In recent years, having gained more and more supporters, the surfing it tends to develop into a popular sport even if Greece does not have the waves of Nazaré, Portugal. But what about the time when there is no wave or we cannot exercise by doing our favorite sport? The answer comes from a special fitness program, inspired by the element of water, which aims to improve balance and concentration, “Float Training”.

This alternative strength training method includes a functional circuit training, inspired by his sports surfingof skiing, of snowboarding and his skateboardcreating a group lesson and transferring the training experience of an outdoor practice, in the context of an indoor dimension.

Among the means used for training, the surfset is the star, which consists of a surfboard supported by three air balls, while the exercises are aimed at burning fat, strengthening the trunk, improving endurance and balance as well as avoiding injuries. Balance discs and indo boards, Bosu and skates are also used in the course.

“Beyond its fun character, ‘Float Training’ is coming to shake up the establishment, a fitness lifestyle, which questions the usual training”, the gymnast explains in an interview with APE-MPE Ermina Zei.

The graduate of the Kapodistrian University of Athens, TEFAA physical education and sports department, talks about how the idea for the creation of “Float Training” began: “For as long as I can remember, I first floated and then walked. And that’s because when I was four years old I started figure skating, which I think was the most extreme experience for that age. Later in my life came rollerblading, snowboarding and of course my great love for skate where I always went around with a skate – then it was taboo to be a girl and do something that was considered boyish-. In 2017, a new world opens up in front of me and a great fantasy of mine is fulfilled, as I come into contact for the first time with the sport of surfing. A little later, in 2019, this idea started, being a trainer in a gym, and guided by my love for these sports, I tried to find and create a brand very different from other trainings you find in a gym . I wanted to basically marry the two – the love of surfing and the exercises in the gym – and so I created ‘Float Training’ which is really this different balance training with equipment that is not used in gyms.

Can anyone participate in ‘Float Training’?

The answer, according to Ermina Zei, is that it concerns all ages “from 0 to 100!”, as she typically emphasizes. “People who have a particular weakness in extreme sports such as surfing and snowboarding, when due to weather conditions they cannot do these outdoor activities, take part in the trainings,” says the gymnast, however this training promises to activate every muscle in the body of athletes, it is not only aimed at connoisseurs of these sports, since more and more interested parties want to learn about this different and fun way of training. “In the beginning, those who have no contact with the respective sports, are a bit stuck, I would say, but as soon as they start training and see the improvement in their balance, they get excited. After all, many of my students are those who, while they had nothing to do with the wet element and surfing, went and tried it in the sea during the summer. In other words, I would say that it is also a motivation beyond strengthening and improving physical condition, and getting to know these sports.”

When asked why someone who is thinking of starting the gym, will choose “Float Training”, Ermina Zei answers: “He will choose it because he will work his whole body in a very short time, as he will have trained his trunk, legs , his arms, his entire muscular system, since as a program it is both aerobic and anaerobic at the same time. But most of all, it’s fun. After all, older people also come to the class, who practice improving their balance with many benefits, such as avoiding falls and injuries. This is achieved as the whole course takes place on unstable ground, while also functionally helping people who have come out of rehabilitation by better strengthening the joints.”

For those who don’t know about ‘Float Training’, Ermina urges them to open up their horizons and let go of their mind and body by choosing this alternative training and find that anything is possible. “In general, exercise,” he notes, “is the best physical and mental relaxation. One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, especially in the times we live in with endless work hours and stress. To find what will make them happy, whether it’s a gym program or a sport.”

Those interested in getting to know this special and fun training up close can participate on Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 9 pm, at the Bewell Festival held at Technopolis in Gazi, on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September.