Category Archives: Men Only Pilates

Video 6 – Core Strength, Pilates, Upper-Body Combo 1. Roll-Down Push-Up, 2. Roll-Out, 3. Ball Russian-Twist

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In this Pilates Video you are going to learn three exercises, two Pilates, Core Strength Exercises and one Upper-Body Toning and Strengthening Exercise.
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Keep your core muscles, your TVA (Transverse Abdominis) slightly engaged throughout to make these exercises safer for your lower back. Always consult a GP / physician before starting a new exercises regime, especially if you haven’t exercised for a long time on a regular basis.

(1) Pilates Push-Up & Roll-Down >> Focuses on increasing upper-body strength (arms, chest), improves spin & back mobility a small bit.
Stand tall, arms, shoulders and the neck area are relaxed. Roll-down into a push-up position, place your hands wide, to the right & left of the mat, aim to keep you neck long, avoid dropping your head if possible to avoid tension in the neck. Keep your hip lifted, maintain ideally a straight line – ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, top of your head. Breath in as you lower your upper-body, breath out as you push away from the mat or floor. Roll up on the next breath out and come into a standing position.
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(2) Swiss-Ball / Gym-Ball Roll-Out >> Focuses mainly on increasing your “global abdominal” strength (it strengthens various abdominal / stomach muscles at the same time)
Kneel in front of the ball, your wrists rest on ball, your elbows are slightly bent. Maintain a straight line from your knees to your shoulders and the top of your head. Keep your shoulders and neck loose and relaxed. Breath out as you roll out, breath in as you roll back up.
Avoid dropping your hip and keep your TVA, core muscles slightly engaged to protect your lower back.
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(3)  Russian Twist with a Gym / Swiss-Ball >> Focuses on toning your waist / increasing oblique strength and gets your thighs, buttock / gluteal muscles and mid / lower back a bit as well.
Rest the top of your upper back and the back of your head on a gym-ball, lift your hip to create a straight line from your knees to the crown of your head, keep your hip lifted and your ankles below your knees. Reach with your arms towards the ceiling, palms facing inwards. keep the shoulder relaxed. Breath out as you turn from your waist to the right, remember to keep you hip lifted, breath in as your return to the centre, turn to the left on your next out breath, breath in returning to the centre.
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To-Do-List:
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(1) Do a brief warm-up of 5-8min including some rotational and loosening moves for your neck, back, shoulders and your lower back or do some cardio exercises for 5-8min e.g. brisk walking.
(2) Do each exercise up to 10 times, assuming your back, neck, shoulders, knees and other joints etc. agree with the movement and there is no pain. Do three sets of each exercise.
(3) I suggest to keep an exercise and activity diary, which will allow you to recognize progress.
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Make a note of
(3.1) when you exercise time/date/duration,
(3.2) how many reps / sets you do,
(3.3) how the exercises are getting easier over time. I came up with a rating system.
I use a scale from 1 to 10 ( 1 = very very easy; 10 = extremely hard, nearly impossible).
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Let me know how you get on and if you have any questions.
Martin

Video 5 – Pilates & Core Strength Combo 3x – Roll-Up – Side-Bend – Swimming / Super-Man/Woman

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In this Pilates Video you are going to learn three Pilates & Core Strength Exercise, that tone and strengthen your whole midsection or midriff.
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Keep your core muscles, your TVA (Transverse Abdominis) slightly engaged throughout.

(1) Pilates Roll-Up >> Focuses on straight abdominal muscles, your rectus abdominis)
This variation is for those who’s mid and lower back is ok, avoid if you have any lower or mid back issues. Aim to control the movement, slowly easy vertebrae by vertebrae onto the mat and  roll the back in the same way off the mat. Stretch the whole body out in between. Avoid any jerky or rushed moves, especially as you roll up.
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(2) Pilates Side-Bend >> Focuses on toning and strengthening your waist, your sides or love-handles
This exercise is not for somebody with neck or shoulder issues. Place your elbow below your shoulder,  choose your leg and knee variation. Breath out as you lift your hip, breath in to lower your hip. Control the movement, slow it down a good bit to intensity the exercise.  You will ultimately benefit more from the exercise if you do it slower, plus you increase your body awareness as well.
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(3) Pilates Swimming or Super-Man/Woman >> Focuses on mid & lower back strength, includes a small bit of a stretch for the whole back as well.
This exercise is generally very good for strengthening your lower back and simultaneously stretches your whole back, neck and spine out, if done correctly. Pay attention to keeping your chin tucked in, your neck long, stretch through one pair of limbs away as you breath out, breath in when switching over.
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To-Do-List:
(1) Do a brief warm-up of 5-8min including some rotational moves for your neck, back, shoulders and your lower back or do some cardio exercises for 5-8min e.g. brisk walking.
(2) Do each exercise up to 10 times, assuming your back, neck, shoulders etc. agree with the movement and there is no pain. Do three sets of each exercise.
(3) Be aware how easy or challenging it is to roll-up or to lift the hip up (compare right and left for the Pilates Side-Bend – class participants often experience differences, as one side might be stronger than the other).
(4) I suggest to keep an exercise and activity diary, which will allow you recognize progress. Make a note of
(4.1) when you exercise time/date/duration,
(4.2) how many reps / sets you do,
(4.3) how the exercises are getting easier over time. Come up with a rating system.
I use a scale from 1 to 10 ( 1 = very very easy; 10 = extremely hard, nearly impossible).
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Let me know how you get on and if you have any questions.
Martin

