UNDERCOVER: The need for speed. Move your FRAME

If you’re feeling a little on the wobbly side…why don’t you go the whole hog and shake it on a power plate?!

For those of you who haven’t hopped on board with this trend, it’s a plate that you stand on and do a succession of one minute sets. It vibrates underneath your feet as you do the moves, which makes them all more high impact and works the whole body, without appearing to require huge amounts in the way of effort. I’m not saying it’s easy though.

The weirdest thing that happens is how itchy and tingly your skin gets, apparently this is because your circulation is pumping faster. It’s not a big deal, just quite strange!

This class was at Frame, which is one of my fave gyms in London. Very low-key and small, nice staff, clean changing rooms, and loads of fun and crazy dance-based classes.

I went for the Tuesday lunchtime ‘Arse and Abs Vibe’ which focuses on (yes, you guessed it) getting the booty and belly under control. There are only four of you in the class, which is why it’s a bit pricier than their other classes, but you do get looked after well. My instructor was attentive and encouraging and seemed like an all-round nice bloke.

The best thing is that although some of the moves can be tough, each exercise is over after a minute. For example, lifting your leg sideways, as high as you can, whilst using a resistance band, and standing on a vibrating plate…ouch…but brief!

If you want a quick lunchtime fix, this is the class for you. You do work up a bit of a sweat, but not a crazy amount like you would get from a cardio class (you’ll need a quick shower before going back to work, but the hair and makeup won’t need re-doing).

Best bit – Fast, but felt like I’d done a proper workout for my core & felt it the next day.

Worst bit – The vibe studio isn’t as nice as their other studios at the venue.
Good for – If you feel the need for speed

Score – 8/10

ARSE AND ABS VIBE @ FRAME

Frame, 29 New Inn Yard, Shoreditch,EC2A 3EY

Tuesday lunchtime, 1.30pm, 30 minute class

Cost: £15

UNDERCOVER: Vibration enhances exercise. Good Vibes

So, everyone keeps banging on about power plates, and how they give you have a really intense workout in half the time. Sold! Less time, better results….music to my ears.

Turns out there are loads of places you can do a free trial, but then it does become quite expensive if you like it a lot and want to go every day. But I’m not one to ever turn down a freebie, so I hopped on down to the glow studios in Covent Garden for a class.

The class involves a succession of 1 minute poses or moves, on the plate.  For example, 1 minute of squats, then another minute of push ups.  The vibrations are pretty intense (think washing machine on spin cycle) but you get used to that pretty quickly.  And the vibration does mean that you have to work harder to hold each pose, and you can feel your core muscles tense to help out with your balance. Having said that, I didn’t feel the burn very much the next day.

The class was led by a lovely chappy, and there were only 3 of us (I think the maximum is 6) so it was intimate and there was no room for slacking! The instructor could have explained the moves in a little more detail as I was a newbie, and the other two were clearly pros, but there wasn’t anything too taxing, and he demonstrated most moves first.

All in all, it was quick and easy, and would be a great way of squeezing in some exercise if you struggle to drag yourself to the gym.

And p.s…..sitting down on the plate for the bum stretches is not for the faint hearted or easily embarrassed!

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Best bit – quick and a small class

Worst bit – daggy music & couldn’t feel it the next day

Good for – a quick fix on the way to work or in your lunch break. Something is ALWAYS better than nothing.

Score – 7/10

Good Vibes Covent Garden

14 – 16 Betterton Street

London WC2H 9BU

TIME: Every 30 mins at peak times of the day

COST: free trial, and then an average of approx £16 a class after that.

Lovely studios, small but clean changing rooms with free posh moisturiser and lockers.  The receptionist was also really cheery and friendly.