Let's get FUN-ctional!

The thought of doing anything repeatedly, in a consistent manner, can seem boring, even before getting started. However, a well-rounded fitness programme that adopts best practices in a gradual fashion towards specific goals is not only rewarding but fun as well. Just remember, until you get started it will seem difficult. However, half the battle is simply showing up. Once you get into a proper routine, good habits and consistency (with a bit of fun) will motivate and accelerate your efforts towards your esteemed goals.

The following is geared to help you reap the benefits of exercise, rest and healthy eating. Be sure to consult a medical doctor before attempting any form of exercise or nutrition programme.
1. Training schedule
2. Diversified workouts
3. Body-weight routines
4. Rest
5. Balanced diet

Training schedule

Once you have set your goals, be it weight loss, reduction in body-fat percentage, cholesterol, glycemic index count or the like, you are now ready to create a schedule of when to train. Goal setting is vital to identifying your specific type of mission. Following ‘Joe's body-building workout regimen’ from your neighbourhood gym, while you are targeting weight loss, can be disastrous!

These days, we are busy with so much in our personal and professional lives, and for this reason it is important to be realistic with your schedule and identify alternate days of training. You can find as many excuses as you like, but results don't come from excuses; they come from actual training.

For best results, target a minimum of three and a maximum of six days per week of at least 20-30 minutes of exercise per workout. Remember, exercise is not necessarily going to the gym. Walking, jogging, calisthenics and stretching all count, but you want to vary your programme, as we'll discuss later to make it fun and to maximise your efforts. The gym does have the advantage of protecting you from the elements outside and providing motivation from its members. So, having a local gym membership close to your home or work is advantageous to meeting a demanding schedule while inspiring you to follow through regardless of what may arise during the course of the day.

Diversified workouts

'Chest Day', 'Leg Day', 'Shoulder Day'. This type of weekly routine may be fine for body builders targeting areas of the body based on a regimen of growing mass and to address mandatory rest days for muscle groups, but most of us should create a ‘FUN-ctional Day’ of training as part of our weekly programme. Pick a day to power walk to work or to stroll out to a lunch date. Choose a time when you can throw a ball around with the kids or toss a frisbee to the dog in the park.

With enough exertion and consideration of how long you engage in the activity, you will not only take advantage of doing functional movements, but you will build muscle and burn calories, which will help you meet your goals while enjoying everyday life.

Obstacle Course Racing (OCR), Fitness Trainer and General Manager of WarriorFit Gym, Jean-Pierre Nortje, describes functional training like this, "Functional training is patterns to create movements. By that I mean, exercises to make daily living, such as race preparation, learning to walk, neurological stimulation, etc., more comfortable and better for your physical well being."

Jeep Warrior Race recently launched South Africa's first WarriorFit Gym in Silver Lakes, Pretoria. Unlike most gyms that contain only free weights, cardio equipment and circuit training machines, WarriorFit is loaded with obstacles just like at the races hosted by Jeep Warrior Race. It is the perfect spot for OCR enthusiasts to prepare for their next race, but also a good opportunity for anyone looking for a unique way to enhance FUN-ctional fitness in their programme.

"Obstacle races across the world are becoming really popular. I have found that most people at our Jeep Warrior Races want to train smarter and harder to complete obstacles that they struggle with during a race. A small innovative obstacle course in a gym format simulates an OCR event for technical training, and an awesome workout," says Jean-Pierre.

WarriorFit boasts walls to scale, ropes to climb, monkey bars to traverse and tyres to pull, amongst other obstacles.

All in the name of fun and fitness, you have the opportunity to enjoy the challenge that can also benefit you in everyday life. You'll have so much fun doing it, you'll forget that you're actually training. It is a real grownup's playground.

"WarriorFit Gyms will be offering sessions for kids and team building. This will be a good precursor to an entry-level fun race, like Jeep Wacky Warrior, which sees kids as young as six-years-old enter,” says Jean-Pierre.