Hey everyone,
I know it’s been a while but now that I’ve gotten back into the swing of things as I’m home for the summer, I’m aiming to post at least every two weeks and hopefully every week…I’ve got a few new ideas in mind for the blog involving some possible re-designing, so stay tuned and don’t give up on me! (:
In the meantime, I wanted to talk about my workout routine (since I’ve been home) and how I train. Read more to find out!
During the school year, when I came back home to Toronto for a visit, I would long for the days I could go to Stärk Fitness for a morning workout. Don’t be fooled by its size, this small gym located at Main St. and Gerrard (here in the east end of Toronto) has more to offer than any space could ever fill.
Stärk Fitness inspires, motivates and excites me to be the strongest and most mobile I can be. This gym expresses a hard-working, positive and dedicated environment thanks to the trainers and the other clients who attend. Everyone at Stärk is willing to push themselves to the best of their abilities and encourages others to do the same. After every session, I leave the gym feeling energized and happy and often with a few giggles because I had so much fun while sweating it out and working hard.
Before coming to train at Stärk for the summer, I felt as though I had somewhat plateaued with my workouts, don’t get me wrong, they were still good and effective but I felt as though I could expand beyond what I was doing, I simply didn’t know how. However, Steve (the owner of the gym) never fails to disappoint in doing so with his workouts, I have never left the gym feeling as though I underachieved. I feel beat -in the very best way, and energized for the day. The workouts are creative and tough, they include farmer’s walks around the block, tossing tires and throwing sand bags. Those are only a few of many exercises I’ve been introduced to at Stärk Fitness. Many of the exercises I had never done before, but I’ve also never felt this good or this strong.
Steve provides hands on group training in groups ranging from 3-6 people. Every week, classes alternate between upper and lower body sessions, Monday-Friday. I’ve been going for a few months now and more consistently for the past couple weeks since I’ve been home, and I can confidently say I’ve never done the same workout once. The workouts are carefully formulated for us to achieve optimal strength and success.
I have evidently noticed improvements within myself and others both physically and mentally. Steve will ALWAYS encourage you to push yourself even when you don’t think you can and your sense of self-satisfaction at the end of the workout is better because of it. With a friendly reminder on the ever-present chalkboard with our names and personal bests, we are encouraged to reach and beat our personal records, whether it be benching, deadlifting or squatting.
At this point, you may be wondering why I’m writing about this gym that I love so much. It’s not because I’m trying to advertise it, or convince you to go, but rather because Stärk Fitness has made me realize many things about my health and fitness.
Nowadays, society is obsessed with physique and physical appearance. “Skinny” and “fit” bodies are often the most desirable, people want thigh gaps and tiny waists and this is often advertised on social media in unhealthy and unrealistic ways. Too often, I used to look at girls on Instagram and wished I looked like them. But recently, I have learned that loving the body I’m in stems much deeper than my physical appearance.
I learned that a beautiful body begins with a strong and healthy physical and mental state. Being “fit” is the result of optimal mobility and healthy body movements, which can be achieved via strength/resistance training, polymetrics or HITT cardio to name a few. Moving our bodies by picking up sand bags or running sprints encourages our natural body movements and further develops connectivity between our mind and body for ultimate health and success. Fitness starts from within and when you look good, it’s because you feel good and at Stärk Fitness, I’ve never felt better.
So why did I write this post? Because I want you to find what makes you feel good and optimize your fitness journey by finding what ignites your passion for fitness. Perhaps like me, it would be training like I do at Stärk Fitness, or maybe it would be something like hiking, yoga or doing gymnastics in the park! Whatever it is, do it! And if you haven’t found it, I’m here to tell you to keep looking and don’t give up. Encouraging your body’s mobility through exercise is never a waste of time and when you do find what ignites your fitness fire, it will burn forever.
So, thank you Stärk Fitness for giving me the perfect fuel that’s keeping my fitness journey alive. Not only have I met amazing people here but I’ve found an environment in which I thrive. Steve once told me I was “obsessed”, I guess he was right.
“Look good, feel good”? I say feel good, look good.
xx,
Leah