EAST LONDON EXPEDITION- ETHOS

This post was written by my friend, Dr. Viva. She's a recently qualified medical doctor and a fellow Jamaican girl in London. 

We normally do fitness adventures together, but honestly on this occasion I was just way too hung over to even leave my house!

She very kindly did a quick review of Ethos Gym in East London. 

Enjoy!

So decided to try a new gym this weekend, ventured east for a change. 

Ethos is a very impressive gym overall, and an interesting concept. They have yoga, TRX, spinning and barre based classes- all with a bit of a twist ("Warrior", "Detox" etc). They also offer nutritional services, general "wellness" services, and a cafe with food and smoothies. They have pay as you go class option (£20 a class), or you can buy a block of classes, or a monthly pass for £120 for 8 classes OR you can go in it through class pass - so quite a few options

The location is great- right in Spitalfields Market which is 5 minutes from Liverpool Street Station. The set up is quite "open" and relaxed, lots of glass and open windows makes it seem bigger than it is 

In terms of the class- I did a ballet barre blast class. I was expecting a chilled but challenging barre class but was pleasantly surprised (I say this in retrospect, at the time I was nursing a hangover and on 3 hours sleep). The class was hard AF. It was classical ballet music, and all ballet technique, but at a faster pace in a warm (hot) room. There was more cardio (think jumping and high speed leg lifts), with resistance bands for added boost. I loved it. I'm a past dancer and it was taught by an excellent and clearly very experienced instructor who I really admired. (She even sent us music and choreography after the class). I sweat more than in a spinning class (alcohol allllll gone) and felt sore but energised and well stretched. 

Overall-  very different and cool gym, with variety of classes (my next one to try will be a TRX personally). 

Peace out east London, for now... 

photos above from google.com/images

ANOTHER_SPACE

Another gym post, but not just another gym. My new favourite!

Another_Space is located right in the heart of Covent Garden, less than 5 minute walk from Tottenham Court Road station. I've recently read that this gym has won prizes for being London's "most beautiful gym".

No memberships or joining fees, just the way we like it. You buy credits and credits = classes. 

They provide everything you need for a hassle free workout - meaning there is an entire section called "Pack Light" on their website. If you work in the area, or want to have a quick workout before brunch and a day of shopping, there's nothing better than not having the carry a heavy ass backpack around London. 

I'm talking Cowshed shampoo and conditioners, body lotions and facial cleaners, deodorants, fresh workout towels waiting in the studio, fluffy white towels for showering and biodegradable towels for your hair, cycling cleats and boxing gloves... the works!

This studio operates as a one-stop-shop for HIIT training, cycling and hot & normal temperature yoga. Their HIIT classes combine boxing and interval training, and the cycling is a similar set up to Psycle London (although I do prefer Psycle classes for how they choreograph with the music). I haven't tried a yoga class yet because yoga is boring

The Trainers are fantastic, they're super organised and the classes and explosive and well timed to the music so you leave the studio feeling like you gave it your all. 

Plus, there are there is a cafe that supplies food from The Natural Kitchen and mix-and-match smoothies for the perfect refuel. (My favourite is this breakfast smoothie with oats, banana, almond milk and almond butter)

photos from www.google.com/images

sweaty but smiling

The facilities combined with the effort and skill of the Trainers make this place my current numero 1 - if you haven't checked it out already get off your ass and get to it! 

Have you tried HIIT boxing, spinning or hot yoga? 

What's your favourite place to work out in London? Any recommendations? 

Let me know in the comments below! 

x o x o