Browsing Category

Fitness

Testing Out: TRX

Posted on February 17, 2017

So i’m bored of my normal daily fitness routine… I joined one of the gym apps this year as part of my fit plan for Jan and i’m having fun trying out some new studios. Motion Fitness is just across from the Burj al Arab, so it’s really easy to get to, and you won’t have to fight for parking either.

Designed as a home away from home, this villa is setup with various rooms and studios to become a one-stop-shop for women looking for a workout. They’ve got a whole host of different classes you can try out too, so I jumped in to one of their TRX classes in their upstairs studio.

I hadn’t really taken a TRX class before so it was nice to be guided through the setup, and my god we were put through our paces in there. But why is TRX such a great way to workout?

If you’re a fan of circuits (i’m not really), it’ll help you reduce the time spent pacing from one training station to another if you want to train different parts of the body. As well as the obvious time benefits (we only get an hour to exercise in our busy schedules don’t you know), you’ll feel it the next day as it works muscles you had totally forgotten about…

Your core is challenged in every exercise and that means more than just your abs! We’re talking pelvis, shoulders, back and chest muscles, it engages the whole body. There’s an instability in the swinging suspension system of the TRX that means you have to keep your core tight at all times, as your body is using the TRX to help keep you stable. You’ll also work more than one or two muscles as a jump squat involves you pulling/pushing on the TRX too.

Rather than buying one and pretending to use it at home, i’d rather pop in here weekly for a class.

When Speedo Got Sexy

Posted on February 14, 2017

No we’re not talking banana hammocks here either… the Speedo brand has long been synonymous with swimmers and the more athletic water warriors, but it’s had a bit of a refresh with its H2O Active collection and I have to admit, i’m a fan!

We jumped in to the nicely heated outdoor pool at Fairmont the Palm to put the collection to the test. They have an aqua-cycle class i’ve been dying to try out so it was a great way of seeing what all the hype was about.

The collection itself ranges from multi-strapped bikinis with spliced waistbands, to one-pieces with added bra tops and open backs and also includes water wearable leggings! I chose the one-piece for a bit of added warmth in case it was a bit nippy that early in the morning.

Check out the H2O Active range for yourself:

#GetSpeedoFit

Adventure Fitness

Fly-boarding… To New Heights

Posted on January 27, 2017

What a way to kick off the weekend… it’s colder than normal but that just means we have to be more active! I popped in to Fahrenheit Beachsports (my secret water-sports hang out down in Jumeirah 1) to try out Fly-boarding for the first time. It’s something I’ve had my eye on for a while, although I have to admit, I was a bit nervous before we started.

It’s a very new feeling… no amount of yoga, surfing or pilates was going to help me get my balance this time round, it’s all down to your mind and where you’re looking, for example, look down at your feet or the water and your whole body moves that way. The key is to stare just above the horizon and curl your feet underneath you into (what I can only describe as) a seahorse shape, so that when the driver on the jet ski gives you some power, your feet naturally move underneath you into a straight legged standing position, from which you then rise above the surface of the water.

Once you’re up, it’s totally different… if you so much as curl your toes, you’ll move. So relax but be firm and lock your knees (sorry yoga teachers) as much as possible without being to rigid. It’s such fun and what a view! With the Burj Khalifa on the skyline and the beach bar waiting for us as we came back to shore, I can tell it’s going to be a very popular pastime.

fashion Fitness

New Year, New Workout Gear

Posted on January 5, 2017

Ever feel like your workout wardrobe is better than your evening one? I certainly do… but that means it’s time for it to get a bit of a karmic cleanse too (I mean who wears neon to the gym anymore!?). I always wear my newest gym gear, because like everything, when it’s new, I feel confident in it. Admittedly there’s a few colour heavy/trendy pieces mixed in with the more classic black leggings, but all in all, I can honestly say I’d be happy to downward dog in just about everything in there.

Even though it’s my current favourite gym wear, it’s worth recycling the pile every so often. If you can’t work out what to throw out, turn the pile upside down and see if you go for those forgotten leggings next time you book a class or if you pull from within the pile itself!

