I feel like I am about to embark on my first day in a new job, I’m THAT nervous. I’m about to have my first proper training session with Nike Master Trainer, Sonja Moses. My nerves are irrational, after all I’m doing this to better myself aren’t I? Nevertheless the thought of working out in front of a super athlete brings me out in a cold sweat.

First things first, Sonja wants to see how I use the machines in the gym. I’m faced with what I soon come to call ‘the death machine’, it’s a hybrid of a cross trainer and a step machine. I’m not ashamed to admit that I passionately hate the step machine but I’m usually quite nifty on a cross trainer. Not so with this horrid machine, after 10 minutes my vision starts to blur and I feel like I’m going to faint (ok, so I’m being a little melodramatic but it certainly wasn’t a nice experience). Sonja is on hand to turn up the intensity and correct my technique – to use my arms more and pull in my navel and hold my tummy to engage my ‘core’.

The rowing machine is a whole new experience for me, the technique I have been using in the gym up until now is clearly all wrong. Under Sonja’s guidance I’m soon crossing a larger distance in a shorter space of time. My core stays engaged and my arms and wrists are straight.

Next up, the running machine (being of ample bosom, this is normally the contraption I avoid but in this case it’s necessary). The speed and inclination are scary but I can soon feel the muscles down the backs of my legs working.

Sonja explains that using weights is a great way to speed up my metabolism so I enlist for Body Pump (a weights class to music). To prepare me for my class and so I am familiar with the moves, Sonja takes me through the correct way to pump iron (I will post a ‘how to’ blog later in the week). I never thought I would see the day where I would be lifting weights but I did and to my surprise, I actually rather enjoyed it.