Mountaineering Division | Hillwalking

INTRODUCTION TO HILLWALKING

EVENT DATE: SAT 03 JULY 2021

LOCATION: GALLOWAY FOREST, DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

DURATION: DAY EVENT (PLAN ON BEING AWAY ALL DAY!)

FITNESS LEVEL: BASIC

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: NONE

EXPERIENCE GAINED FROM COURSE: INTRO TO HILLWALKING

EVENT OVERVIEW:

Whether you are completely new to hillwalking, or you're already a seasoned Munro-bagger, if you want to attend any of our future hillwalking/mountaineering events, you must first complete this mandatory day event where we teach you the basics on taking to the hills, how to use the mandatory kit you were asked to bring, and of course how to pack that kit correctly.

This might sound like an insult to some, but if we have to wait for you pulling your sandwiches and kitchen sink out your bag just to get to your waterproofs as a storm brews, then you better believe you won't be popular!

As with everything Marine Fitness, the focus is on the group as a whole and working together, looking our for each other, and of course teamwork. It doesn't matter who is the fittest, least fit, most experienced, least experienced, we are all equal and treated as such throughout.

The aim of the Mountaineering Division is to create a solid, professional team of individuals that has the confidence to take to the higher and more challenging peaks over time. Everyone will know what is expected of them and the standards to maintain. We all have to start somewhere though, and that somewhere is here and now...

This is a day event climbing the hills in the Dumfries and Galloway area of Scotland. It's a great place to get out in the wilderness and build up fitness, confidence and experience in one of the few remaining places that you can feel totally lost in the wilds! The exact meeting location will be published closer to the event date taking place!

The route chosen will require a basic level of fitness but still prove a challenging day out for many, however, if you struggle to walk up the stairs then I recommend you work on that before attending this event! The aim of this event is to start easy, work on the basics, give you a chance to fine-tune your clothing and equipment, and build from here!

MANDATORY BRIEF (READ BEFORE BOOKING):

Safety is always our number one priority and it's important that the whole group, and all individuals within each group, know, understand, and abide by the Marine Fitness Mountaineering 'SOP's' (Standard Operating Procedures) that are taught in our Introduction to Hillwalking day event. In other words, we are all signing from the same songsheet from this day forwards and any newcomers that filter into future events learn the standards before.

Ensure you attend this and all future events with all the kit listed on the Mandatory Kit List! We will do full kit checks prior to every walk and anyone found missing any items will be turned away and unable to complete the day. You ahve been warned!

Hillwalking and mountaineering should be fun, but make no mistake, while you are under the umbrella of the Marine Fitness Mountaineering Division, professionalism will be instilled from day 1, our high standards will be taight, and we expect them to be maintained by each and every person should they wish to remain with us on future events.

I will say it again to emphasise before you book a place, if you are not happy meeting our standards or you think that they are below you due to your already extensive knowledge and experience, then do not book a place. There will be no exceptions and we will not compromise the safety of the group for an individuals ignorance.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Where do you conduct your Personal Training service?

We operate out of our fully equipped Private Personal Training Facility - Marine Fitness Headquarters (MFHQ) located in Ayr, Scotland. You will have this facility all to yourself during you sessions! MFHQ Address: Unit 6 Cambuslea Industrial Estate, Cambuslea Road, Ayr, KA8 9HT SCOTLAND UNITED KINGDOM
I am a member of another gym but would like to use your Personal Training service, do I need to change gyms?"

No! Entry to our fully private gym is included in all of our PT prices. There is no membership required other than your PT bookings.
Why do I need a Personal Trainer?

At Marine Fitness we believe that everyone can benefit from a personal trainer. Whether you are just beginning your fitness journey and lack the confidence and knowledge of where to start, or a regular exerciser needing professional knowledge to enhance the effectiveness of their training regime. A personal trainer will help you to: - Get the most out of your training time - Set short, medium and long term goals to keep you motivated - Break through training ruts or plateaus - Learn new skills - Understand how to train effectively
What does an initial consultation involve?

The initial consultation will last around 45-60mins and is booked at a time convenient to you. This allows you to meet face-to-face with your personal trainer to discuss your goals, current and previous fitness levels, health and wellbeing and your current lifestyle. We also believe it’s important that you can get a feel for the trainer and have full confidence in them before you decide to commit to our services. You will conduct some basic exercises to allow us to establish your current fitness/abilities and then, after the consultation, we will create a bespoke training programme that is specific to you, your goals and your commitments to help you achieve success in the shortest time.
I am a little nervous about Personal Training, what does a typical session involve?"

