Fitness: The Five Best Classes to Shed that Weight

The weather’s warming up and we are starting to remember our New Year’s resolution to get fit. Here are five of the best classes to kick-start your fitness journey.

Xtend Barre

This method originated from the US and is the brainchild of Andrea Rogers. It fuses elements of ballet and Pilates to give you an all-body workout that will strengthen, tone and make you sweat. The class is broken down into clearly defined sections starting with a warm up and an arm section to eliminate any signs of the dreaded “bingo wings”.

Next is a floor section focusing on building core strength and stability. Then to The Barre where you will plié and pulse until your muscles shake, and the class ends with an abdominal blast to give you a washboard stomach.

What makes Xtend different is its combination of controlled high energy movements to give you a cardio workout without 30 minutes on a treadmill. While the movements look simple you will definitely be sweating within a few minutes. It is a great workout for all levels and abilities. Xtend Barre London has a studio in Marylebone High Street and also hosts regular challenges to help get you started on your journey.

KoBox

A workout created in London as a way to blend the benefits of heavy bag boxing and strength training, this is a fun and accessible class for both men and women. KoBox has recently opened its second studio near Liverpool Street after the success of its first studio on Kings Road, Chelsea.

The people behind KoBox describe it as “Fight Club meets Nightclub” and that starts to make sense when you enter a darkened studio hanging with black boxing bags.

The class consists of 25 minutes on the bag and 25 minutes of other workouts, broken into multiple rounds. This is a full body, fat-burning, muscle-strengthening workout and is the perfect way to get rid of any pent-up stress or midweek frustrations. The instructors also provide the ultimate playlist to accompany each gruelling round.

It is a test of mental stamina as it’s up to you how hard you push yourself. If you really go for it you will leave the studio feeling like Rocky.

Bikram Yoga (Hot Yoga)

If you are seeking a calmer workout then Bikram Yoga is for you. Taking principles from the traditional Hatha Yoga, every Bikram class follows the same 90-minute structure consisting of 26 postures in a room heated to 35+ degrees with 40% humidity.

The aim is to improve flexibility and strength while encouraging mindfulness and self-awareness. The heat helps to lift the heart rate for a better cardiovascular workout.

It can be a shock to the system at first but beginners are encouraged to stay in the room for the full 90 minutes even if they aren’t performing the postures. There are several Bikram studios in London and most offer a 30-day introductory price in the belief that you will be hooked after a month. You can do the classes nude as well.

Psycle

Psycle is London’s answer to the ultimate indoor cycling experience based in Central London (Mortimer Street) and Canary Wharf. It is a far cry from your average gym-based indoor cycling class. It takes place in a darkened room that resembles a night club rather than a fitness class.

An instructor talks you through the class, motivating and pushing you to go beyond your limits. What makes Psycle different from your average spin class is its connection to the music; it pushes you through the class taking you on a physical and mental journey. You will leave this workout feeling pumped and dripping with sweat.

A little advice for first-timers; when booking the class choose a bike in the back row as while this is a class for all levels the front row is definitely advanced.

Barry’s Bootcamp

Barry’s Bootcamp is one of the best-known High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts. It combines elements of military boot camp training with great music to produce a high intensity workout that will have you burning up to 1,000 calories per class. Every studio is lit with Barry’s signature red lights but every class is different.

The normal class is a combination of running and weight-based training, however there are also “no treadmill’ classes. These classes are high energy and will have sweating hard. They are a great all-body challenge, especially if you like the idea of working out in the “Biggest Loser” style.

 

by Elle Linton

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