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fitness

Fitness

Staying Fit on Holiday

Posted on August 10, 2017

I love to travel, but when I do, my body automatically goes into holiday mode. Throwing caution to the wind i’ll have that extra glass of wine, the bread and olive oil, or go all out and have a dessert too! Things i’d normally be uber cautious about back home. But what I do miss is the day-to-day routine of my Classport workouts and wake-surfing that balances out the foodie in me.

I’ve just spent 6 weeks in Europe and the first thing I did when I arrived to our holiday home in France was google translate the nearest gym and try to get myself into a more work to workout mode. I feel it’s a bit like jet lag, if you don’t assimilate quite quickly, it’s harder to get out of it. I certainly feel that with my body type, if i’ve gone more than a couple of days without some sort of fitness, it’s as if i’ve never done any at all! So I jumped at the chance to keep even a little bit of it going. I signed up with France’s version of Fitness First L’Orange Bleu, which for all intents and purposes is a great little outlet about 20 mins from our home in the countryside. They also have week by week plans which are great for the shorter trips across to Europe.

From spinning to pump and ‘abdos / cuisses’, every class was in French but didn’t take me long to pick up the routine having done similar style classes back home.

As it’s France though, the gym itself has now closed as they’ve decided to go on holiday for the last two weeks!?!…

…so back to square one. Heading to the local sport shop i’ve picked up a couple of weights to get myself motivated at home. Just a pair of 3kg’s to give myself a little resistance, i’m working on my own daily routine but so far so good… so after a 5-10 mins run around the surrounding fields, I stick on the radio, grab my weights and get to work in the garden, with last night’s pasta dish as my only motivation.

Testing Out: X Park at Bounce

Posted on July 6, 2017

Ever watched Total Wipeout on TV and though “I could do that”, well thanks to Bounce, you can now prove your Gladiator-esque skills on their new dedicated parkour-ninja-warrior course.

From spider wall climbs to ring swings and a fireman’s pole that leads to a zipline, it all looks innocent enough when you step up to the first challenge, but then to be told the entire two floor course is being timed and you’ve got about 2 mins to make it onto their daily hall of fame board… well, that’s a different story.

I managed about 3/4 of the entire course, the starting blocks see you free-running your way in a ‘the floor is lava’-style manoeuvre, from which you can get a false sense of security moving through the next few fun steps. It’s the monkey bars that got me. I was a childhood swing park kinda kid, so I know my way round an obstacle course and a jungle gym, but these are more Spartan than they look. From there, I found it almost impossible to get my body swinging far enough on the hoops to make it onto the landing pad, so out of frustration, I just skipped it 😉

The wall climb was much more my style, and I felt I could make up the lost time on all the over-and-under obstacles that were back upstairs. The final jumps were the last hurdle and as soon as I stopped actually thinking about jumping, and just jumped, my timer stopped with a very beginner’s score of about 4 mins (give or take an obstacle).

Fun, sweaty and challenging in ways you never knew you could be challenged. I wander if adults can host Birthday parties here too…

Fitness

Testing Out: 1SIX8 NuPowerYoga

Posted on June 17, 2017

Yoga is all about bending, stretching and breathing right? So power yoga… something a little stronger perhaps? Described as where strength meets flexibility, NuPowerYoga was introduced to us last week at one of my favourite hotspots, Hautletic, through Dubai based fitness studio 1six8. It cites more than just using weights in its vinyasa flow, with innovative Nubell-technology designed, circular hand weights, which are created to be ergonomically optimal, providing an even, all-round weight distribution for your hand, wrist and (occasionally) ankle too.

The benefit of all this is that it helps to alleviate any stress or tension on your joints, often seen with other weights and bells. I know from personal training that I much prefer kettle bells to barbells as I feel I can keep my wrist more controlled when using them. The creator of these circular designs did so due to an accident where he needed to regain strength in his hands and wrists.

Created in the States (of course) there’s been a real trend towards combining different fitness techniques and classes, to ultimately try and create a more thorough body workout. What Nu Power Yoga does is aid those long muscle movements in yoga by adding a little more resistance, helping to get everything firing and ultimately engage with more core.

NuPowerYoga classes start in June, at their hotspot in 168, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai.

Fitness

Testing Out: Rips, Ropes & Straps at Fitness First

Posted on June 6, 2017

Fitness First is the giant of all gyms. Open everywhere and providing pretty much everything you could need for a one on one gym session with a trainer. They’ve progressed to classes as well, but let’s face it, it’s that shiny new equipment we’re most tempted by.

So when a new one popped open up in Mudon, I was first in line to check out their various HIIT regimes. One which stood out for me the most was their Rips, Ropes & Straps set up. We tried a mixture of 5 different exercises, in a group of only 6 people, so ultimately we had more one-to-one time with the instructor… in this case that meant we couldn’t cheat. Hailed as a 45 minute loaded movement training class, using TRX, Rip Trainer, Battle Ropes & Ankorr. It is designed to use 3D movement, aiming to improve your muscular endurance and core strength.

From being strapped in to a harness for elasticated resistance running to core crunches and assisted side winders, the floor became as tough as the wall. Not somewhere to be underestimated either… I always thought Fitness First would be more of a factory, churning out the gym bodies one by one, but I was pleasantly surprised at the homely feel and support systems.

