Hiitgirl Susan Dyson

If you can, cast your mind back to those halcyon days of summer last. Along with the glorious sunshine you might recall that I won a competition with Sweaty Betty? No? Well you can read all about it here.

In a burst of deterimination I undertook the #Fitin5 challenge set by Hiitgirl founder Susan Dyson. I won the high intensity interval training challenge because of my photolog of the stunning Welsh and Irish beaches I did my workouts on.

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The prize? A private session with Susan herself at the brand-new Hiitgirl studio in Crouch End. I was pretty nervous about going, so I didn’t mind waiting awhile for there to be a suitable slot for me. When the time did come I was even more nervous, just after my Christmas break and in my ‘winter fit’ mode I was quite concerned about what I was letting myself in for.

I don’t like gyms (I’ve tried), I don’t like running (it hurts) and I have to confess to only really liking swimming outdoors so in the winter that’s out too (I’m not totally mad!).

I wavered about going at all but then I spotted that they run Hiitgirl and HIM sessions, so I asked if I could take my HIM and they said yes. Now there were two nervous people - my HIM hadn’t taken part in my #fitin5, he tried and gave up in the second minute!

I am now, finally writing my blog because we didn’t just go for our first first complimentary session. No, we went for four more after. Surprised? So were we. And so was Susan!

Basically we found Hiitgirl worked for us. The format goes like this: A 30 minute session is broken into 30 seconds of high intensity activity followed by 30 seconds to rest (this does go up when you get fitter to 40/20). There’s music playing, and the movements are varied and fun so you don’t get bored. It is just about easy enough so you don’t feel like a total muppet but hard enough to occupy your entire brain so you can’t think about work/life/emails/the landlord selling your flat.

Most of all we loved the fact that Susan was clearly working with us, not a formula. She was picking out exercises that both challenged and suited us, to build strength where we were weak and to increase our fitness. And when we got too tired then she helped us ease off, keeping working but at a more suitable pace.

This was the thing that worked for me. I can clearly remember 19:58 on the clock in the first session (the numbers are burnt on my retinas) but somehow I made it to the end with a smile and felt great.

You work hard, and get very sweaty (one session I was sweating from my shin - I didn’t even know that was possible) but it is short enough that you can keep going. And because Susan is looking out for you the whole time you feel that you can push yourself.

What we wanted from our sessions was to build our base level of cardio vascular fitness. We are both dedicated yogis but we need some more aerobic exercise as well because we don’t get this from the style of yoga we practice. We have definitely achieved this, and I have, as a bonus, toned up quite a bit too - way more than I ever have from going to the oh so boring gym.

Where: Hiitgirl studio, Crouch End

What: We took private sessions - £120 for four sessions

More info: http://hiitgirl.com/

A month ago I decided to see how far my body had really come over the last few months and take on a fitness challenge set by Hiitgirl Susan Dyson and Sweaty Betty.

I embarked on the challenge with determination but also a lot of trepidation. As you will see in my previous blog I have had an interesting time with my health for many years.

One key thing I learnt over the years was to not push myself too much as this depleted my energy and healing ability. #Fitin5 was all about pushing yourself. Further, harder, faster than the day before. Yikes.

But I did it. Every day as promised. OK not quite, I had a day off because my lower back hurt but I did a 6 mile walk and a long wild swim instead…but I think that’s pretty good going.

I documented the journey in pictures as well as reps - I took the challenge on holiday with me to the stunningly beautiful hills and beaches of Wales and Ireland, it was fantastic to do my exercises on the beach then dive into the ocean for a refreshing swim.

Below is my photo album of locations, and you can read all my scores in the comments on my initial blog.

Thanks to Susan and Sweaty Betty for setting the challenge and to all those who joined in - the competition was fierce! I am still shocked to have won - I really mean it when I say I don’t think I’ve ever won a sporting challenge before.

Winning aside I learnt that my body IS strong enough, that my resolve is rock-solid and that I do know how to listen to my body well enough to be able to push it a little further each day. So that’s the challenge now - to keep this going. To keep pushing, to keep getting stronger.

Tomorrow I’m off to spend my vouchers and then in a month or so I get to go and join Susan in her new Crouch End studio for a personal training session. I am little bit scared but hopefully Susan isn’t as daunting as her challenges!