Video 3 – Corporate 10min Lunchtime Neck, Back, Shoulder Stretching, Loosening Class in Sandyford, Leopardstown, Central Park, south Dublin 18

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I’m going to start a new Corporate – 10min Neck, Back and Shoulder Stretching and Loosening Exercises Class on Tuesday 19th July 2016 – 1.10pm-1.20pm in Ulster Bank Gym, Central Park, Sandyford Industrial Estate.
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Some of you might know that I’m managing Ulster Bank’s Gym in Leopardstown, Dublin 18 on a part time basis since 2004. Find more details on my Personal Training and Nutrition Coaching website – www.YourHealthHabitCoach.ie/com. 
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Contact me if you are interested in introducing corporate fitness, exercise or nutrition classes, seminars or talks to your company or business.

Yours in Health & Well Being
_ Martin

Video 1 – Morning Pilates & Loosening Routine with Martin

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In this short Pilates video I’m demonstrating a sample Pilates routine that could be done:

  1. as a Morning Pilates Routine after getting up to boost you energy levels, wake up and loosen up after a good night’s rest.
  2. as a Warm-Up Routine before a work out or a run etc..
  3. in between when working at a desk / in a office  for several hours to break up the day (you might just do the Neck, Back and Upper-Body Stretches and Loosening moves).

I plan to create one video per week from now onward, where I demonstrate different Kettlebell, Pilates, Body-Weight Exercises, Resistance Training and other exercises. Nutrition and diet advice videos, with various tip, recommendations, food reviews etc. are also planned.

Please let me know if you are interested in particular routines, exercises or have any specific questions. 

Yours in Health & Fitness
__ Martin

New June, July & August 2016 Pilates Classes in South Dublin, Dublin 14, D14 – Dublin 18, D18

A new set of 2016 Summer Pilates & Fitness Classes started this week in South Dublin, (1) Rathfarnham, Willbrook (Rathfarnham Pastoral Centre, off Willbrook Road) and (2) Sandyford, Leopardstown (Sandyford Community Centre, Lambs Cross). Pilates Classes in South Dublin, Rathfarnham Village, Willbrook, Nutgrove, close to Marlay Park, Churchtown, Ballinteer

 

 

 

 

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 Join Anytime !
 Beginners are Welcome !
13 Years teaching experience
Small Classes: 8-10 participants max.
Free Parking
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(1) Pilates – Thursday 10am-11am – Mixed Level, Beginners to Intermediate.
Classes take place in Rathfarnham Pastoral Parish Centre, off Willbrook Road, Dublin 14, D14 

(2) Men Only Pilates – Wednesday 6.30pm-7.30pm – Mixed Level, Beginners to Intermediate.
Classes take place in Sandyford Community Centre, Lambs Cross, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, D18 

Contact Martin for more details and booking. 

6 over 8 week South Dublin Pilates – Special Offer – June, July, August 2016

Pilates South Dublin Summer 2016 Special Offer Rathfarnham Sandyford Dundrum Leopardstown Cabinteely Foxrock Dublin 16 Dublin 14 Dublin 18For the months of June, July and August 2016 we are going to run our “6 over 8 Pilates Class Summer Special” again. Meaning you can choose to pay for 6 classes and use them over an 8 week period. This allows you to book a class and at the same time have the flexibility that’s needed if you go on a two weeks holiday break. Terms and Conditions apply, see below.
This applies to the following fitness and exercise classes:
 1. Morning Pilates Classes 
 2. Over 60s Pilates & Fitness Classes
 3. Men Only Pilates / Core Strength Classes