Each sessions begins with an all-important warm-up to fully prepare the body for exercise. This involves a steady cardio based warmup followed by several dynamic stretches. Many clients prefer to arrive a little early and warm-up on their own so that they have more time to commit to the personal training session. After the warm-up, the trainer will introduce the session, what exercises you will be conducting, what muscle groups you will be using and most importantly, why you are doing them. The trainer’s role is to teach all exercises and ensure they are being performed safely and correctly at a pace that enables you to take it all on board. Some exercises are harder to learn than others, so each session you will fine tune them until you are performing them to the highest standard. Our trainers focus on creating workouts which are not only effective for you, but also fun! At the end of the day you have to work hard for your goals, but if you’re not having fun doing so you will shortly lose focus, and along with it your motivation. After the session is complete, you will conduct a short cool down followed by some stretching/mobility work specific to the workout you have conducted which will help reduce post exercise muscle stiffness and soreness. Health and fitness involves constant education, so you can rest assured, each session you will take something new away and in as little as 2 weeks will be feeling stronger, fitter and healthier both in and out of the gym.
What should I wear to the sessions?

Suitable sports clothing that you feel comfortable in – shorts or jogging bottoms and a t shirt or training vest are perfectly adequate. So long as they don’t restrict your range of movement. A decent pair of trainers is a must – advice can be given if required.
Do I need to bring anything to the session?

The only thing you require to bring is a full water bottle. You may also have your own wearable fitness tracker or heart rate monitor which you are more than welcome to bring along.
Does every exercise session need to be with a Personal Trainer?

If you are completely new to fitness, especially gym based exercise, then we recommend that you begin all your sessions with a trainer to ensure you are exercising safely and effectively, then reduce if required. However, at Marine Fitness, rather than being happy to keep taking money from our clients like many other training companies, our aim is to get our clients to a level that they are comfortable and confident enough to go it alone when they are ready to. Ultimately it is down to you as an individual. Some clients like having a trainer every session to help push them further towards their goals and keep them motivated, others prefer seeing their trainer once or twice per week while conducting the rest of their training by themselves. Whatever your preference, we will help build a package to suit your needs.
If I train once a week with a Personal Trainer, do I need to do more exercise in my own time?"

In order to get the most from your training, and to see the results you want, we recommend training a minimum of 3 times per week. Any less and you will feel like every session is your first as results will not be achieved quickly and you are more likely to quit. If you choose to have one session per week with a trainer, then it is recommended you complete at least 2 more on your own. This will be agreed upon and worked into your training plan during your initial consultation with your trainer.
Will you put me on a ‘diet’ and stop me eating the things I enjoy?

At Marine Fitness, we are aware of the importance of living life to the full and doing the things you enjoy - in order to change an unhealthy lifestyle, you have to work within it. Our aim is to educate clients in our ‘fit for life’ approach – nutritional advice that is realistic and maintainable. A ‘diet’ simply means the food that an individual eats, it does not mean you are cutting out carbs or starving yourself silly! We will educate you and offer advice on how to choose a healthy and balanced diet that will work hand in hand with your specific goals and training. Nutrition is one of the most important areas when it comes to health and fitness and requires a level of self-discipline in the beginning, but as you get fitter, you will naturally treat your body better and will have the knowledge to make the right decisions.
I am completely new to exercise and fitness, does this matter?"

No! This is a great position to be in because you have not been able to develop any bad habits or incorrect techniques that many more experienced exercisers develop. Your current fitness levels do not matter either as your training programme will be tailored specifically to you and to help achieve your goals no matter how big or small.
Will lifting weights make me bulky?

Not unless you want them to! This fear is very common amongst women who have not lifted weights before. You can find more detailed articles on this subject in our blog, but in simple terms, if your goal is to achieve a lean and toned physique, then you are going to have to build muscle and be lean. Being overweight and not addressing nutrition is where the "lifting weights makes you big" myth originates from.
What guarantees do I have of getting the results I want?

Ultimately, the guarantee of getting the results you desire is down to you and how committed you are to getting them. The road to success is never an easy one, if it was everyone would be successful. Having a personal trainer arms you with the tools and professional knowledge to help get you there and give you the extra push, it’s down to you what you do with it though.
Where can I train?

Wherever is suitable with adequate and safe space. Whether it’s your local gym, your home gym, the local park or a gym of our choosing, the main importance being that it suits you.
I have always wanted a Personal Trainer but I can’t afford your services!

This is a common misconception when thinking of personal training services. However the average cost of an individual training session is £40, many people spend well in excess of that going out for a meal or a night out. A minimum of 1 session a week can easily be financially factored into our finances. £40 is the average cost of a personal training session that will educate you on living a healthier life and make you feel much better about yourself.
Are you insured?

Absolutely! We a have full Public Liability insurance and can provide evidence should you require it.
Are you suitably qualified?

We are trained to the most current Active IQ Personal Trainer qualification (Level 3) and are registered on the nationally recognised Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS).
What if I need to cancel a session?

We have a 24-hour cancellation policy, so as long as you notify us within 24 hours, you will not be charged for the session and we will be happy to reschedule for a more convenient time.