Cape Town - Nothing beats a leisurely stroll or jog along the Sea Point Promenade after a long day at work, listening to the crashing waves of the Atlantic while taking in the pastel shades of the sunset.
But while it is an ideal spot for a spring afternoon spent enjoying the view, the promenade is also enjoying growing popularity as an outdoor gym.
After reviewing two exercise programmes that take place in enclosed gyms, I was eager to try out the British Military Fitness (BMF) programme that promises to whip you into shape while you enjoy the outdoors.
As the name suggests, BMF incorporates physical training used for the British Military. Unlike in the military, though, the class is not as hardcore as you would expect and the instructors work with you according to your fitness level.
Chief BMF instructor Simon Richman explains that BMF was started in the UK in 1998 by an ex-army major who missed the training he’d done in the army.
“He tried gym but didn’t like it and wanted an escape from being indoors all day,” says Richman. He then started exercising in the outdoors with friends.
The first class was held in London’s Hyde Park with only three people. Now there are over 20 000 “BMFers” in the UK, says Richman
After working for BMF UK for seven years Richman decided to bring the movement to his home country. Four years later BMFs popularity is growing and is a hit with people who are looking to increase their fitness levels, strength, endurance and their overall wellbeing.
“The classes are aimed at all levels of fitness. We split the group into ability groups and tailor the exercises according to what people can achieve in terms of repetitions and exercise difficulty,” he says.
“Our goal is to help people improve, not only physically, but also mentally so that they increase their self-confidence and energy levels as well as get fitter and stronger,” he says.
Photographer Cindy Waxa and I met the BMFers at Sea Point’s Putt-Putt parking lot at 6pm on Monday. There were 10 of us and BMF instructor, Andrew Patterson.
Patterson explained that they worked on a vest and number system. A blue vest for beginners, a red one for intermediates and a green one for the advanced.
Your vest colour and number are important to remember as your number is called out when an instructor wants you to do something. I was in team red and Waxa in team blue. We warmed up with a few stretches to get the blood pumping followed by a slow jog to the promenade.
The one-hour class is a combination of various high intensity interval training exercises such as sprints, sit-ups, push-ups, as well as burpees, also known as squat thrusts.
Participants exercise in pairs as well as in a group, which makes it competitive as no one wants to be the last to finish a set. The range of exercises do not require any equipment. We made use of the surrounding features of the park, such as the park bench for pull ups.
Patterson demonstrated each exercise beforehand to ensure participants positioned their bodies properly to avoid any injuries. As an instructor, he was firm and authoritative in a friendly and encouraging way.
“We generally use little to no equipment, but sometimes incorporate boxing, calisthenics and sports equipment,” says Richman. “The training is very functional and the movements incorporate whole muscle groups as opposed to isolating certain muscle groups. Our members get leaner, stronger and faster and develop in proportion as exercises target the body as a whole.
Even though we were constantly moving from one exercise to the next, there was time to laugh and joke with the other participants.
I enjoyed getting down and dirty on the wet grass and watching the beautiful sunset. It was definitely more fun than running on a treadmill for an hour. An added bonus is that Patterson carried the water and other things, such as your car keys, so that you had nothing on your body slowing you down.
The class ended with a power sprint back to the parking lot and a five-minute cool-down and stretching session. My leg muscles were a little sore the next morning, probably from the sprinting, but overall it was a fun workout with a punch.
Richman explains that BMF is about achieving a balance of work, rest and play.
“The idea is to work hard, but still enjoy the sessions and have fun,” he says.
“In terms of diet, we are not rigid and do not force members to follow the latest fad diet. We advocate wholesome foods that are not processed (such as junk food and fizzy drinks). The less processed and mass-produced your food is, the more in touch you will be with what you are eating and the ethical implications involved.”
“If you want to get in shape, take the long-term balanced approach,” advises Richman. “You can’t get fit for the beach in two weeks. Combine exercise with eating and drinking properly and get the right amount of rest, too.”
BMF also spices up its workout schedule by meeting at different locations, such as a run around Lions Head, trail runs and beach workouts.
“The classes are all different so you get a super, overall fitness. It is great for your core, stamina, strength, as well as flexibility. We also take elements from yoga, rugby, martial arts and others, so that you can constantly try to improve on various aspects of your fitness,” adds Richman.
For maximum results, he recommends that you attend BMF two to four times a week.
Cost:
There is no joining fee. You can buy a block of 10 sessions for R900 or 20 for R1 700 or pay R420 a month.
Cape Argus