UNDERCOVER: POWERTONE STUDIO

When I think of power plates I think of burning and sweating to hard core music. Quite often being shouted at (in an encouraging way) to keep going and trying really hard to enjoy the burn comes to mind too. Powertone studio is far from that image. Don't get me wrong, I did feel the burn, it was just in a far calmer environment!

The studio is a quick walk from Moorgate station in a block full of physio and sports related offices. The studio itself is a tranquil place on the top floor so you get a good warm up just making your way there! It has 4 machines so the classes are nice and small and I could tell that everyone in my class and the classes before and after were regulars because they had a really laid back feel.  

The class itself was quite intense but set to quiet music so you could actually hear the instructor and concentrate on what he was telling us to focus on as well as the burn. Weirdly enough it was quite relaxing too although I was burning and sweating it really helped me unwind after work. It was unlike any power plate class I've done before because although a lot of the exercises were the same as other class I've previously taken and just as intense something about the atmosphere made the burn much easier to handle so minute exercises were flying by. 

All the instructors are personal trainers and so are great at giving specific exercises to different clients in class to target specific areas/help you reach your goals. I happen to take a class taught by one of the owners so I can confidently say it is a fun and friendly studio that cares about its clients, you don't feel like another faceless customer. There are studios all round London and the first class is free so if you want to check out the studio and see what I mean by a relaxed, intense power plate class then you have no excuses (apart from the City studio being shut at weekends.)

Best bit... the atmosphere

Worst bit... walking up all of the stairs

Good for... glutes, abs, arms, thighs

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: SPORT WITH STYLE TAKE 2

I was lucky enough to have gotten a place on the Boutique Sport Sport with Style event at Blue Cow Yoga. I have loved all the Boutique Sport Sport with Style events so far and we all know how I feel about cocktails, goodie bags and yoga so I was pretty much set. I'm not sure why but the day after the paralympics closing ceremony everyone seemed exhausted...that is everyone that wasn't lucky enough to get out of work and to the parade (boo). I was really hoping that we would be relaxing and slowly stretching in yoga because, if I'm really honest, the thought of the complimentary cocktail from Late Night London at Gable & Cellar Bar is what got me through the day!

The class was really invigorating! It was not a relaxing or calming class but, as it turns out, was perfect for me! I needed a class that made me sweat and work hard so by the end of it I really felt like I deserved my cocktail. By the fourth side plank I was feeling the burn and sweaty! The instructor that took class was Harry who was great. There were a mixture of beginners and yogis in the class but he was clear and calming (even when we were in horse rider's pose for what seemed like forever). I felt a lot of clicks through out the class which meant that by the end my body felt great and all the aches and pains I had from sitting in the office all day had gone. Apparently Harry only teaches in the mornings but his class was perfect for a Monday night as I was able to shake off whatever was making me tired and felt really invigorated and sweaty after the class!



After class the Boutique Sport ladies gave us all vita coco and goodie bags full of UNE All In One mascara, Alpro chocolate mouse, Yu! Jus Fruit Pieces and Kiwi Shoe Passion gel cushions. If you haven't tried any of the above do it! The Yu! Jus Fruit Pieces were delicious and are 1 of your 5 a day and are now a new (not-so-guilty pleasure of mine, than you Boutique Sport ladies. Aand if all of that wasn't enough there was a running guru at the studio giving advice. When I was showered and dress I walked to Gable & Cellar Bar, which is literally 10 seconds from Blue Cow, where I enjoyed my complimentary cosmo in the lounge room that had been booked out for us very grateful ladies! The convenient location of the bar to the studio was an added bonus that really topped off the event! The Boutique Sport team really know how to throw an event with the right balance of exercise, fun and free things! Thank you for another great event.Best Bit: The free event, location of the bar and the feeling after the class!Worst Bit: Wanted a longer class

Good for: Networking, Mondays and cosmos!

UNDERCOVER: TEMPO PILATES

Tempo Pilates is Pilates set to music. It's Covent Garden branch is in Gymbox and as I've said before Gymbox is like a night club and although TP is separate I was very excited about the whole Tempo Pilates experience!

In my mind I was expecting it to either be Pilates exercises and sequences choreographed to music, like a dance on a reformer bed (!), or Pilates exercises to booming music. It was a mixture of both. The songs are chosen to fit the exercises/pace and stage of the class. In the studio you don't hear the pumping music from Gymbox, just the great soundtrack. I love Pilates but I have to say some classes I come out feeling like I worked hard but not too intensely throughout. After this class I knew that I had worked every muscle in my body from the start. Within the first 15minutes I was shaking and I have to say it is a good job the music is there because it definitely helped me push through and enjoy it!

When I was booking the class online, before paying, I was taken to the deals page. I loved this as it meant that the class was only £10 as I was a first timer. Annoyingly I had to book a 45 minute class in order to fit it into my lunch break but I wanted more! The classes aren't divided into level but the teacher, Gina, adapted exercises for the beginners and more advanced people in the class. She also explained everything really clearly so the class still moved quickly. Lunch times tend to attract beginners apparently so if you're more advanced I'd head to a morning or evening class. However I felt the burn, got the shakes and definitely sweated so any class would work!

Best bit... feeling the burn to the music

Worst bit... wanted more! I should have booked an hour class

Good for...bums, thighs, arms, abs

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

UNDERCOVER: British Military Fitness

Outdoors exercise always seems like a great idea... in the summer, but one cold and windy Sunday morning I decided to brave it and join in with the British Military Fitness session at Wanstead Flats.

I turn up to find our instructor, decked out in camouflage cargo pants and I’m instantly worried. In front of him lies two buckets of bib, one blue one red. As I had registered for a free trial I hand in my form and am directed to the tub of blue bibs (blue is for beginner/average fitness levels).

We began with a warm up which consisted of some jogging and loosing the limbs... so far so good.  After about 10 minutes the running began. Not being an avid fan of running I was not looking forward to this one bit. I surprised myself. In pairs, one of us ran to the top of a mound and back 3 times whilst our partner did continuous sit-ups until it was our turn to swap. We repeated this exercise 3 times changing the sit-ups to press up and then burpees!! I hate burps…

The rest of the session included lots of partner/team exercises and some more of the dreaded running but the time just flew by. Before I knew it we were warming down with a good stretch session. I was surprised by how much I had enjoyed myself and my adrenalin was pumping. Although there was a group of around 20 people in the class, it felt like a lot more personal than I expected.

Overall I thought it was a fantastic, really fun workout which is suited to all fitness levels and really pushes you that extra bit.

Best bit – the serious lactic acid burn the next day but it was completely worth it

Worst bit – muddy hands and clothes

Time – 1 Hour

Overall – 8/10