Griffen Fitness

I attended my first ever Zumba class last night as I was curious about this fitness craze that’s sweeping the globe. Billed as a dynamic fun dance fitness class suitable for all levels, it certainly had the class sweating. Combining easy to follow Latino dance moves with funky tunes, it reminded me of a high energy Macarena. Now the Macarena is like Marmite, you either like it or not. I felt the same way about Zumba.

As an aerobics instructor myself, I could see that each song was well put together and worked out different body parts in turn. In fact, if you want to get rid of bingo wings (flabby arms), this could be the class for you as there was a lot of manic arm waving involved. My personal favourite involved the more traditional cha cha cha. Is it a dance class, or is it fitness? The format was the same as an aerobics class, down to the fact that each song was pre-choreographed. Kinda like a Les Mills class (BodyAttack, BodyCombat, BodyBalance etc), regular attendees get to know each track so know the steps. I’m wondering if it’s popularity is because it’s more like hanging out at a club than in a gym. Classes can take place outside of a gym so are found in community halls and other ‘social’ spaces.

I qualified as a BodyBalance instructor many moons ago, however never pursued it careerwise partly due to the fact I prefer ‘freestyle’ aerobics (instructor’s own moves) as opposed to whole classes choreographed by an ‘elite choreography team’ at Les Mills HQ (incidentally in New Zealand). So Zumba is pre-choreographed, however Nikki the very enthusiastic instructor assured me that there was freedom for instructors to work in their own moves. My BodyBalance course notes came with a suggested script of chat for each track.’Nuff said.

Zumba is a good workout which was can be enjoyed at any fitness level due to the simple moves. Fitter and co-ordinated folk can add in their own embellishments and fancy moves if they like, as it does feel looser in choreography than Les Mills classes. I liked the music and the environment… just not sure about Macarena line dancing. What do YOU think of Zumba?

I tried Zumba with The Zen Crew at Out of the Blue on Dalmeny Street, contact zumba.zencrew@hotmail.com for more info.

A lot has happened over the last fortnight, so today’s blog is really a Griffen Fitness update. The weekend Pilates classes, starting on 25th Sept (Saturdays 10am and 12pm for a six week term) are booking well. There’s a maximum of four people per class, so you can be sure of really personal attention from instructor Ina. Email me at getmefit@griffenfitness.com if you’d like a booking form or more information.

Last weekend was the Festival Cup, a polo game that I had been leading the fitness training with. The team (all new to polo) did brilliantly at the riding , and have all benefited by receiving ongoing fitness programmes.

Another highlight of last week was watching Tabu by No Fit State Circus just up the road from the Griffen Fitness studio, in the big tent at Shrubhill on Leith Walk. The most energetic and physical show I’ve seen in a long time, it made me want to run away and join the circus. The flying trapeze is a personal favourite, although I spent half my time watching the counterweight person attached to the other enod of the cable rushing up and down the tent poles to create a ‘flying’ effect for the other performer…

August is traditionally a quiet month on the ol’ Personal Training front (folk on holiday or festivalling it), but this August has been an exception to the rule as a number of new folk have booked in for ‘quick fixes’, an intensive block of PT sessions to get revved up and on the right path to fitness. Do you need a kick up the rear for your fitness? If so, take a peek at www.getfitandenjoyit.com for details on Griffen Fitness Personal Training…

Signing of technology for the weekend and hubby Andy and I spending time down at our allotment. Tomorrow we’re cycling to Port Seaton to watch some coastal boat rowing, and then back to Portobello to take part in an impromptu tea dance on the Promenade (part of the Big Things on the Beach festival, not a spontaneous retro expression of dance).  Where ever you are this weekend, get out and enjoy the sunshine whilst it lasts!

Make a tray of fabulous flapjacks at the beginning of the week and you’ll have snacks for the rest of the week. They’re also excellent for energy on the go instead of those awful energy gels. I usually wrap them up once cooled and hide them so I don’t eat them all at once…

I like to think these are healthier than shop bought snacks, as despite having sugar (brown) and fat (butter) in, they are all natural. And it’s EASY!

Makes 12

50g butter, melted
100g soft brown sugar, I prefer less
1 free range organic egg (as happy hens lay better eggs)
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
150g porridge oats
50g plain flour
100g raisins / dried cranberries / sunflower / pumpkin seeds / mixed nuts
1 dessertspoon of golden syrup (optional)

1. In a bowl, mix butter and soft brown sugar.  Add the egg and mix.
2.Weigh the plain flour straight into the bowl, add baking powder and mixed spice and mix.
3. Now add porridge oats and seeds / dried fruit, (I like sunflower seeds and dried cranberries).  Mix well together.  If you have any golden syrup, a dessertspoon here will ensure they stay soft and chewy, but it’s not vital.
4. They are now ready to cook.  You can use 12 paper cupcake cases, or spoon directly into a lightly greased muffin tray.  Alternatively, you can use a baking tray, but wait until the flapjacks are completely cold before cutting them up.
5. Bake at 150 degrees for around 15 minutes. They are nicer underdone rather than too crunchy.
6. Cool and wrap individually.

It’s been a long time but it’s worth it. After a six-year wait we have a patch of dirt. Well, it was more a rectangle of nettles with a tumble down shed than a clearly defined piece of earth. Yes, an allotment is what we were waiting for and a lot of nettles are what we got. Thankfully my lanky green fingered man’s expertise at pulling weeds from previously clearing our communal garden on Albert Street, combined with the fitness levels attained from my vocation as a Personal Trainer meant we cleared old Tam’s patch quick smart. Actually it took us nine days of weeding and litter picking to discover good quality vegetable growing dirt underneath. It reminded me that hardcore weeding is a good workout for both hamstrings and upper back. One thing that inspired us to work so quickly (other than the fact that it was the prime growing month of June) was the history of the plot and the fact we wanted it to be back to it’s former glory as quickly as possible.

