Cold-weather exercise can be a challenge when you are used to sub-tropical workouts which keeps your muscles warm, but you will survive winter if you MAKE SURE YOU KEEP STRETCHING. It can be yoga, a few ad-hoc warm-up or cool-down stretches or even a Cirque du Soleil-worthy routine – but you must stretch. And, while it may seem like a take-it-or-leave-it add-on to your exercise, if you skip the stretch you’re both cheating yourself out of a chance to enjoy all those wonderful endorphins you created and depriving your body of a gentle transition from high energy to everyday movement. There are a range of reasons to stretch from mindfulness to preventing injury and maintaining a good range of motion.

What does stretching do?

In the same way strength and endurance have their purpose in training, we also need to ensure our muscles elongate and provide the full range of motion. That’s where a dedicated stretching routine comes in – targeting the major muscle groups to help keep them limber and protect your joints. Suffer from lower back pain? Combine strength training and stretching to strengthen and support the area. Work at a desk all day? You need to gently stretch your spine with supported backbends to undo the sad C-spine which develops while you’re slumped at a screen! As for yoga, it lives up to the hype when it comes to connecting breath and body through a mindfulness practice. Jump on YouTube and start right now or join us on a Saturday with our delightful instructor Anne. Whatever you decide, start today!

How long should I stretch for?

A little bit of stretching every day is better than only doing a one-hour yoga class once a week (although you should do that too). But what should it involve? Well salute to the sun is a great beginner vinyasa (flowing yoga) routine, or you can Google for stretching ideas to suit your circumstances, whether you’re running, surfing, pregnant or confined to the office. The key is to listen to your body and follow what feels right. You’ll soon start to identify your preferred type of stretching!

In our personal training sessions we make sure you warm up and cool down appropriately so take this practice home and start and end each day with a gentle stretch. You won’t regret it!

Stretching is the prologue and closing credits of any exercise regimen – don’t skip it!

Well, if that’s where you’re at, we’re looking for you too!

At Recharged Personal Training, we thrive on helping people find their ‘fit fam’ and get motivated to move. If you’re looking for group fitness classes, we can deliver. Our classes:

• Are fun, vary in intensity and are delivered in a highly supportive and friendly environment;
• Include plenty of variety to work you hard without overdoing it in one area;
• Use high-quality, well-maintained equipment in a hygienic and thoroughly sanitised studio; 
• Are led by experienced instructors who offer guidance, adjustments and plenty of encouragement; and
• Cost just $10 a class with our 10-class pass for only $100.

‘I’m worried the classes won’t be hard enough/easy enough’ 

At Recharged Personal Training, our class regulars run the gamut from triathletes to over 60s with chronic health issues. It doesn’t matter where you are on your fitness journey – all bodies are welcome and capable. Our fully qualified trainers are experts in adjusting our fitness classes to your capabilities while still pushing you to get stronger and fitter than you may get just training alone. We also make sure you are teamed up with supportive regulars if it’s your first time. Before long you’ll be the one helping other newcomers! 

Mix and match to get results

Fitness classes are the perfect way to stay active, maintain your fitness and remain engaged (plus, free endorphins!). Then, if you feel like you need a boost, you can also book our sessions to optimise your strength and conditioning. We offer solo sessions or you can team up with a friend or two and split the costs. 

The next step

Want to know more about joining the Recharged family? Simply contact us to book a studio tour or pick one of our fitness classes and get straight into it! Just message us so we know to expect you! And don’t forget your towel and water bottle – these are studio essentials.

If you are on the northside of Brisbane, we have fitness classes for you.

Recharged Personal Training is a tight team of trainers who live fit and active lives in tandem with you. Choose a personal trainer who you get along with but who also trains in a way you respond to. Today we are talking with Brian about his fitness journey.

How did you become a personal trainer?
I initially trained with Gary at Recharged for a while. One day he said “You would be a great personal trainer (PT) – you should give it a go”. Before I knew it, I had completed my PT course and was training clients. That was approximately 8 years and thousands of PT sessions ago.

What has been your biggest fitness/sporting moment?
Training myself to compete in triathlons.

What has been your most challenging physical experience?
Overcoming a shoulder reconstruction operation to be able to train and play golf to an acceptable standard.

How do you motivate clients who are struggling to complete/commit to a workout?
I remind clients of why they do PT and the long-term benefits of being fit and healthy.

What have you learnt in your years of training other people?
How to connect with clients on all levels and be aware of their training needs. How to keep sessions interesting.

Who is your fitness idol? Why?
That would be Tiger Woods. Not for his off-course antics, but for his commitment to training to such a high level to help him be No. 1 in the world. Tiger endured numerous knee and back surgeries, then trained and returned to golf to win major tournaments. He was also the first ever billionaire golfer.

What is one exercise/skill you wish you could have/ do have?
I still hold the Recharged records for Wall Sit and Plank Hold, which I am proud of. I can also do one-armed push ups.

You might not want to hear this, but spot training isn’t what you think it is. Yes you can target specific muscle groups and build up bulging biceps or a peachy butt however that involves a tightly managed diet and exercise combination. If you are searching for a specific thigh gap or an 8-pack then it is probably easier to develop body positivity and love your unique shape than use spot exercises to chase someone else’s body shape. Recharged Personal Trainers understand the science behind body composition and won’t promise results we can’t deliver.

Understanding your leg muscles.

The legs are made up of interconnected muscle groups such as the quadriceps femoris, the central rectus femoris, and the three vasti: the vastus intermedius, medialis, and lateralis. You might be more familiar with terms like quads, glutes and calves. Bulking up muscle means working with a calorie surplus and converting those calories to muscle. Stripping fat means eating to a calorie deficit but maintaining enough protein to preserve muscle.

If you want toned, shapely legs you need to balance your workouts across all the muscle groups and above all, SQUAT!

Squat till you drop.

Squats can come in many forms but they all leave you trembling if you do them right. A personal trainer will lead you through weighted squats using a cage or barbell and offer complementary exercises like leg press, bulgarian lunges and crab walks. Resistance bands are a great way to keep up your inner thigh workout at home. You can buy them online or at Big W or K-Mart for a few dollars and then just google ‘resistance band exercises’ or ‘booty band exercises’ to find some inspiration. Pinterest and TikTok have some great ideas too! Make sure you keep your trainer informed of your home routine so they can balance out areas of strength and weakness in your one-on-one sessions.

Your inner thigh workout needs the support of your whole body to be successful. Luckily we are here to support you too.

Get started on a flexible routine with one of our personal trainers.