Article from VG, 9 January 2023
On the living room floor at home in Hamar, Birgitte Wardeberg has rolled out her training mat in front of the TV and is ready for a 25-minute workout. The only equipment she has with her is a bottle of water and a pair of weights for extra intensity. On the screen, she and the other participants are welcomed one by one by the day's trainer and Naardic founder Annema Refsnes. Birgitte and the other participants are guided through the workout by Annema, who constantly shares tips on how the exercises can be increased or decreased in difficulty - depending on their own level.
Was sceptical about home training
When the pandemic struck and Birgitte felt compelled to test home training, she was initially sceptical. If she took on the role of her own trainer, the atmosphere would be bad and she was strict with herself. When she decided to try Naardic, she asked trainer Annema if home training was effective enough.
- "I thought I was going to miss the weights and the step boxes. But I quickly learnt that body weight was more than enough," she says with a laugh, adding that she's never been in better shape.
Today, she loves the freedom and accessibility that training with Naardic gives her. Finally, she has the opportunity to prioritise training in her everyday life again, without compromising on family time or daily chores.
- Now I can log in 30 seconds before the class starts. I can change into my workout clothes while the instructor says hello, or help the kids brush their teeth during the break.
Varied sessions
Naardic's training sessions are varied and often last no longer than 20-40 minutes. As a participant, you choose whether you want to have the camera switched on or not. The sessions you can choose from range from low threshold sessions such as interval training, back and neck rehabilitation, yoga and meditation, to strength, intervals, running, yoga, pilates and Zumba to name a few. What's more, classes are spread throughout the day between 6am and 10pm, allowing people living in a constant time crunch to easily squeeze in a workout.
Check out our varied timetable
Fits with family life
- It would have been impossible for me to go to the gym several times a week and stay away for an hour or two. The short sessions mean that I can regularly keep the everyday movement going. It's not three big sessions a week, but rather five small half-hours, and it works so much better with family life.
While Birgitte is exercising, the children often sit next to her and play or do their homework. She thinks it's important for children to realise that exercise is a natural part of everyday life.
- The activity becomes part of family life and I don't have to plan to go out. They can pace around while I do the exercises. I love that they see that I enjoy movement, I think that's a great part of their upbringing.
- Feeling very privileged
It's no secret that many people are reluctant to go to a fitness centre, and there can be many reasons for this. It's a feeling that Birgitte has also experienced. Even though she met her husband at a fitness centre, she remembers that the threshold was high when she first started working out at a centre.
- When I train from home, I only relate to myself and the instructor on the screen who is happy to see me.
Praise for the coaches
After opening her eyes to home training, Birgitte doubts she'll ever go back to training at a centre.
- In order for me to be able to leave home to train, it requires planning and coordination, which would result in less training," she says and continues:
- Training is now always available, and I feel privileged to be able to train with some of Norway's most competent trainers. In Pilates, running, fitness, strength and bodyweight - and the fact that I get them right on my home screen - it's a real luxury.
For Birgitte, much of the joy of training is about competent and committed trainers.
- "You always get a 'Hi, Birgitte, it's great to see you', and I believe them! They brag about what you're doing and what you're achieving, which makes you leave the training session with a good feeling, because someone has noticed what you've achieved. It makes it very motivating to continue," she says.
