UNDERCOVER: Alchemy, The Centre

Wednesday afternoon open yoga class at 2.30pm

Its a nightmare to find this place - the stables is a huge market and there are no signposts for anything. The centre is based in one of the historic Camden stables built in the late 1800′s. Obviously you're meant to just meander around and look at the stalls, but it was quite frustrating when I was trying to find somewhere specific.  After a few helpful hints from a stall holder I asked, I finally found this little oasis of calm in crazy Camden. I ended up walking in a couple of minutes late, and rather flustered, but they still let me attend the class, and were really helpful at getting me signed in and settled quickly. It's a great space, with a cafe in the front and a big & airy yoga studio with high ceilings.

The class was all about flow and I find that can sometime feel a little relentless & too repetitive, but this class didn't fall in to that trap. It was nicely challenging; we were encouraged to push ourselves as far as we could and take on the challenge. But that meant something different to most of us as there was a varied level of ability in the room. There was no-one really inexperienced or rubbish though! I felt really energised after the class as well as relaxed.

It was unusual for me to have time to attend a mid afternoon, midweek class, but I'm sure all their classes would be similarly relaxing. There was some noise of chatter & music drifting in from outside through the open window but there was also a lovey cool breeze, so it was worth a little murmur of disruption. I do think it might be a bit distracting if the volume went up a bit, for example if you went to a class when people are out for drinks nearby in the evening. I loved the class, so I'll go back again to check it out one night and report back on the noise. 

The changing rooms are nice and clean and spacious, with big lockers, good hairdryers and straighteners to use too. The changing room is on two levels and you have to go down a spiral staircase to get to the showers. It looks very cool, but it's a pretty treacherous climb! 

I'll head back if I'm in the area again. It would be a great place to go for a class with a mate, then a spot of lunch in their cafe, followed by people watching and shopping in Camden. They even have a little treatment spa in the centre, so you could treat yourself to a massage too. What a perfectly indulgent day off!

Best bit - the friendly team

Worst bit - the scary stairs

Good for - spending a bit of time relaxing and rejuvenating

Score - 8/10

UNDERCOVER: Gyrotonics at The Third Space

I booked an appointment with Loa at The Third Space gym in Soho. I feel I need to flag up that this gym is INCREDIBLE but your session with the gyrotonic crew, doesn't get you entry in to the actual gym.  The Pilates & Gyrotonic studio is separate. And you will want to get in to the Third Space gym when you see it - it's stunning.

This was one of the best workout sessions I've ever had. I arrived feeling tired, scrunchy, a little hungover and very much like I'd been spending too much time hunched over at my desk.  I left feeling tall, lithe, strong and clear-headed. This is not an exaggeration. I felt lighter in many ways, but unfortunately, my wallet was also considerably lighter too. These sessions cost a LOT of money.  In so many ways, it's 100% worth it, but a one to one session for non-members is £65.

When they say one to one, it is literally a hands on experience.  I suppose you'd pay nearly that for a massage or a physio session, or one to one yoga class, and I doubt all three of those combined would do you as much good as this.  Gyrotonics is like really extreme pilates reformer class.  It is based on swimming, dance, martial arts and yoga, but takes place on machines made of wood, springs and ropes.  My lovely instructor had me sat astride something that resembles a wooden horse, pushing two rotating wheels with my arms in opposing directions in a diving motion...then five minutes later I was hanging upside down on a monkey-bar contraption! It's really hard to explain the moves, but it's basically like stretching and hanging about on a wooden climbing frame….but it does you good, and you do it all under the guidance of an instructor! Have a quick look here if you want to see some photos of the equipment. 

This is fantastic if you've been injured and need rehabilitation, or have a large budget. It was incredibly relaxing, soothing and I felt no pain during the workout, although some of the planks were extremely challenging!  I know (by the pain in my stomach muscles the next day) that it's good for your core, but I also think it would be great as a rehabilitation after an accident, or for someone with extreme back pain. Quite a few of the other people having one to one sessions were in their 40s or older. My dad had a frozen shoulder a year ago, and still suffers pain from it. I'm sending him down there quick sharp as it would be AMAZING for him, and his budget would allow for it more than mine.

The staff here are all incredibly friendly, and I loved this session. If money were no object, I'd be down there once a week, but I think that the cost is a bit prohibitive for me. I'd definitely treat myself to a session after a stressful time at work, or if I got injured in any way doing sport.  They seem to understand a lot about how your body works and I felt very much like they tailored the stretches to what I needed and the kind of body I have. 

Best bit: the feeling afterwards and the staff

Worst bit: the cost

Good for: rehabilitation and strenghtening

9/10

PS... Look how amazing the pool is!! I had to show you.

UNDERCOVER: Home Run

Running... love it or hate it, it's good for you. Improving overall fitness and a huge driver in weight loss... for me anyway!

You can imagine my excitement when Fitness Freak told me about a new initiative in London, Home Run! Free guided running tours after work hours to encourage Londoners to get off public transport and run home instead. Something I tell myself I'll do every other day but something always comes up... working late or a cocktail invitation, or I have a huge gym bag with me! So here's the best bit... they CARRY YOUR BAGS. One problem solved. I'll have to work at ignoring the cocktail invitations!

Home Run now have over 50 routes running all over London ranging between 2 and 6 miles. I decided to embark on the London Liverpool Street to Stratford run. I registered on their website the day before and turned up at the meeting point beside the station to be greeted by a friendly team in bright orange t-shirts. They took my bags and put them in the cycle box (there is a lovely girl that cycles all our bags to the end destination), checked me in, gave me a bright orange t-shirt to wear and gave us a brief health and safety overview. The good thing is, the group seperates in the run... and guided help is with each group so it doesn't matter if you're used to running marathons or not, as long as you are reasonably fit, and enjoy running, it's great. 

My run was 4.6miles. It was great. Easy going & social. I got to meet some new people and learn a new route home (incase one day, I do want to do it myself)! My bags were there waiting for me just outside Stratford station.

So instead of taking myself home via the tube to grab my workout kit, I will be getting fit by running home. Genius idea. Simple & fun. I'm a happy BB!

9/10

Best For: Getting fit without going to a gym
Worst Bit: Being heckled out by East London kids... I'll get over it!
Good For: A social way of exercising