UNDERCOVER: TOTAL BOXER

Fit to fight bright and early on a Saturday morning? I booked myself in after I'd bought my blender and decided to get my butt kicked into shape as I had definitely been slacking. When my alarm went off I definitely regretted my decision! However once I'd dragged myself out of bed, had my morning green tea and saw that the sun was shining I felt a hell of a lot better. Conveniently for me the gym is based a 10 minute leisurely paced walk from my house. 

It is a small studio right by Hornsey Post office that the owner used to rent out as a photography studio. The gym floor is equipped with punch bags, mirrors and a square taped in the middle. It's got a great boutique feel. I loved that there were boxing posters on the walls and a fight playing on mute to really get us in the mood. The class wasn't your average boxing fit class, I learnt technique and understood why I was punching in certain positions so by the end I didn't just feel like I'd worked hard and sweated, I had a feeling of accomplishment!

A pet peeve of mine is being in a class whether I'm a newbie or not and not being explained or shown the technique required. I like to know what I'm doing and why, especially if it's something like boxing. The instructor was very thorough but not in an annoying way. Whilst the regulars were doing the usual skipping rope warm up (hello Rocky) he was going through the basics with me. 'If I try and punch you in the head you have to duck' not that bluntly, in a funny way... You get the jist!

I know that Sandra Bullock and other stars kickbox and doing boxing workouts to stay in shape and I assure you, doing this class on a weekly basis will really help you get fit and tone up. We did sessions on the floor practising punches and the different techniques, punching the punch bags and hitting pads. I love it, especially when Rage Against the Machine, Foofighters and Queens of the Stone age, I felt pretty kick-ass! I am definitely going to add a bit of Rage to my gym workout soundtrack, they definitely got me pumped up. I didn't realise how much I would use my abs. The whole time boxers are doing fast footwork or punching they have to say centred so it was a pretty full on ab, leg and arm workout.

One of my favourite things about the gym is how personal it is. It's a small space and it just so happened that in my class there was only one other person so we got a very focused class which was great as I was a first timer. But all the classes are apparently like that. Often there are two instructors in a class to make sure everyone gets attention and pushed to work hard which I think is great. Glasses and water were put out too so that during the breaks between drills (I guess I'll call them) we could hydrate. Another great thing is that the owner has the cutest dog who just hangs around, stays out of your way but adds to the laid back, friendly atmosphere. 

Best bit...the studio and extra attention to detail for the clients
Worst bit...nothing 
Good for...feeling great, cardio and fun!

UNDERCOVER: KICKBOXX

From the moment I went on the website and saw the video I knew that I was going to worked hard whatever class I booked into! I chose the beginners class after a conversation with their receptionist as I don't have much kickboxing. I was a little bit worried that it wouldn't be intense but I was assured that it would still kill me but that it would contain less advanced combinations... they were right!
I got to the studio and was waved up by the instructor. I love the interior of the whole building (annoyingly I forgot to take a picture and can't find one online, sorry!). Aaand the toilets were lovely and clean! I feel very strongly about good shower and toilet facilities and Kickboxx definitely ticks the box.

The class was quite small but everyone there was very friendly and I could tell that they were regulars so it had a really relaxed feel. We started the class running laps of the studio and doing press ups at each end. After this we stretched. By this point I was ready to get punching things! The class was split into sections, these were then repeated but with different exercises.  We started with combinations on the floor followed by what I like to call 'attacking the punch bag' with variations of the combos we'd just learnt. To split up the sections were exercises done for one or two minutes these was ridiculously hard! I had just used up all of my energy punching and kicking and then I had to do press ups, hold the plank position and punch the bad with one hand arrgghh (in a good way!).

When it came to attacking the punch bag, I loved it! It's great because you can apply as much force as you like so it really is one of those you get out what you put in type of classes. The first time on the punch bag I was a bit ropey. My pulse was racing and I was getting to the panting stage but with Jay-Z blaring and the instructor's encouragement I somehow got through it. I'm not sure where the energy came from but I was literally working as hard as I could for the whole class. I was in total outdoor bootcamp mode and definitely felt at the end of the class that I had punch, kicked and sweated enough to have earnt myself a lot of cocktails that evening!

The class is a great combination of kickboxing and a bootcamp class AND it's fun! I've already recommended the class to my house mates and friends and I suggest that everyone in and near the Crouch end area tries it. Your first class is free so you really have no excuse. The class will push you to your limits in that way cross country running used to at school, although somehow it is enjoyable!

Best bit... attacking the punch bag!

Worst bit... the gloves, if you don't have your own you can borrow but as with everywhere they are a bit smelly.

Good for...Toning and stretch

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