UNDERCOVER: FITTER LONDON

You know when you book into a Saturday morning class and as soon as your alarm goes off on Saturday you regret it? Well that didn't happen to me. I'd e-mailed Matt at Fitter London at the beginning of the week and he told me to just turn up to class and that there was no need to book. I had heard from the Fitness Freak team that I was in for an intense class. I still wasn't dreading it. I woke up before my alarm so ate my breakfast then strolled to the tube. I was pretty excited, despite being slightly fueled by last nights' cocktails.

I found the Fitness First where the classes are held. It wasn't until I queued up outside the studio where the previous Fitter London class was happening (10.30am circuits) that the fear began. The room was full of sweaty people working ridiculously hard. They were smiling and having fun but I instantly wanted to kick myself for the extra couple of cocktails last night, no matter how fun they were! On Saturday mornings Fitter London's classes happen at Fitness First. Very easy to find and the gym has  nicest front of house staff I've met in a long time. Very friendly and really helpful. The first class is free and you don't have to book. But don't let that put you off or worry you because the studio is a good size and there is plenty of equipment for both the 10.30 and 11.30 class so you will get in. 




                    

The instructor, Matt, was really thorough and helped the newbies with technique but also made sure to push the regulars. I was told the format of the class changes on a weekly basis but that they work on lots of glute activation and abs/lower back. Which is perfect for me as I know my glutes can get lazy. The class also seems to target that under bum bit that appears when you've treated yourself to too many cakes... In the class itself we used giant kettlebells. Not the pretty, colourful ones I was used to. The weights are the same but they look like Russian weightlifting kettlebells. So I felt pretty awesome swinging them around. We partnered up and took turns to perform reps of different exercises. Whilst your partner is doing one exercise, you do another. The sections were between 5-8 minutes long so having a partner really helped you push yourself, as you knew you had to switch with them soon. 

The class is different to any other kettlebell class I have taken before. I have never been in a class where so much attention is paid to the muscles that people don't know how to active. At the end of the class lay on mats and used the kettlebells to work on our arms, abs and backs and I could really feel everything engage properly. As a result I was able to challenge myself and use a heavier weight (when Matt passed it to me I thought he was mad, but I survived!). I absolutely loved the class. It was hard core and really works on endurance as well as strength. On Sunday morning when I woke up even my forearms ached, so you know it was a good class. I really want to try the circuit class next and think I may become a regular.

Best bit... The intensity of the workout

Worst bit...Not being able to book

Good for..abs, arms, glutes, thighs

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: 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: 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: Kettlebells at Gymbox - youch!

6.45pm Gymbox Holborn, 100 High Holborn, WC1V 6RD
Gymbox can be difficult to get in to classes as a non-member, but that's because it's so brilliant. Classes are free to Gymbox members - just book in to ensure you get a place - and about £8 for non-members.

Going to Gymbox is more like hitting a nightclub than having a workout. The music is pumping, the lights are flashing, the place has an industrial look (metal tubes and pipes on show) and the people look waaaay too cool to be exercising.  It's a frenzy of funky hairdos, the latest fluro kit and trendy high-top trainers...but the classes are also great, and a break from the norm. Whatever the latest exercise trend is, you're likely to find a class at Gymbox. Kettlebells are basically dumbbells but with proper handles so you can have a bigger range of movement.  The Gymbox website promises that this is the "Russian Military way to improve your core strength and muscular endurance", and if that isn't enough to convince you that this is hardcore, they go on to say that "this class will work every major muscle, build power and shred body fat". Shred body fat!? Bring it on!

 The main aim of the class is to swing these weights about like a lunatic (and not let go) whilst keeping a good strong stance. By swinging the weights, you're using your core muscles as well as your arm muscles as you lift, and your leg muscles as you balance and squat. Essentially, you feel like you’re working every muscle in your body, all at once.  The group was quite small (about 6 of us), but I assume that's because you're flinging weights about and you need a bit of space to do that! The instructor of the class was really attentive to everyone, and made sure he kept his beady eye on us at all times. That was necessary, as I kept waiting for him to NOT look, so I could wimp out and have a break when my arms started to ache! He made sure we were lifting correctly, so we didn't hurt our backs, and pushed us on when we looked like we might flake out. It was a very mixed ability group - a few newbies and a few regulars - but the moves seem to work for everyone - you just lift heavier weights if you're more experienced. 

 

We didn’t do too many reps of anything, so it wasn't boring, and the class was only half an hour anyway.  It was mainly standing moves but there was also floorwork to crunch those sides and abs, and slim the muffin top. I'm not going to be running back to the class, as it wasn't as much fun as something like Zumba.  But I did really feel it the next morning, which is not something you can often say after a 30 minute workout. I also think that classes like this are really useful, as now when I pop to the gym for a solo workout and a run on the treadmill, I have a few new kettlebell moves to go through that really work.


Some recent advertising from Gymbox that I love...

(can't wait to try the Yummy Bummy class)


Best bit: Learning some new moves.
Worst bit: The fear that the bloke in front of me might let go of his weight at the wrong time!
Good for: A quick yet effective workout.
Score: 7/10