Super star member Bexy

Fitness is Fun team member profile

Name: Bexy Churton

When did you join FIF: February 2014, but had a year break while I went traveling, had to come back once I moved back home

Biggest change in myself physically: having muscles! They may not be obvious, but I can feel them working, and the hurt the day or two later is defiantly worth it.

Biggest change mentally: feeling more confident with my body, I have learnt to accept my body for what it is and I think that comes from some of the people I train with, no one is a body builder with an extremely toned body (sorry girls), they are all happy and fun loving people, who have shown me that being healthy and aware of your body is greater for your mind than having 0% fat.

Bexy 2014 and 2016 doing deadlifts

What is your favourite FIF moment: I love entering the events, doing the Hamilton half and the Hawkes Bay half were a huge amount of fun. Having the rest of the group to cheer on, and cheering you on makes the events a whole lot more fun. After the Hamilton half we organised a picnic, and for Hawkes Bay the group of us had the weekend away together.

Hawkes bay half marathon, team weekend away.

"I love entering the events, doing the Hamilton half and the Hawkes Bay half were a huge amount of fun. Having the rest of the group to cheer on, and cheering you on makes the events a whole lot more fun."

Hamilton Half team event

What is something you have gained from being part of FIF: before I started with FIF I was quite into running, I had done a lot of half marathons, and two full marathons. But with the strength training and speed work combined with the competitiveness from the rest of the group, my pace picked up making me faster and more comfortable while doing long distance runs.

First day at FIF: It was tough; Anna and I were laughing the other day about how I struggled with an 8kg kettlebell, and was extremely sore afterwards. But I remember coming along and expecting it to be a bunch of people grunting and a trainer yelling at us to move our butts, but it was none of that, just a group of lovely people who were motivated for various reasons, one of them being the lovely trainer Anna.

"I remember coming along and expecting it to be a bunch of people grunting and a trainer yelling at us to move our butts, but it was none of that, just a group of lovely people who were motivated for various reasons, one of them being the lovely trainer Anna."

What are your hobbies or interests outside of FIF: playing with my puppy, running, skiing in winter and lots of time at the beach in summer and reading a good book or enjoying a nice glass of wine.

Most memorable workout: it may have been raining all day but as soon as 6pm comes along the weather clears enough and we hardly ever have to train in the rain, it’s called Anna’s magic touch. But one day, while Anna was away, it absolutely bucketed down raining. We were soaked to the core, but no one cared as we all enjoyed the workout and had a great time, before enjoying hot showers once home.

"it absolutely bucketed down raining. We were soaked to the core, but no one cared as we all enjoyed the workout and had a great time, before enjoying hot showers once home."

Raining session at Hinemoa park

Least Favourite workable: anything that includes bear crawls, you can get Anna to demonstrate them, but I can guarantee you won’t look as graceful as her, and they are definitely more challenging that she makes them look.

Any advice for people just getting started: It can seam daunting trying something different, but the group of people quickly become your friends. I love the encouragement that comes from the group, there is different exercises that each person struggles with, but those are times that the rest of the group gets behind you and pushes you on, making you feel the sense of achievement once you are done, you’ll most likely be shattered, but I don’t doubt that you won’t be willing to come back the next week.

Thank you very much for your support and continuing hard work and enthusiasm Bexy.