Welcome to Flatline – the hardest workout in world that pushes you to the limit.... literally
When does your fitness class cross the line from fitness training to fight for life?
Well prepare for Flatline in 2017 a session so extreme that they have a cardiologist on hand just in case.
Gymbox in London has finally decided that the ultimate fitness class is one that you might not walk away from.
The 45 minute session is an extreme circuit class that has participants take part in seven different exercises, repeated four or five times.
As well as the stations themselves, clients are asked to wear a 12kg weighted vest as they make their way around the circuit, safe in the knowledge that there is a stretcher and Oxygen mask ready to help them on the way to A& E if required.
I’m sure that many of you have filled out a PAR Q at your gym, but how many of you have been presented with an organ donor form too?
Yes GymBox want to be sure that if you do die during the class, you can relax knowing your organs will be harvested in the best way possible, and let’s face it, those organs will probably be in great shape too.
Heart monitors are placed on everyone taking part so you can watch your own and others progress on a big screen while you workout.
This adds another element to the session as you struggle to try and keep up with the other participants who are doing better than you.
Attempting a fitness session called Flatline that has paramedics standing by, is like flying off on holiday on a plane called Crash Land, and being fitted with a parachute when you get on board.
In it’s defence, the class has been designed for people who really want to push themselves to the limit, the recent glut of high intensity classes such as Metafit and Insanity, has perhaps created an audience for this type of session.
As we move towards a time of year that is traditionally a jumping on point for people that want to get fit, the danger is that high intensity classes may seem the place to be.
The reality is that entry level classes should be more high profile so that people can take part in exercise and find their feet slowly and safely.
Yes, we may want a body to die for but do we need to think long and hard about that statement when going to take part in a fitness class?