According to Google, fitness trends have reached insane heights. There are a million and one workout routines to choose from and fitness clubs are popping up all over like Omajovas (1) on an ant hill after good Namibian rainfall. Suddenly everybody is on their toes and elbows planking, kettle balls and yoga mats are taking over the car boot and workout clothes are getting sexier by the day. Don’t get me started on the gadgets. For instance the SmartMat Yoga Mat. This thing is beyond amazing; it syncs with an app to track when you're out of alignment and gives you verbal, real-time feedback on how to correct your poses; pretty neat right?
All these kinds of gadgets and great gyms make fitness and exercise a little bit more fun. It keeps us motivated but sometimes you don’t need all these kind of gadgets and a pair of fancy pants to be fit. Let’s face it, running is cheaper than therapy.
I want to give you a little insight to how we keep fit at the lodges. We all know fitness plays a very important role in our lives, and in this case its 50 shades of….. desert!
Welcome to the bush gym of Namib Desert Lodge!
The entire track is about 4km long and is broken down into basically 4 stages with fitness stations in between. (4kms? This has got to be a joke right)
Tie your shoes and let’s get running. It seems tough at first but even if you think you are slower than internet explorer on a 90’s dial up connection, at least just try your best.
The first part of the track is something between a walk, jog and a sandy pace with two fitness stations.
The jog
Neatly placed at these stations are all kinds of great workout gadgets to tone and work on those beautiful muscles. We all know fitness is not just about jogging and sweating. You have to do exercises that shape your back, your triceps, legs, tummy and everything in between.
To achieve maximum strength and core and to have that beach or rather desert body, there are exercises to reach maximum sexy status. There is the very popular plank, mixed together with burpees, donkey kicks, leg circles, squats, jumpin jacks and heavy lifting. **** Warning: If it’s too heavy get a friend to help you lift.
Lifting with a friend
Achieving success
Stretches
A very popular exercise, that is even worse than a plank, is dipping. We call it the tyre dip. You are not allowed to use your hands and have to stay in that position.
My name is Dip... Tyre Dip
Between stations 2 and 3, another 1km, normal jogging is not allowed anymore. There are signs indicating what kind of exercise you have to do while jogging. This is made up of the side jog, back kicks and high kicks.
Exercise signs
Jogging with a twist
Team work is a very important part of exercising.
Lift those legs
(To me this is the easiest way to lift my legs and not end up with my face in the sand like an ostrich)
Staff and management keep fit
Resting is compulsory.
Another 2km of jogging will get you safely back to the lodge.
When you are at Namib Desert Lodge, please remember to ask around if you can join the bush gym.
**** No lodge staff were harmed in the making of this blog.
(1) Omajova is the commonly-used Herero name for termite hill mushrooms that are harvested in Namibia. Its scientific name is Termitomyces schimperi.
Jessica Thomas is a local freelance writer. She is an eccentric young lady who has a love affair with writing. Get on board her journey of discovery.
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