iafrica.com's Rob Peters is two weeks into his quest to get into shape. Follow his journey below!

It's 6am on Monday, and not only am I awake, I am on a treadmill — short of breath and wondering why the hell I am doing this to myself.

Group training is part and parcel of the Transfit regime. Made up of around six-to-eight people, the motivation each member of the group provides one another goes a long way in ensuring that you push yourself to the limit. So does ego unfortunately…

Monday is the official start to my 'Shaping Up' challenge and, as is the norm for any male (if you're male and reading this you will undoubtedly agree), my ego dictates a frenetic start. When the guy next to you is running at 10, you must, of course, run at 10.5. It is law.

Unfortunately, with the treadmill merely acting as a warm-up, I am shattered before the session even begins.

The group session is made up of circuit training, split by cardio, and brief (make that very brief) recovery periods. The exercises differ with each class, meaning monotony never sets in, while the trainers (who arrive before 5am!) create the circuit before each session, ensuring that you receive a full body workout at maximum intensity.

The session is led by two of Transfit's trainers, which not only means double the motivation, but also — much to my dismay — leaves little room for slackers.

John and Craig are in charge of my first session and John, in particular, is making it his mission to ensure I push myself to the limit. Unfortunately, I hit breaking point midway through the second rotation on the circuit and come close to collapse.

John reveals a softer side and puts me on the treadmill to recover…

By the end of the session I am a broken man. One day in and I am already shattered, but feeling strangely euphoric about the whole experience.

Bring your A-game!

After my near-death experience in group, John's e-mail on Wednesday morning is a touch ominous: "BRING YOUR A-GAME! SEE YOU AT 4…". Knowing full well that my 'A-game' and John's A-game are likely to be realms apart, I find myself breaking out in a cold sweat. It will not be the last time I sweat today.

Since Monday, my legs had began to seize up (I blame the squats and lunges). The stairs in the office, once merely a means to reach the second floor, are suddenly seen as an obstacle to overcome. This causes much mirth for the Primedia Online accountant, who has yet to accept my invitation to attend a group session — I am not certain, but perhaps the grimace of pain at each step I take is acting as a deterrent.

I find myself standing motionless for extended periods, partly because it offers some relief from the pain, but primarily it is because I am too afraid to move my legs. As my appointment with John nears, I begin to fear the worst.

All starts off quite well with John. My warm-up on the treadmill reveals a brisker pace than when I did my initial assessment, while I am able to keep the conversation going with John (without pausing for breath in between), and by the time I begin the circuit part of the workout I am feeling quite satisfied with myself.

A mishap with an exercise ball changes all that…

The exercise in question appears in the handy video running with this article, but the result is a painful wrench in the stomach region. I would say abs, but that would entail having muscle, and needless to say at this point in my journey that would not be the truth. The net result of this unfortunate occurrence is that for the remainder of my workout I am nursing an 'injury'. I briefly consider that this might be resultant of being pushed too hard too soon, while John explains that it is just a slight abdominal strain which occurs sometimes when you start training after a period of inactivity.

Much as I hate to admit it, John is probably right…

It's 6am and I am back on a treadmill

As Friday rolls around my stiff legs are joined by a dodgy shoulder, a tender stomach and an aching back — leaving my body feeling like a rusty tin. It's 6am and I am back on the treadmill…

My final session of the week is being led by Simon and Chris — two man-mountains with permanent grins attached to their faces. Their enthusiasm is infectious and despite being warned of Simon's penchant for destroying you in group, I am quite looking forward to what lies ahead.

Remarkably, despite the pain I am feeling, I find myself pushing harder than ever. Mentally, I am beginning to feel the effects of the work I have done earlier in the week and the group dynamic goes a long way in pushing me on. Despite a brief moment late in the session — involving a tractor tire and near-vomit — I am quite chuffed with myself.

Simon, meanwhile, lives up to his reputation as the enforcer and together with Chris ensures that we enter the weekend on spongy legs. Week one is behind me, but I know that week two will be even harder…

Want to know how week two went? More on page two!


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