The capital doesn’t follow trends, it starts them. Needless to say that London is leading the way when it comes to fitness which, right now is all about the latest and greatest innovations, techniques and style. Sure old school methods – think legs, bums and tums and step classes – are still effective but we reckon you’re more likely to burn a sweat (and a smile) with one of the newer fitness finds. Here’s the skinny on five fitness trends that will make you give up that gym membership.
Electrical Muscle Stimulation at e-pulsive
Not au fait with EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation)? That’s something that must be righted asap. Why? Well allow us to enlighten you – a 20 minute EMS (which uses electrical impulses to achieve a controlled contraction of the skeletal striated muscles and is being touted as the future of fitness) equates to a 90 minute high-intensity gym class. What’s more a single EMS session can burn upto 500kcal. No doubt you’re probably now screaming: where do we sign up!? Allow us, dear Sybarite, to enlighten you: say hello to e-pulsive who currently have two studios in London – one in Knightsbridge and one in Canary Wharf – and can also arrange home or office visits in central London. (To conduct an EMS workout, all that is needed is a small area of roughly 40 square feet.)
www.e-pulsive.co.uk
Dance like Beyonce and Britney
“Dance like nobody’s watching”. So said William W Purkey. But here at Sybarite HQ, we’d rather dance like Queen Bey circa the 2016 Superbowl. If you share our sentiments and want to be bootylicious like Beyonce, seek out Frame – a dance emporium that’s loved by the A-list and has studios in Shoreditch, King’s Cross, Queen’s Park and Victoria – for 120-minute Beyonce bootcamps. Go from flab to fab doing different Beyonce dance routines to Put a ring on it, Love on Top and other Bey hits. Alternatively, get Britney Spears’ comeback body, by signing up to a Britney inspired dance workshop. In the words of Ms Spears herself “You want a hot body? You better work b***h.”
www.moveyourframe.com
Indoor cycling at BOOM! boom cycle
Take spinning to the next level with this one stop sweat shop for serious cardio – the creation of model and indoor cycling aficionado, Hilary Gilbert, who used indoor cycling as a way of staying in shape for her career. No matter what your ability – be it newbie or serious cyclist – you are definitely in the driver’s seat. 45 minute classes take place in a bespoke indoor cycling gym in either Shoreditch or Holborn under expert tuition of some of the best spin instructors in the capital and under dimmed lights meaning that you’ll feel more like you’re at a club that in an exercise studio. www.boommybody.com
Sloping off to Chel-Ski
Ski bunnies start celebrating! If you’re in need of a skiing fix but your schedule won’t permit a trip to Zermatt any time soon, simply head to Chel-Ski. London’s largest indoor ski centre delivers hi-tech slopes plus a fun and safe environment where advance existing skills. Looking to brush up on your skills so you can impress your friends on the slopes this ski season? Chel-Ski also offers lessons ski and snowboarding lessons.
Away from the slopes, enjoy a bite to eat or drink in the Alpine Cafe without worrying about the calories you’re consuming as skiing burns, on average, 400 calories per hour.
There’s no need to consign your skis to storage when in London: make for the King’s Road where you can ski seven days a week in the heart of the capital.
www.chel-ski.uk
Yoga at The Shard
The Shard – aka the tallest building in London – is now offering weekly yoga classes 1,016 feet (310m) above ground level every Saturday morning from 8.30am-9.30am. For £40 (advance booking only) the lovely Leo and Mandy from Yogasphere (a company providing yoga classes in some of the capital’s most beautiful locations) will put you through your paces while you soak up spectacular views over London for up to 40 miles, so don’t forget to bring your smartphone (and then post your #peakpose yoga selfie to be placed in the weekly prize draw). Mats are provided and yogis can ascend to The Shard’s open-air viewing platform on level 72 for a private viewing session either pre or post class. Getting fit has never been so fun…
www.theviewfromtheshard.com
