Food, Fitness, Life

FITMAS Gift Guide

2018-12-09T09:00:00.000+00:00

Struggling on what to get your favourite fittie for Christmas? Or just need some ideas to add to your own wishlist? Read on for some of my favourite gift ideas for a very Merry Fitmas!!!

What: Spa Experience Gift Voucher

For: The Beauty Queen

Why: Because when you have inkling she probably already owns everything in Selfridges Beauty

Hall, why not get her a Spa Experience where she can treat herself to a range of treatments at a range of luxury day spa locations in Central London. With everything from facials and massages, to treatments for pre-natal and couples, I would highly recommend the Thermal Spa Experience. Perfect for your fitness friend, it’s designed to destress, relieve aches, pains and stiff joints, relax your muscles, detox your skin and aid respiration and blood flow.

How much: Gift cards available meaning you get to decide! However, Spa Experience are currently offering a promotion whereby you can buy a £50 gift card and get £65 with offer code SPARKLE15, or purchase a £100 gift card and get £130 with offer code SPARKLE30. DEAL!

Where can I buy: Visit https://www.spaexperience.org.uk/promotions

What: Lorna Jane New Amy Tights

For: The Fitness Fashionista

Why: As the number one activewear brand in Australia, there are a pair of Lorna Jane tights sold every 60 seconds across the world, and 7 pairs of their bestselling Amy tights sold EVERY HOUR! And now, they’re introducing the NEW (and improved!) Amy legging. An update on the classic, now featuring a high rise waist (every girls dream), a zip pocket (perfect for stashing cards and keys), make with the Nothing 2 C Here fabric (aka fully squat proof). Available in black and navy blue, so comfortable you’ll never wear jeans again!

How much: New Amy tights retail at £70 RRP

Where: Available online at www.lornajane.co.uk, or if you’re London based, head down to the Lorna Jane Christmas shopping event Mon 10^th – Wed 12^th December, to shop the full collection with 20% discount and just landed sale items with up to 70% off!

Tank Magazine, 91-93 Great Portland St, Marylebone, London W1W 7NX.

What: KiiPix Smartphone Picture Printer

For: The Fitness Instagrammer

Why: I don’t know about you, but I love nothing more than looking through a box of old photographs. Yet despite taking more photo’s than ever before, how often do we ever actually do an old school print? With KiiPix, you can instantly print photos from your smartphone by loading the paper with Instax mini film, popping up the stand, resting your phone on top and clicking the shutter. The pictures rolls out, and you have your memory to keep or share forever! There’s even the option to enhance the contrast or add a filter. Sold!

How much: RRP £40.00

Where can I buy: Available at https://sodasays.co.uk/collections/lifestyle-1/products/kiipix , alongside a whole host of other cool products you never knew you needed in your life!

What: MissFits Nutrition

For: The Fitness Foodie

Why: OK, we get it. Christmas is a time for indulging, and I’m ALL FOR munching your way through a breakfast of chocolate coins on the 25th. BUT, if you want to indulge WHILST nourishing your body with fruit, honey and over 11g of protein, at 124 calories per bag, MissFits Protein Wonderballs are the perfect stocking filler to keep your sweet tooth at bay! With a range of whey and vegan protein powders, it’s sugar free, contains zero artificial ingredients- just added nutrients including vitamin B12 and green tea to boost energy, zinc and bamboo extract to rejuvenate hair, skin and nails, and glutamine to speed up recovery – taking you from Christmas day straight into those new years resolutions!

How much: a 500g pouch of protein powder for £19.99, or a 15 packs of protein wonderballs for £14.99. Trust me, they won't last long!

Where can I buy: Available at www.missfitsnutrition.com/‎ , Amazon, Holland and Barrett, Superdrug, Waitrose, Ocado.

What: Bullet and Bone Active Grooming Gift Set

For: The Active Man in your life

Why: It’s official, according to industry experts (Mintel), there is a new trend afoot in what’s being called ‘active care’, and new Bullet & Bone are creating a breakthrough ‘sports care’ category with a range of premium skincare products designed to enhance sporting performance and aid recovery. Endorsed by sports scientist and former Olympian Professor Greg Whyte, the range contains a unique blend of potent, natural extracts known to improve stamina, speed, alertness, concentration and recovery. Bring all the medicinal benefits of your usual sports gels (Vicks VapoRub, Ralgex, Deep Heat and Voltarol), it may be just as much of a present for YOU as it for him, finally not having to put up those locker room smells!!

How much: Products range from £7-£14, or purchase the full gift set for £39.99.

Where: http://bulletandbone.com/ or also available on amazon

What: F45 Challenge Pass!

For: The one who wants to FULL advantage of the December party season (aka me!)

Why: Let’s face it. Fitness goals in December take a backseat. There’s far too many parties, boozy occasions and mince pies to be getting involved in – AND THAT’S OK. It only comes once a year, and we should embrace it whilst everyone else is! Rather than set ourselves unrealistic goals during party season, personally I prefer to wait until January – everyones broke, it’s cold outside, everyones partied out – gyms become the place to be! It might not be everyone’s idea of a Christmas gift, but as far my experience goes, the F45 challenge made me stronger, leaner, fitter and more confident than ever before. What better gift than that?! (even if you do gift it to yourself!)

How much: The 8 Week Challenge is £500 for 8 weeks unlimited training, body scans and mid challenge consultations. BUT, F45 Oxford Circus are offering Healthy Living London a special offer for their 3 month membership. Usually £230 a month, sign up in Jan and receive your first month half price, AND get EVERYTHING already included in the Challenge membership (with an extra months training). No brainer!

Where: Oxford Circus is the place to be! Visit https://f45training.co.uk/OxfordCircus/ to find out more and purchase a pack, a gift for you OR a loved one.

What: Smile Train Donation

For: EVERYONE!

Why: If you’re thinking of giving back in a bigger way this festive season, why not donate to charity? Smile Train are the global children’s charity helping to treat children suffering with cleft lip and palate in countries without the healthcare we have here in the UK. It makes you realise the simple things we take for granted – eating, speaking, hearing or even sharing a smile.

How much? From as little as £10 to £20, you can help towards providing the vital medical supplies for children living with clefts – giving them the gift of a brand new forever smile this Christmas 😊

Where: www.smiletrain.org.uk/donation

On that note, MERRY CHRISTMAS! xxxx

SpeedFlex, Aldgate

2018-10-14T20:15:00.005+01:00

SpeedFlex

What they say:

"Without getting too technical, you only get what you give. Speedflex machines respond to you.

Suitable for anyone of any age or fitness level, Speedflex enables everyone to exercise at high intensities, but at levels set by each individual.

This coupled with the added benefit of little (or no) post training muscle soreness; Speedflex is efficient, enjoyable and delivers a cardiovascular and resistance workout simultaneously."

Pre Class Selfie. Always.

What I say:

When I was first invited to try Speedflex, I've got to admit, I was a little (a lot!) skeptical. The promise of little or no muscle soreness, as appealing as it is, doesn't make sense to me. When you train, particularly in strength, you create tiny little micro tears in the muscle, and when you rest your body replenishes these whilst adapting to stress i.e. growing the muscle so that the next time it is more prepared. Therefore, in my mind, if Speedflex is promising no muscle soreness either 1. it doesn't work, or 2. they're lying. So naturally, I was keen to find out which one!

What we did:

No muscle soreness, but still please sign your life away

Entering the studio in Aldgate, we were initially given an 'introduction' session to learn the basics of the machines and how they operate. This was particularly important as the Speedflex, unlike traditional exercises machines, work on a free motion bar, meaning you have to apply force through the entire exercise, as opposed to just in one direction - meaning more/opposite muscles are engaged throughout the movement. With no weights, the machines operate is a 'closed circuit loop', meaning the resistance adjusts automatically as you move. So the more you give, the more you get back! (A bit like a rowing machine, you have to put in effort to generate the resistance)

After giving the machines a shot, we were handed a MyZone Heart Rate Monitor. "This is so we can gauge the intensity you're working at," the instructor told us. Great, no chilling in the back then!

MyZone, we meet again

With the room having 10 Speedflex machines in total, we went straight into a circuit style workout, moving from one machine to the next. Whilst each machine is exactly the same, the numerous different positions you can place your body within them gives loads of flexibility in the exercises you can use them for. Squats, lunges, chest presses, shoulder press, pull downs, rows - you name it, we worked through them all!

Once we'd worked round the circuit three teams, we went into a HIIT finisher. One station of burpees, one station of sprints up and down the room, one station of clean and press on the Speedflex, going straight from one to the other for ten minutes with zero rest - safe to say it was an absolute killer!!!!!

The Set Up

Intensity

Honestly, Speedflex was probably one of the most high intensity classes I've been to. Maybe it's just the fact I wasn't really expecting to get my heart rate up, as from what I had understood from what I'd read it was more strength focused. I don't get out of breath doing chest presses on a Smith Machine, surely I wouldn't on a Speedflex?! HOW WRONG WAS I?!

We did the 'Classic' session, however there's a number of different options depending on your focus, goals, time available to train. 'Rolling', for example, allows you to drop in and out when suits you. Meanwhile 'Coreflex' has more focus on, yes, you got it, the core, whilst 'Pureflex' is geared towards heart rate training - bringing it up as high as possible in a high intensity state, with periods of rest allowing it to drop before coming back up again. The most effective way of heart rate training, in my experience.

The sessions

Instructor

Our instructor was great, both at demonstrating the basic fundamentals of the class, to motivating and pushing us to go above and beyond the basics! As the classes are taken in small groups, the instructors have a dedicated focus - there's no hiding in the back (!) - and they aim to get your heart rate to be working between 85-95% throughout.

Sophia and I finished the class both averaging 65-70% - "You weren't giving it your all!" according to our instructor. The sweat dripping from our faces, too out of breath to even speak properly, I think we would have said otherwise!!

More?! Really?!

Price

Speedflex operate a membership for regulars, but also have drop in classes from £15. If you're not based in London, the machines can also be found at a range of different gyms across the UK - check out https://speedflex.com/locations/ to find your closest, there's also the chance for a two week free trial.

Would I go back?

Would you go back?!

For sure! The workout was a LOT tougher than I imagined, and I definitely found it challenging both cardio and strength wise but, as they promised, I didn't suffer from muscle soreness the next day! How the science works behind that I still don't know, but one things for sure, I most certainly got a good workout from it!!!

Thanks Speedflex, see you soon!

F45 8 Week Challenge

2018-09-17T17:03:00.000+01:00

The What

"The F45 Challenge has been developed specifically to help you increase lean muscle and reduce body fat percentage over the 8 week period. You will not only be in the best shape of your life, but will feel amazing inside and out!" ~ F45 Challenge website

I mean, of course their own website would say that, right? How about when actually put into practice?? Read on to find out what happened when I signed up to the 8 Week Challenge at F45 Oxford Circus, London....

The F45 8 Week Challenge...

The Why

Why did I do it in the first place?

I'll be honest, the main reason I did the Challenge was to drop a little body fat and 'tone up'. It's not something I'm meant to say - a healthy, relatively slim 'blogger', we're not meant to discuss anything related to weight loss or anything that, god forbid, might suggest we're actually not fully loaded onto the 'self-love' bandwagon.

Which is why I will point out - I do not/did not think I am/was overweight by any means (that's ludicrous). However, having gained a stone in the last year, I wasn't in a place where I wanted to be, or where I knew I could be. Added to that, I used to be very focused in my workouts - I followed a 'bro' style 3 day split on weights, in between I alternated with 3 days of cardio, and the final 7th day was rest. Yet, since absorbing myself in London's class culture, I was exercising far too much, and not seeing results. I'd been booking on to whatever classes take my fancy, resulting mainly in an excess of cardio with next to no dedicated training for strength. Meanwhile, I was living by all the wrong sort of IIFYM policy - under-eating on 'proper' nutritious foods, saving my macros for a slice of cheesecake or god knows how many espresso martinis over the weekends. (Needless to say, by the time I'd had one or two cocktails, the question of whether another fitted in my macros was NOT in my head!)

Trading martinis for protein! InnerMost <3

Ultimately, my random efforts were rewarding me with random results. Which is why the F45 8 Week Challenge appealed to me -it provides a structured training program and a structured diet that, when followed, delivers results. Ultimately, I wanted to get my nutrition back on track. I wanted to fall in love with weights again. I wanted to get my body and mind back into focus. It's only 8 weeks after all?

The Workouts

The workouts at F45 are nothing revolutionary. They're effectively combination of three of the most popular styles of training - HIIT (High-Intensity Interval), circuit and functional training. But it's a combination that has been proven across the world. It's a combination that works.

Exercises are shown on screens in 'pods'

The sessions are formulated by the F45 Head Office and rolled out to each day to every studio across the world, meaning it didn't matter if you were in Australia or the UK, every F45'er was doing the same session. I especially loved this aspect to the program, as you become part of something bigger than just yourself. It's one thing doing your own session in the gym, it's another being part of a 30 people class- it's a completely different matter altogether connecting with people on the other side of the world and discussing how brutal station 6 was, or sharing tips to 'try start on station 2'.

It's the element of community that acts a support network, a support network so big it crosses the world. The number of times I woke up and just couldn't face a session, I'd watch instagram stories from fellow Australian F45'ers who'd done the same workout 9 hours earlier - seeing their energy levels would give me the motivation to get up and out the door. You just don't get that with a regular session in the gym.

Station 10 on bank holiday Monday. THIS is why F45 OC is like no other!

Whilst every workout is different, the classes follow a similar structure of stations, pods and a particular time in each. Time in each station can range from as little as twenty seconds to as much as a full minute; whilst rest between exercises varies from forty five seconds, to none at all. Take Wednesday Varsity for example, a cardio based workout that will "leave you grasping for any form of oxygen you can muster”! Completely different to Thursdays Roman's workout, a resistance based class, thirty-five seconds on, twenty-five seconds rest, meaning you can really up your weights and lift heavy AF. Whatever the combination of stations; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays always have a cardio focus (think rowers, bikes, burpees, plyo's); Tuesdays and Thursdays are resistance (deadlifts, pull ups, biceps curls and barbell squats); weekends are a combination of the two.

Results tracked via a heart rate monitor and emailed to you after class

All classes last for 45 minutes, apart from Saturday's Hollywood, which is an epic, sweat filled 55 minute special. A live DJ, a hybrid of cardio and strength, 27 stations, 40 seconds work, 15 seconds rest, 2 laps round the room - it's a killer, but you'll leave with such an adrenaline and endorphin rush you'll already be booking in for the following week!

That time someone brought birthday cake into class 😑

The question most people ask - does following the challenge mean you have to work out every day?! Absolutely not! F45 advise you aim for 5/6 sessions a week but, as with all these things, it really depends on where your coming from. If you've never been to the gym in your life, to suddenly start working out 6 days a week would likely be unachievable, unrealistic and actually quite unhealthy for your body. Equally if, like me, you work out on a regular basis, you will naturally want to visit more often.

That said, doing much more than 6 sessions a week is FAR from encouraged - which I discovered when slipping into old habits a couple of times. As Haydn, co-owner at F45 Oxford Circus told me - we encourage you to go all out in one session, you shouldn't need two. Instead, spend the rest of the day giving your body the rest and recovery it needs to smash out the next session even stronger. That's the thing I love about F45 OC - the trainers aren't about getting you through the door as often as possible - they actually care about you and your results.

The Food

Cooking is not my fortay. These were MEANT to be muffins.

For me, the exercise is the relatively easy part - mainly because I genuinely love working out - however the nutrition is where I struggle! The past few years, my meals have consisted predominately of Deliveroo takeaways and eating out in restaurants. In fact, on day 1 of the challenge I had to ask my neighbour to borrow a tin opener (because clearly I didn't have any need to own one). His response - "did Deliveroo send you something in a tin?!"

I CAN cook (although you probably wouldn't know it from the faff I went through trying to boil and egg. Seriously, nobody taught you this in Home Economics!) - I just choose not to. Until the Challenge, of course.

The recipe ....

....The reality

The Challenge meal plan is very prescriptive - at the beginning of the week, you are given a shopping list for everything you'll need across the next 7 days. Compiled by a group of nutrition experts, each day the plan will tell you your 3 meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - and 2 snacks - mid morning and mid afternoon - and give you recipes for all. Breakfasts range from scrambled egg and avocado, to protein pancakes or turmeric porridge. Lunches might be a salads or naked burgers, dinners; roasted salmon, steak buddha bowl or, my favourite, pork, mushroom and ricotta (rice-less) risotto.

