HEALTH & BEAUTY • ACTIVE
FITNESS NOTES By H E L E N B R O W N
FRESH WHEELS Peloton is the at-home phenomenon taking the world of spinning by storm. Here’s what you need to know… eloton is the New York-based fitness company taking the spin world by storm with its high-tech, at-home spinning bikes. A favourite of Hugh Jackman and David Beckham, the concept is simple. Each Peloton bike is equipped with a 22-inch HD, sweat-proof touchscreen that lets you tune in and experience all the action and adrenalin of 14 daily live and 8000+ on demand-classes without leaving your house. This autumn, UK residents will be able to join the phenomenon as Peloton, which has £300m+ in funding and was recently valued at more than a billion pounds, will ship its bikes internationally for the first time, starting with the UK. A Peloton bike will be priced at £1995 for the bike, plus £39.50 per month for the unlimited class subscription, which includes cycling, as well as “beyond the ride” workouts such as stretching and yoga.
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It seems a lot, but when you think that the average UK gym-goer burns £564 on membership every year or £20 on the average boutique gym class, the numbers seem to tally up. If it’s good enough for Becks, it’s good enough for us. onepeloton.com
S W E AT I T We try out the latest in London’s line-up of boutique gyms
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ewly opened this year, Sweat It in Aldwych is the latest boutique gym adding to London’s wellness landscape with its unfiltered, raw approach to functional training. The Sweat It approach combines targeted strength training with intervals on the treadmill. If you’ve ever been to Barry’s Bootcamp or 1Rebel, you’ll know the drill. However the equipment is more high-tech, so first-timers are advised to get in early to catch a demonstration. The studio is centred around the mecca that is the bespoke functional rig, with a custom line up of equipment including landmines, free weights and resistance bands. The gym itself is a luxury, urban space lined with a fleet of treadmills. Each class works on speed, strength and endurance sessions with the promise to constantly switch up the class content to ensure each muscle group is
targeted. I’m here to try Engine Room, but I could have chosen from a range of inventively-named classes (Heart & Hustle, Machine Guns, Guts & Glory, Pillar Killer, Compound60). Engine Room is an explosive lower body session that works on the largest muscle group with speed and stamina. First up, it’s floor work. The landmine is a really effective piece of equipment and our coach is brilliant at ensuring we use it to its fullest potential. The session involves a range of weighted exercises including Hungarian split squats, lunges and deadlifts. With heavy legs we jump onto the treadmill where we complete interval sprints and hill climbs. We go through three rounds of this before leaving high on endorphins and pouring with sweat - the clue is in the name. This is a class that can torch fat and sculpt muscles. Sign us back up.
Smart S N AC K S
Our favourite proteinpacked treats BAREBELLS White Chocolate Almond Protein Bar, £2.49; postedprotein.co.uk
BREYERS Salted Caramel Cake High Protein Ice Cream, £4.99; asda.com
BOOST BALL Coconut Fudge Cake Protein Ball, £1.34; superfoodmarket.com
4 Lean Street, WC2B; sweat-it.com
A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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