Day 29 ! Frame Method

I heart Frame. Everyone who I’ve met that’s been to Frame hearts Frame. I wish I started Frame. I wish I was Frame. Well, that makes no sense, you think, but hear me out. Frame is cool, it’s fun, it’s done joint ventures with Sweaty Betty (love) and Lulu Lemon (love, but will it ever go on sale?) and it cloned itself. It simply embodies happy, healthy fitness. The only thing it’s done that I’m glad I haven’t (I think) is expanding and doubling in size in December 2012 (of it’s first Shoreditch studio).

Anyway, jealousies aside, the cheerful experience with Frame doesn’t just start when you arrive at the studio, no siree, it starts when you’re booking your class. The website if bright, happy and easy to use (though not entirely work-computer-screen-inconspicuous-friendly – there could be a nekked man stretched on the beach when you hit the homepage). You can top up your pay as you go card (genius! why other places don’t do this is beyond me) online, book classes online up to at least an hour before and spend ages looking through the colour coded (still workplace unfriendly) timetable. And, as with Day 13 Princess Warrior, the classes all sound f.u.n.

Just for the record, I paid good old Scottish pounds (it’s legal tender I’ll have you know) for my class and Frame has not bribed me in any way for this review. And I’ll warn you now that I already have my eye on a couple more classes at Frame – I challenge you to look at their timetable and not be tempted by a number of their classes. Unless you don’t actually like fitness or exercise in which case you are probably looking for Willy Fog’s website and stumbled across here by accident. (But hey, have a look at The HitList since you’re here– maybe there’s a class you might fancy!).

So, today was Frame Method. There are 3 signature Frame classes and after some research and deliberation, I chose the one that basically had the most convenient timing for me today (is that not one of the main considerations of anyone?). The class was led by Instructor Holly, who was such a petite and sweet teacher that you just couldn’t bring yourself to silently curse her (we’ve all done it to teachers – maybe blaming someone for you pain is a pain diversion tactic) even as your arms were about to drop off or legs were going numb from all the pulsing and non-stop reps. It’s a tough job being an instructor – you have to make the class work but it’s always worth it so they hate/love you at the same time. But instructor Holly was an incredibly attentive teacher, going round the class to correct postures but constantly engaging with the class and counting sets of 8 in between words of encouragement. By the end of the class, after arm pulsing, leg pulsing, body pulsing, more leg pulsing, I felt tired but not exhausted but after speaking with another girl in the class, she warned that last time she tried the Frame Method class she couldn't walk the next day (in a good, satisfying way). That's when you know you've worked out and can go Yeah! Grr!

The Need To Know:

- Where: Frame Shoreditch

- Nearest Station: Shoreditch High Street (4mins)

- When: Various classes all day, 7 days

- How Much: £4.50-£15 depending on class type/length and if you have a top-up card, else all-inclusive memberships available

- Special Note: You can purely pay as you go but it’s worth having a to-up card to benefit from slightly cheaper per class fees.

  

The Want to Know:

- Who’s it For: For those who want a low-intensity, low-impact but serious toning class

- Sweat Scale: 5/10.

- Strength / Cardio / Flexi / Tone: Serious toning

- Complexity: 6/10

- Fun Factor: 7/10

- Changing Facilities: A few showers and toilets in the changing rooms

- Instructor Inspiration: 8/10.

The Stats:

- Total Time: 59mins

- Calories Burnt: 148 (Not a high calorie burning but unsurprising for a toning focused class)

- Average Heart Rate: 96

- Max Heart Rate: 137 

Instructor Holly (and a funny looking me)

The Frame Studio (corner)

Day 28 ! Sculpt & Tone

For me, this 80-day challenge was more about finding fun new activities, setting a challenge and sharing different ways to exercise rather than reaching a specific weight loss target. I assumed (happily!) that I was going to get fitter, probably slimmer and more toned as a result anyway which would obviously be amaze-balls (yes, I said amaze-balls).

But since some people are asking (feel free to ask more questions in any comments section and/or share your thoughts!), I don’t think I am getting slimmer. More toned perhaps but not really. However, I should clarify that this is not surprising and I am pretty sure why this is the case…the simple maths of calories out vs. calories in.