The highlight to my friends seemed to be my excellent cooking!

Needless to say, the plan is aimed at fat loss, therefore you will be on a calorie deficit. For women, calories are set between 1200 and 1300 a day, males 1800-1900. With the cardio style sessions often burning 700+ cals, you can see why it works.

The first week, I admit, I was starving. But it didn't take me long at all to adjust to my new way of eating, and I actually began to really enjoy the food. With two snacks a day, there was never long until your next opportunity to eat, and I also loved the variety within the menus - it became a stupidly exciting weekly occasions when your meal plan for the next week became available on the app!

Eggs in the morning

The 8 weeks are split into three different components;

1. Spring Training - a two week 'detox' to alkalise and cleanse the body. In order to do this, the menu plan removed all red meat, processed sugar, refined carbs and diary, focusing on lean poultry, greens and small servings of legumes (mostly in the form of chickpeas). In this phase, it is also recommended that you remove all caffeine from your diet - I admit, this is the part I did not stick to! Everyone is different but I personally don't think a couple of coffees would have any effect on my results - if anything, when I was craving something sweet and sugary, to be able to replace it with a black Americano and a spoon of Splenda was a godsend!

Probably my favourite meal - nutty turmeric porridge

2. Regular Season - the longest phase of the Challenge, this four week block was focused on a high protein diet to support muscle hypertrophy, assist in muscle recovery and repair, create healthy fat loss results and build a strong immune function. Fat went up to approx 60g per day - higher than I'd ever gone before. Previously, I would have reverted back to my 'fat-free' ways, however having learnt to stick to plan and trust in the process, I fully enjoyed all the peanut butter, halloumi and full fat greek yoghurt the menu had to offer!

Made with Live Innermost Protein (the dream!)

3. World Series - the final and, in my opinion, hardest two weeks of the plan, World Series focused on high fat, low carb, stripping fat and maximising muscle definition. Whilst carbs had been low throughout the previous six weeks (average 60g a day), here it dropped to 30g a day, coming mainly from veg, and I was surprised at just how much of a difference those 30g made. By the second week of World Series, I was tired, lethargic, lacking in energy - and had gone 'off plan' on more than a few occasions to give me the energy lift I was craving.

Mexican 'wraps' for lunch

The Results

When I started the challenge, I didn't put a weight related goal in place. For all I knew - stopping more endurance training like running and, following the meal plan, significantly upping my fat intake - I was half expecting I might GAIN weight! Needless to say, that didn't happen. At the midway point, I was extremely surprised to learn I'd lost 4kg. Which is when I set myself a target to lose another 3kg before the challenge came to an end. And it's at that stage that my weight loss stopped....

Let me explain. After taking a week out for a trip to Australia, when I came back I wanted to supercharge my final weeks. Which is when I slipped into some old bad habits - i.e. taking multiple classes in one day, overdoing the workouts therefore resorting to sweet and sugary foods in an attempt to up my energy levels.

Kept the workouts up in Australia, not so much the food!

In all honestly, I finished the challenge a little annoyed with myself. I stuck to the plan religiously before Australia - the rest days, the meal prep, everything - then after taking a week out, I disrupted my flow, and reverted back to old ways.

Not completely, I still followed the plan about 75% for the final few weeks, but I learned that I'm very much an all or nothing person. I don't regret for one minute not living out a Tupperware whilst in Australia, but I was disappointed in myself that I didn't return to full Challenge mode when I got home. I had no reason not to.

Which is why when I received my final body scan and got my results - 4.5kg weight loss and 4% reduction in body fat, I was pleased but, honestly, felt I could have done more. OK, so I realise now that my goal to lose another 3kg was very unrealistic, but given I was at at the same 4kg loss midway through - I'd effectively achieved NOTHING in the final 4 weeks? But that's when the scales don't tell the true picture. Because actually, it was the final 4 weeks where the vast majority of my body fat reduction occurred - meaning, I had lost fat and gained muscle. Finally, when I saw the pre and post challenge pics - THAT'S when I really saw just how much I achieved. No filters, no pose, no 'good lighting' - just real, honest, results.

Before and After

Back Shot

Side on

The Verdict

If you ask me would I recommend the F45 8 Week Challenge - I cannot recommend it highly enough. I will highlight, if you want results, you have to be prepared to commit. You have to be prepared to spending your Sunday night doing meal prep, to order a soft drink when you go to the bar, to push yourself in each and every workout - but I can promise you, stick to the plan, and the results you get will be so worth it.

Smile couldn't be more genuine!

Setting my alarm clock for 5am on a Monday morning to squeeze in a class before work was no easy task, but the moment I would step in the studio to be welcomed by the F45 Oxford Circus team with a big cheesy grin and a massive "HI HAN-SKI!!!" (my new nickname.... apparently). all moments of 'what the hell am I doing here' went out the window.

Which brings me to the F45 Oxford Circus team. Even when in Australia for a week, taking classes in the mother-land of F45 itself, the standard, the energy, the vibes just didn't even come to close to the humongous amounts of fun we have at F45 Oxford Circus.

F45 OC Family <3

No matter what the session, I could count on Haydn (co-owner) to always push me that extra mile - the moment he walks in the room you can literally feel the energy just lift. You could be damn right that Tristan (other co-owner) would greet you with a big grin before sorting out any non-training related query you might have (membership, adding classes on to the fully booked timetable, replenishing fire hazard hairdryers in the changing rooms, even recommending domestic services for your flat :P ). Then there's the dreamteam of trainers - Sana looking absolutely incredible even at 6am on a Monday morning, always able to spot when I could up my weights (even when I didn't think so myself), pushing me to the next level (....whilst also striking up a conversation in the worst possible moments. Mid box-jump-burpess, "What are your plans for the rest of the day girl?". Sana, I love you babe, but IM A LITTLE BUSY RIGHT NOW!). Finally, Hannah, Rachel and Arby, never failing to make me laugh out loud (even whilst turning up the resistance on my bike), correcting my technique and stopping that arching back, pushing me for that extra rep every single time.

No way I'm getting back on that bike! I'll pose here instead :-)

There's guys truly are the F45 dream team, and I without a doubt could not have done it without their never-ending energy, enthusiasm, support.... and promise of an EPIC end of Challenge Party!!!!!!

The next 8 Week Challenge starts 8th October - 2nd December, perfect for the Pre Christmas party season. F45 Oxford Circus are currently offering two week trials, click here to register and enter the code 10SQUIDOFF for, well, 10 squid off.....

Free Soul Vegan Protein

2018-09-10T20:18:00.001+01:00

Now, I'll start this off by stating I am NOT a nutritionist, nor to I hold any qualifications that justify me giving nutritional advice. What I am saying here is simply my views, based on the experiences I have had, the information I've read, advice I've been given, and products I have tried.

Ok, so now that's out the way - let's talk protein powders! I first started using them about 12 years ago, for the pure purpose of helping to support my workouts as I began lifting weights at the gym. At the time, I had to overcome a lot of preconceptions surrounding all the 'bro' orientated powders stocked at all the health food stores nearby. In regards to something specifically tailored to towards women, 12 years ago, it simply wasn't available.

Luckily, now the market has caught up - protein powders aren't no longer just for dudes!! In fact, the market has caught up so much, there's almost too much out there. Too much that we don't necessarily know which ones to go for, which are going to help us achieve our goals, or which ones will actually taste half decent.... (on a recent insta poll I did, 74% of people said when it comes to protein supplements, taste is more important to them than macros, which I found surprising!)

One day someone will look at me the same way I
look at my Free Soul

So, for all you hunting down taste, introducing.... Free Soul! I came across this brand back at this years Balance Festival . On the stand, they had a selection of whey and vegan samples to try and, in all honestly, I walked right past it, thinking it was 'just another protein brand'. However, when my friend Amy told me I literally HAD to try them, I took her word and wandered over to the stand. (On a side note, I made her try cauliflower.... I think we know who the better friend is!)

When it comes to type of protein powder, I've previously always favoured whey. The first reason being I tend to drink protein shakes immediately after a workout, therefore prefer the faster absorption properties in whey - basically, the protein reaches your muscle faster. Second reason- and why I tend to choose whey even when I ideally would prefer a slower release protein (in the evening, for example) - is the taste. The most widely available alternative to whey tends to be a vegan (usually a blend of pea, brown rice, quinoa and/or hemp protein) which - and if you've tried a vegan protein before you'll appreciate when I say - can often take like your eating soil. Some call it 'earthy', I call it gross.

THE Best packaging slogan

Which is why, after trying the Free Soul whey protein, when I was invited to try the vegan blend, I politely refused.

"Honestly, just try a little bit, the chocolate is our bestseller.... we think you'll be surprised!" was their response. Ok, so never one to turn down anything chocolate flavoured, I gave it a go.... and from that moment, I was hooked!!!

Undoubtably the best tasting vegan protein I have ever come across, the chocolately flavouring is rich, but not overpowering; sweet, but not sickly so, and free from the synthetic taste that overpowers most flavoured supplements.

So, given the taste was so incomparable to anything I'd tried before, my head went to the macros (i.e. the carbs, protein and fat content - the macronutrients that make up any food type). Surely I was going to have to sacrifice the macros for the taste here, even just a little?

Homemade Free Soul Protein Balls - best balls I've had in years :P

Turns out, I needn't sacrifice on either! With 20g of protein to only 1g fat/4g carbs, the macros are on a par to most of the top whey brands out there, and even better than the majority of the 'tastes like dirt' vegan brands out there (who generally have a much higher carb and fat to protein ratio). Going beyond the basic macros (which I have been guilty of focusing on, cause #IIFYM), an important part of what Free Soul also offer are the micro nutrients - i.e. the vitamins, minerals, trace elements, phytochemicals, and antioxidants that are essential for good health.

Also offer a range of nutritional vitamins and supplements

More importantly, as Free Soul is targeted specifically towards females, their formula is too - and the blend of natural ingredients is carefully selected to support everything from hair, skin and nails, to bone density and hormonal balance. Without getting too in-depth here, I have spoken out on my instragram about hormone balance and how, in our fitness crazy society, it genuinely scares me the amount of females in fitness who don't receive their monthly cycle. What was previously referred to by medics as 'The Female Athlete Triad' - which amenorrhea (loss of periods) is a key criteria - is now being more commonly referred to as RED-S (relative energy deficiency in sports) - highlighting that the issue is no longer confined to your athlete, but your everyday girl gym.

I speak from personal experience when I say, this is not normal, and this is not OK. I'm not saying if you are suffering from loss of periods that taking a protein powder will immediately bring them back - there's a whole host of lifestyle factors that need to be taken into consideration - your training schedule, rest, recovery, diet and nutrition. However, if you want to nourish your body with all the nutrition it needs to support an active lifestyle, Free Soul Protein is a pretty good place to start. And it just so helps that it tastes banging too :P

Protein Peanut Butter cups. Yep, I did!

The Need to Know

Highlights- THE TASTE! And the macros!!! Seriously though - when do you ever find something that has incredible ratings on both??

Lowlights - If I had to say something, I'd say it's the fact there's only shakes available. Please Free Soul, some sort of protein bar/ball would be the DREAM!

Where can I buy? - Available to order direct from https://herfreesoul.com , the brand are now also stocked in leading pharmacy's such as Superdrug, and leading fitness studios around London including BXR in Marylebone.

How much is it? A 600g bag RRP's at £24. With 20 servings per bag, it works out at just £1.20 a serving. For something that satisfies my chocolate craving without feeling like a compromise, WHILST upping my protein levels, it's worth every penny!

Free Soul Squad <3

Ayurveda Pure

2018-08-05T08:45:00.000+01:00

The other day, I came across a quote that reminded me of something. We spend so much time, so much money, so much focus, on improving our health. Yet why do most of us tend to apply this predominately on our physical health, and tend to neglect our mental health? Both are equally as important – what’s the point in having one without another?

Ayurveda Pura

Introducing Ayurveda Pura Health Spa & Beauty Centre, London’s leading luxury spa situated in Greenwich. Comprising of four treatment rooms, two shower rooms, a yoga studio and a health café, the purpose built spa offers a range of beauty and holistic treatments. Secialising in Ayurveda – ‘the science of life’ - I was delighted to go down last weekend to try their signature Abhyanga full body massage.

Products

As I walked into the tranquil spa, the friendly receptionist greeted me with a smile, a glass of cold water and a clip board of forms to fill out. “These are so Dr Apte can assess the correct treatment for you”. Going through the form, having to select what options were ‘most like me’, it felt a bit like a quiz from Mizz magazine (anyone remember that?!), but was an interesting insight into my own tendencies and thought patterns. I was later to find out that, in Ayurveda, this is referred to as my ‘dosha’ – the unique blend of physical, emotional and mental characteristics that make me who I am.

Personalised experience

After completing the forms, I was taken to my treatment room where I met Dr Apte. A fully qualified Indian medical doctor, an experienced yoga instructor and certified Ayurvedic practitioner, lecturer and writer, if there one person who’s qualified in the world of zen, it’s Dr Apte. Going through the questionnaire I had just filled out, Dr Apte explained the science behind the Doshas and how, when these are out of balance, the natural capability of the body to heal itself often gets blocked. To resolve this, Ayurveda offers the art of Panchakarma – basically, detoxification and rejuvenation.

“We all have two types of Doshas,” Dr Apte explained. There’s the surface type, the type we inherit as we grow up as a result of our surroundings and experiences, and there’s the true type – the type we were born with, the type that represents our most balanced self.

Now, I’ve got to admit, when it comes this kind of thing I can be sceptical, and even with all of Dr Apte’s qualifications, when she announced she was going to feel my pulse, temperature and assess my tongue to determine my ‘true’ type – I basically wrote it off in my mind. Sorry, but you can tell my pulse from my Polar watch, that has nothing to do with my ‘deeper personality’ right?! Nonetheless, what Dr Apte came back with could not of been more spot on.

According to her assessment, my ‘true’ type is a blend between Kapha (chilled, relaxed, goes with the flow) and Vita (focused, goal orientated, ambitious). Very much me as a child. However, as I’ve grown older, I’ve developed a Pitta surface – fiery, energetic, always on the go, can be stubborn. Very much me now!

Results

“What we need to do is return you to a state of internal equilibrium, by cleaning the Pitta surface and restoring the blend of Kapha/Vata that is your true self,” she explained.

Now, at this, I’ve got to admit, I felt a little worried! Yes, I have definitely become more active, more energetic, more fiery as I have got older, but these are qualities that have emerged for a reason, as a form of protection....

“But.... what if I don’t want my Pitta to be cleansed?” I asked her a tad nervously.

“Don’t worry,” she laughed. “The thing about Ayurveda is that it’s holistic – it gives the body control to heal itself in its own intuitive way. Cleansing Pitta won’t suddenly make you sluggish and slow, it will just clear away the somewhat chaotic-ness of your daily life. We need to bring you more to your Vita characteristics, meaning you’ll be going about your day with more focus, more of a purpose”.

OK, SOLD!

Treatment room

As Dr Apte left the room, the massage therapist came in to introduce herself and provide me with my paper underwear to change into for the treatment. “You don’t have to wear them,” she explained, “but there’s a lot of oil involved. Much more so than any other massages you may have had.”

Fine by me!

After assessing my energy and body type, alongside checking of any particular areas of pain or allergies, my therapist put together a unique blend of organic oils selected especially for my needs. Because, as she explained, Ayurveda treats the individual, and we are all unique. From the moment the oils were poured onto my back, I instantly felt a sense of warmth and security, and I was gone….

Treatment room

So, how was it? Being truthful, I’m not really the massage type. Sport massage – yes – as firm as possible, as much gritting my teeth as possible, as much ‘really getting into the muscle’ as they can possibly do. But a relaxing massage…. I’m much more likely to go for a pedicure, a manicure, a wax – something that actually has a purpose, an outcome, right?!

Which is exactly why the Ayurveda full body massage was EXACTLY what I needed, and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. Assessing the whole body – back, arms, hands, neck, head, legs, hips and even feet, rather than easing out tension by pressing deep into the muscles, it eased out the tension by relaxing me from the head down. Warm oils melting into my skin, gentle strokes across my entire body, you could literally feel it nourish not only your cells and tissues, but also your mind.

Essential oils to blend

Finishing the treatment by stepping into the shower and washing away the residue oils, I was given a glass of cold water and asked how I felt. Balanced. Tranquil. Nourished. Strong. Refreshed. Detoxified. My skin was soft, my mind was at peace, my whole body felt in harmony.

