FORM OVER REPS

At 1Rebel (and especially in my classes) whether you’re joining us for Reshape, Ride, Rumble or Reformer, the goal is always to encourage you to move with control, intention, and focus. 

If you’re guilty of flying through your reps without thinking about your body or the muscles you’re targeting, it’s time to slow down and connect to where you should feel it. Zoe here, Senior Master Trainer at 1Rebel and after 9+ years here I will always champion form over the number of reps. 

We all know that feeling; you’re sweating, your heart rate is up and you wanna power through the reps BUT you want to make sure you’re moving like a well-oiled machine and that you’re making every rep count. 

In your sessions, when your Trainer provides cues and coaching points – listen up. We’re not just filling the time or trying to sound smart; our words are carefully used to help you move well, with purpose and without injury. Once you’ve seen the demo, start training and try to absorb the details that follow. Little adjustments can make an exercise go from good to excellent and the little gems of knowledge will help you fine tune your form and give you confidence to nail the move and then level up. 

Whether it’s feeling the burn in Reformer or lifting heavier in Reshape you want it to feel hard, yes, but also good. If your body is saying ‘hold up’ then it’s probably not quite right, so don’t just grin and bear it, give us a nod or wave during a session or chat with us after because we’re always here to help you get it right. (An off-peak, less busy class is always a good idea too if you’re looking for extra attention). 

A simple example is holding a plank; implement the coaching cues from your Trainer, nail your positioning, and then aim to hold it well for as long as you can. Push for 5-10 more seconds than your brain wants you to, then reset. Accumulating time in a solid plank is going to be more beneficial than desperately not dropping to your knees and ending up with your bum way up in the air pretty much doing a down dog.

There will be times, usually nearer the end of the session when we ask for a certain number of reps, an AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible) or we set a challenge to complete at speed – but the goal is still the same – pick up the pace but keep it smooth. That means as fast as your form allows you to go. If you start to lose control or feel things slipping, slow down and reset. Form over Reps every time. 

So, in your next 1Rebel session, if you don’t already, I really urge you to focus on how you move. A few well-done reps will do wonders compared to a hundred dodgy ones. 

We don’t want you leaving class limping, we want you strutting out with pride and achievement, ready to come back for more.

Zoe