‘There’s a genuine sense of community within F45 Bristol’

Can 45 minutes change your life?

Two years ago, if you’d said I would be regularly exercising at 7am in the morning, I would have pulled a muscle laughing. My life was really the standard long working hours and post-work drinks. But it all changed when my stress levels hit an all-time high. My fitness was at an all-time low. It wasn’t the best mix. I needed to do something to burn the stress out and become fitter. That was when I saw a flyer for F45 Bristol Central on All Saints Street.

F45 combines a range of exercise styles to get your lungs, heart and muscles going. All done and dusted in, you guessed it, 45 minutes. Given how hectic things were for me, it sounded ideal. So I decided to check out their videos.

That’s when I went a bit Downton Abbey

The videos were very glossy. Very American. All teeth and muscles. Now, I’m thoroughly English. I don’t like to make a fuss. I’m less of the whooping and high fives. More nod of the head and (pre-pandemic) a firm handshake. Their strapline is ‘Team training. Life changing’. My immediate reaction back then? I thought the person who wrote that probably needed a bit of a sit down. A strong cup of tea. Maybe a scone.

But I really liked the idea of a compact 45-minute session

And I guessed that the videos were not necessarily made with the UK market specifically in mind. So, I decided to push on. After all, it was just 45 minutes, a free trial, I had nothing to lose.

As I headed into my first session, I was very nervous

I expected my middle-aged paunch to be welcomed by people with muscles carved out of stone. Like in the videos. I thought I’d be judged, which can happen in some gyms. There was no judgement. And among the super-fit people there were plenty of people just like me. There was a really welcoming air about the place.

Most importantly, the atmosphere was so welcoming

The coaches introduced themselves to me. We had a chat about my exercise history (zero recently) and health (okay, I guess?). They talked me through the process. And with that, we started.

Rajnish Razdan with coach Kate Alex – photo: F45 Bristol Central

All the way through I was able to control my own pace. if I was too tired, I could stop

45 minutes later, my lungs felt like they were on fire. But I felt good. And I must confess I even managed to high five at the end. Thankfully, I can confirm there was no whooping. This was 45 minutes well spent. Something I could easily fit into my day. And with that I decided to go again and before I knew it I was hooked.

Each day has a different routine. You get a good balance of cardio and resistance

45 minutes in and out and I feel great. There are plenty of laughs along the way too. And as they cycle through the different sessions I can see the progress I’m making, which really helps motivate me. It’s two years on now, and I can honestly say I miss it if I don’t go.

There’s a genuine sense of community within F45 Bristol

I can’t imagine not going now. It is very welcoming and friendly. I’ve even got to know some of the other members. It feels good going in. And I feel even better when I come out.

Has my life changed? Well, I’m the fittest I’ve been for decades

I’ve got more energy, and I’m more able to manage the stress in life. I even became really comfortable high fiving – pandemic aside. I still don’t whoop. That’s all too unseemly. You know, maybe F45 is life changing. But in a nicely Bristol way.

To find out more about F45 Bristol Central, visit www.f45training.co.uk/bristolcentral/home and follow them on Instagram at @f45_bristolcentral

Read more: ‘Exercise is so much more than just pushing out reps’

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