I compensate for the daily exercise. Probably overly so. On average, each session (regardless of time) has burnt 186 calories (excluding sessions from Day 1-3 Fatcamp). That includes some unsurprisingly low burners (most yoga, tai-chi – between them an average 1.3cal burnt per minute) but also includes the sweaty, hardcore calorie burning sessions (tennis - 6.7cal/min, boxing – 6.5cal/min, running – 6.2cal/min). 186 calories is, roughly

(i)           just over 1.5 Cadbury’s twirl fingers, or

(ii)         2 Lindt lindor balls, or

(iii)       a Starbucks skinny vanilla latte, or

(iv)        less than 2 bags of Popchips, or

(v)          less than a whole eat natural bar.

Initially I was surprised at how few calories were burnt during the sessions but after some thought, I guess it does make sense that exercise alone can only get you fitter but to see a visible difference, you would need to combine it with clean eating. I just don’t like saying “No” to those treats!

The first thing to note about today’s class is the location. Of all the classes I’ve tried so far, My Fitness Boutique is in the oddest location (even over the under-railway arch, rough n ready Day 25 Crossfit – that was kind of fitting to the Crossfit ethos) – down a little lane, past the array of lively car garages, up the metal steps in the corner and you’re there. Once inside (door code required), this isn’t your typical smiley behind desk receptionist, bustling gym - the owner checks you in on his laptop in the corridor and into the studio you go. The studios themselves are actually quite nice with big windows, decent mirrors (some places do have clown-mirrors which is seriously off-putting), basic but clean and tidy equipment and plentiful space.

So, today was a Sculpt and Tone class and true to the name, the exercises were all of a low-impact, repetition, pulsing nature. Light hand weights were used for arm toning exercises, a step was used for planks, triceps dips, sit ups etc and the rest were good ol’ fashioned lunges, star jumps, you know it. The class didn’t feel like the most intensive class but the stats show – it’s just shy of the 186-calorie average so as a 45-minute class, that ain't too bad. I did get the feeling that the others in the class just weren’t feeling it (/making much of an effort) but credit to Instructor Samantha – she played good cheesy tunes, tried to encourage the class and was constantly enthusiastic. Sometimes the students are just a lost cause (except for me?).

At the end of the class, Instructor Sam did suggest that I try some of the other classes (I’m assuming because they have a bit more energy) so I will certainly do that and report back. It’s not pitching to be the new trendy place to be but with over 40 varied classes a week, an easy booking system and a respectable no-fluff attitude, I would still say this place is still a bit of a hidden gem if you work/live nearby and just need a fluffless place to for your daily dose of fitness! 

Right kids, I'm off to Edinburgh tomorrow again. It's the year anniversary of my Dad's passing. So will be off classes for the next 4 days but Dad would've told me to stick to it so I'll make up the classes when I'm back next week!

The Need To Know:

- Where: My Fitness Boutique

- Nearest Station: West Hampstead (8mins)

- When: Different classes 7 days a week

- How Much: Intro offer of £25/5 classes else £10/single class or various packages for 5 or 10 classes, monthly, 3-monthly and yearly.

- Special Note: You need to book classes in advance but there is an easy to use online system. Also, no contract and no monthly direct debits – you just pay for what you use!

  

The Want to Know:

- Who’s it For: For those who want an easy-to-follow all rounded toning class.

- Sweat Scale: 6/10.

- Strength / Cardio / Flexi / Tone: Light toning

- Complexity: 5/10

- Fun Factor: 7/10

- Changing Facilities: Two shower rooms and toilets. The shower was a bit chilly when I tried but I assume that was a temporary thing.

- Instructor Inspiration: 7/10. Didn’t stop encouraging!

The Stats:

- Total Time: 44mins

- Calories Burnt: 167

- Average Heart Rate: 111
- Max Heart Rate: 152

(Under-appreciated) Instructor Samantha

Day 27 ! Trampoline Fit

I have a mildly irrational fear of umbrellas. It’s not that I think they might come alive, hold me in a hooked headlock and eat me, I don't think that at all. But when it's windy (and rainy), I simply don't like the feeling of the umbrella pulling against me, it’s the tension, see. Makes me nervous. I know it’s ridiculous. As The Boy soundly pointed out when I mentioned this, no-one in history has been lifted and swept away by an umbrella (other than Mary Poppins, I thought). So I know it’s irrational but there we go, I’d rather just get wet to be honest.

I don’t have many irrational fears, it was really the only one that I knew about and I actively try and not give in to it (by basically forcing myself to hold an umbrella in the windy rain). But, today I am ashamed to say that I’ve discovered another one. Mini trampolines. The small ones about 25cm high and a 1m in diameter. Yep, it came as a surprise to me too.