• Beginners are welcome ! 
• Small Classes, there is a maximum of 8-10 class participants
• Various Pilates equipment is provided (Pilates Rings, Balls, Foam Rollers,  Gym Sticks etc.).
• Cost: €75 for 6 classes
• Cost: €100 for 8 classes (book this if you can do 8 consecutive weeks)
• 13 Years teaching experience
• Parking is free

• Find our Full Pilates, Fitness and Exercise Class Time Table for our
_ South Dublin Classes here, close to Dundrum, Leopardstown, Sandyford, Terenure, Rathmines, Rathgar, Churchtown, Bellarmine, Stepaside, Kiltiernan etc..
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Yours in Fitness and Health
_ Martin
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Terms and Conditions:
1. Your six-week class booking is valid for 8 consecutive weeks from
your first class onward.
2. A health screening form must be filled out before the start of the class,
find a link to the health screening form here (print and bring along to the first class please) www.PilatesDulbin.ie – Health Screening Form.

Mens Pilates, Men Only Pilates in South Dublin, Sandyford Aiken’s Village Belarmine Ticknock Stepaside Leopardstown D14 D16 D18

Click here >>> For Updates --- on *local In-Person Classes* - Register here.

View a Mens Pilates Sample Program below.

> A *new* set of Men Only Pilates classes start during the week of Monday 7th March 2016. << Mens Pilates classes for men, taught by a man. 
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I generally mix up the Mens Pilates and Core Strength Classes ( in the various South Dublin based venues ) in different ways to keep the classes interesting and motivating. This will give you ideas what you can do at home or as part of your own exercise and fitness routines.
Some class participants do three or four variations of exercises at the end of their own workouts, runs, resistance or weight training, or after a game of golf or tennis, or they incorporate it into their club training at the end of a ruby, GAA, or soccer training session.
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This includes the use of various fitness and exercise props e.g.
(1) Foam Rollers
(2) Pilates Rings
(3) Resistance Bands
(4) Smalls Balls
(5) occasionally Swiss Balls or sometimes called Gym Balls

Pilates Exercises can be combined in Duos, Trios, or just done as an ongoing sequence. There are various ways of teaching and incorporating these Pilates and Core Strength moves into your general daily or weekly workout routine and other exercise programs.

Knowing is not enough; we mus apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.
                                                   
                                                  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Pilates Sample Program for Men:
Exercises were picked in a way to maintain balance in the body, avoid overuse of one particular muscle group and therefore injuries. I see it over and over again that people work only on their abdominal, stomach muscles and neglect back strengthening and mobilizing exercises, which will ultimately lead to back trouble and possibly injuries.
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(1) Warm-up: Various neck, shoulder, upper back, and spine mobilization, loosening and stretching exercises (these are generally good as most of us sit for hours in front of various screens and build up tension in the neck and shoulder area), sometimes a few simple body-weight moves e.g. squats, Pilates Push-ups, etc..
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(2) Main Section:
These Core and Pilates exercises are generally done in sets of 10-12 moves.
(2.1) Shoulder Bridges – to give the back and spine another good stretch before more core and abdominal exercises. This exercise is also good for glute activation.
(2.2) Single Legs Stretches – focus mainly on abdominal / core strength, rectus abdominis.
(2.3) Pilates Swimming or Superman – works on lower back strength and lengthens the back and spine at the same time, if done correctly, without putting pressure on the lumbar spine.
(2.4) Straight Arm Plank – mainly core / abdominal strength, plus a bit of upper body strength.
(2.5) Back extension – a mid and/or lower back strengthening exercise, depending on which version you do.
(2.6) Side Bends or Elbow Side Planks – another move to maintain balance in the body, it focuses mainly on the waist, the mid-riff also called obliques.  I generally recommend that you keep moving during this Pilates movement, to get more out of it.
(2.7) Roll-Up – an exercise that works on your straight abdominal muscles, a bit spine mobility/mobilization and adds in a very good hamstring/back of the leg stretch, all meaning is a great combination exercise (flexibility and mobility).
(2.8)  Check opening or Crocodile: a pure mobility and loosening exercise for your spine, mid and lower back. This exercise can stretch the neck muscles as well depending on how the exercise is done.
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(3) Cool Down and Stretching:
We focus here on loosening and stretching the muscles we used during the Pilates and Core Strength exercises, of the main section. This will include a lot of back, neck, hip flexor and hamstring, etc. stretches.

Contact Martin with any questions you might have and or to book a class.