And that, I was told, is the purpose of Ayurveda.

The need to know:
Price: The Abhyanga full body massage (1 hour long) costs £67
Location: Greenwich, London
More info and booking: https://www.ayurvedapura.com/gbp/health-spa-beauty-centre/body-treatments.html
Would I go back: Most definitely. With a whole host of Ayurveda treatments on offer – everything from Vishesh (deep tissue) to Hridaya Basti (focusing on the heart), there’s something for any need. They also offer a four hand massage, which I experienced for the first time a coupe of years ago whilst in Bali (here), and it was honestly one of the most incredible treatments I ever had. So go, book in, now! (Sorry, my Pitta coming back out!)

Products to take home :-)

New Motion Fitness 4KardioDance

2018-07-22T08:30:00.000+01:00

Dancing our little hearts out <3

What they say: 4Kardio Dance is a class that allows anyone to feel like a dancer, whilst giving the brain and body the best workout possible. The class focuses on building essential motor skills such as coordination, spatial awareness and the understanding of movement. In other words 4Kardio is a FUN, FULL OF ENERGY and EASY-TO-FOLLOW dance class that will make you BREAK A SWEAT in your mind and body.

What I say: Motor skills, coordination, spatial awareness – if 4Kardio Dance showed one thing, it’s that these 3 things are skills I certainly do not have! Was I jumping around like a baby elephant? Yes. Were my friends and I whacking each other in the face trying to perfect our arm movements? Yes. Did we still enjoy the class anyway? 100% YES YES YES!

Girl squad ready to dance!

What we did: Beginning with a warm up, Fran – our instructor – got us straight into the moves! Each ‘routine’ comprised of two – five different sequences, which we repeated in different combinations, using different sides, to make up a full on dancing squad! (Basically, it’s a clever way of only having to learn a few different sequences and bashing them out like a pro!). Finishing as a ‘squad’ , we moved into a circle and basically just the let the music take us wherever we wanted to go – hair flips, pouting and slut drops essential, of course!

Our FIERCE instructor (who is also the loveliest person ever!) Fran

Instructor: 10/10 – Fran literally made this session everything it was! I met Fran around a year ago and, especially after she joined the team at Third Space London, I’ve been to a number of her classes since! Guaranteed to make you work your ass of, but still smile and laugh the whole way through, I’ve no idea how she keeps her tough classes SO fun and energetic, but Fran has a way like no-one else does!

(We did actually dance alongside all the posing! I think....)

Intensity: Cardio wise, I can’t honestly say I found this class particularly intense. Strength wise, it certainly wasn’t intense (there were no weights or bodyweight movements involved). What was intense, however, was the workout of the brain – trying to remember the routines, connect your mind to the body, and avoid slapping people in the face (which clearly we were not very successful at!). Given I spend 90% of my time working on cardio/strength, THIS is the weakness I clearly need to working on more – remembering it’s not always about building up a sweat (although trust me, you still will!).

Planks WILL still be involved - FYI

Venue: Now this where New Motion Fitness REALLY stand out. Forgot your old dingey dance hall, or even your premium boutique studio, New Motion Fintess classes are held in an all signing, all dancing nightclub – complete with a DJ booth, disco lights and full on bar… for after, of course! LightBox Night Club will never be the same again – in the best way possible!

Now THAT's how you finish a workout!

Would I go back? For sure! With a whole range of classes on offer, everything from Boxing Beats, to Dance, to HIIT and Vinyasa Flow, New Motion Fitness has something to suit every taste and ability. AND, for the month of July, they’re offering 50% off all classes and packages using JULYSALE at the checkout – so what are you waiting for?!

My dancers in crime :-)

Need to Know:

Location: LightBox Night Club, Vauxhall

Price: Single classes cost £18, packs available for discounted rates, use JULYSALE for 50% off all listed prices:

More Info: www.newmotionfitness.com

Thank you New Motion for a great evening!

Turf Games 2018

2018-06-24T20:34:00.000+01:00

What they say:

We believe that team based competition brings out the best in everyone. The Turf Games is London’s first functional fitness and TEAM based immersive competition, where guys and girls across all levels of fitness can lift, run, flip, press and jump to try and outdo the competition.

What I say:

Considering last years first ever Active In Style / Active Man event at Farm Fitness as one of the best fitness events I’ve been to (and I’ve been to a lot!), although there’s been a number of meetups and workouts since then, nothing has ever quite been on the same scale. Until now, that is!

With five different studios on board, on Satuday 9^th June over 300 ‘athletes’ gathered to take over the games pitch at Rosslyn Park, battling against one another to be crowned the winner of the first ever Turf Games 2018!

What we did:

With each of the five partners (Third Space, KXU, Core Collective, Farm Fitness and Gymbox) kitting out their own ‘arena’, every studio had to design a workout compiled of no less than three ‘measurable’ stations. With participants competing in teams of five, each station involved four minutes of work, followed by four minutes of rest, before moving onto the next station (three total), then moving on to the next arena (three total).

Sound easy? Ha, think again… you haven’t heard the workouts yet!

Despite being advertised as exercises that ‘anybody who has been to a gym or played sport will be able to do’ – I think many of us involved would beg to differ! It wasn’t so much the volume of exercise – let’s face it, I could work out at a moderate intensity for most of the day (and often do!!) – but it was the heavy weights that posed the biggest challenge.

Take Core Collective, for example, which was our first arena. Station one was a ‘chipper’ style workout, meaning you couldn’t move on to the next exercise until the previous one had been completed. Completing 20x40m runs unlocked the first rower, then 40 x 20kg (yes, 20kg!) would unlock rower two. After 20x20kg over the shoulder deadballs, the third and final rower would be unlocked. The catch? All three rowers were to go consistently, and it was their cumulative distance that provided your score. For that station, anyway…..

Station 2 was a ‘synchro squat’ round, where teams had to squat 2x12kg each in unison, for four minutes, whilst other team members held a 30kg bar bell above head height. Bar goes below the eyes and you lose eight points! Onto station 3 and it was Watt bike burpees. Two exercises that should NEVER, EVER be paired together! 1 minute on the watt bike into one minute of box jump burpees – it may sound short and sweet – but trust me, your legs will not agree!!

Next up for team Third Space was KXU…. Where lifting heavy was taken to a new level! Station one was ‘Drovers Dog’ - 30kg, 40kg and 50kg sandbag carries up and down the pitch, the whole time moving the weighted prowler sled up and down for reps. Station 2, ‘Flip It Like It’s Hot’ was where we REALLY got our team game on, pulling together to flip the 350kg tyre for maximum reps. The arm bruises say it all! Finally, it was on to station 3, by far the heaviest and hardiest of them all. Even the machine of the team Louisa, who completed the synchronized squats all by herself (!) struggled with the weight on this one, and it was Sarah who pulled us all through with her epic 28kg Axle bar push presses, sandwiched in between 22kg log presses and 16kg kettle bell snatches, of course.

Sore, bruised, but still riding high, we moved on to our third and final station, none other than Third Space itself.

Needless to say, this is the arena we felt most at home at, and probably performed best at! Round 1 was the Versa Climber (which often makes an appearance in Third Space Sweat X) paired with overhead kettle bell lunges.

Sandwiched in between, however, was the real highlight, and where all of our bars and ropes practice came into play! An assault course style station, it involved monkeying your way down the bars, climbing the rope, sprinting to the cone for 5 squats, box jumping to the end, to hold a 50kg barbell, keeping it off the ground for the full 4 minutes. Oh yeah, as if monkey bars and rope climbs weren’t difficult enough, the full course had to be completed wearing a 5kg weight vest!!

Third and final from Third Space was ‘Turn and Burn’. Two Airdyne bikes, once the first one hits 80 calories, it stops and the farmers walks – 20kg in each hand – begin. The other bike, meanwhile, continues, and this is the scoring bike that continues for the duration of the 5 minutes. If you’ve ever been on an airdyne bike, you’ll know just how brutal this is.

With every team having now completed three out of the five arena’s, the scores were counted and the teams going through to the finals were announced. Given the groups of PT’s, instructors, cross-fitters and actual athletes we were up against, we were in no means surprised (or disappointed!) that we didn’t get through to the final, but admittedly did feel a somewhat sense of achievement that we were only four points away from it!

Standing at the sidelines watching the finals, we were mega glad we didn’t get those extra four points. If we thought what we had just completed was brutal, to have to do what these guys did AFTER would have killed us off!! A most definitely well deserved win from Team Hel’s Angels on the girls, F45 Tottenham Court Road on the mixed, and Cocobro’s from the boys.

Would I go back?

So, that leaves the question… would I do it all again next year? In all honesty, I’m not sure. Don’t get me wrong, it was an absolutely incredible day, bringing together and strengthening so many familiar faces of the fitness community, yet in all honestly I left feeling somewhat… inadequate. For me, the weights were simply too heavy. So heavy that a lot of them I couldn’t physically do… looking around at all the strong, powerful people around me, lifting almost with ease, and I had to reminder myself that actually, competing isn’t what I do. Fitness isn’t my living, it’s my hobby, my training isn’t dedicated towards achieving a new PB, time or distance…. yes, I enjoy keeping fit and healthy, but I also enjoy the social element, the endorphin rush, feeling part of something bigger than myself.

That’s not to say I don’t believe in training towards a specific goal. In fact, if Turf Games has taught me anything it’s that I need to be working smarter. Less cardio, more weights, more progression… and more recovery.

So potentially next year I will be feeling strong enough to compete. … and if not, rather than beat myself up about ‘not being good enough’ to lift the same as the professional PT’s and ahtletes, I’ll be right down there to cheer on them all on! From the Whey Box Protein Stand, Fresh Fitness Food BBQ, Esquared sponsored Bar, festival vibe music, and all round upbeat, positive and happy vibes all round, it is a day I would not miss!

Huge thanks to Andy Manteit, Caroline Lucey and Georgie for organising such an amazing event, Third Space, KXU, Core Collective, Farm Fitness and Gymbox for being ever more brutal than ever, Whey Box, Fresh Fitness Food, Barebells and Noco for refueling us, Esquared for sponsoring the bar to 'rehydrate' us, my fellow team members for being machines, Third Space London for training us/branding us (!), and all the other amazing people who made the day what it was!

Pictures thanks to Jon Payne Photography - www.jonpaynephotography.com
More info: https://turfgames.com

Balance Festival

2018-05-27T08:00:00.000+01:00

What they say

"London, get ready. The UK’s largest celebration of the fitness and wellness scene is back in town.
Explore cutting-edge fitness classes, sample delicious healthy foods, learn from leading experts and browse the latest brands, and more..."

What I say

If you read my post from last year's Balance Festival (http://hannah-fashionlife.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/balance-festival-highlights.html) , you might remember my rave review. With this month seeing one of the UK's biggest wellness festivals return for a second time round, in all honesty, I was a bit apprehensive about returning. After having SUCH a good time at the first one, surely year two couldn't quite live up to my fond memories?

Needless to say, I was wrong!

What we did

OK so, it says it in the name, but Balance festival is all about, well, Balance. With three main ideas - Explore and Sample, Sweat and Smile, Watch and Learn - I made sure to balance my way round them all!!

Explore and Sample

..... aka the Foodcourt! With far too many brands than I could ever mention, as soon as I entered on Friday night we went into a bit of a food frenzy, trying all the delicious samples on offer. Over 100 brands showcasing the latest in fresh produce, protein shakes and bars, yummy treats with a healthy (ish!) slant, Friday night ended up being a bit of a write off in terms of the fitness side of things..... I was far too full of food to even consider a burpee!!

I mean, had to try everything in the name of research, right?! Highlights included:

1. Fuel 10K- first time I met these guys was back at an Active In Style event when, being on lent, I was devastated not to be able to try their Chocolate Protein Peanut Butter. Luckily, the team remembered me and were lovely enough to give me a full squeezy pouch to take away and enjoy to my hearts content!! And I can confirm - it was worth the wait!

2. MissFits - I mean, do these guys even need an introduction?! Now stocked everywhere from Holland and Barratt to your local Tesco, alongside recently adding a Salted Caramel option to their range of all natural and nutritious protein powders, MissFits are truly on their way to world domination. As for their Chocolate Protein Wonderballs, I AM LITERALLY OBSESSED.

3. Innermost - Couldn't complete my highlights without giving a HUGE shout out to these guys! Effectively how I ended up at Balance at the first place, I won two tickets for the festival after entering myself and my friend in their Instagram competition. A company founded with the vision to inspire people to live their best lives through better health and wellbeing, they could not be more inline with my own ethos, and with their all natural range of unadulterated, responsibly sourced, low-sugar and GMO-free protein powders and supplements, they are certainly living up to their promise.

Aside from the food marketplace, there was a second space dedicated purely to activewear....dream. The brand new Pro Direct Fit took centre stage, showcasing the latest adidas and reebok drops, alongside stands by all your other activewear favourites and Sport FX makeup.

Sweat and Smile

OK, so if my Friday was dedicated to eating, Saturday it was time for sweating! With a back to back to line up of all my favourite classes, here's what we got up to:

1. Boys Of Yoga - Yoga's not usually the kind of thing I'd select out of choice at a festival/event, but when seeing the line up for this event included literally my three favourite yoga instructors in the whole of London - Chris Magee, Marc Hatvani and Cat Meffan - I was there in a flash!

2. Barry's Bootcamp - a 30 minute 'taster' of the real thing, with 15 minutes of weights on the floor and 15 minutes of running intervals on the tread, it didn't quite provide the full Barry's experience, however with legend Samantha Stone taking our class, we definitely didn't leave feeling short changed!

3. Third Space WOD - Because even at a festival FULL of other studios, I still stay loyal to my Third Space Fav! (Who am I kidding - I have the LEAST loyalty whatsoever when it comes to fitness.... #studioslut). Anyway, with WOD (Workout Of the Day) being the newest (and best, in my opinion!) concept class to launch at Third Space London, we made our way through a killer circuit of dumbbells, kettlebells, swings and burpees. Competing against each other and the clock, I put my months of practice to good use, finishing the workout first in the class.

4. Kelsey Wells Power Body - OK, I admit, I'm really not good at this whole 'influencer' stuff and I actually hadn't a clue who Kelsey Wells was (sorry!). But after finding she's part of the BBG global craze, I decided to join my crew to see what all the fuss was about. Honest opinion? INCREDIBLE figure, pretty poor class. Sorry Kelsey.... stick to the app!

5. Boom Cycle - fifth and final - time for Boom Cycle! Now, despite having been a few of these 'dancey spin' styles classes recently, I'm definitely still a watt bike girl at heart. (Note - 'dancey spin' refers to when you, quite simply, 'dance' on the bike - claps, press ups, tricep dips etc.) Now, personally if I want to do a press up I'll go the GYM, not a spin class, but you know what? If you are gonna do a dancey spin, Boom Cycle is the place to go to! (try to book in with Bangs if you do, she's fab!)

Watch and Learn

A host of leading experts and professionals sharing the latest wellness knowledge, training advice and science backed nutritional recommendations, I probably didn't make as much of 'The Lab' stage as I should have (too busy spent in the studios) but the one talk I did make - Luke Worthington, Jamie Ray and Tameka Small - 'Body Consciousness' - could not have been more worthwhile. The key highlights I took from the 45 minutes of down to earth, funny but factual presentation:

1. Your goal for working out - pick something tangible, something performance related, not just to 'lose weight'. Workout so that you can run a 10k, be able to do 10 pull ups, perform a single squat with completely correct form. Master that, and the aesthetics will follow.

2. Don't set your happiness on achieving a target weight. We've all done it right - I reach 'X' amount of kg, then I'll be happy. But where did that number even come from? Chances are, you plucked it out of thin air. Chances are, it probably doesn't mean much. Chances are, even when you get there, if that's what you're placing all your importance on, you still won't be happy. Focus on what your body can DO, how that can progress.

3. SCHEDULE A REST DAY! This is probably the biggest one for me. Clearly, I overtrain. Not because I feel 'guilty' if I don't (far from it - I know it's actually the best thing for my body if I have to miss a session!) - but because the temptation is just too much. There's always something going on, an event, a workout, a #squadgoal opportunity. Meaning I keep going, and only when I actually get injured and FORCED to stop, that's when I step back. But as Luke Worthington posed to us - "you have to schedule your rest days in. If you're so run down that you HAVE to take one, it's already too late. Think of your car - you book it in for it's MOT in advance, you don't keep driving it until it fails and then consider getting it seen to. Treat your body with the same respect".