In hindsight, the seed of fear implanted when Instructor Hugo asked us all to double check that our trampoline springs were working fine. So I did. And they were. So the class started and we were soon doing high knees, forward-back jump steps and mini star jumps on the trampoline. But I couldn’t seem to keep up with the ladies in front - they were stepping too quickly, jumping too fast and I could not for the life of me understand why. I’m not that unfit, I can star jump with the best of them, but I really struggled to go faster. Till the realisation hit that I was subconsciously tensing my whole body from fingertips to toes because of worry that the springs would snap mid-star jump and I would fall the long 40cm (I’m adding some jump height) to the floor. Ridiculous I know. But I warned you it was irrational. From that moment on, I tried to battle logic with fear – I am surely not the heaviest person in the class, the other people are all bouncing away energetically, your trampoline isn’t even bouncing that much relatively, don’t be absurd, it’s not going to break, even if it does break, you’re not exactly falling far, how can you comfortably hang upside down on a pole (Day 6 Pole Dancing) and be worried about falling through a mini trampoline, get a grip woman, you’re better than this etc.

I wasn’t. I improved a little but just couldn’t let go and get my trampoline-groove on. Which was a shame because I could see the rest of the class (which was packed) really enjoying it following bouncy ball of enthusiasm Instructor Hugo’s moves and I can see why it’s particularly good for core as you are constantly working to keep balanced. All in all it was like a class full of kids jumping around to some good cheesy top 40 tunes having a great time!

P.S. I will rate for a rational, trampoline non-fearing person.

The Need To Know:

- Where: Danceworks

- Nearest Station: Bond Street (5mins)

- When: Tue 7-8pm, Wed 1-1.50pm, Thu 6pm, Fri, Sat 1pm

- How Much: Day membership £2-5 plus £5-8 per class depending on day

  

The Want to Know:

- Who’s it For: For those who are comfortable with mini-trampolines

- Sweat Scale: 7/10.

- Strength / Cardio / Flexi / Tone: More cardio

- Complexity: 6/10

- Fun Factor: 6/10

- Changing Facilities: Communal showers (I’d bring flipflops), toilets (not communal), changing room, no lockers

- Instructor Inspiration: 7/10. Bouncey and bubbly!

The Stats:

- Total Time: 43mins

- Calories Burnt: 145

- Average Heart Rate: 103
- Max Heart Rate: 142 

Bouncy Instructor Hugo!

Day 26 ! Nike Training Club

That was brutal. Wonderful, but absolutely brutal. I saw my sweat drip onto the mat (sorry Nike) and there was nothing I could do, I didn't bring a towel because I really didn't think I'd need one. I did bring water but finished it halfway through the class. Luckily (and nicely!) Nike supplied water bottles, as if they foresaw that foolish girls would turn up unprepared.

First surprise was that the workout was in the shop. On the actual shop floor, with people browsing the trainers and leggings as a gaggle of about 25 panting girls did burpee after squat after plank just by their feet. It was a bit stars in their eyes- at first it's just a plain shop then poof! The shop benches become "studio" boundaries and open up to reveal studio mats. Water appears. Girls in workout clothing rock up. The floor opens up as a platform rises with the instructors pointing to the beach. Ok, I made up that last bit.

Second surprise was continuity of exercises. I can't remember them all - they were non-stop (water breaks encouraged as and when needed) so at some point my body went into survival mode and every ounce of spare energy was going into the exercise at that moment - no energy was left to think or register. 

I remember planking a lot. I remember my sides (or obliques technically) hurting. I remember thinking, "when will this end?" And I will never forget the series of push-ups from hell - 10 push-ups of 10secs (going down slowly for 10seconds then push up quickly, times 10), then some "break-time" burpees, then 8 push-ups for 8secs, an burpee alternative, 6 push-ups for 6 etc then 4 then 2. Then death on the mat.

Third surprise was the intensity of exercises. I did not think one could work out that hard in a class for an hour with no equipment other than a mat. But with the right instructor, you will be motivated to push yourself to the limit (and you'll thank him after!). Instructor Rory kept us going, kept it fun and kept everyone engaged for the full hour. 2-3 variations were provided for every move so no-one had an excuse not to be challenging themselves. You just didn't want to let him down. By the by, the easiest way to get a room of girls to work out hard? Get a fit male instructor to shout at them. So simple yet so effective.

But what made this class particularly special was the camaraderie between the girls - there were smiles, laughs, cheers and happy groaning (not like that) throughout the class. It was very similar atmosphere to Day 7 Nike x Frame RunClub.

