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Aqua Biking

Fitness

The Fittest Hotel in Town

Posted on December 20, 2017

Let’s talk hotel gyms… now when you travel it’s common to find a fairly well equipped but standardised fitness studio that mayyyyybe offers a yoga class or PT session. Well Fairmont the Palm is making sure it’s the fittest hotel in town, as it opens another new studio, located adjacent to the North residences.

Already familiar with their full moon beach side yoga where a hundred yogi’s salute the supermoon? This time the Fairmont’s taking things up a notch mixing classes of high intensity training, endurance and mind training. I have tried and tested all their new classes and I recommend you give these a go…

Cardio Muay Thai
A high intensity, cardio blasting combat style work out that includes a mixture of boxing and kickboxing techniques, intense military style drills and a little touch of Zumba.

PRAMA, by Pavigym
a functional training system based on spatial references on the floor and walls brings fitness to life with lights, sound and sensors. PRAMA is a high-intensity, circuit-based workout that quickly improves muscle memory, endurance, strength, balance, speed, agility, reaction time and overall fitness. It is a high-energy workout that provides complete strength and cardio conditioning, burning up to 1,000 calories in just one 45-minute session

Aquaspin™
the latest revolutionary aqua exercise that’s kind to the joints and muscles, yet burns the calories and improves cardio vascular fitness. The 45 minute class involves cycling on state-of-the-art spin bikes submerged inside the water.

All classes are 75 AED, with packages of 10 available at 500 AED where you can mix and match your workouts.

Fitness

Testing Out: The Iyashi Dome

Posted on May 26, 2017

Now I like a sauna as much as the next person, it releases tension, water weight and of course helps you when you’re feeling slightly under the weather too, but heading into the Iyashi Dome at L’Atelier Aquafitness, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was in for…

Originating and inspired by a traditional Japanese technique called Suna Ryogo – a practice where the Japanese were burying themselves in the sand near the hot springs on a beach to eliminate toxins, the Iyashi Dome is a device using a unique technology that deeply cleanses the body, restoring balance and even said to provide somewhat slimming effects.

What it actually does in fact is emit vibrations of far-infrared rays from inside its carbon based dome – which is the same amount of infrared that we naturally produce, so not apparently a health concern (my first question). Interestingly enough, we actually generate our own far infrared rays, between 8-14 microns in fact. So when we are treated with more rays in this manner, they are naturally absorbed by the body (up to 40mm under the skin). These far infrared rays generate heat, hence the sauna-like effect.

The Iyashi Dome aims to stimulate your metabolism and trigger deep set sweating. I’m not entirely sure the concept of sweating whilst lying down is a key in losing weight, but the sweat you are said to lose on a number 10 switch is apparently the same amount as running 20kms (approx 1200 ml). Each session lasts for 30 minutes and whilst your head stays out of the Dome for comfort, the rest of your body is hidden but the towel covering the entrance, as you’ll have to strip off to get in.

One thing is for sure, it’s a great way of removing any nasty toxins, and is a great skin cleanser. Ultimately, the experience was also quite relaxing, although I could have down with a little reading material in there, as i’m used to burning my calories a little more dynamically.

Fitness

Testing Out: Aqua Biking

Posted on February 24, 2017

Ok so I have to admit, I thought this was going to be a bit like aqua-aerobics, you know, where your gran would go to the local community pool for a ‘workout’… I was pleasantly surprised. Not only is L’Atelier Aqua Biking a resistance training class, it’s also a great way to workout if you’ve got an injury. There’s 4 positions on the bike to master, as well as an off-bike section thrown in to keep you moving.

What exactly is it? Described as a mix of circuits and spinning, L’Atelier has specially designed bikes that live in the water itself. It’s not going to be an easy swim where you can keep your hair dry too, the water goes up to your chest and you get 45 mins of legs, arms and core all underwater, with LOTS of splashing about. Feeling strong? Added weights at the side will help increase the resistance, but trust me, as a first timer, it wasn’t a walk in the park.

Not only is it a fun way to workout, it’s an effective form of hydromassage, that is said to help flatten out cellulite. You’ll get less water retention with this workout and thanks to the water’s buoyancy, you’ll be supported by 50% of your body weight, so if you’re injured or over-stretched, this will reduce the risk of further injury.

It’s cold when you first get in… but after the warm up, you’ll be glad your body temperature is controlled by some cooler water. If you’re feeling particularly fit, try the more intense training or HIIT classes too where you’ll be subjected to an underwater trampoline exercise!

fashion Fitness

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