Q I started going to exercise classes. I began with Bodytone but felt ready to move on, so I've been to circuits. But these classes exhaust me and half way through the class I start to feel sick. Will I ever be able to increases my fitness?

A Learn to listen to what your body tells you. You should be able to speak when you're exercising, although if you could hold a full conversation you're not working hard enough. Go just beyond your comfort level. Think of a scale of one-12, where one is doing nothing and 12 is total exhaustion. Work at level 6-8 to start with.

Tell the instructor that you're new to circuits. He/she should give you easier alternatives. Listen to their instruction throughout the class and make sure you stick to it no matter what the chap next to you is doing! Take a break if you start to feel tired. Feeling sick indicates you're going too hard too soon. Ease off, go to the side of the room and sip your water until you feel OK.

When people try too hard they lose their technique. Struggling to complete 20 situps with poor control is defeating the purpose of the exercise. I'd rather see six well-executed repetitions. I know that next week that person may do another couple of situps, and they will be really improving their fitness without risking injuries.

If you like circuits then persevere. You should keep up with your other exercise sessions too. Current recommendations are for 30 minutes of moderate activity most days. If you can't manage it in one bout it's just as good for your health to break it up into three ten-minute sessions.

Updated: 10:15 Monday, May 20, 2002