AMEN to that.

Highlights

With all the activewear, healthy food, fitness studios on offer, you might think I'd have a hard time picking the highlight. Funnily enough, I don't. And even MORE funnily enough, my highlight of the event was absolutely none of the above....

My highlight was the people. The social circles. The community. You literally couldn't walk a few steps without bumping into someone you knew, stopping to chat, getting in a workout/photo/snack together. Sure, instagram, social media, it gets a lot of stick. And I understand why. But without it, I wouldn't have met so many of the people I genuinely feel lucky enough to call true friends. The people who share my passions, my values, my ambitions. Ultimately, the people who have become the circle of positive influences in my life today.

Lowlights

Overall, it was an incredible day, however as with everything on this sort of scale there are a few minor things that could be improved for the next year. Firstly, one that caused quite a few grumbles was the fact that classes weren't included in the ticket price, but had to be booked for an extra £6-£12 depending on the session.... meaning effectively you pay the £30 ticket price purely to walk in the door. As for the £45 VIP tickets - not worthwhile. The VIP lounge is less of a lounge, more of a seperate seating area.... and with so much else going on your unlikely to want to be in there anyway. Finally, most of the stands started packing up an hour or so before close - meaning if you bought an afternoon ticket, you were cut a little short.

Need to Know

Location: Old Truman Brewery, Shoreditch
Price: Half day tickets cost £30, VIP full day for £45 (prices vary depending on when you book). Classes cost £6-£12 and are paid for separately.
Dates: 2019 dates will be announced very soon.... keep your eyes peeled!
More Info: https://www.balance-festival.com/London/

Baileys, Burpees and Balance

Dinner at Amber Restaurant, Aldgate

2018-04-29T09:00:00.000+01:00

Wondering why Amy and I both look so happy ^^^ ? Cause we just demolished this EPIC feast, that's why!!!

Introducing the new must visit for any foodie, ''Amber' - because all epic places like this need to prepare you for the delights that are about to come....

An all day restaurant and café located in the heart of East London, Amber is for sure one of those 'hidden gems'. You might not have heard of it yet, but trust me, as soon as you enter the bright, ambient restaurant, clock site of the spectacular displays on entry, and receive a huge warm welcome from the staff, you immediately know this is a place you're gonna return! Casual but not scruffy, impressive yet not pretentious, indulgent but acceptably so, this is somewhere you need to get on your radar....

Sitting down with Amy one Friday evening, an espresso martini in one hand and a menu in the other, we pondered over all the delicious choices on offer. Designed perfectly to fit any occasion/taste/hunger level (!), the menu features tapas style dishes with everything from cheese and meat boards, to crispy chicken thighs and cumin chicken liver, to salmon tartare and seabass with caramelized onions.

Equally, for those on the marmite side of tapas (I totally get it, sometimes you just don't want to share a tiny plate!!), the menu also offers an array of bigger 'feasts' - glazed lamb shoulder with smoked aubergine, labneh, chilli butter and pita croutons, or whole trout with leek, potato, onions, tomato & Raki butter sauce & fresh herbs.

Munching on some pitta and fresh hummus brought, as he spotted our slightly bewildered faces (there was just too much choice!!) the lovely head chef came over to talk us through the range of dishes, recommending a few his favourites. Sensing his passion for the delicious dishes he'd created, Amy and I decided we'd leave our fate in his hands - he was going to bring us a selection of his finest!!! Which is when THIS is what happened....

Basil labneh, beetroot, pistachio

Burnt truffle goats cheese mousse, roasted & pickled beetroot, toasted chilli peanuts, zatar cracker

House fried potato with truffle oil and harissa mayo

Grilled aubergine, chilli maple labneh, chimi churi

Crispy fried squids, harissa mayo

Enough food for two people?!

Now, you know what it's like with mini sharing dishes, you're usually almost guaranteed that there will be one or two winners that everyone dives in for, and the duds that get pushed around the table until eventually they get cleared away. Well, not at Amber! Despite having taste buds at completely opposite ends of the spectrum (the unapologetic main love of fitness blogger Amy is a chicken nugget, and that is precisely why I love her!), there was absolutely no dish that didn't get a good dent made into it!!

(The issue being that, as two relatively small people, we had at least twelve or so relatively large plates brought out to us. Honestly, you should of seen the look on the faces of the table next to us as MORE food just kept coming. The waiter had to pull up an extra table just to fit it all beside us)

When it comes to the 'favourite' dish, I would honestly have SUCH a hard time trying to pick! The chorizo pide - a Turkish bread freshly baked in the inhouse hot clay ovens, topped with caramelized onions, goats cheese and crispy chorizo - was quite literally heaven on earth, whilst the beetroot vegetable dish - roasted and pickled beetroot on top of truffle goats cheese mouse with chilli nuts and zatar crackers - convinced me maybe being vegi is do-able after all! But then there was the salmon tartar and the cooked to perfection seabass.... and you DEFINITELY don't want to miss out on them. What made it such a lovely experience was the unusual mix of ingredients and flavours put into one dish - I mean, who would have ever thought lebneh - a Turkish strained yoghurt - combined with basil, mint and beetroot could actually work, and work SO well?!

Whilst Amy purposefully left a little room for dessert, me - going all out on the delicious mains - felt absolutely stuffed therefore, when the waiter popped over to clear our (impressively relatively empty!) plates, I politely said no to any dessert for me.

"No, everybody has dessert in my kitchen!" was the reply I got. "No arguing. I bring you both the two best options on the menu".

I mean, as if I didn't love this place already, I get FORCED to eat dessert. It's just such a tough life.

Yes, you read that right. Cheesecake with a BROWNIE base. Let's just repeat this - BROWNIE base. I have no other words. INCREDIBLE.

Amber, you absolutely killed it!!

The Need To Know

Location: 21 Piazza Walk O (Next to Curzon cinema), Aldgate East E1 8QH
Price: Small plates range from £6 - £10 each, expect to pay approx £30 per person excluding drinks
Highlights: It's hard to pick just one, but I think the Chorizo Pide has to take the winning dish!
Lowlights: I genuinely am really struggling trying to find one! I guess you COULD say the lighting wasn't the best for photographs..... really clutching at straws here!!!
Would I go back: So, Amber also does brunch. A bottomless brunch. Therefore need I even answer this question?!!?

*This meal was complimentary from Amber however all opinions are my own

Efficient Fitness Retreats, Spain

2018-04-15T09:00:00.000+01:00

Incase you hadn't realized from some of my previous reviews (Healthy Options, Ocean Soul ) - I love a retreat! I mean, multiple daily workouts; incredible, delicious and healthy food; sunbathing poolside in warmer climates - it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but this is definitely Hannah's kinda holiday :-)

So, when I was told about Efficient Fitness Retreats - a four day all inclusive break held in Andalusia, Spain - it took me oh, all of about 3 seconds to sign on the dotted line! Here is how it went down....

Pre Retreat

Yep, you heard that right - Pre Retreat! One of the unique things that I absolutely loved about Efficient Fitness was that the fun didn't just start at the airport but, prior to holiday, all participants are given a pre retreat assessment, allowing Stevie (Personal Trainer and founder of Efficient Fitness) to fully assess your body - alignment, strengths, weaknesses - and tailor the retreat workouts to each participants needs.

Not only that, but with us all being sent a bag full of Efficient Fitness branded Reebok kit - including leggings, top, trainers, resistance bands, Better You Magnesium salts , spray and a massage ball - Stevie most certainly knows how to create favorable first impressions!

Day 1

After a super early start (arriving to Stanstead at 6am was a joy!), we flew into Malaga airport to be met by Stevie at the arrivals lounge. Whipping out freshly made smoothies from a cool bag, he ushered us over to the car and drove us 45 mins or so to the villa.

A beautiful, two story apartment set on top of a hill with incredible views over the sea, we were shown to our rooms, given a little time to settle in and unpack (me, of course, prioritising my activewear drawer - as per above!!), before our first meal of the trip - a delicious spread of freshly prepared salads, meats and breads. Is it just me or do vegetables always taste SO much better from foreign countries?! Maybe it was that, or maybe it's the fact we had our own private chef on board - regardless, I knew instantly that the food on this trip was gonna be pretty banging!

With the weather being unusually rainy (albeit it was March!), rather than spend the afternoon chilling by the pool we took a little trip into the nearby town Torre Del Mar, soaking up some Spanish culture... and discovering how inexpensive their coffee is! (Like seriously, two euro for a gigantic bowl of cappuccino). Walking a good few miles along the beach front - my retreat buddy Chlo LOVES a walk, as we discovered- we headed back to the apartment for our first workout of the trip....

With over 8 years in the industry and over 10 fitness qualifications ranging from CrossFit, Functional Movement and Olympic Lifting, during the retreat Stevie's aim was to coach us through everything from speed, strength and stamina, to endurance and flexibility. Point - when I say coach - that's exactly what I mean. Rather than simply spend four days blasting our bodies (which, let's face it, he could have easily done), Stevie wanted to educate us - to give us an understanding of the good, solid foundations that will allow us to continue our fitness journeys long after the retreat ends.

With that in mind, workout no.1 was a basic bodyweight workout, assessing how we move .... yet also making sure we got a good sweat on! After a thorough mobility warm up (combining everything from jumping jacks, heel taps, high knees, lunges and planks), we moved on to the main component. Or should I say - componentS. With each workout lasting around 2 hours total, it was certainly longer than I would usually spend on a session, yet with the time spent to properly explain and educate us on the movements, it was worth it.

Finishing off a session combining movements such as squats, push ups, climbers, sprinters and shoulder taps with straight arm plank, Stevie took us into an EMOM. For those who aren't familiar with the term, EMOM stands for every minute on the minute. So, for 10 minutes, we had 10 rounds of 5 push ups, 5 burpees and 5 sit ups. It might not sound like much, but trust me, after 1.5 hours of working it, those burpees were a sick finisher!!

A quick shower and refresh, we all gathered round the table once again for dinner - a delicious Spanish paella with baked chicken, salad and vegetables. Finishing with a slice of ice cream cake (yes, on a fitness retreat!) we wandered down to bed excited to have an early night. It had been a long day, and we had an early start for day 2!

Day 2

A 6am wakeup call for workout no.2, we emerged from bed somewhat sleepy, but after a coffee and quick snack (fresh fruit salad), we were ready to go, With this mornings workout focusing on squats and lunge technique, we ran through a similar mobility warmup, some partner band work, then getting getting into the workout.

A focus on midline stabilisation, we used dowels (lightweight long poles) to mimic that of a squat bar, combined with banded partner work and tennis ball 'games' - i.e. throwing, bouncing and catching tennis balls but on a single leg, testing motor skills, concentration and stability - one of my biggest weaknesses, as I discovered! After practicing correct technique of all the different types of squats (I never knew there was so many), we went into the 'main component', split into three sections:

A. 5 rounds

25 Squats, 25 Sit-Up with twist (dowel), 10 Burpees, 5 Push-Ups, Agility Ladder

B. 3 x 3 min rounds

10 Back squat, 10 Climbers, 5 Push-Ups

5 lunges, 10 V sit holds with twist rotations using dowels, 5 burpees

5 overhead lunges, 10 drop Squats, 5 push ups

C. 12 minute round

10 O/H Squats, 10 Burpees, 20 Sprinters, 20 Walking Lunges, 10 Sit-Ups with twist (dowel)

FINAL FINISHER = Hill sprints!!!!

With this format being the one we followed for each workout, I made no mistake when I told you they were long... but efficient! (See what I did there!)

Thankfully, post workout it was straight to breakfast - a delicious feast of smoked salmon, poached eggs, fruit, nuts, granola, and INCRDEDIBLE smoothie bowls.

Following this, we took a trip into nearby town Nerje, soaking up some more Spanish culture (and finally some sun!), stopping off for a couple of drinks. One of the best things about this retreat, unlike many others, it is an actual holiday. Nothing is off limits - caffeine, meat, bread, even alcohol - but more on that later!

Back for a delicious lunch of pasta salad, grilled chicken, tofu, mango chutney and mozeralla cheese, it was time for workout no.3.....

With lower body already having been covered in the morning, tonight the focus was push and pull movements. So mainly upper body but, as we were beginning to discover, it's not a Stevie workout if it doesn't contain a burpee!!! Following a similar structure (and length!) to the one above, with the weather being a little cooler we performed this one indoors. Although it didn't have QUITE the same ambience as by the pool overlooking the ocean, as far as an indoor workout goes, it still beats the local gym!

A delicious dinner of grilled cod, sweet potato mash, orange and roast pepper salad, followed an unintentional couple of hours spent chatting on the sofa (!) – we suddenly clocked the time. Off to bed - tomorrow was an early start!

Day 3

With it being 'excursion day', despite a 6AM start in order to squeeze in our workout before we headed out to Granada, with it being the only session of the day we were keen to give it our all. Another session focusing on primal movements, this time it was a Twist and Bend education set, performing exercises using the dowels, resistance bands and introducing the RIP machine.

What's a RIP machine, I hear you ask?? I did too! A similar suspension type trainer to that of the TRX, the RIP trainer combines a resistance cord and weight bar that allow you to give an extra focus on rotational power, engaging the core and oblique muscles like I never have before!

For the 'bend' part, the main focus was on the deadlift - one of the most commonly incorrectly performed exercises known to man - which I admit to be 100% guilty of - to the point where I very rarely include it in my routine at the risk of injury. With Stevie assessing form and going through the correct movement patterns with us individually, I'm now confident to add it to my own routines at home.

And, of course, we finished with numerous hill sprints. Because they were absolutely necessary. Apparently.

A quick shower, change and breakfast, we piled into the car to head to the vineyards of MUÑANA , one of Spain's top producing wineries.

Sitting at over 1,200 ft altitude, we were taken a tour of the outdoor vineyards, being told the story of the careful process applied to the manufacture of the Munana wines…..much more complex than I had ever of thought!

After hearing all about the lengthy, carefully manipulated production process, it was time to put it to the test, with a full on wine tasting and tapas finish. With the wine coming out in full swing, it might have only been 12noon, but our 'fitness' retreat took on a slightly different direction.... work hard play hard, right?!

And since we were already pretty much gone, we figured the fun might as well continue into the evening, where we continued to soak up the Spanish day time drinking culture. When in Rome, right?

My favourite thing about Spain? Measures don't exist.... meaning the rest of the evening became a little bit fuzzy. Memories mainly consist of requesting Espresso Martinis. Like, a lot.

Day 4

AH! So you know that feeling when you wake up feeling just a little bit fragile? Well, imagine waking up with that feeling at 7am when you've to go and hit your final workout. For once in my life, putting on leggings did not put me into my happy place!

Luckily, Stevie had designed a relatively laid back workout to finish, wrapping up and putting into practice everything we'd learned on the days before. Well, when I say laid back, it also involved burpees, squat jumps, agility ladders and hill sprints...... were we still drunk?!

Potentially, yet after 4 solid days of technique focus, I can honestly say my technique and form improved like never before. What I came to realise is, back in London/the UK we lead such busy lives. I know I personally get so caught up in the ‘class culture’ – working out for the sake of working out, in dark, crowded studios - where the instructor has no way of correcting poor form – it’s so easy to see how we develop bad habits. And the more we do them, the more we reinforce them. So to take that time out from the HIIT/slam your body mentality, to slow down just a little bit and learn how to do things correctly = the key to making all your workouts so much more efficient.

Sitting down to one FINAL breakfast, it felt like the last supper, as we packed up our cases and headed back to Malaga airport to catch our flight home....

The Need to Know:

Highlights: The FOOD! I mean, it's the highlight of every holiday right?! And just because this was a fitness holiday doesn't mean it's any different! All the ingredients were freshly sourced, made in house by the private chef, healthy and nutritious without being at all bland, and there was always plenty of it. So many of the other retreats I've come across putting you on some sort of detox - no caffeine, sugar, fruit, meat, fish, fun - it's just not a holiday! Efficient fitness, however, had the perfect balance.

Lowlights: Whilst the workouts, food, villa etc couldn't be faulted, if you want a full on 'luxury' experience this probably isn't the retreat for you. You will be made to work hard! Whilst Stevie was great at the personal training side of things and delivering thorough coaching and tough workouts, he was also doing everything else, and being so eager to please everyone on the retreat meant sometimes things got a little chaotic. As the saying goes, sometimes you just need to do less, mean more.

