No Fees, No Queues! Getting in Serious Shape with The Perfect Home Gym.
How Louise Burwood, a mother and member of the VERVE Squad, has powered up and powered through lockdowns.
Q. Tell us about your journey and what inspired you to create a home gym?
Before weightlifting, I focussed my efforts on boxing. I loved the sport and all that came with that. After having kids, I felt I could not maintain my 'pre-kids' training routine and became frustrated with what I achieved at each session.
The fatigue I experienced from each session impacted my family life. One night I watched Eddie Hall's strongman documentary and thought weights could be something to consider, but strongman/women or bodybuilding was not something I'd thought about at that stage. My nutrition was just not there; it wasn't remotely close.
I started at the basics, just doing weight training classes at my local gym, which were great, but it was not enough. I wanted something technical to learn, like boxing but with the added focus of having targets.
Weightlifting fitted the bill for me.
I got some basic coaching at the local gym but ended up wanting some proper weightlifting coaching and programming, so I trained with Tom out of Burleigh Barbell.
Unfortunately, due to family and work commitments, I could only make the gym once a fortnight, but Tom writes me plans for the sessions in between, so I still attend the local gym for those.
Then COVID hit, and the gym world I loved and saved for me was gone, as did many others scrambled for equipment, but it was not to be. After recommendations from Tom, I set up an order with Verve and thus, my home gym was born.
Training at home fits into my lifestyle much better and means I can easily schedule training when it suits my family and me, and with no travel time, it cuts down the time needed to fit in a session. I can also drop the weights at my leisure without any complaints. I have terrific neighbours.
Q. What type of training do you focus on?
Purely weightlifting. I love it, the incremental increases you make, those small 1% changes you can make, how body aware you must be and how consistent you must be in showing up to every session to practice. I am also amazed at how training for just two lifts can encompass many training moves; weight training isn't dull.
Q. How has a home gym changed your life?
Hugely – My training is more consistent, and because of the home gym, I was able to up my sessions from two a week to three, which has made a big difference with my numbers and given me the confidence to show up for club competitions.
Q. How often do you use your home gym?
I train three times a week, but once a fortnight or so, I go up to the Burleigh Barbell Club, so five times a fortnight.
Q. Does your home gym inspire other Members in your household?
I think it is a combination of my home gym and seeing me showing up regularly. I have been motivated to train for quite a good portion of my life. I love it and do not find it a chore in the slightest.
I had coached some of my friends to box in my backyard when they wanted to get fit, and they consistently showed up. I competed with a friend during the COVID lockdown to complete workouts set by a local fitness company and kept a tally of how we went to keep us motivated. I am always striving for the next level for me, and I think I'm good at setting these goals and working out the system you need to get there.
Q. How do you compare your fitness level now vs before you created your home gym?
For what I need in terms of weightlifting abilities, it is significantly better. Being able to train three times a week has made a real difference, and for what equipment I lack in my home gym now, I perform in my sessions at the Barbell Club.
Q. Your top 3 pieces of must-have VERVE gym home equipment and why?
Barbell, weight plates, and rack – This equipment has everything I need for my weight training, and I love the simplicity of them.
Q. What does it mean to you to be part of the VERVE SQUAD?
Most of the time, I train alone (or at least with non-weightlifters around). So, it is nice to be part of a community where you can discuss results, discuss equipment, critique technique, and inspire and encourage each other.
Q. How important is it for you to inspire your kids with health and fitness?
Health and wellness are essential, but I do not think I realised this until recently. When I boxed out of my garage, my little two-year-old would join in with my sprints, we'd run down to the end of the drive and back, and now that I'm weightlifting, I set up my little girl with a broomstick and my change plates so she can lift during my rest time.
My friend's little girl was seeing me train during COVID and was inspired to train. She must have seen me setting up week in week out and decided she should have a go. It is not always the best in a sport that inspires people; it can also be everyday people who show up, have a go, and do their best regularly.
Parents are such huge inspirations for their children, and children are the most significant sponges on the planet when it comes to learning. They pick up on every detail, so setting them up with the right values is essential, and training for me brings so much of that to life.
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