gym Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Amanda Rushforth

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.

The 6 Week FlyBarre Challenge

Posted on June 10, 2015

Yoga has always been my favourite way to keep fit, whilst helping me to maintain normal stress levels in this busy city, it also has little ways of toning your body. I’ve been an avid yogalates fan in particular, from daring balances to core exercises, there’s always something to sweat about.

And then there was FlyBarre…

Opening in the Gold & Diamond Park, it was a stones throw from work, so I popped in to check it out. One class led to another and very soon was buying packages. Hooked on the sweaty muscle exhausting sessions, it quickly became my favourite after-work haunt. Especially due to their instructors – they have to be some of THE nicest, most encouraging fitness professionals i’ve come across.

FlyBarre provides a revolutionary form of body sculpting. It’s a complete mixture of exercises, taking elements from yoga to dance, pilates and of course ballet. I’ve never been a Zumba fan (i’m particularly un-coordinated when it comes to following choreographed anything), so I was worried at the beginning about the one dynamic arms track in the hour-long loop.

I was offered the opportunity to join the FlyBarre Challenge at the beginning of May – a 6 week course, where you have to complete 4 classes a week, including 3 workshops. I jumped at the chance and with Reebok kindly offering to keep me cool in their latest studio and crossfit gear, I was all set.

It’s the final week now and i’m HONESTLY signing up again next month. It’s been a great way of ensuring I get regular exercise, (I hate the gym) and also it’s kept me off the couch in the evenings! I’ve even been trying out the protein shakes, and made it to the odd early class or two. I would recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a social and dynamic way of toning, losing a couple of inches and building strength.