Who's it for: Absolutely anyone of any age, gender or fitness ability, who wants a pleasant break away where they can workout, improve technique, rest, play, and catch some sun in a genuine, no pretences, down to earth environment.

Price: As I said before, this retreat isn't fully luxury, however this is absolutely reflected in the cost. With prices starting from £500 - including flights, accommodation, all your workouts, food, trips, excursions AND pre-retreat goody bag, you really cannot ask for better value!

Where can I find out more information: All retreat info, including next dates, prices, booking info and contacts are on the Efficient Fitness webpage - https://www.efficientfitness.co.uk/ .

Photo credit goes to James Purvis - literally one the BEST photographers I've come across, particularly for fitness shots - he knows how to get the angles! Follow him on instagram @jamespurvis21 or visit his website www.jmpurvis.com.

Also, if you wanna check out more of the retreat, head over to Chlo's Youtube Channel where she documented the full thing.... (bar the final night!!). She's also got tons of other great content on there so go, like, subscribe <3

Pro:Direct Fit Launch at Move Your Frame, Fitzrovia

2018-04-01T09:00:00.000+01:00

Pro:Direct FIT

You might have heard of Pro:Direct. If not, ask any football fan and they’re BOUND to have come across them. As the worlds largest online soccer store, I know what you’re thinking…. what relevance could this possible be to me, a lycra addict who couldn’t even BEGIN to tell you the off side rule, even if my life depended on it?! (In actual fact, I just had to google ‘the offside rule’ to check it was indeed football and not rugby. See! Even after the googling, I still just don’t get it).

The launch

HOWEVER (back to the point!), when the worlds largest online soccer store decides to launch into the fitness market – THAT is when my ears pick up. So, when invited to the launch of Pro:Direct's brand new activewear site, Pro:Direct Fit, held at Frame in Fitzrovia in conjunction with adidas, it was like all my Christmases had come at once!

Pop up shop

Joining a group of 10 fitness bloggers at one of the newest Frame studio’s, Fitzrovia, we were met with activewear heaven in the form of a pop up shop, full of brands including adidas and reebok, catering to all your fitness needs with a range of clothing, footwear and accessories.

LOVE!

“This is just a snippet of what’s going to be on the site,” we were told, as we were handed a goody bag and shown to the changing rooms. A goody BEFORE the event? That never happens, right?! Well, in this instance there was a reason, as the goody bag was filled full of brand new adidas kit and Ultraboost trainers, celebrating the launch of their new ‘Alphaskin’ Spring/Summer 18 range.

Georgie delighted with her kit!

Slipping myself into the blue tights (love the colour, and they had an amazing compression fit that hugs everything in), black sports bra (very supportive!), white tank (essential) and ultraboost X sneakers (designed specifically for the female foot featuring a floating arch support), we were ready to put our new activewear to the test….

Ultraboost X

Being ushered into the downstairs studio, a wave of giggles came across us as we caught sight of the ten mini trampolines set out across the floor. Yep, today’s sweat of choice – a rebounding class! Now, I’ve got to admit, at this moment I was quite relieved, as I pictured a light, easy 45 minutes of bouncing around in the air, not getting too sweaty or working too hard… just smiling for the camera, right?!

Rebounding class

HAHAHA. Well, I was wrong – rebounding class is tough! Fun, but tough. With everyone on their own trampolines, the instructor took us through an energetic routine (think tuck jumps, ‘supermen’, high knees and heel taps) along to a mix of chart hits (Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake…. you get the vibe).

Gaining some height

What quickly become a very sweaty cardio session, let’s just say we were all super glad that our adidas bras really DID give the support they claimed, and the mesh ventilation panels of the leggings? Dream! Finishing off with a couple of tracks using the dumbbells– yes, jumping and squatting on a trampoline whilst holding weights – our bodies may have been tired, but energy was high. I had forgot just how fun trampolining was!

Jumping for joy!! Or food....

Of course, no fitness event could be complete without some post workout refuel, so we headed back upstairs to the Pro:Direct Fit pop up space, where there was a Pip and Nut Bar waiting our hungry mouths. Chatting away as we tucked into our protein shakes, almond butter on toast, admiring the lycra heaven we were sitting in….. it was fitness cliché at it’s finest (and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!).

Do you need some toast for your berries?!

Overall, a great event in all respects possible – the adidas alphaskin kit could NOT have been better – supportive, ventilated, high waisted AND squat proof (the two essentials, right?). The Rebound class was energetic, motivating, low impact and, despite being one of the most enjoyable classes I have ever done, also one of the most sweat inducing! Finally, the food… well, it was Pip and Nut and protein shakes… do I really need to say much more? All enjoyed with a group of friendly, inspiring, down to earth and genuine girls. Pro:Direct Fit – if your new website is HALF as good as your events, I’m going to have to seriously assess my credit card limit!!

Never disappoints

The Need to Know:

- Pro:Direct Fit is due to launch end of April – follow them @ProDirectFit on Instagram to keep up with the latest news, or visit the website – www.prodirectfit.com – to sign up to the newsletter – where you will receive 15% off your first purchase AND be in with the chance of winning a £500 voucher.

- The adidas alphaskin range is available online at www.adidas.com, at adidas stores, and will be stocked on the Pro:Direct Fit website, along with a full selection of other brands offering 'the latest in function, innovation and trend.'

- Rebounding at Frame costs £13 for a 45 minute class, and can be booked online via their website - www.moveyourframe.com , or via Classpass (you just have to be quick, it books up fast!)

Girl squad

Finally, you want to get in on the action too, Pro Direct have a range of initiatives in place, including a free running club (from Frame on Tuesday nights) and another public event in the pipeline. Keep a lookout for updates via their Social Media pages – I’ve heard the plans for the next event and, trust me, it’s not one you’ll want to miss!

ProDirect Fit - killed it!!

Seen on Screen x Little Mix

2018-03-18T09:00:00.000+00:00

SOS GIRL SQUAD <3

When one of London’s leading dance companies invites you to join them for an International Womens Day special dance class, alongside a promise of wind AND smoke machines, and even goody bags to finish with- what can a girl say no to?!

Ok, so I say the above with a pinch of salt because actually, whilst I like to think I’m the kind of girl who would love to get sassy infront of a wind machine, in reality, I’m SO not that kind of person. (Well, not when sober anyway). I mean, I WISH I had that confidence but, after being described by my own family as a ‘hippopotamus in a tutu’ during my junior ballet days, needless to say I’ve never quite felt like a headline dance act (bar after a few vodkas/tequila shots).

Seen on Screen

Nonetheless, with founder and CEO of SOS (Seen on Screen), Bonnie Parsons, having founded her business on the basis that dance should be available to everyone, SOS welcomes all abilities, delivering a space that is anything but exclusive. After working with the likes of Florence & The Machine, Kelly Rowland, Professor Green and Seal – to name a few- Bonnie took her experience, and passion for the industry, to make dancing more accessible to women everywhere. Described as an antidote to low self esteem, low confidence, negative body image, anxiety and stress, I was rest assured that I needn’t have the confidence of Beyonce as I walked in, but I definitely would as I walked out!

GIRLS!

What we did

Turning up last Monday night at the Southwark venue, I was pleasantly surprised to find a good number of fitness friends had also come to join the session, and surrounded by their smiley positive energy, I immediately I felt much more comfortable. As we walked into the studio we met our instructor – the incredible sassy Bonnie Parsons herself – who immediately put on the music, dimmed the lights, took us through a warmup, and got us into the main event – the routine!

Whip that hair...

In the spirit of International Womens Day, tonight’s class was focused on empowerment….so what better routine to learn than Little Mix’s Power, right?! Everyone’s guilty pleasure, Bonnie took us all through a full choreography, breaking down the routine into bite size segments to ensure it was accessible, easy to learn… and mega fun! Showing us the correct way to body roll, hip roll, hair whip, twerk – you name it – “you got to be unapologetically sassy!” Bonnie shouted to us! With a final 15 minutes to go, it was time to finish rehearsing, and go full out with the routine ‘on tour’. Paris, New York, San Fran, London – four performances, four times to slay that soundtrack!

Strut!

So, what was the final verdict? Did I find my inner Diva and smash out that dance routine like nobodies business?! In all honesty, no! I wasn’t great at the routine. I wasn’t able to move with quite as much flow as the pro’s, I struggled to remember what was next in the routine, and I definitely choked on my own hair at one stage of the hair flips. But you know what? I was literally having SO much fun that I didn’t care, not one little bit. And turns out, I wasn’t the only one messing up…. But as Bonnie told us, “I doesn’t matter if you do the wrong move, aslong as you just f*ing OWN it!!”. And so we did.

Need to Know

Who’s it for: As the timetable is packed with different classes – from Sweat (a more cardio based routine), to Barre (pilates/dance/yoga fusion), Pop, Commercial, Hip Hop and Stretch – there really is something to suit every taste, every fitness level, and every dance capability!

Classes for every ability

How much: Classes start from £15

Where is it: SOS classes are held at six different studios across London - including Angel, Farringdon, Tottenham Court Road and Southwark.

Where to book: Visit https://www.seenonscreen.dance/ for more information.

Thank you SOS!

Sunday Feasts at The Ned, London

2018-03-04T09:00:00.000+00:00

If you haven’t yet heard The Ned in London, it's time to get it on your radar! A private members club renovated from an old abandoned Bank in the financial district, when Nick Jones, owner of Soho House Group took over the site in 2012, he set out to make it as spectacular as the other 18 Soho House & Co clubs. Needless to say, his attempts were a huge success, resulting in one of London’s finest venues; encompassing everything from hotel rooms and suites, 10 different restaurants, a spa, barber shop, nail salon and fully equipped gym. But this time, I wasn’t there to sweat. No, I was there to do my other favourite thing – EAT.

The Ned, London

Entering the prestigious building last Sunday afternoon at 3pm, we were greeted not only by a waitress at the door, but an incredible interior and live jazz band in the middle of the floor. It was confirmed, this was no usual Sunday brunch! Checking us in on the I-Pad, she showed us to our seats, poured us each a glass of prosecco and explained how The Ned Sunday Feasts work….

My kinda buffet :-)

Put simply, it is literally grab a plate, and eat as much as you wish! Now, I know what you’re thinking – ‘all you can eat’ buffet sounds a bit more Brewers Fayre than upmarket members club right? And you’d be forgiven for thinking so, but I can assure you – the food served at Millies Lounge Sunday Feast is certainly NOT your standard all you can eat buffet!!

Prosecco to begin

Everything from lobster and oysters, to typical scrambled egg and sausage 'breakfast' style dishes, to roasts, salads and a full dessert trolley, the food is served across all three spaces- Millie’s Lounge, The Nickel Bar and Lutyens Grill. Don't be fooled, there may be a lot of space, but that doesn't mean it's easy to get a table- I booked ours back in 2017!

Cause is it even a brunch without avo on toast and salmon?

Going up the bar, needless to say it was a bit overwhelming at just how much choice there was. First up I decided to go for more of a ‘cold’ starter type dish – loading my plate with a selection of their delicious salads 0 the roasted beetroot and feta was incredible - alongside a seafood selection of tiger prawns, smoked salmon, and of course – the lobster!

Got lobster?

Feeling pretty proud on myself for putting together a somewhat complimentary plate and not just diving into everything, I then spotted some of the more 'breakfast' style dishes. Granola, pancakes, avocado on toast, eggs, beans, and a delicious fresh pot of kedgeree, I sneaked a little bit of the latter onto my plate also. I figured it kind of fitted with the whole seafood vibe I had going on!

Round 1!

Next up, it was onto the mains, where I had probably the most beige dish I’ve ever eaten in my adult life! Whilst I’m not a huge ‘roast’ fan (I know, criminal right?!), I almost felt as though you couldn’t NOT try it out - and the best part of it being a buffet style is you can have as little or as much of something as you like.

If you want yorkshire puddings as big as your head.... get to the NED!

So once again I loaded up my plate with all my favourite things – roast chicken breast, the most perfectly crispy roast potato and roast vegetables I have ever had, some additional sides from the salad counter (because it was definitely worth a revisit) and, just because it looked so bloody good, a slice of the most incredible sausage roll I've ever had (yep, it even topped Ginger Pig's - if you know, you know). Perfectly flaky pastry, a soft but meaty centre, I’ll never be able to go cocktail style ever ever again.

Dish 2. Can we just take a moment to appreciate that pastry please?

Finally (well, almost finally), since it was my favourite, and I HAD just completed a very tough Barry’s Bootcamp (I kept telling myself to justify the blatant overeating!), I took myself back up for plate number three – basically combining the highlights from the first two dishes - butternut squash, more kedgeree, roasted beetroot, prawns and one final lobster tail - it was just too good not to!

Dish 3 - lobster, kedigree, beetroot and prawns. YUM on a plate.

Finishing it off, much to the amaze of those at my table, there was then the dessert cart calling. Loaded with an insane selection of pastries, fruit, chocolate ganache, brownies, pineapple upside down cake, almond sponge, even Maltesers and jelly baby’s – of course I couldn’t NOT try it out. Now, given I'm off chocolate for lent (probably just aswell!), I stuck to the pear pastry slice, cappuccino sponge, and a red velvet cake pop.

Desserts of dreams?

Now, don’t get me wrong, they were good…. however I don't think they quite lived up to the incredible mains. The pear pastry was maybe a little bland in taste, the cappuccino sponge felt a little dry….. as a major sweet tooth, I'm not usually one to complain about ANY dessert, but oddly enough these ones didn't quite do it for me.

The options

Candy Shop!

So overall, what were my thoughts? Honestly? Despite the rave review, I do have somewhat mixed feelings! As I say, whilst the experience wasn’t in the slightest bit comparable to a traditional ‘all you can eat’ restaurant, it did still have that slight ‘food frenzy’ feel to it – people almost pushing you out the way of the busy roast potato pot to ensure they get their feed! Of course, this was somewhat offset by the somewhat magnificent building, amazing jazz band playing in the centre, and much more ‘upmarket’ selection of delicious food (ignoring the desserts) – but I don’t know, I left feeling as though I’d eaten far too much or what ended up being a pretty random selection of food (as much as I tried to have my plates ‘make sense’!).

Live Jazz band

So, would I say it’s the be all and end all of Sunday brunches? Probably not. For £45 a head, you do get your moneys worth (provided you go hungry!), but honestly – part of me would probably prefer to spend that on a lovely cooked brunch, brought to your table, in portioned sizes, put together by a specialist chef who understands the basics of ‘complimentary’ tastes. As opposed to me piling everything that looks good onto a plate (4 times over).

Thumbs up on the cold options

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it, and I would 100% still go back - particularly for a more special occasion (it’s definitely still a ‘treat’ and not something you’d do every weekend). Plus, now I know not to worry about having to save room for dessert, I know how to maximize my plates when I do return!!

Plate of dreams

The Need to Know

Who’s it for: Anyone who’s after a more special meal in elegant surroundings. Or anyone who is just really hungry.

How much: £45 per head, includes all you can eat food and a glass of prosecco

Where it is: The Ned, Bank

More information: https://www.thened.com/restaurants/millies-lounge#

When a grown man gets let loose on the dessert trolley

Lilly Sabri and Vogue Williams Launch New Superfood Supplement- CurraNZ

2018-02-18T09:00:00.000+00:00

Product Placement :P !

What they say:

Made from the 'King of Superfoods' - a breakthrough blackcurrant extract boasting a unique combination of noticeable benefits for health and fitness. A natural, evidence-based, nutritious food extract that promotes health, sports performance and recovery, with the added benefit of accelerating fat burning during exercise.

CurraNZ invites you to A Very Purple Evening, presented by ambassador Vogue Williams. Find out more about the next big superfood, fitness fashions and wellness trends to put into practice in 2018.

What I say:

WellToDo Founder discussing the 'fads' of fitness

OK, so when I hear the word 'superfood', I immediately become skeptical. Especially when when combined with the phrases 'fitness fashions' and 'accelerating fat burning', alarm bells immediately start ringing my end. A firm believer that sustainable, long term health and/or weightloss comes from an overall healthy lifestyle, not some sort of 'magic' tablet or food sort, I was eager to hear what CurraNZ had to say...

