These Girls Can (and so can you)

The This Girl Can campaign from Sport England has been a huge success since it's launch in January. Empowering women to get fit and feel good while doing so, we have been encouraged to sweat, have fun and not give a damn how we look while doing what we love.

You can't have escaped the brilliant campaign, featuring real women (ie not professional athletes) doing sport which makes them happy and not giving in to the fear of being judged. And now, you can not only get the t-shirt (sadly only in pink and white) but also feature in your own poster ad! The best submissions will also be shown on billboards in your county and on the campaigns facebook page.

I cannot get enough of the campaign, the message and these ads. Just brilliant.

Head here to make your poster now and continue to be awesome ladies.

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Into the Open Water - Crandon Runs Friday Photo #33

A roundup of Crandon Runs in one weekly photo

This week has seen me tackle some swimming and last night I did something I once thought I would never do - I willingly went swimming in Salford Quays. 

Anxious before

As part of my forthcoming triathlon, open water swimming is something I need to get used to. So, despite the cold wind and greying skies, I literally took the plunge. Thankfully I had the all round awesome Sheila there to help me navigate the way and chat and laugh with. It was surprisingly warmer than I thought, and way more fun than expected. Full post is coming soon but in the mean time enjoy these before and after shots!

Open water - I didn't drown

Crandon Runs goes trampolining

The BBC recently looked at whether trampolining was better for you than running. Apparently since then, fitness trampolining classes have been booked out with people ready to take the jump. I went along to Jump Nation with my two friends Mel and Chantal, to see what the fuss was about. Incidentally, it did take us ages to book on! 

Fitness Trampolining

As soon as I got on the trampoline, I literally could not stop smiling. It was just so much fun. I defy you to get on a trampoline and be unhappy. If you are feeling a little blue and down in the dumps today, stop what you are doing and go get yourself on to a trampoline immediately - I guarantee you will feel instantly happier. More than happy: deliriously joyful.

Like most fitness classes, the instructor led the class from the front on her own trampoline, higher than the rest of us so you can all see what to do. She took us through a 45 min class to pumping music. We started off with a warm up including some bouncing, holding arms out which is more intense than it sounds due to the resistance, and doing various different jumps. The class then got progressively harder and as well as different jumps, also included loads of squats, push ups, sit ups and other exercises which were harder whilst also trying to hold your balance on the trampoline. I forgot how much fun it was to work out to loud music too and after the class I really felt like I'd had a good work out.

We have since been back, and whilst the second time was still really fun, as with any fitness class the enjoyment and quality of the class really depends on the instructor. Our second time was not as good instructor wise but we still got to go and spend an evening jumping about on trampolines like total loons.

All through the classes I had a smile on my face and I think this has to be the most enjoyable fitness class I've ever taken. I kept thinking of the scene from 'Big' and wishing I was like Tom Hanks and had one in my flat.

Get yourself down to a class for some fitness fun - puff ball skirts are optional.