>> The *New* set of Mens Pilates and Core Conditioning Classes start: <<
[1] Tuesday 8th March 2016 6-7pm Sandyford Community Centre, Lambs Cross, Dublin 18, D18
[2] Tuesday 8th March 2016 8.15-9.15pm Taney Parish Centre, Dundrum, Dublin 14, D14, close to the LUAS Bridge.
[3] Wednesday 9th March 2016 6.30-7.30pm IrishFit Shop, Running.ie Shop, Sandyford Industrial Estate, 5min walk from the Stillorgan LUAS stop, a view minutes drive from Stillorgan Village.
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Please contact Martin before paying online, to check class suitability and availability.
Class fees are €100 for 8 consecutive weeks (classes last for 1 hour), €14 Drop-in, Trial, or Pay-As-You-Go.

Pilates Classes in South Dublin *New Classes start early / mid *March 2016*

I’m going to start a new set of PIlates and other Fitness classes in South Dublin, in the Dublin 14, Dublin 16 and Dublin 18 area early, mid March 2016.

Do you want to
(1) Tone-Up
(2) Improve your Core Strength
(3) Boost your Energy
(4) Increase your Flexibility
(5) Prevent back issues and other injuries
(6) Up general Strength ?

A lot of us sit for hours in front of a computer or on a desk and rarely get up and take breaks. Even if we know a short stroll around the office, down to the canteen or even to a local park would be good for your back, give you a mental break, so you would come back refreshed and re-energized.

Pilates is great for loosening and strengthening your back, maintaining good posture and increasing core strength (abdominal and back). It will also help you to prevent or tackle various back, neck and other issues, as the majority of exercises are performed in a controlled and slow manner. This will allow you to increase awareness, you could even compare it with certain aspects of being mindful as you move.

Sports people also benefit from increased core strength to prevent injuries. All types of athletes and sporty individuals do Pilates and Core Work exercises. This included e.g. soccer player, rugby player, GAA player, people who play Golf etc. etc..

Individuals in their more mature years find Pilates beneficial as it helps them to (1) stay supple (2) maintain flexibility (3) keep their balance (4) increase and maintain mobility.

New March and April 2016 Classes start:
Pilates in south Dublin, Ireland, Rathfarnham, Dundrum, Sandyford, Churchtown, Ballinteer, Marley Park, Lambs Cross, Cabinteely - D14 D16 D18

[1] Tuesday 8th March 2016 – 6pm Men Only Pilates – Sandyford Community Centre, Dublin 18
[2] Tuesday 8th March 2016 – 8.15pm Men Only Pilates (Progression Level) Taney Parish Centre, Dublin 14
[3] Wednesday 9th March 2016 – 10am Over 60s Pilates & Fitness, St. Mary’s Parish Centre, Rathfarnham, off Willbrook Road, close to The Yeallow House Pub.
[4] Tuesday 15th March 2016 – 9.30am Toning & Conditioning Circuits, Foxrock Parish Center, Dublin 18
[5] Thursday 24th March 2016 – 10am Intermediate Pilates, Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club, beside Marley Park, Rathfarnham, close to Ballinteer, Churchtown, Dundrum, Dublin 14, Dublin 16
[6] Thursday 25th March 2016 – 11.15am Over 60s Pilates & Fitness Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club, beside Marley Park, Rathfarnham, close to Ballinteer, Churchtown, Dundrum, Dublin 14, Dublin 16
[7] Wednesday 6pm (ongoing) Mens Pilates – Sandyford Industrial Estate, close to the LUAS, Beacon Hotel and Hospital.

Contact Martin for Bookings or with any further questions you might have.

Mens Core Conditioning & Pilates Class in Dublin 18, Sandyford Industrial Estate – IrishFit.eu Shop

Find a list of other
Men Only Pilates & Core Work Classes (Tuesday 6pm, 8.15pm, Wednesday 6.30pm) here.
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(1) Increase your Core Strength
(2) Improve your Mobility
(3) Boost your Flexibility
(4) Prevent Injuries
with a our Core Conditioning, Core Strength and Pilates Class starting in March & February 2016.

I’m teaching Pilates & Core Strength Classes in the greater South Dublin area (mainly Dublin 18, Dublin 16, Dublin 14, D18, D16, D14) since 2003. Classes take place in various public gyms, one-to-one / private classes, community centres, parish centres, sport clubs e.g. TCD Mens Rowing Squat, UCD Ladies Rowing Squat and corporate gyms and corporate classes.

