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There’s nothing
like observing a muscular performance - a great win, easily
sustained momentum, prowess under pressure - to revitalise
your own intention to glow with health. Here, we provide the
inspiration to try three physical pursuits, with how-tos and
why-fors from expert trainers. Step off the treadmill and
into the shoes of a mountain biker, two dancers and a swimmer.
You’re sure to find a good fit.
Niki Gudex
"On yer bike", is no longer
a line to deflect unwanted attention - it's more a call to
action. Professional mountain bike rider Niki Gudex is proving
women who saddle up can go far.
The Sydneysider
began downhill racing in 1999, before shifting her attention
to the sport’s other major competitive division, cross
country, 18 months ago. “Cycling works your whole body
- your arms, calves, thighs, butt, even your stomach,”
says the 1.65 m, 50 kg athlete.
Sponsored by Oakley
and Intense Bikes, Gudex is now the National Cross Country
Series Champion and has her sights set on this year’s
Olympics (cross country debuted at the Olympics in 1996; Gudex
is now in Australia’s Olympic Shadow team). “It’d
be awesome to be there, and pretty amazing after such a short
period of time.” Her goal means committing to an average
of 500 kilometres cycling a week, weight training three times
a week, and the oddities (grilled fish for breakfast) of a
competitor’s high protein diet.
“It is really
exhilarating and rewarding,” says Gudex, and “only
as dangerous as you make it,” she adds, citing speed
as the main risk. “When I’m on the bike,” she
says, “I don’t feel hindered or constrained. You’re
so involved in the moment and what you are doing that nothing
else matters.”
Mountain Biking
You thought
spin classes were tough. Mountain biking, which has attracted
Jamie Lee Curtis and 2 Fast 2 Furious star Paul Walker, takes
riding to a new level. Because it’s off road, it demands
a specialised bike. There are two major mountain biking disciplines:
downhill riding, which Tony Scott, President of Mountain Biking
Australia, describes as “the more extreme side of mountain
biking”, and cross country, which emphasises endurance.
Your whole body is put to work as you negotiate steep hills,
rocky terrain and obstructed paths. Challenging? You bet,
but, says Damian Grundy, national mountain bike cross country
coach at Cycling Australia: “In most cases, you’re
in a very quiet bush setting - it’s beautiful.”
Getting Started
“A bike shop is the best port of call,” says Grundy;
you’ll find out about equipment and local trails. Alternatively,
contact your state’s cycling organisation or view the
Mountain Bike Australia website, mtba.asn.au, for clubs near
you.
What You Need
- A bike! “I would recommend people budget $450 for the
bike, without accessories,” says Grundy.
- Sunblock and clothing: bright, light jerseys and bike shorts
(knicks have a built in chamois for extra padding), to prevent
chafing.
- A helmet. “It should be well ventilated,” says
Scott, adding, “if you are doing downhill, body armour
is a good idea.”
- Gloves. “If you crash, your hand is the first thing
you put down,” says Grundy.
- A hydration pack, such as a Camelbak, to carry water as
well as essential bike repair equipment.
Results
“You lose weight if you’ve got weight to lose,”
says Grundy. “It’s a great cardiovascular workout
and really good for the legs.” Lee Campbell, Sydney based
director of B.Firm Fitness Studio, adds, “You’ve
got to lift your bike over bumps and push it around,”
which gives you an all over workout, and “the tougher
the terrain, the more you’ll burn.”
Words: Jessica Irvine.
Photographed by David Mandelberg.
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