Do you occasionally cheat on your reps? Be honest now, it's sorely tempting when you've got a painful dose of DOMS or have had a heavy night of Pubfit with your fellow park members the night before. And you may get away with those missed burpees. Don't rest on your laurels though. When it comes to the sit ups, you might just find you get an extra few or the instructor's eagle eyes are on you, advising on your technique for a while!
Here are the sneakiest skives our Bootcamp Blogger has spotted:
1. Your Shoelace is Undone
You’re out of breath and, like the catchphrase on your t-shirt, your legs are like jelly. Time to have a break by retying your shoelaces. Totally justified on the grounds of health and safety, you tell yourself. Never mind the fact that you’re wearing Saloman no-ties! If you’re busted, turn your attention to your knee support/hair band/lycra wedgie/sports bra instead.
2. You’ve 'twinged a muscle'…
Your face is on fire. Sweat is trickling into your eyes. And it’s only the warm up! Then you hear: “Sprint around your colour cone and back to me.” I just can’t, your negative voice says. That cone’s miles away. Too proud to cry off, you deploy the ‘I’ve got a stitch’ card. Then decide it’s time to hang on to your tight hamstring while stretching it off for a lung-filling 30 seconds, by which time everyone is almost back.
3. You Steal Some Stealth Seconds
You hold the perfect plank or press up position when the instructor is walking past you, but as soon as he or she turns their back – flop! You’re on your knees having a sneaky rest. And why wouldn’t you? We’re all human! Well, apart from that green bib…… he’s a machine.
4. You’ve ‘lost track’ of the numbers
“Hang on! Did he say 20 burpees? I’ve lost count of how many I’ve done. It must be at least six. No, eight, it was probably eight. Actually, I’ve probably done 12 by now. Let’s call it 15… Anyway, time’s up.”
5. You've Got a Partner in Crime
You’re exercising in pairs and the instructor barks out the next agonising manoeuvre. Wordlessly, you read each other’s minds and make a secret pact to cover for each other and basically skive on this next one, while looking a bit busy.
6. You Just Need Something Clarifying
You’re in two ranks, puffing for breath while being briefed on a straightforward abs pyramid mixed with shuttle runs. Time to launch a Mexican wave of delay tactics so you can all have a breather.
“Could you show us that again please?”
“Is that 10 on each leg?”
“Do we run first or do the exercises first?”
“Are blues going around the blue cone?” (Seriously?!)
Don’t think our instructors haven’t noticed, with their professional training and observational skills.
Repeat after me, you’re only cheating yourself!!
P.S. Hat tip to a member from Finsbury Park who suggested this post - though we're assured that he, or she, is as honest as the day is long with his or her workout!