For me though, a workout isn’t just in the gym! My swimwear also gets a refresh every January – to whittle out those few favoured bikinis that are turning a little see-through…

Check out my fave new pieces you can buy online in the U.A.E!
THE UPSIDE paddle suit from Sun & Sand Sports

DHARMA BUMS leggings from yApparel

BODY LANGUAGE capri leggings and crop top from Sun & Sand Sports

Fitness Recommended

Want To Wake Surf In Dubai?

Posted on November 13, 2016

I’ve developed a very addictive (expensive) little surf hobby that’s been helping to keep me cool all summer. Wake surfing is Dubai’s latest water-sport to get passionate about. It’s a mixture of balance, confidence and co-ordination, but paired with a beautiful sunset and Dubai’s much cooler weather now, it really doesn’t matter how many times you fall off.

It’s not to be confused with wake-boarding, where your feet are strapped into a board and are pulled behind the boat on a rope, it’s essentially a mini-surf board (like a skim board) that you ride on the wake of a boat, only using the rope to pull you up into standing position, very close to the back of the boat itself. Each hour is roughly between 400-550aed depending on where you go and what day of the week it is. 1 hour is great for two people, but 3-4 people all wanting a go – plan for 2!

There’s lots of people around who are keen to give it a go, as it’s a lot less dangerous than wake boarding… the boat is going a lot slower for one thing and your feet aren’t strapped to a board so when you do fall in, you can land as naturally as possible. So here’s a round up of my TOP 3 wake-surf boats about town.

1) Xtreme Wake
Setting off from just outside Spinney’s in the Marina, they have two boats available – one is better for wake surfing than the other one so be specific when you book. They specialise in more intermediate skim boards, with a brand new one available now too, that’s lighter and great for playing around on the wave with. They also have a boat that runs in Ghantoot and a gorgeous seaside taverna called La Cala that just opened up too, so you can now wine & wake (although I wouldn’t recommend that at the same time!)

2) Sea Riders
Boasting two bright red boats based just opposite Bistro Des Arts at Marina Mall, Sea Riders have a great team behind them, the guys are very hands-on and beginner friendly. They came highly recommended and did not disappoint, great for group bookings too. They are also the first to foray into the famous Dubai Creek, so if you’re after a bit more of a scenic background, they’ve got you covered.

3) Fahrenheit Beach-sports
A brand new hotspot on the beach down by the flag, they have a great new boat, with a beautiful long wave either side and zero traffic on the water, so you’re less likely to get knocked off your game with other waves around. The boards are a little more buoyant than i’m used too, but it meant for a bit more playing around on the wave. With a cool set up down at the Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa, they have valet too and a bar, so get settled in for a sunset ride and a few cocktails afterwards too.

All in all, getting in some vitamin sea with wake surfing is an awesome way to wake up and start your day, so book an early morning session wherever you choose for the best water conditions and least traffic!

fashion Fitness

GAP Fit Launches in the Middle East

Posted on November 7, 2016

Famed all-American clothing brand Gap has partnered with Al Tayer Group to launch the first Gap Fit standalone store in the world! Based down at JBR, The Beach, the shop is full on fitness so it’s only natural that we had to put it to the test.

The Warehouse Beach gym played host to a morning of circuits, and even though it was first thing in the morning, being outdoor in the not-yet-wintry weather made it tougher still. The GapFit gear held up nicely despite the rigorous testing it got, so we headed straight to the store to stock up!

GAP is an iconic brand that’s really best known for its denim, but by launching GapFit this year, it’s opened up the brand again for me personally. Expect a collection full of activewear and i’m especially fond of their leggings that offer good compression, breathability, stretch, and their new blackout technology. Not strictly for women either, the launch has a full range of comfy activewear for guys too!

Fitness

The Sweat Life

Posted on August 9, 2016

It’s hot outside and we’re feeling demotivated/lethargic and full of excuses, but there really is no beating the sweat life… you just have to get stuck in. My workouts have actually increased this summer – perhaps just because they get me out of the house, or perhaps because the motivation to go jump in a pool is much much higher in this heat. Either way, I’m seriously putting my activewear to the test!

But it’s also my workout that’s changed – no longer the barre addict of yesteryear. It’s wheel that’s got me sweating now. Whether it’s at Flywheel with Nora’s new beats class, Aviation club for a sprint session with Reebok Les Mills or at Define fitness for a soul cycle-esque workout followed by a Kold Press, there’s more and more keeping me active right now.