I was really tempted to write that the class was awful and no-one should try it. Purely because it was already so hard to book a place. I booked the day places became available and it was fully booked by the end of the day already. After the class, I spoke with Westfield NTC organiser Darina who might try and organise more NTC classes, as the classes are getting too popular - please do, that would be absolutely awesome!

Between NTC and Nike Run Clubs, anyone who's after some serious cardio and/or high intensity strength workouts need never join a gym again. Thank you Nike for making the World a fitter place, one class at a time!

The Need To Know:

- Where: Nike Store, Westfield London (Other locations available)

- Nearest Station: Shephards Bush (4mins)

- When: Mon/Tues 18.30-19.30 (Other locations have other times)

- How Much: Free as a bird!

- Special Note: It’s free and places go very quickly. So try not book a place and then not turn up because you’re ruining it for someone else!

  

The Want to Know:

- Who’s it For: For those who want to work.out.hard. Ladies only, sorry men!

- Sweat Scale: 9/10.

- Strength / Cardio / Flexi / Tone: Strength & toning

- Complexity: 6/10

- Fun Factor: 8/10

- Changing Facilities: None really. Can change in the shop’s changing room but best to turn up in workout gear.

- Instructor Inspiration: 9/10. Never stopped encouraging!

The Stats:

- Total Time: 52mins

- Calories Burnt: 270

- Average Heart Rate: 122

- Max Heart Rate: 163

Day 25 ! CrossFit (Level 1.3: Deadlift/SDHP/Box Jump)

It talks a big talk – “forging elite fitness,” “the World’s most effective fitness system,” “unparalleled degree of health and fitness” and there’s no question that it does have a massive global following (there must be to warrant over 5,500 affiliated gyms and more than 35,000 accredited CrossFit Level 1 trainers). Its ethos is based on constantly varied functional movements performed at pretty high intensity, depicted by the founder, Greg Glassman as:

Glassman’s Equation: CVFM @ HI + Communal Environment = Health

Mathematical indeed. Essentially, the functional moves are meant to mimic movement patterns that are naturally found in everyday life – squatting is sitting, deadlifts are picking up things from the floor – as opposed to gym machines which are “non-functional.”

Now, there are some pre-conceptions that Crossfit has a “push yourself till you puke or pass out attitude” but I read that this is not always the case (thankfully?) and not an enforced attitude. If you watch a handful of Crossfit videos, aside from the American-style OTT cheese, there are some seriously fit people advocating Crossfit, not only as a fitness regime but also almost as a way of life. Sounds a bit culty? Or just a solid community? I'm reserving judgment for the time being until I've tried a few more Crossfit classes. Because with something like Crossfit, I don’t think you can get a proper experience in just one class.

In fact, the affiliated Crossfit gyms seem to have a similar basic theme (obviously) but each can have its own class structure and pricing. I went for the Crossfit gym in Bethnal Green, mainly because their website had a clear section for Getting Started and with clear steps on what you have to do before (read the risks associated with Crossfit – no puking mentioned), on the day of and after your first class. There are 7 Level 1 sessions teaching basic techniques to ensure you have solid base understanding of individual exercises. Once you have completed each level 1 session at least once, you can graduate to level 2. Each session ends with the infamous WOD (Workout of the Day) using the skills learnt in that session. Which does mean I won’t get to level 2 with 5 classes but I’ll see how these 5 go and decide then.

So, Level 1.3 - Deadlift, Sumo- Deadlift Hi-Pull & Box Jump. The class is very technique-focussed, with Instructor Carolyn and Assistant Instructor Paul for just 9 students. Our squats were fine-tuned until perfection (you’ve probably been squatting shoddily so far), our dead-lift was practiced repeatedly with utility tubes until we were deemed ready to move onto actual weights and box jumps were rehearsed on wooden crates. Because the level 1 classes are solidifying technique, it’s not exactly a cardio blitz or high intensity. But then you get to the WOD – ours today was 5 deadlifts, 10 box jumps and 15 knees-to-hands tuck jumps. 3 times. It really does sound easy. But when you know it’s being timed, my God you need a sweet burst of explosive energy! All in all, it’s a different type of class – I can see the lure of improving your technique, reaching the next level and most importantly, beating your timed WODs. And if the whole hour was doing WODs, I can easily see why one might puke at the end. Watch this space!