What we did:

Mingling with fellow fitnessers at the launch

Walking into a secret location in Soho one evening, and being handed two mysterious tablets at the door ("take a double dose, just for tonight," we were told), it wasn't the usual beginning to your typical fitness event! With a choice of blackcurrant infused cocktails, after 15 minutes or so of mingling with fellow fitness bloggers, journalists and the founder of CurraNZ herself, the lovely Fleur Cushman, we were ushered downstairs into the presentation suite, to find out what CurraNZ actually is, the science behind it, and it how it might help fitness enthusiasts like myself...

Blackcurrant cocktails

As we sat down, we were given an introduction to the panel of experts supporting the CurraNZ product:

- Dr Nathan Lewis, lead scientist and performance nutritionist at the English Institute of Sport

- Hannah Sheridan, Performance Nutritionist at Tottenham Hotspur (yes, she does have them all on CurraNZ!)

- Lilly Sabri, fitness influencer, physiotherapist, and major girl crush

- Lauren Armes, Entrepreneur and founder of WellToDo, global wellness industry platform

With the group of experts keen to share their experiences of CurraNZ, model and CurraNZ ambassador Vogue Williams lead an interesting discussion, where we were able to ascertain (or interrogate, in some instances!) the panel on the real science behind CurraNZ.....

Our panel of experts

So, is it just another marketing fluff, or is there actually something within this superfood supplement?

Turns out there might just be something behind it!...

Vogue reaching out to the audience

What exactly is CurraNZ?

Curranz is a 35% anthocyanin extract formula, coming in a tablet from, sourced from premium New Zealand blackcurrants, offering:

- More than twice the antioxidants of blueberries

- 2,242 ORAC per 300mg capsule

- 2,500 NZ blackcurrants per carton of 30 capsules

What are the benefits?

Health benefits

Improved blood flow, brain function, gut, immune system and inflammation reduction - all from one little tablet!? All very well coming from the brand, of course they are going to say these things, right?

So how does it translate into practice in the real world?

Lilly uses them before her workouts

According to the panel, very well! Simply taking one tablet approx. two hours before your session, it will increase the blood flow and oxygen delivery to cells during your workouts, meaning you can work harder, for longer, without that nasty DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) effect! Studies have proven not only do the superfood tablets reduce fatigue by 12%, but on test subjects it increased running performance on average by 11%. Now that's something I can get on board with!

So it worked for the 'panel', did it work for you?

Following the talk, it was time to put our tablets into practice, as we moved upstairs to be taken through a signature workout by one of my all times favourites, Lilly Sabri.

Making us REALLY test the DOMS effect

With her physio background, sound understanding of form and human anatomy - alongside a figure to die for - this girl can do no wrong. Making sure we were able to FULLY test the powers of CurraNZ, she might have only had 45 minutes to work us, but man she worked us HARD - whilst ensuring we maintained perfect form throughout. Proving that you can push your body whilst maintaining the correct posture and alignment - you don't have to choose between one or the other.

It's not a Lilly workout without some core

So, what were the results?

In all honestly, the next day, despite the tough workout, I didn't feel sore. I had that feeling I had been worked, but not to the extent that I was waddling around, struggling to climb up the stairs (as can sometimes be the case!). Now, I'm realistic and rather critical (sometimes overly so), so I'm not going to go all out and say this 100% absolutely HAS to be down to the tablets. That said, it certainly is a strong coincidence and, now that I've got a months supply to really test the long term advantage, keep a look out for a post update where I'll confirm if I really felt the benefits!

Post workout feed

Summary

Who’s it for: Anyone from fitness professionals, athletes, or simply your avid gym goer who wants to benefit from improved muscle recovery

How much: £29 for 30 capsules (less than £1 a day!)

Where to buy: available on amazon - click link here

More information: https://curranz.com/

FOOD. Let's hope that fat burning effect is also true!

Outrivals, Old Street

2018-02-11T09:33:00.000+00:00

Outrivals, Old Street

You may remember my previous post on one of London’s top small group training studios, FitMiBody on Old Street. Well, the already pretty good studio has just become even better as they’ve embarked on their next project, a re-branding to the brand new concept – Outrivals!

So, when I was invited to their re-launch event a couple of weeks ago to, after months of hard work, celebrate the studio finally becoming Outrivals, I didn’t need to think twice….

Shoreditch launch event

Not too sure what to expect, we gathered on a chilly Thursday evening under a bridge in the heart of Shoreditch – Outrivals know how to pick a location with impact. Split into 5 different groups, there was a plethora of activities going on – HIIT, strength, cardio, abs and, my poison of choice, boxing. Partnering up with my favourite girl Sophia, Outrivals PT and Boxing Instructor Simon Zhao soon got us warmed up and straight into a boxing circuit. Think skipping, jump squats, lunges, fast feet and more burpees than you could ever imagine possible, all intertwined with partner work using the gloves. Jabs, hooks, crosses and uppercuts, finishing off with a game of chase, attempting to tap our partners knees whilst blocking them from getting to ours. The forfit for the loser? Burpees, of course!

Boxing with my girl Sophia

Burpeed out, the group re-joined for one final hit – a run back to the refurbed studio! Despite being a tad exhausted from the workout we’d already completed, what was meant to be a ‘gentle’ run turned into a bit of a sprint, as we all raced back excited to see the new premises. (It may have also had something to do with the fact we heard there was food and booze waiting!)

Run Forest Run!

Tucking into a delicious spread provided by Camino – a tapas bar in Shoreditch - we grabbed a drink as CEO and studio owner Matt gave us a bit of background behind the rebranding and the future of Outrivals…. Keep a lookout for these guys, there’s many more exciting things to come!!

Outrivals Launch party

If you want to find out more for yourself, book onto a class at https://www.outrivals.com, or check them out on classpass too :-). Top recommendations would be for Simon’s boxing (of course!), and also Lewis’s Hips and Core class on a Monday evening. He’s basically the only trainer that can get me to do lower body and actually enjoy it – and trust me, with my hatred of squats, that is no easy task!

Simon and Lewis - top trainers!

But that’s exactly why Outrivals literally does outrival many of its competitors. Top instructors, well structured classes, a fun group training environment but with the individual attention you’d usually only get with a one to one PT, get this place onto your hit list!

Come hang with us!

BXR exclusive residency at Selfridges, London

2018-02-04T09:00:00.000+00:00

BXR Selfridges Pop Up

What it is: On the 1st February, BXR London, the world’s first boutique boxing club, opened it’s doors to an exclusive residency at Selfridges Department store, Oxford Street London. Taking over the Ultralounge area on the lower ground floor with their fully functioning boxing gym, designed in conjunction with world renowned fashion creative Michele Lamy, the fashion meets fitness collab was something I had to check out!

Class in action

What we did: Heading down to the store on Friday evening, admittedly I did feel a bit odd walking past designer dresses and handbags wearing leggings and trainers, but as soon as I made my way to the lower ground floor and into the fully fitted studio, with the dark lights, blaring music and activewear galore, I felt straight at home....

Boxing space, specially designed bags to absorb the impact as you punch

With a specially designed session focusing on the essential elements of boxing technique and full body strength and conditioning, the class was built around two separate areas – the boxes and the bags.

Finding a space on the floor beside a bag, our first instructor, Harold, stood inside the ring and took us through some basic boxing technique to warm up. Once we’d all mastered uppercuts, hooks, jabs and crosses, it was onto the bag, where the high intensity rounds began. An arm heavy sequence (or five!) made up of strong punches and speed work, every so often pulling people up onto the ring for some pad work fun, just as our arms began to felt like they may fall off (and our fingers became hooked in a claw like position!), we moved on to part number two – the boxes!

On the bags

Repositioning ourselves on the mats for the Strength and Conditioning part of the workout, looking over to the box jump step, heavy dumbbells, plates and kettlebells, it soon hit us that round two was not going to be any easier. Instructor no.2 - Reese - wasted no time getting into a plyometric bodyweight rountine, fused with weighted cardio and explosive movements – think jump squats, walk outs, renegade rows, plank jacks and push ups! Repeating the bag/floor combo twice more, we finished off with a much needed stretch.

The ring

Highlights: The studio which, for sure, went beyond expectations – WAY beyond. When a boutique gym does a pop up, you naturally expect the temporary nature means the environment won’t be quite as premium as the real thing. Well, not when Selfridges, BXR, and Michele Lamy join forces! Better equipped than most permanent boxing studios, with a full boxing ring, alongside plenty of bags, boxes and weights. You can expect to be handed gloves, wraps and a towel as you enter, and even have shower in the AESOP kitted out facilities as you leave.

This means business...

Top takeaways: Quite simply, that times are definitely changing! Whilst we’ve seen the crossover in fashion, art and modern culture for a few years now, it’s only recently that fitness has entered the mix, growing it’s influence across different sectors. An influence I couldn’t support more....

Michele Lamy - creative extraordinaire, wife and muse to Rick Ownes

Ten years back, when the ‘heroine chic’ look was at it’s height, if someone had suggested one of the worlds finest luxury fashion stores stepped away from the pristine catwalk and invited people in to work up a serious sweat, punch a bag and throw weights around in a 'high fashion' environment, it would have been out of the question! Yet now - along with the growth of online shopping and the need for retailers to find another way to entice customers into the stores - we’ve seen a shift towards the in-store ‘experience’. With that, Selfridges and BXR have hit the nail on the head - bringing strength, fitness and overall wellbeing back into fashion.

The instructor squad!

The need to know: The pop up studio will be around until the end of February, with classes running every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the month. Price is £23 for a 55 minute session. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/exclusive-bxr-residency-with-michele-lamy-at-selfridges-tickets-42001741339?aff=erelexpmlt to book your slot before they fill up!

Can't wait to head back

Photo cred goes to the awesome James Purvis – check out his work at www.jmpurvis.com, insta @jamespurvis21

Running Workshop with DashTeam London

2018-01-28T09:12:00.000+00:00

DashTeam London

What they say: Become fitter, faster and stronger. 30 minute sprint classes held across London, designed and instructed by a team of professional track athletes, to help runners of all capabilities go faster, for longer, for less effort than ever before.

Warming up with a stretch

What I say: Joining Dash Team London one chilly Monday evening at Paddington Recreation Ground, we were given a warm welcome from the team and told a little more about what to expect during the session. Whilst the specific content of every session varies, they all follow the same principles – 30 minutes of effective running drills, sprinting, conditioning – held outside (benefitting from the great outdoors) and on soft ground (astroturf or track, kinder on your joints).

The calm before the storm...

What we did: Beginning the session with a warm up sprint around the track, we had a quick stretch before being separated into groups to go through some drills, specifically designed to activate and strengthen the right muscle groups required for running.

High knee drills

With all muscle groups fully activated, we moved into ‘response work’. Lined up against the wall with a whistle dictating when to stamp our foot as hard and fast as possible on the ground, I was surprised at actually just how tough it was, particularly on my right leg – indicating a weakness and specific area to address to avoid future injury.

Response work

Insane jump squatting!

Following with some good jump squat conditioning, it was time for the main event – the sprints! Separated in two teams to form a relay, naturally things got a little competitive… but all good fun at the same time!

My friend Emma (aka lunch_and_lycra) claims she's "not a sprinter". I think this says otherwise!

Highlights: The lack of actual running we did. Now, I get this sounds a bit off given I was at a RUNNING class, but what I loved about the session was its focus not on simply running round the track and burning calories – anyone can do that – but what very few of us can do, is do it with the form, style and strength we need to stay injury free. With Dash Team instructing you on how to activate and condition the right muscle groups, they facilitate the mind to muscle memory to allow you to become fitter, faster and stronger…. In a sustainable manner.

Smiling through the squats!

Top takeaways: DORSIFLEXION!!!! If there was one message that was pounded home during the event, this was it. Dorsiflexion involves pointing the top part of your foot towards the shin, creating a more efficient sprinting side whilst also putting your foot in a better position to absord the shock of landing. Having suffered countless injuries as a result of poor running style/flat feet/over pronation, all causing increased impact to my joints as my foot hits the ground, dorsiflexion is the new buzz word that's sticking at the top of my list!

DORSIFLEXION!

The Need to Know: Sessions with Dash Team London are held at Regents Park, Ravenscourt Park and Paddington Recreation Ground, and cost £10 per session. That said, with your first session being absolutely free, what have you got to lose by giving it a shot?! Visit http://dashteamlondon.co.uk for more info and to book in for your first class. See you on the track.....

Fitness Space, Wapping

2018-01-21T09:00:00.000+00:00

We all know the feeling. January comes, a month of eating, drinking and partying behind you, and you’re into the new year feeling refreshed and ready to become the fittest, strongest, healthiest version of you you’ve ever been before. You get lured in by one of the many cheap gym memberships on offer, buy yourself some new trainers, be ‘really good’ and book yourself into a class every day….. then February hits, the momentum loses, and suddenly that ‘fittest you’ becomes a distant memory!

FS Wappping

Which is where Fitness Space in Wapping comes in. Unlike some gyms, they’re not interested in signing up people for a gym membership they’ll never use, taking their money and forgetting about them. Instead, they assign you a personalised fitness coach, book you in for a detailed consulation, design you a bespoke workout based on your personal goals and training history…. And provide you with all the necessary tools to stick to it!

Circuit time

Sounds good right, but how did it live up in practice? You know what, pretty well! Going outside of my zone 1 comfort bubble, I took a trip to Wapping last weekend to visit the studio for a blogger event. With a friendly welcome at reception, we went downstairs to tour the well equipped gym area. Despite being slightly on the smaller side in comparison to some gyms, it had absolutely everything you would need – even a few machines I’d never seen in places treble its size, including a very ‘fun’ lower body lunge press and step.

Paris Lily, our PT, showing us how it's done in the studio

Aside from a full gym, Fitness Space also offer a jam packed timetable of classes – everything from Burn ( HIIT cardio), Spirit (weights based), Rhythm (music and dance) and Sculpt (a blend of cardio and strength). With only a morning in the studio, we were taken through a blend of classes with one of my favourite trainers Paris Lily. Beginning with a boxing HIIT, involving gloves, uppercuts, jabs and hooks, we moved onto a weights based circuit, finishing with an intense ab burner. 8 stations, 1 minute on each, no rest in between – it was brutal, but man did it feel good!!

Just hanging post session!

Following from that, it was time for a much needed stretch as personal trainer, Health Coach and Yoga teacher Eloise took a through an hour long yoga flow. Gentle enough to follow a tough workout, yet challenging enough to actually find the benefit, it had the perfect blend of focuses on strength, balance and mindfulness.

FOOD TIME!

Following a morning of hard work, it was back up to stairs to tuck into a wonderful lunch provided by Fitology Kitchen. Specialising in meals for pre and post workout, the company lives by an ethos not just to supply food, but also to educate their clients on the true meaning of healthy eating. With all their meals containing a clear colour coding system to guide you on the effects the food will have on your body pre or post workout, you can easily be guided on what to eat and when for maximum benefit. Tucking into the Turkey and Black Bean Chilli stuffed peppers, I honestly thought it was one of the best things I’d ever tasted. That’s until I opened up the Vegan Chocolate Brownie – three words – OH MY GOD! Why oh why did Leila and I decide we’d have one to SHARE?!

Fitology Love

All in all, if you are in the Wapping area and looking for a gym that’s friendly, good value, offers a range of classes, excellent equipment, top notch Personal Trainers with a dedicated service, and INCREDIBLE post (and pre!) workout food – Fitness Space Wapping is your one to go for!

Never Train Alone - motto for life!

But, if like me, you’re not East based – fear not! Fitness Space is in the process of expansion, keep a lookout for more opening all across London over the next few months. From central locations including Bloomsbury and St James, to Hackney and Wimbledon, no matter where you're based, there's a space for you!

Thank you FS Wapping for a great morning!

Rejuvenated - Vegan Protein

2018-01-14T09:00:00.000+00:00

I want to open this post with two key points:

1. I am not a dietician and I don't hold any nutritional qualifications. Whilst I have done a lot of research into what I deem healthy eating, everything I write is my own opinion - if you are seeking proper nutritional advice, see a professional.

2. I am not vegan, and nor do I try to be. I am also not vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, soy free, GMO free - you get the picture. The only thing I try to be 'free from' is restrictions.

Which is why I try to lead a healthy, balanced diet most of the time - which, in its most simplest form, comes down to an adequate consumption of protein, carbs and fat, inline with your lifestyle and daily activity. Whether it be daily workouts or cycling to work and back, as my lifestyle is heavily based around physical activity, it therefore requires the correct fuel to support it. In particular, protein.