In fact, for the first time in years, we forsook Leith Gala day in favour of our new allotment. A quick nibble from Suruchi Too whilst being vibrated by the heart thump beat of Messenger Sound System convinced us to seek quieter climes. Nipping across the Links and unlocking the padlock to our own personal oasis of calm we could still hear frantic Polish techno blending with aforementioned percussive dub in the background as we scrabbled about the dirt. Aaaah, bliss. Where once upon a time lying on the grass with a bunch of friends at Gala day would have been my ideal summer’s day. Nowadays I prefer the gentle thwack of leather on willow as I listen to the Leith Franklin cricket club do their thang right outside our allotment.

There’s something very peaceful about watching cricket (the ‘noble game’) whilst pottering about. For this reason, Leith Links allotments are perfect for us. Did you know that cricket has been played on the Links for over 150 years? Check out www.leithcricketclub.co.uk for more information and the fixtures listing. The occasional ‘howzat’ to be heard reminds me of my antipodean roots. In fact, it was only last week I learnt that antipodean is not in fact exclusively referring to Australasian heritage but according to www.dictionary.com means “placed diametrically opposite each other on the globe”. Therefore, Scottish folk should be antipodean as well (to Aussies anyway). To verify this theory I checked the word in my Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary (which my pommy hubby refuses to believe is a valid reference book) that highlights the fact that antipodean only refers one way, so my theory is in tatters.

Whilst it’s obvious that the weather is very different here from my homeland, what may not be obvious is that gardening is a completely different undertaking here in bonnie Scotland. There are seasons here. Leaf burn and drought is not a huge issue, whilst I’ve heard that the regular flooding of Leith Links allotments is. So I bowed to my hubby’s superior garden knowledge for what we should put in the earth. And so what have we planted? In alphabetical order we are having a bash at growing: aubergine, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cos lettuce, herbs, kohlrabi, land cress, leeks, peas, peppers, potatoes, radishes, rhubarb and rocket. Hopefully most of it will grow… There’s something rather satisfying about preparing food that you have grown and it’s fabulous that we can do this whilst living in the heart of Leith.

Our next undertaking is to patch up old Tam’s shed. The front of the shed appears to be covered in grass, however half of the wall is missing. One of the first lessons we’ve learnt is that we need to make it secure to prevent the disappearance of garden tools. Thankfully our tools were from the very fine establishment Poundland, so we weren’t that out of pocket when they went walkabout (£4 to be precise). It has to be said that Poundland is the best place to buy gardening stuff, and we’re both very excited about the opening of a huge Poundland at Kirkgate where Woolies used to be. We’ll be able to buy garden stuff en route to our plot, although hopefully with a good sturdy (secure) shed we’ll not need to replace our tools again.

As part of my client’s fitness programme, I quite often time them doing a lap of both sides of the Links (about a mile). This is a great way to see how someone’s cardiovascular fitness is coming along, and a scenic route at that. Perhaps I should start stopping en route and offering fresh lettuce leaves to aforementioned peeps. Surely more appropriate than finishing a run with the odour of deep frying from the Seven Seas chippy next to Griffen Fitness on Balfour Street.

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It’s summer in Edinburgh and what better way to celebrate with a picnic? It’s great to get outdoors, socialise with friends and perhaps even do a bit of exercise.

Get a big beach bag and pop in a picnic rug, old cushions (optional extra), a water bottle, sun block, sunglasses, wet wipes, a rubbish bag, plastic cups, plates and cutlery. Include a frisbee / cricket bat / balls / badminton and other active games you may enjoy. I also like to take some reading material to while away the summer hours. As the weather is so changeable, it’s good to keep your non perishable picnic gear all ready by the front door to grab for an impromptu afternoon in the sun.

Sometimes it’s nice to pack a disposable BBQ for convenience. If you do use one, be sure to use the wire legs properly to ensure you don’t burn the surrounding environment. Also pack extra water so you can completely put out the BBQ before disposing of it. You can toss pretty much anything on a BBQ, and as a vegetarian I like to pack veggie sausages, feta parcel (wrap a block of feta cheese with fresh herbs, ground black pepper and thick slices of lemon in some foil and toss on the BBQ for 30 minutes before unwrapping. Yum). Another quick and easy healthy BBQ option is to cut courgette, red pepper, mushrooms, corn on the cob into large chunks.  Pop them in a ziplock bag with a splash of olive oil, and presto! They are easy to transport and ready for BBQ-ing. Home made salads in water-tight reusable plastic containers make the perfect accompaniment. If you’re packing dips, make your own as supermarket bought dips can be very high in fat. Also include frozen bottles of water in your cool bag to keep everything fresh… And don’t forget the strawberries!

It’s great to get outdoors and celebrate summer, which is why Griffen Fitness is organising an unofficial games evening on Balfour Street at 6pm Friday June 11 to celebrate summer. There will be discounted skipping ropes (£4) on sale and we’ll be attempting mass skipping on the end of Balfour Street at 6pm. Fresh Mex Los Cardos are supplying some Mexican nibbles, and Victoria bar may be involved. We’re also having a limbo competition, hula hooping lessons and hopscotch – good ol’ fashioned fun…