Surfs up with Canada`s first supermodel

WORK OUT WITH MONIKA
NEW
COLUMN
Surfs up with Canada’s first supermodel
Monika Schnarre tries out T.O.’s latest fitness fad and hits the waves for a very wild workout
Monika Schnarre, is no stranger to
fitness. She is a supermodel after
all. So she’s dishing out the inside
scoop on the city’s newest fitness
trends. This month, she heads to
Yonge and Eglinton to hit the
waves at Surfset Toronto to find
out if this surfboard workout really
does whip you into shape.
Yes, I tried surfing while living in
Australia
(filming
The
Beastmaster). Unfortunately, I was
not very successful. At six-foottwo, I am vertically challenged as
far as balance is concerned.
The surfboard rests on a
contraption that simulates surf in
the ocean. It looks much easier
than it actually is! Stepping onto
the board feels exactly like trying
to stand on a real board in the
ocean. Just try not to quiver back
and forth at first — it’s impossible!
However, eventually you find your
sea legs.
Were you on the surfboard
for the entire workout?
What did you
enjoy the most?
We used a combination of on- and
off-board movements, but we
generally incorporated the board to
provide the added challenge of
instability in roughly 95 per cent of
the movements. They also
incorporate resistance ropes and
dumbbells in Build and Blend
classes and sometimes in Burn
classes for an added challenge.
The challenge was the best part. I
consider myself athletic, but this
was really out of my comfort zone.
I looked very uncool during most
of the exercises … but that was
OK! It was fun to try something
new and get out of the gym.
Keeping your workouts fresh and
new is essential to enhancing your
fitness level.
Have you been
surfing before?
How did it feel stepping
onto the surfboard?
routine on a board in the ocean.
Where did you
feel the burn?
Monika Schnarre (left) working out on a surfboard that simulates the ocean
How was the workout flow?
We started with slow movements
to get the muscles moving and the
joints ready. We then worked in
intervals of high and low intensity,
always incorporating core flexion
and full-body work. After the
workout we did a cool down,
starting with slower movements to
ease the heart rate and moving into
deep stretching and calmed
breathing.
Your core or abs are engaged
throughout the entire workout, and
that’s good because that’s where
this post-baby body needs it the
most! I also felt the burn in my
quads as you are constantly trying
to maintain balance.
Was this like any other
workout you’ve tried before?
It was unlike any workout I’ve done
before. I have been paddle boarding
at the cottage, but this was nothing
at all like that except for the board.
MONIKA
SCHNARRE
Was your instructor helpful?
Which part was
most difficult?
Completing your workout while at
the same time maintaining balance.
Imagine doing your entire gym
She was engaging, knowledgeable
and supportive. She helped me
achieve the correct positions
without making me feel silly or
awkward.
Monika Schnarre is a model, actor,
entrepreneur and television
personality. She has appeared in
over 50 television shows and films
and on over 100 magazine covers.