The Need To Know:

- Where: Arch 3 Gales Garden, Bethnal Green (E2 0EJ)

- Nearest Station: Bethnal Green(3mins)

- When: Various Level 1 classes one or twice a day

- How Much: £58 for 5 classes (it ain’t cheap!)

  

The Want to Know:

- Who’s it For: For those who want a long-term challenge and like the idea of raw, pure, stripped back fitness

- Sweat Scale: 6.3/10 on average -  45mins at 6/10 then 5mins at 9/10

- Strength / Cardio / Flexi / Tone: Grrr! Strength

- Complexity: 7/10

- Fun Factor: 7/10

- Changing Facilities: Changing room(/kitchen) and toilet. No mirrors. Not that kind of place. More grit than fancy.

- Instructor Inspiration: 8/10.

The Stats:

- Total Time: 50mins

- Calories Burnt: 164

- Average Heart Rate: 103bpm

- Max Heart Rate: 171bpm (pretty much constantly for the last 5mins!)

Outside the arch!

Check out the last 5mins! 

Day 24 ! Tai-Chi

We are on day 24! Over 3 weeks done and just under 8 weeks to go. That’s a scary stat. Looking back, the time’s gone pretty quickly - it did take some time at the beginning to find and plan classes but in looking for classes I was so amazed by the immense number of places offering different fitness classes or facilities, there really is no excuse for anyone not to find something that they’ll love. But if you’ve not found inspiration yet, there are some pretty cool fitivities coming up - the "elite fitness" trend Crossfit, ballet-esque class, a hiphop spinning class, aerial silks (tricks on two silks suspended from the air cirque du soleil style). I found a drop-in Willpower n Grace class (barefoot high-energy cardio class), a Bookiaka class (fresh from LA, will it be the next Zumba?) and will be going bootcamp-compare-a-crazy as the sun (hopefully) decides to get its hat on!

It’s easy to pick classes that I think I’ll like or enjoy but it’s not all about me so inevitably over 80 days I will end up trying some things that aren’t my cup ‘o’ tea but will match someone’s biscuit. And today was that kind of day. I was hesitant about going to this class – 45mins travel each way for an hour class that I was fairly sure only borderline counts as fitness – that is not efficient use of time. And it was a beautiful, sunny day. But in the name of around-the-fitness-world-in-80-days, I hauled ass, schlepped over to Finsbury Park to the Sobell Centre (one of the Better Leisure Centres), paid my £6.50 and headed onto Studio 2…

…where I brought the average age of the Tai-Chi class down to 55yrs. I mean that in a non-ageist way, in fact, almost the opposite – I found it inspiring that people were interested in keeping fit and mobile, regardless of age. It is super important (bad use of English but too much time in the company of French people…) to look after your body as you get older and so huge respect to those who take the time to make it a priority. Instructor

Tai-Chi is often thought of as a slower, gentle exercise (and hence suitable for the more mature) – in fact it is a Chinese martial art that was originally practiced for both its defence training and its health benefits (thank you Wikipedia). Over time, it became more popular and widely known amoungst people who had little interest in the martial arts side and from there it developed into an exercise associated with relaxing movements. And it was pretty relaxing. If you are fairly mobile and limber, you will find the movements very simple and gentle. But I will say, as you grow old (gracefully, one hopes), I can imagine these movements being gentle in the sense there is no pressure on joints stress in muscles, but good movements for mobility and stretching. And because the movements do have a martial arts style, they are very satisfying movements, albeit slow!

Tai-Chi? Don’t knock it I say. I’m keeping it on my Hitlist for the day my body gives up on high impact exercise.

The Need To Know:

- Where: Sobell Leisure Centre, Finsbury Park

- Nearest Station: Finsbury Park (11mins) / Arsenal (7mins)

- When: Sunday 12.30

- How Much: £6.50 for Non-Members

- Special Note: This class is full of regulars but all are friendly!

  

The Want to Know:

- Who’s it For: For those who are after something gentle and (very) low impact.

- Sweat Scale: 1/10.

- Strength / Cardio / Flexi / Tone: None (if you are a generally mobile person)

- Complexity: 2/10

- Fun Factor: 5/10

- Changing Facilities: Usual

- Instructor Inspiration: 5/10. She was very attentive of newbies!

The Stats:

- Total Time: 55mins

- Calories Burnt: 106 (Not sure how this can be – strangely close to some yoga classes. I was sure I would’ve burnt more calories walking to the studio…)

- Average Heart Rate: 81
- Max Heart Rate: 104