Reviews
TEST-DRIVE Liv checks out the newest workouts and wellness trends
WORKOUT
SPONSORED
Animal Flow at AndFit The Buzz: Taking “beast mode” to a very literal interpretation, Animal Flow is a workout that uses different ground-based movements that somewhat mimic the movement of animals, emphasising body weight training, balance, coordination and agility. The Class: We head to AndFit, a newly opened fitness studio on Wyndham Street, for their evening Animal Flow with instructor Zelos. He’s clearly passionate, taking time to explain the basics like wrist mobilisations for all us newbies (everyone in the class). We move onto the “primal movements” that make up the foundation of the practice, like the “Beast” and “Crab” activation positions. Zelos then demos a long, graceful routine (the aforementioned “flow”) with so many moves that there’s no shot in hell, we’re sure, we’ll be able to follow. Still, Zelos breaks down each part of the choreography and we gamely try our best, surprised at how manageable yet challenging the movements are. Much to our surprise, by the end of class, we’re more or less feeling the flow and running with the pack. The Verdict: No stranger to yoga, we were confident this class would be a walk in the park. Rather, we were surprisingly challenged by the strength, endurance, power, flexibility, balance, mobility, and coordination that were required to make our bodies move in new and unfamiliar ways. While it’s nice to switch off when we work out, there’s also something very refreshing about needing to focus entirely, not to mention the satisfaction of seeing what your body is capable of. We’re pretty wild about this one!
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Heveya Plush Latex Pillow from Okooko The Buzz: For something we rest our heads on every single night, many of us don’t give enough thought to our pillows. Just thinking about the accumulated dust, drool, face oil and dandruff over years of sleep is enough to make you run out to buy new pillows. Enter Okooko’s Heveya Plush Latex Pillow, an anti-mould, dust miteresistant pillow made from natural organic latex. The Pillow: The Heveya pillows are made with an open cell structure, with ventilation holes to ensure breathability. As a result, the pillows are extremely hygienic as sweat and moisture can’t accumulate, leading to mould or smells. If you’re prone to getting sweaty at night, it’ll also keep your head and neck cool and dry. Completely natural, they’re free from synthetic foam or glues, so you won’t be breathing in any nasties as you sleep. Finally, the natural latex maintains its shape, meaning that your pillow won’t flatten over time. The cover is removable, so you can take it off and wash it regularly to keep it in tip-top condition. The Verdict: Springy yet soft, this pillow is noticeably more natural-feeling compared to standard latex pillows, which can sometimes feel overly stiff and bouncy. As a front-sleeper, we sometimes feel suffocated when sleeping, but the Heveya is super breathable, making sleeping comfortable in any position. On a hot summer’s evening, it remained cool and comfortable too. We love it!
Cost: $250 per class (plus a free trial class), first-timers can purchase a two-week unlimited trial pass for $800.
Price: $1,100 (regular price $1,500). Buy two pillows and get a set of Lyocell bamboo pillowcases free!
4/F, Man Cheung Building, 15-17 Wyndham St., Central, 6343-0336, andfithk.com
13/F, The Plaza LKF, 21 D’Aguilar St., Central, 6286-1132, europeanbedding.hk