As for clothing… there’s plenty of sporty, stylish and sweat-proof pieces out there but there’s a couple of items I’m favouring right now. Not just for their bold patterns or pretty colour combos, it’s important to me that they are as comfy as they are cool. High-waisted leggings, supportive training bra’s and floaty yoga tanks are key!

Tried & tested, worn and washed, here’s my activewear staples this summer:

Teeki leggings from The Hotbox Kit

Tima leggings form Tima Love Life

Reebok errrythang

Body Language at Fitplum

Vie activewear from Hautletic

Fitness Recommended

Core Pilates Review

Posted on June 22, 2016

It was my first time trying Real Pilates and it’s a full class…

The instructor joins and starts us off with some fairly easy, low level warm up stretches. So far so good. I’m quite competitive so I’m automatically looking for someone in the room to vibe off, someone who’s going to make me push myself harder. The instructor was great, not what I expected I have to admit (I’m used to young lululemon branded ladies whose abs are my fitspo goals), but don’t worry about not feeling ‘worked out’ he was incredibly welcoming and very attentive to posture (which is what I need).

The core pilates session was a complete mix of nationality and age (all women in my class), so I didn’t really expect to be the first to struggle… he made everything look so easy!
Although the work out is slow in pace and simple in understanding, the difference in posture, alignment and pulse made me sweat. From the spiderman – esque plank formation (which I collapsed in even though my normal planks are strong), to the squat workout that still stings now… it was a great class.

I’ve realised (with the full range of aching muscles) that there’s no benefit to doing just one workout over and over, you need to change it up constantly to work all the muscles… Here’s to the next challenge 🙂

Fitness

⌚️ Dare to BARE: Tag Heuer Black Workout ⌚️

Posted on June 7, 2016

I wouldn’t consider myself weak. I mean I work out 3-4 times a week, wake surf every weekend and cycle around the autodrome occasionally too. So when Tag Heuer contacted us to see if we wanted to take their ‘Black Workout,’ I was excited to say the least.

Never before have I been so out of my depth.

#DontCrackUnderPressure is their mantra and Oh My GOD they put you to the test. My physical pain-preferences are Flybarre, yoga and anything aquatic that help keep me in shape. And let me tell you, Flybarre isn’t ballet, nor is it a walk in the park… you will exhaust each muscle group slowly, painfully and until you can’t pulse any longer. But this was a whole new world!

My body definitely isn’t used to cardio based workouts, I’m slowly getting dragged into that world but I’m looking for an easy way in and there just isn’t one…

Right, so the Black workout at BARE gym, a self-professed ‘non-gym’ in Business Bay – looks innocent enough. It’s got cool black floors, a TRX jungle gym outside and a fairly empty room with a stage in the front, and a Tag Heuer clock handsomely projected to the right of it on the wall. We were warned that their social workout has a warm up that involves actually leaving the gym (it’s midday by this time FYI), so after a quick lap (!) we came back in to get set up for their 1000 calorie cross-training workout.

From caterpillars, to upside down bugs, creepy crawlies (not sure why it’s all creature related) and of course the dreaded burpee, the next 40 minutes near enough wiped me out.

“Blissful endorphin high” it is not. It’s hot, sweaty and will push you past your limit… which is a stretch. But if it’s an ass-kicking you want… this is it.

fashion Fitness

Jumping On This Yoga-Brand Bandwagon

Posted on May 17, 2016

My activewear drawer is probably my most well-rounded wardrobe department, so this yoga brand addition’s been a long time coming… not only is this Canadian company making waves everywhere from the US to AUS, with all my friends coveting their comfortable collections, it’s constantly being paraded around the barre by my beloved instructors!

Lululemon is the yoga-inspired apparel brand who’s high-waisted leggings have revolutionised form-fitting activewear.

Minimising distractions (like escaping muffin tops and creeping camel toes) whilst maximising comfort, these leggings are the epitome of effortless dressing. Having not tried out their bra tops yet, I can only speculate that they are indeed as boob-huggingly soft as they look.

Here’s my latest covets:

Older Posts

Newer Posts