Rejuvenated

Thus, my interest picked up when I was invited to try out a new product by the brand Rejuvenated - a company that initially began with anti-ageing beauty supplements. Recognising the growth of active lifestyles within their female target consumer, they then expanded their range with the introduction of hydration and protein products - in the form of a vegan protein smoothie and protein soup.

Now, I know what your thinking, sounds like one of those fad meal replacement, weight loss programs right? You'd be forgiven for thinking so - that was my first reaction when I politely turned down the review opportunity. However, after looking into it, turns out Rejuvenated is so much more than that. Sure, it can assist you with losing a few extra pounds- the Rejuvenated Re-set program has been created specifically to achieve long-term healthy weight loss and put an end to yoyo dieting - but it can also be used alongside a healthy diet to help you achieve your protein goals, particularly for those of us who participate in sport and lead an active lifestyle.

Founder - Kathryn Danzey

Whilst protein targets for individuals varies greatly depending on the source - government recommendation is approx 0.8g per kg of bodyweight, sports professionals suggest it's closer to 2g per kg. Personally, I aim for even more than this, as I know my body type and, with my high level of activity, this is works for me.

But too much protein is bad for you right? Again, you'd be forgiven for thinking so, but it's important to point out that the same government document that lays out the 0.8kg recommendation for protein intake also notes that's there is no level of protein that has been proven to cause adverse reflects. Thus, it has been argued their recommendation is more of a minimum RDA, yet with volumes of research showing that the majority of us each much more than this, we've come to some sort of mythical conclusion that we're all eating "too much" protein.

Protein Smoothies - Chocolate and Banana

But what is 'too much' protein? We've all heard the stories - this will cause a "strain on your kidneys", or any extra protein will just get "weed out". Sorry, but there's little evidence to support any of this. Think about it - if you donate a kidney, your remaining one has to work twice as hard, yet if it can remain healthy, a little extra protein is unlikely to destroy it!

Secondly, your body is a highly sophisticated mechanism and protein is effectively another source of energy - e.g. calories. Unfortunately, we cannot simply just wee out calories! It is used is your body primarily for fuel, repairing muscle, and storing any excess as fat. So, provided your total protein intake is inline with your overall calorie expenditure, I personally don't believe that, for an active individual like myself, shooting for 120kg a day is a bad thing.

Rejuvenated Berry Smoothie

That said, with my protein aim being the equivalent of four to five chicken breasts a day, occasionally I need a little assistance! Whilst I don't believe you should rely on supplements as part of your daily diet, if you are using them as exactly that - a SUPPLEMENT - then all in all, I'd Rejuvenated is a pretty good option to go for...

Protein Soups

REJUVENATED - THE HIGHLIGHTS

- It's made from pea protein. Aside from being 100% vegan for the animal conscious of you out there, I prefer pea protein as find it much easier to digest than whey, which has been known to cause funny pains in my tummy!

Chocolate Protein Smoothie

- It tastes incredible! Coming in three flavours - Strawberry, Chocolate, and Banana & Butterscotch - each is sweetened with 100% natural ingredients, therefore doesn't have that sickeningly sweet/false taste you find in many other protein shakes.

- The texture is great. Whilst pea protein can often suffer from a more grainy/powdery like consistency, Rejuvenated is blends perfectly to a rich and creamy consistency. Helped by the glucomannan (see more below) it's thick even mixed only with water, meaning you don't have to double the calories by blending with milk/banana/nut butter etc (although you can if you so wish to!).

- It fills you up. Aside from the fact pea protein itself is digested slower than other forms, what is unique about Rejuvenated is that their product also includes glucomannan, a fibre that increases satiety. Coming for the Konjac plant, glucomannan absorbs water and expands in the stomach, making you feel fuller, reducing appetite and therefore helping with healthy weight loss.

Chocolate Protein Banana Bread

- It can be used for baking. For the times when you don't want a shake, or want to add a little extra protein to your home-baking, Rejuvenated has a range of recipes for you try . I'd highly recommend the chocolate protein banana bread!

- The pea protein also comes in a soup form. Giving you one of your five a day in each mug, I've found these perfect as a mid afternoon snack when I would have usually reached for the biscuit tin. With each sachet containing 12g of pea protein, anti-oxidant packed freeze dried mushrooms, and less than 70 calories per sachet, it's incredible how they fill you up and take away that 3pm sugar craving!

Protein Soup

REJUVENATED LOWLIGHTS

- Just one, but it has to be noted - "Green tea to enhance healthy metabolism". Not that I mind the fact the product contains green tea, I have no issues with the antioxidant rich 'superfood', however I personally don't believe that, unless you take extreme quantities, green tea is going to significantly or noticeably increase the amount of calories your body will burn. Sorry, you need to get to the gym for that one!

OVERALL

Great product, great brand, great value for money. Highly recommended for anyone vegan or non-vegan, seeking a convenient way to get more protein into their diet.

Rejuvenated Products

Visit https://www.rejuvenated.com/ to see the full range, including their best selling collagen shots and intriguing ReSet Energy boosting product.

London's Top New Studios Launching in 2018...

2018-01-07T09:00:00.000+00:00

With what seemed to be like a new London studio opening every week in 2017, you'd think we'd be all studio-d out, right? WRONG! With plenty more in the pipeline for 2018, here's just a few of the top ones you're gonna wanna check out.... Don't say I didn't warn you!

Another Space, Bank

A_S post yoga bridging

Set to open this January on 40 Coleman St, just 2 mins walk from Bank station, this will be the second boutique concept studio from Another Space. Similar to the 'first' space in Covent Garden, the specialist studio will bring you the best Cycling, HIIT and Yoga classes in the city. Having already heard yoga GURU Chris Magee will be taking a few classes, I've got my fingers crossed that boxing HIIT fav Jamie Ray will also be making an appearance. Yet I needn't worry if not, another absolute FAV has just completed her AS Boxing HIIT training and will be featuring on the timetable VERY VERY soon. All will be revealed in due course! :-)

Define, Oxford Circus

With the insane machine that is Ashley Yeater

Having spent the last year building her Define empire around London, ex Broadway star Ashley Yeater is definitely NOT a newbie to the fitness scene, but with her brand new studio opening this year just behind Oxford Street in Central London, she’s about to take her barre based class concept to a whole new level! Expect a total body workout using light weights but with lots of reps, pulses, and the occasional opportunity to write “I LOVE ASHLEY’ on the wall using your toe. You can’t make this stuff up!

Set to open in February, with a range of barre, mat and stretch based classes on offer, in addition to a weekly run club from one of my favourite Courteney Fearon, this place may be about to become my new second home!

Read about my first ever Define class here

Blok, Shoreditch

Throwing it back to the MissFits event at Blok, Clapton

Every fitness enthusiasts worst nightmare. When you come across the most incredible studio, with amazing classes and top notch instructors.... but it's out in Clapton. We're talking way out of my zone 1 comfort bubble! However, a little bird has informed me all first world problems are about to be solved, with a new studio opening this month at 2 Hearn Street, Shoreditch. Continuing with the strong architecture and design found in their Clapton premises - a refurbished tram depot - the new studio is set to have an art gallery, a 60 seat cafe providing a bespoke vegan nutritional offering, AND a retail space featuring the most innovative and technical sportswear brands. As described by the founder, Reema Stanbury, "BLOK combines fitness with art and design and our gyms are beautiful spaces that you want to spend time in before and after a class". You can say that again!

Read about my first visit to Blok here...

Third Space, City

Pull ups at Third Space Afterburner

Anyone who follows me on Insta will know Third Space is more like my first space and now, with four sites (Soho, Marylebone, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf), London's premier gym group is about to make a fifth addition to the portfolio.

One of the few fitness venues to offer both a fully equipped gym AND incredible classes, keep a look out for my favorites Sweat X, Afterburner, Speed Fiends and the brand new class concept WOD (Workout of The Day) - specially designed by Lead Trainer Luke Baden. With the company having invested more than £50m in two new sites for 2018 (the second to open in Islington later in the year), needless to say no corners have been cut, and the City venue is set to feature a full length swimming pool, members lounge and even a cryotherapy chamber...

Read more about my favourite Third Space classes - Afterburner and Sweat X!

DigMe, Rathbone Square

The cycle studio of dreams!

From what began with a single studio in Richmond, it's no surprise the boutique fitness studio has no quadrupled in size, now with studios in Oxford, Moorgate and Blackfriars. And now, a little heads up - a FIFTH new studio, situated in Rathbone Sq, due to open April/May. A five minutes walk from Tottenham Court Road Station, whilst the build has still to begin (meaning exact details are still sketchy), they've confirmed it will indeed offer both their signature class concepts : Ride and Matrix.

Ride, an indoor cycling class performed on top notch Keiser M3i bikes, focuses on wattage and allowing you to track and measure your data. Meanwhile, Matrix provides an intense full body workout featuring Technogym SkillMill treadmills, kettlebells, TRX's and bodyweight movements. One things for sure, after working up THAT sort of a sweat your gonna need to take a visit to THOSE luxury changing room and shower facilities afterwards!!

Barry's, Victoria

That time we did 3 Barry's classes in one morning, finishing with food and drink and the soon to launch Victoria studio

I mean, does this place even need an introduction? One of the originals, and still one of the best! Expect red lights, loud music heavy weights, lots of reps, oh, and did I mention interval sprints and hill climbs on the treadmills? It could only be Barry's! Adding to the Barry's existing Euston, Queensway and Shoreditch portfolio, now catering for the Southerners is the brand new studio set to open later this month just off Sloane St, SW1. Admittedly, when I was given the grand tour a few months back the 'new studio' was still a lot of rubble, but even from that I could tell it's gonna be pretty popular. Get those booking reminders in your phone, pronto!

Read about my first experience at Barry's (wayyyyy back in 2015!) here...

Outrivals, Old St

Back when it was FitMiBody - same space, just made even better!

OK, so this isn't a NEW studio as such, just a rebranding as of Monday 8th Jan. And when you set about improving what was already a pretty amazing studio, that can only lead to even more fitness fun!! Sorry (not sorry).

Genuinely though, situated just off Old St roundabout as what used to be 'FitMiBody', this small group personal training studio focuses on a specialist, personal approach. With classes being kept to a maximum of 10 people, they allow for an affordable way to be exposed to all the benefits of your own personal trainer, without breaking the bank. Not only do you also benefit from the enjoyment of working out with others, but with the classes being designed to a four week program, starting with stamina, then build, into power and finally challenge, the progressive and focused nature of the workouts keep you going back for more!

If you're heading along, I'd highly recommend checking out any of Lewis's classes - just be prepared, he won't let you off lightly！

BXR x Selfridges, Oxford St

Shameless selfie at Marylebone studio

When one of London's most premium studios joins forces with one of London's most premium department stores, you know pretty epic things are going to happen! Launching on 1st February as part of their Lamyland campaign, Selfridges and BXR have collaborated with renowned artist, creative director and producer - Michele Lamy - to create a fully functioning boxing gym in the lower ground floor of the store. With 45 minute group classes splitting high intensity rounds of boxing on the bags, alongside strength and conditioning work on the boxes, you'll be sure to get a head to toe workout that will leave you gasping for more! So you better get there quick, the pop up is only around till 28th of Feb! Booking is already open at https://www.bxrlondon.com/selfridges/

Read more about my boxing experience at BXR here

1 Rebel, MULTIPLE!

Post 1Rebel reshape, just for some additional fun!

Finally, leading the pack of them all, it's 1 Rebel, who are set to open not just one, but FOUR new studios in the first half of 2018 - with even more on the agenda for the latter part of the year! To add to their current St Mary's Axe and Broadgate portfolio, first up on the agenda will be Southbank to open this month - and rumors have it another two at Victoria and Bayswater (hmmmm, sound familiar targets?!).

With the company having raised £6.6m in funding, you can be sure as the hell the top notch "industrial-luxe" studio design will be maintained throughout. A selection of London's top instructors will be on board taking their three signature class concepts - Ride, Rumble and Reshape - meaning there's something for everyone. And of course, no blurb on 1 Rebel would be complete without mentioning the incredible Kim Ngo - if you haven't yet tried a Savage Sunday with this girl, where have you been?!

Read about Ride at 1Rebel here...

What dya think - enough to keep you busy?!

Lunch at MNKY House, Mayfair

2017-12-10T09:00:00.000+00:00

And these are just the 'starters'...

If you remember my last post reviewing the brunch menu at MNKY house, you might remember my awe at the sophisticated setting, the incredible food, the impeccable service.... and the down right INSANE Belgium waffles with fresh fig and red fruit sauce.

So, when I was invited back a few weeks later to review their newly launched lunch menu, it didn't take two thoughts on whether or not to accept. I was there in a shot!!

MNKY House at Christmas

Whilst I didn't think much could top the brunch experience, I was about to proved wrong. Very wrong!

Sitting down a Saturday afternoon with a glass of Rose, our eyes light up as we glanced over the Latin American themed menu of deliciousness...

Lunch Menu

"The dishes are designed for sharing, so we'd recommend ordering a few different options," the waiter helpfully pointed out. VERY helpfully, since Sana and I wanted pretty much everything on there! You'd be amazed at how much two little people can put away between them :P

Monkey time!

Eventually, we settled on four different starters (see what I mean!)....

Prawn Tostadas

First up, Prawn Tostadas. Three soft corn tortillas, toasted to perfection and topped with fresh prawns, a spicy yet manageable (even for my sensitive little palette!) jalapeño dressing, and lashing of purple potato mayo. In one word - DREAM.

Chu Toro Tartar

Next, the Chu Toro Tartar. Raw, cured tuna, topped with yuzu soy, samphire and crispy quinoa. Whilst I'm not usually a fan of tartar (I'm not one for creamy textures), there's no denying blew all previous tartar experiences out of the water. The crispy quinoa topping gave it a nice 'bite', while the yuzu soy was had the perfect amount of sweetness to add to the flavour.

Smoked Heirloom Tomato Salad

Third up is the obligatory 'we really should order some vegetables' dish. A salad, but not your usual salad, this one was composed of smoked heirloom tomatos, avocado, radishes and a morita oil dressing. OK, so I'm not going to lie and say it could QUITE compete with the cured fish and tostada options, but as far as a vegetable dish goes... it was pretty damn good!

Hamachi Truffle Ceviche

Finally, though, the highlight. It might not look like much, but trust me, if you go to MNKY House without ordering this, you shouldn't be allowed to leave. A definite 'must have' - the Hamachi Truffle Ceviche. Fresh yellowtail fish, topped with black truffle in the most incredible sweet truffle dressing, I think I could quite happily live on this for the rest of my life. Because that truffle sauce, it IS life.

Great minds order alike :-)

Just as we were polishing off the last few mouthfuls of our starters, out came our mains - two GIGANTIC portions of delicious, freshly cooked, chargrilled crispy octopus. Literally in heaven. Despite being my favourite dish on the planet, rarely do I find octopus on a UK menu - and whenever I do, it generally has that bland 'I've been sat in the freezer for a few months' taste to it.

Definitely not at MNKY House. Full of flavour, perfectly tender with a slight chewiness on the inside, yet crispy and charred on the outside. Whilst the warm avocado puree it sat on wasn't quite to my taste (I don't like avocado at the best of times, let alone WARM avocado!), I would - without a doubt - 100% - advise you put it on your order!

We'll just 'look' at the desert menu.... PAH HA HA!

Absolutely stuffed and about to call it a day, we suddenly spotted some incredible deserts coming out to the table next to us, convincing us to take 'just a look' at the desert menu. Doh - big mistake, resulting in two big orders!

Dulche De Leche Mousse

First up, the Dulce De Leche Mousse. A sort of 'deconstructed banoffee pie' like desert, consisting of creamy mousse, banana, biscuit and popping chocolate candy on top, it wouldn't be the kind of thing I'd usually order, but after seeing it hit the table next to us, and hearing their yelps of appreciation, we couldn't see what it was all about. And glad of it, too! An extremely generous portions with what felt like hundreds of layers of different goodies, the more you ate, the more you uncovered, and the better it got.

Just look at those layers though....

For a couple of chocoholics, however, we couldn't leave without trying out that Smoked Chocolate Fondant. A rich, gooey chocolate sponge, oozing THE most incredible chocolate caramel sauce from its centre, with a side of cherry ripple ice cream, it was literally like we had died and gone to heaven. Chocolate heaven. And what better heaven than that??

Can we just appreciate that gooey centre, that ripple ice cream, that biscuit crumb? PERFECTION.

