Ritual: The 30-minute gym for busy people

When it comes to health and fitness there is one thing that I am a big advocate of and that’s #NoExcuses.

I come across all kinds of excuses from people about why they can’t keep up a regular workout routine. Excuses range from “I work long hours”, to ‘I forgot my gym clothes at home”, to “I’m really exhausted at the end of the day”, but the one that takes the trophy is “I don’t have the time to fit in a training session in my busy schedule”.

Well, in comes Ritual, the 30-minute gym to the rescue. This gym by far tops the charts at curbing all excuses. Here are 10 reasons why:

1. They promise that you can be in and out in 30 minutes. Check in, train, shower, refuel and out the door all in a space of half an hour.

2. The workout is a high intensity interval training session, which means a hard 20 minutes is more than enough.

3. The workout is always a well-balanced, full body routine.

4. You don’t need to think about the training session, it’s prepared for you.

5. There are three levels: beginner (level one) to intermediate (level two) to advanced (level three) for different fitness levels.

6. You don’t need to bring gym clothes, they will give you free shorts and a T-shirt.

7. You can train barefoot because of the shock absorbent flooring.

8. You receive a training and a shower towel upon arrival.

9. There are complimentary products to shower and freshen up with afterwards, including deodorant and body lotion.

10. The sessions are every 30 minutes from early morning until late. What I particularly like about this gym is the intimacy. The group training classes only cater for 10 people per 30-minute time-slot.

The studio is split into 10 identical exercises pods with varying weights, but all the equipment is the same so you never have to wait for equipment. The classes are run by a qualified coach who ensures you use the equipment safely in the correct posture.

The sessions are a mix of functional exercises and free weights and suspension ropes exercises.

Sessions are booked through the Ritual app and can be secured from two days in advance to two minutes before a session.

There are different types of memberships. They offer six or 12 months memberships or session packages where you can purchase 10, 25 or 50 sessions.

I personally think Ritual is a fantastic solution for the time squeezed businessman/businesswoman, corporate, busy mom or that person who wants an efficient, straight to the point workout that doesn’t require them to spend more than an hour in the gym.

You can pop in during tea time, lunch time or on your way home. All you have to do is find half an hour in your day and show up.

There are two Ritual Gyms in Johannesburg so far, one in Sandton at the Thrupps Centre in Illovo and the other in Fourways at The Pineslopes Shopping Centre.

The gym encourages you to book for 14-day trial sessions on their website prior to committing to a contract or package. Just remember, 30 minutes is only 2% of your 24-hour-day.

Other factors that set Ritual gyms apart are:

• You don’t have to sign up for a membership immediately. You can do a one or two week trial and then decide if Ritual is for you.

• Staff members don’t have a sales quota to achieve, so you won’t get the hard sell or be coerced into signing a contract. It’s entirely based on whether the efficiency and flexibility of Ritual Gym fits into your schedule.

• You don’t have to step on a scale or be measured for a body assessment. They don’t put you under any pressure.

• You can temporarily suspend your membership if work requires you to travel a lot.

• Everything is digital, so you don’t need to lug around a membership card. Sessions are booked on the app and on arrival for your session, you check in on an iPad at the front desk.

Letshego is a qualified biokineticist and co-founder of PopUpGym. Follow her on Instagram: @letshego.zulu Twitter: @letshegom Facebook: Letshego Zulu

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