Staying on top of your fitness game is tough – especially when life throws you a curve ball and you’re finding it tough to make the time to keep up with the fitness routine that you set out for yourself. You can take as many workout selfies as you want but if you’re not kicking your own butt by keeping on top of it, you’re going to have to start using some tactical camera angles.
I feel like a bit part of slacking on fitness goals has a lot to do with mundane routines and not switching up HOW you’re staying active. When I was using the same cardio machines every day, for 30 minutes at a time exactly, I didn’t feel motivated to even head to the gym.
About a year ago, I committed to trying new fitness routines, learning about new fitness activities, and finding new limits to push my body to. Because of it, I actually noticed that I was so much more motivated to work out, that it didn’t feel like a chore anymore. Rather, it was a new fun thing to do with a girlfriend or to try out for the first time. It was no longer “I have to go to the gym”.
Now I almost make it a mission to try every new fitness workout or adventure.
Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity to try out Surf Set TO with Bench. Canada, and it definitely wasn’t what I expected. I had heard so much about it: “it’s like surfing indoors” “it’s really hard” “I’m a surfer, and it was challenging” etc., but I had never tried it before (nor have I ever stepped on a surf board before).
The workout was challenging and was a combination of compound movements – everywhere from stretching to strength training. The one constant throughout the experience was developing your core – and enhancing your balance (obviously, because you’re on a surf board). In sum, it is a WHOLE body workout, for sure.
How does it work? These contraptions were essentially a gripped surf board on top of what seemed to look like half bosu balls. The surf board only tilted on each side at 45 degrees (so it doesn’t actually tip over); but let me tell you, tilting and bringing it back to centre definitely puts your core strength into perspective.
Little moves that would be a breeze on the ground were a serious burn on the surf board. You’re engaging so many muscles to accomplish a single movement and it makes you realize how surfers stay so incredibly fit. The hour workout definitely brings you out of your comfort zone and the day after, you’re feeling sore in muscle areas you didn’t even know existed. It’s amazing!
Surf Set does have a pretty wide variety of levels and types of classes you can choose from, so if you don’t want to do high intensity you can opt for a Balance class (I personally am loving the Burn classes).
Make sure to drink lots of water (you sweat like crazy and definitely need it almost every 5 minutes 
) during the hour (they prompt you to as well). Also, don’t wear sweat pants or anything baggy. Something tight, fitted, and flexible is a must. I sported my favourite printed tank from Bench. (that reminds me of an optical illusion) and my Bench. black leggings. In retrospect though, I think I should have worn shorts. I was burning up towards the end of the hour. I even wore a my Cat Eye Cool Bench. sweater, thinking I might be chilly – I was so wrong.
In short, the workout was awesome. I felt like I did weights, floor work, and yoga all in that one hour – but on a surf board. If you’ve never done it before, I would definitely go and try it. If you’re a surfer, you’ll probably feel right at home though. For me, it was definitely a fitness challenge. I would definitely head back there again – hopefully the next time, I’ll be less shaky and kill those pseudo waves 
Would you try this Surf Set workout? How do you stay excited about fitness?
