10 Things I wish I knew before starting the FITISM 6–Week Challenge

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Before I started FITISM’s 6–Week Challenge, I had a lot of expectations. I thought I’d get a bit fitter, maybe lose a few pounds, and (hopefully) feel smug about turning up to the gym three times a week. What I didn’t expect were the lessons, surprises, and, yes, occasional bruises that came along with it. If you’re thinking of signing up, here are ten things I wish someone had told me before I walked into that first class…

1. You Will Not Be As Fit As You Think You Are

Turns out that playing padel once a week and occasionally attempting downward dog does not prepare you for a proper workout. The InBody scan at the start was… revealing. But the good news? You don’t need to be fit to start. FITISM meets you where you are–even if where you are is struggling to lift the barbell without weights. (Yep, that was me).

2. It’s Not Just a Gym; It’s a Therapy Session

I didn’t anticipate the emotional support that came with the challenge. The trainers genuinely care. They’ll push you when you need it and remind you it’s okay to rest when you’re spent. By week two, I realised this wasn’t just a workout – it’s like therapy with lots of squats.

3. You’ll Make Friends You Didn’t Know You Needed

FITISM isn’t one of those gyms where people silently huff and puff on the treadmill. It’s a community. By week three, I was chatting to familiar faces, while still laughing (painfully) at my inability to do a single pull-up.

4. You’ll Sleep Like a Baby (But Hurt Like an Old Man)

The post-workout sleep is incredible. The soreness, however, is real. Those first couple of weeks, my muscles ached in places I didn’t know existed. But it’s the good kind of pain – the kind that tells you you’ve done something worthwhile.

5. Nutrition Will Become a Thing You Actually Care About

No one at FITISM will tell you to completely ditch pizza or start drinking green juice (thankfully). But I noticed that, without trying, I began reaching for foods that made me feel energised and fuelled my workouts. 

6. You’ll Surprise Yourself

Whether it’s lifting heavier weights than you thought possible or realising you actually enjoy a HIIT finisher (I know, shocking), this challenge will constantly surprise you. By week four, I was doing things I’d never dreamed of in week one – like managing a proper push-up without collapsing halfway down.

7. The Trainers Will Know You Better Than You Know Yourself

The FITISM trainers don’t mess around. They’ll watch you lift a weight and somehow know you could handle more. They’ll see your form slipping before you even realise it. And they’ll call you out (in the nicest way) when you’re clearly just pretending to stretch.

8. You’ll Become a Morning Person – Sort Of

My work affords me flexibility – so for me, I’m never going to be someone who’s at those 6:30 am classes. But, by starting your day with a workout, I found myself to be wildly more productive throughout the rest of the day. Who knew?

9. You’ll Start Craving Routine

As someone who lives out of a suitcase half the time, I’ve always been rubbish at sticking to a routine. But this challenge gave me one – and I loved it. Knowing I had three classes a week kept me grounded, even when life got hectic.

10. It’s Not About Perfection – It’s About Progress

If I could tell my week-one self anything, it would be this: You don’t have to be the best, the fittest, or the strongest in the room. It’s about showing up, doing your best, and celebrating the little wins – like adding an extra kilo to your lift or finally nailing a burpee without falling over.

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