After a long thought process and several heated debates with colleagues, I have come to the conclusion that the most useful piece of kit has to be a Gymboss. You may now be scratching your head as to why I haven’t chosen the more ‘in vogue’ TRX, Rip Trainer, Core Stick etc. so here goes with my reasoning…

There are many pieces of kit on the market that each target and work different areas of the body. But the question I ask myself is “do people really need yet another piece of kit that, more than likely, will end up being used as a clothes horse along with the treadmill and ab-roller?”

Having completed the Advanced Functional Trainer course and Diploma in Functional Therapy with Faster Health & Fitness, I now truly appreciate the vast number of exercises that can be carried out using bodyweight alone. By changing one or two variables (such as the plane of motion, speed or stability) you can really alter the intensity of an exercise.

With this deeper understanding and my experience working with clients, it has become obvious that having the latest piece of kit is not necessarily the solution to better training. For the majority of my clients the most common ‘sticking points’ are a lack of motivation and an inability to continually challenge themselves. Unless you have a good friend to train with or have enlisted the help of a Personal Trainer, then motivation is often hard to come by and even harder to maintain. This is where the Gymboss really comes into its own.

For those who aren’t yet acquainted, the Gymboss is an interval timer. Once you’ve chosen which exercises you wish to do, simply programme in the duration and number of your training intervals and rest periods and away you go. The interval timer allows you to carry out numerous exercises in quick succession without the boredom associated with the traditional 12 rep max or training to failure. As it is small and lightweight it can be used anywhere; at home, in the gym or for outdoor training sessions.

As you progress with your chosen exercises, you can up the ante by either increasing the training interval duration or, if time is critical, increasing the amount of reps you do in the same period of time.

If bodyweight exercises aren’t your thing, the Gymboss can be used alongside any piece of training equipment, whatever floats your boat!

So, what are you waiting for? Jot down a list of your favourite exercises and treat yourself to an interval timer.

Happy Training!

Paul Sudds

Advanced Personal and Functional Trainer & Advanced Functional Therapist