fitness coach; Circuit breaker

Want a wake up call that will have you burning calories and getting rid of all those extra pounds from Christmas dinner? I've just started going to a circuit training class at Bellahouston Sports Centre in Glasgow. Not only is it the biggest class in Scotland, with nearly 100 taking part, but it is run by Commonwealth and European Silver medallist in Judo, Claire McDonald, and Glasgow's coach of the year David Hewitson.

Join the class, made up of people of all shapes and sizes, whose ages range from about 30 to 50, sweating their way through 24 separate circuit stations, a warm up that doesn't require too much co- ordination, a cool down that has you skipping about like a headless chicken and a series of sit-ups that start with you sucking your thumb (I liked that bit).

Circuit is so-called because in the course of the class you follow a route through a series of exercises set out at work stations around the hall. Each work station will have an exercise which can be done at one of two or three levels - perhaps with differing weights, or in different positions - which you select according to your own level of fitness.

The exercises include bicep curls, star jumps, press-ups and a few heart-rate challengers. Usually the circuit is completed twice so that each side of the body is exercised equally, and to enable you to try the second circuit at a higher level.

Circuit training enables you to get an all over body aerobic workout without having to have the co-ordination and timing of a professional dancer - as seems to be required by some of the more complex aerobics classes. And as you work at a level that suits you - age and fitness is irrelevant.

Claire motivates and takes you through every station, and her patter, encouragement and enthusiasm all help you to work on round the room.

People become caught up in improving their own performance that a newcomer has no need of feeling self-conscious; the others hardly even noticed I was there. First-timers are all put together and taken through every station with either David or Claire. You are shown the exercises on offer at each station and you are encouraged to take it easy and go at your own speed and fitness level.

From the moment the music comes on, the fun begins. Many of the older members of the class took things at a slower pace but they still took part and moved for over an hour at their level of fitness. And no one looked out of place. Each stage of the circuit lasts for 35 seconds before changing to work another part of your body.

Just when you thought you had survived this heart-warmer of a class, and after a short water break, off you go again on another fun- packed loop of the circuit.

Claire assures the strugglers that the their overall fitness, well- being, strength and co-ordination, will be significantly increased after a period of six or seven weeks.

After the circuit session is over you start dreaming of a long, hot shower, but Claire has other ideas, a 10-minute cool down that includes jogging, bouncing, skipping, and jumping jacks that let your heart-rate come back to near normality.

Then it's grab a mat, lie down and wait for the wickedest stomach workout from the abdominal queen herself. Top all this off with some relaxing stretches and you have just survived your first circuit class. The biggest hurdle any first-timer has to overcome is walking through the door. But I would encourage you to take a deep breath and give it a go. You will love itu The circuit class is at the Bellahouston Sports Centre, Monday night 6.15pm to 7.30pm.

You can email our fitness expert David Murray at: [email protected] Ellesse Female Gym Outfit From: Greaves Sports Price: (pounds) 47.98 Rating: 2/5 The colours of this two- piece are user friendly but the sleek look has definitely been designed with trendier gym members in mind.

The long bootleg trousers offer support and are proving very popular. The're also comfortable to work in (so I'm told, anyway). The T-shirt, however, could be baggier to make sweeping arm movement a little easier.

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