During the classes we will mix:
1. Traditional Pilates Moves e.g. Pilates Single Leg Stretches, Swimming, Shoulder Bridge, Scissors, Side Lifts etc.
2. Sports, Gym like Core Strength Exercises e.g. Plank variations, back extensions etc..
3. Mobility Exercises to loosen joints and to free up your spine and back.
4. Various stretching exercises, some that you might have done at the end of your gym workout, some are more yoga-like others are focusing on tight calf, hamstrings etc..
5. Plus I through in a for general body-weight exercises e.g. push-up variations, squat variations, revers push-ups etc. to keep it interesting and varied.

Most guys/men need to keep working on their core strength, mobility and flexibility to stay at the top of their game, this might be for running, triathlon, squash, tennis or golf etc..

  1. Day: Wednesday’s
  2. Time: 6:30pm (duration 1 hour)
  3. D18 Pilates Core Strength Classes With Martin Fitnecise Irishfit Store Shop Sandyford Multi SportVenue: IrishFit – Store/Shop – Sandyford Industrial Estate, 25 Spruce Ave, Stillorgan Industrial Park, Blackrock / Sandyford, close to the Stillorgan LUAS stop, Dunnes Store and the Beacon Hospital.
  4. Course duration: 8 weeks
  5. Course Fee: €100 for 8 consecutive weeks
  6. Drop-In possible: €14 (availability allowing, call or text at least two days before the day you want to attend)

There is a max. of 10-12 participants per class.
Contact Martin for more details or course bookings or book online below.

New Years Resolutions & Pilates for Men, Mens Pilates in South Dublin, D16, D18

Skip the first few paragraphs and start reading below the video if you are not interested in New Years Resolutions and go straight to the Mens Pilates Class information.

It is that time of the year again …. some folks set “New Years Resolutions” or NYRs as I call them.

I’m not a fan of NYRs. Most of us are just about able to stick to them for the first three or four weeks of the year. Then it’s back to the old routines, habits and procrastination. Is that you?

What about picking a theme for the year in different areas of your life, e.g. “Freshness” in terms so of what you eat (bin processed foods) or “Positive Outlook”  in terms of mental self-talk or “Healthy Habits” in terms of being active and exercising.

Once you identified three or four themes, jot them down, write them into your diary, onto yellow Post-Its and place them into your wallet, at the dashboard of your car, on your phone, maybe set alarms to remind you of the themes regularly, ideally daily and ask yourself “What simple action can I take today to align my day with that theme and have fun 🙂 ?”.

Here a sample for above themes “Freshness” + “Positive Outlook” + “Healthy Habits”:
Get two pieces of fresh fruit for your in-between snacks in the office or when studying, take the stairs when bringing that important report to your manager or cycle/walk to the library when dropping off that novel or text book, encourage others to join in and “Always look at the bright side of life …. ” or think of James Brown’s song “I Feel Good”.

Make it easy for yourself to succeed and have fun doing so ! 
Get those post-its and your diary out and start writing … come on lets do it now !
Martin

Now to the Mens Pilates Classes in South Dublin, Dublin 16 – Dundrum and Dublin 18 Sandyford, Lambscross.

I’m teaching these classes for around six years now. Most guys join initially because of some lower back issues, some as they want to improve their core strength as they play golf, others look to get a bit more flexible and to loosen their back after a regular running sessions and so it goes on.

I mix (1) traditional Pilates with (2) general core strength exercises, similar to what you might have done as part of your GAA, Football, Rugby, Golf or other training, think 5-6 variations of planks and add (3) a good bit mobility and (4) flexibility work in, as most guys are simply to stiff. I round it up with (5) various body weight exercises e.g. squat or press-up variations to boost general strength.

The age profile of past class participants in the “Men Only Pilates Classes” varied from mid 20s to early to mid 70s, whereas the age of the majority of class participants probably ranges from early to mid 30s to early to mid 60s. All ages are welcome.

I generally look at what participants can do and what the exercises allow them to do if they keep them up.

Every class participants takes it at his own pace, as everybody has different exercise backgrounds or possibly back issues or minor niggling bits. I show always two or three different variations of the same exercise, so you can pick which every version is right for you.

Drop-Ins classes or Trial classes are possible. Please contact me a few days in advance to check availability, if you plan to try a class.

The fee for 8 consecutive weeks is €100 one class per week, Drop-Ins are €14.

These classes take place:
1. Tuesday 6-7pm – Dublin 18 – Sandyford Community Centre, Lambs Cross
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2. Tuesday 8.15-9.15pm – Dublin 14 – Dundrum, Taney Parish Centre

Contact me with any other questions you might have or to book your course.
Martin