Fitness

Waking Up With Roxy Fitness

Posted on May 11, 2017

What better way to kickstart the day, especially now the weather’s getting hotter, than an early start down by the sea. I’m totally a water baby and I love the way we get energy from it too, so when ROXY, a brand I haven’t seen in ages, calls us all in for a #RUNSUPYOGA event, i’m 100% in!

ROXY’s a brand I grew up with but I have to admit, I haven’t noticed much of their presence here in the region in a long time. Promoting their new activewear, which is surf to sand appropriate, we tested out their latest pieces down at sunset beach with Surf House Dubai.

Kickstarting the morning with a beach yoga session to wake up our tired limbs, we put our balance to the test before heading out in two groups for an SUP fit session with the Surf House team. Harder than it looks, even for the most practised SUP’er; balancing, squats, push up’s and burpees when there’s a few waves underneath you is a testing experience to say the least.

A brand inspired by both the mountains and the sea, it launched in 1990 with the first women’s specific boardshort inspired by Lisa Andersen, and have been mastering the art of fashionable surf wear since…

Fitness

Testing Out: Barry’s Bootcamp

Posted on March 24, 2017

Hailed as ‘the best bootcamp in the world’ (self-proclaimed of course) it’s going to raise some eyebrows. I’d personally not heard of the HIIT phenom that’s a London institution before it came to Dubai, but i was eager to check it out. Barry’s is a fusion class that combines a signature style of cardio which is all treadmill based and strength workouts which are floor based. It’s said to help burn up to 1,000 calories in just one hour, although you’ll have to work extra hard to accomplish that.

Barry’s is a great way to de-stress, burn off your lunch and generally get the heart pumping, with loud music, enthusiastic instructors and of course, plenty of muscle bound inspiration in the room too. I work out much better when i’m positioned in between other enthusiasts due to my slightly competitive nature ;).

The lights go out and a single instructor will guide a room of up to approx 50 gym-goers on two separate workouts, with half the room on the floor for 15 mins and the other half on the treadmill, swapping to ensure you’re keeping your heart rate up all the way through the class. It can get loud in there, but I found that the ear plugs at the door helped block out any distractions and allowed me to concentrate on my own workout better.

Barry’s pushed me but without me hating it half way through… granted I could have pushed a little bit harder on the treadmill (i’m not a runner), it was a happy sweat and a pat on the back rather than a shoulder strain and physical exhaustion that other bootcamps have had… the protein shake waiting for me on exit helped too!

travel yoga

Retreat To These 3 Worlds of Wellness

Posted on September 28, 2016

Chenot Palace Health & Wellness Hotel, Gabala Azerbaijan
Opening on the 1st November, the Chenot Palace is introducing a completely new wellness landscape to us in the heart of Azerbaijan. Not immediately recognised as a luscious and bountiful green wonderland, this new retreat bring us the Chenot Method. For those of you that aren’t familiar with this concept – “the Chenot Method is a unique combination of treatments and diet that in synergy aim to protect effectively the body from damage and toxins accumulation and premature aging.” …interest peaked.“The protocols of these treatments are collectively known as the Chenot Method and combine the principles of Chinese medicine with the latest scientific advances in medicine and state of the art diagnostic technology.”

They are boasting a highly professional team of doctors, dieticians and therapists who will be able to reveal the lifelines and energy flows through our bodies, aiding in the elimination of blockages and restrictions within them. The Chenot’s treatments are said to help balance our emotions too! (I can think of at least four people who need this right now including me)… Sign me up.

Anantara Kihavah, Maldives Villas

So I’ve ticked diving with sharks off my list but swimming with up to 100 manta rays in the Indian Ocean sounds like a fairy tale! And what’s even better, I don’t need to get my license in order to do so. Free diving with these gorgeous creatures is truly an amazing opportunity and as this year’s manta ray season ends in November, I suggest you book Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas quick. It all happens at the protected site of Hanifaru Bay, only 45 minutes away from the resort and is the world’s largest natural manta feeding destination. Don’t worry though, it’s not island style free diving – they have a PADI – accredited, newly launched free diving centre to help guide you.

The resort itself is located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. So expect more than just these magical sightings when you’re there! I’ll be booking before the water gets too cold…

Banyan Tree, Phuket

Thailand has it’s own unique vibes and anyone whose ever visited this part of Asia will understand the pull to return time and time again. Most of my excursions here have either been up north or to one of the beautiful surrounding islands so this Phuket retreat sounds downright heavenly! Not one to sit still, there’s plenty of adventure to be had here too. Picture an awe-inspiring resort encased by swaying palm trees and turquoise waters. Sensational villas each with private pools, a world-renowned spa and dinners that will take your breath away!

If you’re a bit more of a culture vulture, head to Old town and spot the Portuguese influences amongst the villas, boutiques and streets. The Buddhist temples too are exquisite, Wat Chalong is one not to be missed, but try to avoid buying any Buddha relics or souvenirs as it’s not looked at favourably with the locals.

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After-hours Yogalates

Posted on May 5, 2015

You won’t believe how far i’ve come here… whether it’s the extended backbend, keeping my hips square or even being able to balance on my arms in side crow, all whilst smiling and not grimacing through clenched teeth. I credit a lot of it to the patience and help from my instructors but, it’s also down to perseverance and not wanting to give up on a pose just because it’s hard.

The harder the pose, the more you need it

***Wearing fit plum leggings***

“Parsva Bakasana” – Side Crow

“Kapotasana” – King Pigeon

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