A few steps to the gym that might seem random at first glance can turn out to be the beginning of a new journey. That’s exactly what happened to Mari Eek, who is now a MyFitness group trainer – for whom sport is not just a hobby, but a lifestyle and passion. This story reveals one trainer’s journey, which began with a spontaneously chosen workout and grew into something much bigger. It’s a story of how movement can shape a life, lead to new goals, and bring joy that You’ll want to experience every day.
Mari, how did it all begin?
I really love to move, and sport has always been an inseparable part of my life. I actually ended up in StudioX by chance – I came to the gym with a friend, but since a StudioX class was about to start at that time, my friend literally dragged me by the hand into the workout studio – I wouldn’t have dared to go myself. After the first StudioX workout, my heart was totally won over, and when I later saw an ad for MyFitness trainer training, it immediately spoke to me – working as a trainer felt like the logical next step.
STUDIO X
Studio X is a brilliant workout that combines cardio and strength training – if You want one workout that keeps You in amazing shape, then Studio X is exactly for You. I’m a real fan of Studio X classes and encourage even those who don’t usually like group workouts to come try it out. But be warned: Studio X workouts are highly addictive.
THE JOB OF MY DREAMS
In fact, I have a master’s degree in accounting, and I work daily at the Bank of Estonia. My roles as an analyst and as a trainer balance each other perfectly: on one hand, I get to use my analytical thinking and immerse myself in the world of numbers, and on the other hand, I get to express my passion for sports and enjoy communicating with others. As a joke, I used to say before becoming a trainer that I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to be when I “grew up.” Today, I can gratefully confirm that my job truly makes me happy – it just took several completely different roles to get there.
ABOUT A MILLION REASONS
I want to encourage people to move, because it’s well known that exercising has a huge number of benefits: physical activity helps keep the immune system strong, improves mental well-being, reduces stress and anxiety, lifts mood, enhances sleep quality, and helps fight symptoms of depression, and so on. On the other hand, lack of movement is a major risk factor for many diseases and a sedentary lifestyle significantly impacts quality of life. For example, I used to suffer from terrible headaches, but after starting regular intensive workouts, the symptoms disappeared on their own. In fact, it’s even scientifically confirmed that regular training can have a preventative effect on migraines.
THE SECRET OF YOUTH
It’s no coincidence they say that sport keeps You young: it’s been proven that physical activity helps slow down – or even reverse – the processes that usually come with aging. In the book “Strong Brain,” it’s noted that the brain is actually the body part most affected by physical activity. Brain research has shown that “exercise boosts brain potential more than Sudoku, crosswords, and health products combined.” Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?
START NOW!
Unless You’re 20 years old, let’s face it – when it comes to physical health, nothing is going to improve on its own anymore. The best time to start making a change was yesterday, but the next best time is today. According to WHO activity recommendations, an adult should get at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week or 75–150 minutes of high-intensity workouts. That’s two to three intense sessions a week – it doesn’t sound like an impossible task, yet many people never make it to the gym or the health trail. The most common excuse is lack of time, but I suspect it’s really more about setting priorities. Conscious time planning and making time for Yourself help: put Your health and well-being first.
AN AMAZING COMMUNITY
One of the bonuses of visiting a fitness club regularly is that when You work out at roughly the same time, other gymgoers quickly become familiar faces. I’ve made several dear friends and many acquaintances in MyFitness classes – truly kind and cool people go to this club.
THERE’S A SUITABLE WORKOUT FOR EVERYONE
To all those who say they don’t like sport or that it somehow doesn’t suit them, I encourage You to try different types of workouts and styles – the sea is wide, and there are plenty of options. I believe that there’s a suitable workout for everyone – one that makes Your eyes light up and that You’ll truly look forward to – You just have to find it. I also recommend trying at least three workouts before making a final decision about whether a certain type of class is for You.
See You in class!