So, if you're thinking about dropping into MNKY House to try out their new lunch menu, all I can say is DO IT! Whilst the brunch was amazing, this was incredible and I'd definitely say - as a more upmarket establishment - it's the lunch menu, featuring the seafood, meats and rich deserts, where you get to experience their strengths the most.

Monkeying around :-)

Like the majority of good things, lunch at MNKY House does come at a price - around £130 for lunch for two. Having said that, this is based on the dishes Sana and I ordered and, given we probably consumed about a weeks worth of food in one sitting, you could argue it was actually pretty good value!!!!

OK, so I'm pushing it a bit there, but genuinely if I was going to spend that on a delicious meal out, you can guarantee I'd be doing it a MNKY House. <3

MissFits Protein Balls Launch at Metabolic, Camden

2017-12-03T08:20:00.000+00:00

SQUAD!

Just incase you hadn't notice, I love fitness. Particularly fitness classes. I also love tasty food. Particularly healthy, high protein good food. Finally, I love friends. Particularly happy, endorphin high fitness friends. So when MissFits combine that all into one morning, inviting 30 fitness bloggers and influencers to sweat it out at Metabolic London, followed by a brunch feast and the chance to try out their BRAND NEW protein balls, it was basically like all my Christmases had come at once....

Metabolic London

OK, so if you've not yet heard of Metabolic London, firstly - where have you been?! Secondly, get yourself booked in - pronto! Located in Camden, just beside Mornington Crescent tube station, Metabolic is the studio that's hot on any fitness enthusiasts list. Having only opened this year, they've already been featured everywhere from Mens Health and DOSE, to the Times and the Evening Standard. For the simple reason - this place gives results!

Lawrence determining our fate....

If you know, you know. So, as we gathered last Saturday morning in the studio to watch the instructor (and studio owner) write up our workout on the board, there was a sudden fear arise amongst the guests who hadn't yet tried out the studio. "I've already worked out this morning, I thought it was going to be an event style workout?!" ; seemed to be the general concern amongst the fitness fanatics there.... (FYI - 'event style' workouts are renowned for being a bit more laid back, less hardcore, look pretty and smile at the camera type things). But if you know Metabolic, you know 'event style' workouts are simply out of the question!!!

Partner warm up

Taking us through a much needed warm up, Lawrence (the owner) wasted no time in getting us started on the workout. Beginning with a partner based section, round 1 was a mixture of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) style exercises- 'you go I go' burpees, mountain climbers, plank jack high fives and jump lunges - 4 rounds. Yep, that was just part 1 before it was time to hit the main circuit. 3 stations - kettle bell swings, wall balls, and pull ups or rope climbs (we got to pick - of course I chose the ropes, everytime!).

Lawrence says I smile far too much in class. I just don't know what he means... :S

Third and final sections was back in our pairs, 15kg plates on hand. Whilst one partner performs weighted walking lunges across the room and back, the other gets to enjoy a minute of burpees, until you switch - again, and again... and again.

Just can't resist a rope

Sounds gross, right? Yep, it is! With the clever mix of strength exercises and high intensity cardio combined, you have no option but to work hard. Equally, at the same time, with the energy Lawrence puts into every single class, you have no option but to absolutely love doing it.

BURPEES 4 LYF

And the cherry on top of the fitness cake? The post workout feed!!! Because when MissFits Nutrition put on a spread, they put on a GOOD spread! Choosing our flavor of Nush Cashew Milk Yoghurt,
we then had the option to top it with lots of delicious goodies- banana, strawberries, raspberries and, of course, the MissFits Protein Balls themselves.... YAY!

When you may need a little more yoghurt for your toppings!

Coming in two flavours, of course we had to try out both... but when it came to deciding the best - the jury was split! Whilst many preferred the Almond Butter ones - me, being the chocolate fiend that I am, of course would favour the cocoa variation (and for once, the chocolate option is actually lower in calories and fat - winning!).

Genuinely, these are by far the best protein ball I've had yet. With the cocoa ones having only 124 calories per pack and 11g of protein, not only are the macros on these guys incredible, but they taste amazing. Unlike many of the other leading brands (not naming names), you don't have to peel them like glue off your teeth! Because nobody needs that stress in their lives.

What I also love about the MissFits Wonderballs is that they are indeed balls - i.e. - plural! So rather than having to bite into one gigantic piece, with these little mini's you can open up a pack, munch a few, and save the rest for later. (PAH HAHAHA - who am I kidding?! That was the intention, they were gone in minutes. SO NOT EVEN SORRY!)

Cocoa variation - my pack of choice

All in all, an amazing morning, filled with great people, a great workout, and great grub. What could possibly top it? Oh, I know, a bag of treats to take home too. MissFits Nutrition - I think I love you!

HUGE thanks to this beauty Tara - MissFits Co-founder and all round super woman (!) for putting on such a fantastic event, and providing the country with an incredible new product!!

To find out more about MissFits Nutrition and they're protein range designed specifically for women, by women, visit https://missfitsnutrition.com/ . Recipes, tips and tricks, and an online shop, it won't take long for it to appear in your 'most frequently visited' list! Yes, I speak from experience. #SoNotEvenSorry

Tempo Pilates, Covent Garden

2017-11-26T09:00:00.000+00:00

Tempo Pilates, Covent Garden

Ah, me and Pilates. It's a funny one - I wouldn't even say we even have a love/hate relationship.... it's a bit more of a 'meh' one.

I don't mind it, I know I should do it as it's so good for strengthening your core, but when lying on the ground trying desperately to 'engage my pelvic floor' and looking left, right and centre to try figure out if I'm doing it properly (surely I'm not the only one?!), more often that not I'd choose to pound it out at a HIIT class or be practising handstands at yoga instead. A girl of extremes, right?! Don't get me wrong, I'm full aware of the benefits of pilates but, for me, I personally just feel there are more efficient ways of working out.

Well, up until I visited Tempo Pilates, that is!

With three studios around London, I was invited to try a class at the Covent Garden location, situated inside the members only Gymbox Cub. With Tempo Pilates having their own studio separated from the rest of the gym, I went along one evening, expecting a nice, gentle, mat based/lying on the floor class.

Boy, was I was wrong. This is WHY you read the invite properly people!

First up, Tempo Pilates isn't a mat based. Yep, it's one of those hardcore pilates class performed on what can only be described as sort of torture chamber - the reformer!

The Reformer Machine

A machine that looks a little bit like a medieval low bed, the idea is that you stand, sit, kneel or lie on the sliding platform to perform different routines. With springs allowing you to add varying levels of resistance to make the exercise easier/harder, Reformer pilates is generally known as being more intense and dynamic than it's mat based predecessor. Had I have read the class description properly, this, I would have known!

The second thing that makes Tempo Pilates different to any other pilates I've tried, is its pace. Fast pace pulses performed to the beat of the music, and slowwwwwww pace sections leaving you holding poses where it hurts the most.

Resistance bands and hand weights

Third is the methodical way in which the class was structured. There's no winging it at Tempo Pilates - this hour class is planned and considered, with room for fun too :-)

Whilst the first 30 minutes of each Tempo Pilates class follows a signature sequence, performed across all studios by all instructors, the second 30 minutes is up to the instructor, meaning you never get the same class twice. With the first 30 minute sequence being specifically designed to warm up the body and strengthen the core, I really like the idea that there is method and consistency between the instructors - so often you can go to the same studio and have an awful or great workout depending simply on the teacher. Equally, as they're given the freedom to 'freestyle' for the last 30 minutes, it allows them to put their own individual stamp on the class, and tailor it to the attendees capabilities having already worked with them.

Hip openers

The fourth and final thing that really made this class stand out to me was just how challenging it was! With the Reformer machine allowing for a much greater repertoire of available exercises, not only is there much more variety, but it allows for more work on the arms, shoulders, chest and legs - i.e. the peripherals. Chest presses, planks, shoulder presses, rows, and more Reformer specific exercises (e.g. horizontal abductions - killer on the glutes, especially going into pulses!), it definitely went beyond the usual 'core' focus, working you top to toe and leaving everything very very achey.... in a good way. An hour of strengthening, toning and, weirdly enough, sweating (I've never done that in a pilates class before!), I was ready to accept I was wrong about pilates. No-one could ever describe that workout as a bit 'meh'!!

From Tempo Pilates insta - some of the exercises for the Reformer

Price wise, each class at Tempo Pilates is £26, which is inline with London's average for a Reformer class. Equally, if you do become an addict (and, whilst this is the case for most classes, I definitely think this is one of the classes where the more you go the better you become - it's all about technique), there are discounts for bundle purchases - e.g. £170 for ten classes = £17 a class. I mean, that means you save £9 a class, on ten classes..... that gives you £90 to go spend on new activewear, right?! The way my mind works......

Find one near you!

Brunch at MNKY House, Mayfair

2017-11-19T09:00:00.000+00:00

When your reservation confirmation highlights a "casual smart dress code. No sportswear allowed" - you know this isn't going to be any ordinary brunch. This is a MNKY brunch....

MNKY (pronounced monkey) House

Sitting in the heart of Mayfair at no.10 Dover Street, this luxury Latin American themed venue is famous for combining all the elements of a good night out - bar, restaurant, nightclub - under one roof. Split across two floors, with an intimate and exclusive lounge bar on the ground and a main restaurant beneath, whilst it's currently known as one of the best evening venues in the city, the next step is to translate that success into London's growing brunch market....

Given my free time nowadays is basically spent sweating and eating, this works for me!

Brunch with monkeys

As we entered on Sunday afternoon, walking through the block wooden doors and down into the dark yet glamorous restaurant floor, I felt a strong sense of appreciation they'd warned on the dress code.... Lycra would not have been appropriate here! Greeted at the bottom of the stairs by the concierge, we were shown to our seats in the centre of the open restaurant area. As the live jazz band began to play behind us, the waiter popped open a bottle of Prosecco and filled up our glasses.

Moet <3

I like this place already.

He then proceeded to talk us through the brunch menu, highlighting his favourites from both the 'savoury' and 'sweet' sections. Anyone who knows me will know I'm ALL about the sweet brunch options - it's the one meal of the day where cake is acceptable, why would you waste that opportunity? At the same time, the options on the 'savoury' list also sounded incredible.... so when the waiter advised we should really have two courses, one from each, we immediately made a connection! :P

Brunch Menu

Scouring the menu, I made a decision on the Huevos Shakshouka - eggs, tomato sauce, peppers and avocado. Aside from the fact I held on the avocado, cause avocado = gross green goo, no matter how instagram accounts will try to convince me otherwise. I mean, why do that to your self when you could have a side of cured salmon instead?! Of course, I went for the latter.

YUM!

The shakshouka came in large cast iron pot, with two large, freshly baked eggs right in the centre of a rich tomato sauce, which looked almost too good to eat. I say almost. Rushing a couple of quick snaps so I could tuck in immediately, the warm, freshly baked bread served on the side meant I was able to mop up every last little bit. That makes for a happy Hannah :-)

Same dish, this time with Avo. And a Monkey, apparently.

Whilst Seb went for the same as me (Shakshouka, although with the avocado and a side of Sautéed Papas - aka potatoes), Ria made a show stopping choice with her Huevos Rotos - potatoes, smoked salmon and fried eggs. With a side of streaky bacon, cause needs must (we had all just finished a boxing class- FYI. That's our excuse and we're sticking to it!)

Callum, meanwhile, went for the classic option - sourdough toast topped with guacamole and poached egg. Poached to perfection, egg porn was on point.... even if I did miss the standard yolk boomerang. Yes, that and a hatred of avocado - sorry, I'm a failure of a food/fitness blogger!

Sourdough toast with egg and guacamole

With our prosecco glasses being filled up more times than I could care to count (literally, every time we took a sip it suddenly became magically full again), it was soon on to round two - DESSERT.

Prosecco, food and monkeys

Since great minds think alike, Ria and I both went for the waffles topped with fresh figs and red fruit sauce . The chefs recommendation - and it's 100% clear why. The waffle itself was fresh and crispy, of course served with a dollop of rich creme fraiche on the side to give that perfect creamy compliment.

My perfect waffles (I don't know why this sounds rude?!)

As I say, a renowned sweet tooth - backed by anyone who's ever witnessed the pain in my face when someone orders a cheese board as desert (IT'S NOT DESERT!), trust my opinion - this is not one you want to skimp on.

Well, I say that, but then by the looks of the chocolate pancakes ordered by brain child Callum, this is also one you wouldn't want to bypass....

Pancakes with chocolate sauce

Even Seb's French Toast, which would usually fall under my 'what the hell are you doing, order a REAL desert' category looked incredible....

French toast with berries and almond ice cream

OK MNKY House, so I wouldn't usually be SO favourable about somewhere I can't wear leggings to... but .... when can I come back?!

Good thing the place is open till 3am.... Whilst Mayfair's most beautiful people drink champagne and party, I will quite happily sit in the corner eating my way through an all day brunch feast. Shameful? Perhaps. But when the foods that good who even cares!

The restaurant

When it comes to price, MKNY House is very reasonable all things considered. OK, so it's probably not justifiable as your everyday choice, but it doesn't try to be. An extra special environment, extremely attentive service and food to die for, all for £8-£12 a dish. Admittedly, some of the portions were a little on the smaller side... but that just gives you the perfect excuse to order two.

So much love

MNKY, what can I say. Substance as well as style, high class but not at all snooty - thank you for such a lovely afternoon, and I can't wait to return (just find me a spot in the corner, near the kitchen)...

Boxing Skills at BXR, London

2017-11-05T09:00:00.000+00:00

BOXING SKILLS AT BXR

As one of London's leading luxury boutique studios, when BXR first opened at the beginning of the year as home to the UK's first ever Versa Climbing studio, it was the Cardio Sweat class that seemed to get all the attention. Sold as the workout favoured by none other than the Victoria Secret models (bod goals!), it's no surprise a plethora of London fitness fiends (myself included) rushed to the studio to try out the new calorie blasting Versa class.

When we were all desperate to climb..

Now, I may have caused a little bit of controversy in my review (check it out here), suggesting the class was good but, at £30 a go, I didn't necessarily think I received any better a workout than I would at e.g. my regular spinning class. That, however, was all about to change.... as I was soon to discover a new favourite obsession - Boxing Skills.

Check in time!

Given the studio is endorsed by heavy weight champion Anthony Joshua, boxing is 'at the heart' of the BXR brand, therefore I had high expectations of the class. Joining top trainer Marcus Parkin one Friday afternoon for a one off Protein World ambassador special (check em out here, their Slender bars are to die for!), it was time to find out - does BXR really have some substance behind all that style?

In short, ABSOLUTELY!

Wall ar

Beginning with a warm up, Marcus guided us through the 'skills' - aka boxing technique - that would feature throughout the class. Then, it was straight into the thick of things, as the music picked up, the lights went down, and the gloves came out!

Definitely not your usual boxing space!

What I loved about Marcus's class was the structure. Split between high intensity boxing drills on the bags, before moving to body weight exercises on the floor, then returning back to the bags, it was a world away from away from the monotonous hamster wheel of a treadmill. Taking us through different sequences all choreographed to upbeat music, on the bag we'd be alternating upper cuts, jabs, hooks and slams, whilst the floor exercises included burpees, press ups, leg raises, tuck jumps, mountain climbers.... and more or less every other horrible, horrible bodyweight move you can think of! The class was fast paced, energetic and TOUGH - in the best way possible.

Sana and I, being silly post full body blast

Not only was the class tough in itself, but what really surprised me was the DOMS I felt the next day. Thinking boxing was much more cardio based, I never expected my arms to ache quite so much from a workout not involving weights! Yet I was very pleasantly surpised.

The upstairs gym (may have sneaked up!)

And of course, there's that studio. A million times away from your traditional boxing venue, BXR its edgy and industrial, yet sleek and polished. The boxing room features dimmed lighting, mirrored walls and more punch bags then you could ever dream of, then you're out into the sophisticated and swanky environment of BXR itself. Whilst the second floor is home to the members only gym, the ground floor is dedicated to the Pay as You Go 'Sweat' Concept, alongside a Joe & The Juice bar perfect for refuelling, and THOSE changing rooms....

Changing room GOALS!

DREAM!

BXR, perhaps Versa wasn't my thing. Perhaps it was just my mood that day. Regardless, Boxing Skills has most definitely proved there's a LOT of substance behind all your style, and I will 100% be back!!

To find out more about the studio and book in for your class, visit https://bxrlondon.com/.