a beginner’s CrossFit class. I’d heard so much about this fitness trend but hadn’t actually got as far as trying it, so a beginner’s class was perfect.
Our instructor had us lifting and lunging and holding more than I knew possible and I’m 86% positive that I could feel my abs growing. But it could have just been belly-hurt from laughing at my host friend who was even worse at it than I was. (Finally I picked right, she’ll be getting a second call-up.)
Our instructor was fabulous and enthusiastic and I thought about inviting him for cocktails after...but then I remembered he’s a personal trainer and probably not going to condone my mid-week drinking.
Day 4
I needed something a little less strenuous and a bit more fun, so I hopped onto the KFit app to book myself in to Bollywood Fitness for an hour of sweaty, lycra- clad, uncoordinated fun.
It was exactly what the doctor ordered, plenty of neon, an abundance of sweat band, a gaggle of girls and some serious zumba-ing, Bollywood style.
Day 5
Day five, and I’m a bit crushed that I don’t resemble Elle yet, but I’m starting to get in to the swing of things, enjoying picking and choosing my next activity. I had phoned my fittest friend the night before to lock in Friday’s exercise. We agreed that Friday nights are sacred, so settled on a morning Boxfit sesh at Selby Health + Fitness.
Off we trot for an hour of boxing and a full body workout that had all of my muscles high-fiving me. The team at Selby Health + Fitness were understanding of my shortfalls and were stellar at correcting my technique.
Our training session catch-up spilled over in to a quick breakfast at a nearby café.
Day 6
I rounded up the girls who all downloaded the KFit app and signed up for a free Saturday morning Aerial Yoga class at Rafters Mind Body Air.
There was a bit of a gaggle of us and the instructor didn’t look entirely thrilled when we proceeded to whisper to each other. But, it wasn’t long before we were focused on bending, contorting and balancing. After 55 minutes of aerial yoga, we topped it off with savasana (the little sleep bit at the end and the main reason I like any form of yoga) before filing out and heading for brunch.
Day 7
I was due to catch up with a friend who I regularly go walking with on weekends, but it was raining. Never fear, I had the perfect alternative.
We both jumped onto the KFit app and booked in to Rockface Indoor Rock Climbing Centre for an afternoon of monkeying around! The climbing wall was indoors and it was great to get out and about, trying things we had no idea Perth had to offer.
This week of fun, varied and freeeee exercise has made me realise that exercising with friends is: A. Infinitely more fun than exercising alone; B. It forces you to actually show up; and C. Is more or less just as good as catching up over a bowl of pasta and glass of red.
Download KFit for Android here and through the Apple Store here. You can opt out any time, so no pressure. Thanks, KFit!
Image credit: Michelle Jarni for The Urban List