For the past 11 weeks (minus off Island trips) I’ve dragged myself out of bed to early morning Eli Sport Adult (AFF) classes with Matthew Casely. I’ve sculpted, shredded, sweated and even swore….but it’s all worth it! Every single class I’ve been pushed WAY beyond my comfort zone and encouraged to rea
ch a new level of fitness.
This class is hardcore; perhaps that’s why Matt “Hard Body” Casely teaches it. When you’re training with a gold winning athlete you know you’re in good hands. In 11 weeks I’ve dropped 12 pounds and 22 inches. Matt’s approach is simple, just do it and with proper form 
In the beginning I’ll admit I couldn’t even do a “proper” push-up. My cardio was poor but my intent was genuine. I wanted to feel fantastically fit in 12 weeks. Or perhaps a little sooner.
On May 4th, half way through my sessions, I was honored to accept the BDC Young Entrepreneur award for PEI at the national gala in Saskatoon. The event was memorable with lots of filming, media interviews and photography. I felt every elegant in my little black Joseph Ribkoff dress, the same dress I returned for a smaller size just two weeks before the event.
Over the weeks my pathetic attempt at a push- up blossomed into being done on a bosu. Yes the ever popular bosu walking push-up. Think plank position on bosu, 1 hand on bosu other on floor, step to side, push down then up and switch arms. The exercise circuits change every day, trust me this class is always a surprise.
Have you ever noticed how many stairs Dynamic Fitness has? Well I’ve counted them, several times, while running. First round single steps, then double, then repeat four times. And in-between sets do 12 squ
ats with dumbbells. I have a love/hate relationship with those stairs but I got to tell you, I really love those dumbbells… and on a good day the squats.
I’ve always found weight lifting enjoyable. When I use to work out at gyms I favored pumping iron to cardio. Eli Sport Adult classes combine weights and cardio in each circuit. Last week Matt made us do a plank, hands holding 10 pound weights, while lifting the weight up into 8 side rows on each side. I can’t even remember what he called it, but I’m happy to say I could actually do it.
The neatest exercise I’ve practiced only once but it was so cool. Matt set the lateral pull down to a heavy weight and I stepped on the bar. My hand gripped the pull up bars on the top of the machine and I pulled my weight up. Then pushed down to create resistance with the weight, and then pull back up. I felt like I was floating.
If you’re serious about getting in shape I highly recommend training at Eli Sport and Dynamic Fitness. Why not join me in the early morning 6:15 class Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning July 4th? Early morning exercise gets your day started the right way, and then you can take the afternoons off for the beach. See you at the gym!