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18 October 2011

Anna Hood discovers her inner gladiator with Auckland’s latest workout phenomenon.

Ludus Magnus, or ‘Ludus Madness’ as my flatmate likes to call it is my new favourite workout – it’s tough, challenging and damn it can hurt, but hells bells nothing beats the endorphin high of a 6am Ludus session on a Monday morning. It’s the best way to start the week.

So what is it? Well on the website it is described as ‘unleashing you inner gladiator’. I don’t know if there is a gladiator inside me but there sure are a lot of muscles that I wasn’t aware of.

The gym itself is grungy chic. There’s no mirrors and no sparkling machines but there are ropes, kettle bells, massive tyres, weight bags and mats. No workout is the same and it is all designed to use your own body weight to gain strength and fitness.

The variety is key, gyms have always bored me but at Ludus you never know what to expect when you turn up – bear crawls, burpees, lizard crawls, roman press ups, squats, sprints or a samurai walk. It’s a whole new language.

I make no qualms, it is seriously hard work – for anyone. The fitter you get, the more you push yourself and the stronger you get – the weights just increase with your fitness level. But most of all, while you are sweating buckets and feeling your body fatigue, it is fun. There is a camaraderie in the group that I have never found at any other gym. People talk to each other, there are high fives and pats on the back. Everyone wants you to have a great workout.

So if you’re looking for a new Spring health kick and like the ‘good’ pain of aching muscles then I suggest you give Ludus Magnus a go.