Browsing Tag

workout

Phuket Cleanse

Posted on January 30, 2019

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Affectionately describing my upcoming trip to Thailand’s infamous detox resort as ‘fat camp’ I received more than a few giggles from friends and family who asked if a trip to Phuket Cleanse was really necessary. I myself know just how much I’ve eaten over the festive period and I’m not afraid to admit it. Every moment with a raclette or tartiflette up in the Alps was thoroughly enjoyed and to be honest, I didn’t stop enjoying myself when I got back either. I knew ‘fat camp’ would kick me back into shape.

Arrival is fuss-free. Straight in to Phuket airport from Dubai, the transfer to Phuket Cleanse is only an hour away. We landed pretty late, so it was great to be given a very quick run through of the open plan reception/dining/games room and an update on the next day’s activities. Kick starting the trip was a 5.45am wake up call for a 4km hike up to the Big Buddha, but we weren’t quite ready for that just yet…

I’m a fussy eater at best, but armed with a list of intolerances and dislikes, the next morning I ventured into the kitchen… “I’m easy” I said, wary that this almost vegan cuisine would last the 5 whole days of my stay, “I eat egg”. So, there it was, my base protein for the copious amounts of upcoming workouts was to be based around a fair few omelette’s. This may be tougher than I thought.

The days were as easy or as hard as you wanted them to be, ranging from high intensity workouts at the nearby RAW Fitness center to aerial yoga and Pilates back at the villa. I chose to concentrate on cheese-loss and gaining muscle mass as a goal. A whole list of about 10 -12 activities were scheduled out across the venues and you could opt in for extras such as a sunset SUP or snorkel too.

We conquered the Big Buddha hike twice in our 5 days and it was grueling, but entirely worth it too as the sunrise made for an amazing visit, sans tourists. My favourite sessions were the HIIT and Strength classes, separated by about 6 hours each day, I made a point to do both. Throw in some foam rolling sessions, light meditation and a daily foot massage too, there was plenty to keep you busy if you wanted it. If, however you wanted to enjoy some of that 30*C sunshine, the pool in between classes was also a hotspot.

Not only is Phuket Cleanse the most community minded retreat I have ever set foot in, it’s also the eco-friendliest. With a real effort to cull all plastics and notes everywhere around the room reminding you to use bottled water instead of tap to brush your teeth or fill up your water bottles (all provided) rather than buy plastic bottles, it’s ticking all the right boxes.

What I was most surprised at I have to say, was my willingness to try all the food. Save for a few highly spiced options, I was loving the regular breakfast chia and coconut bowls, pak choi and vegetable medleys and even loved the various vegan cheeses.

I’m already planning my post-summer retreat, with or without friends this time as it’s such a great place to really focus on YOU. And I didn’t even miss the wine…

fashion

The Future of Athleisure – by Claire Hastings

Posted on July 30, 2018

With our current state of mind, unprecedented need and inclination towards that perfect amalgamation of comfort and style, it would be easy to profess our undying love to the athleisure trend and even sing it a verse of Lana Del Rey’s song – I will love you ‘till the end of time, I will (wear you) a million years. All kidding aside, the trend that has transcended to what is essentially a global phenomenon and even a lifestyle rather than just a fashion trend, certainly seems to have staying power. However, in these shifty times not even being granted permission into dictionaries can guarantee that something will remain permanent in real life, so let’s take a moment or two to examine what is going on in the fashion world and try to make out whether the future of athleisure is bright or bleak.

Photo by Alexandru Acea on Unsplash

The corporate loosens the strings

The attire of the corporate world looked a lot like the attire worn in movies such as American Psycho. Men wore sharp suits and women wore pencil skirts, blouses and smart fitted blazers, usually topped off with classic pumps for a full professional look. Now, while some companies are still sticking to a strict business dress code, those more in tune with the wants and needs of the younger generation of employees have loosened the strings a bit. Going to work in a nice pair of jeans and smart sneakers topped off with a simple tee and an oversized sporty blazer has become common in many a workplace, and the strings are even looser in millennial-owned companies like Facebook where you would probably be laughed at if you showed up wearing anything resembling corporate attire.

According to BBC, The Society for Human Resource Management tracks how many employers allow workers to dress casually every day, and that figure rose from 32% in 2014 to 44% in 2016 – and let’s keep in mind that the athleisure trend has grown in popularity over the last year and a half, so these numbers are most likely much higher now. So, if the corporate world is willing to bend the rules continuously, it’s safe to assume that athleisure will be safe and sound, at least in the office.

Image source

The emphasis on health and fitness

With the increased popularity of new kinds of sports activities invented by millennials which don’t include only your run-of-the-mill lonely workout time but group activities as well, it’s safe to assume that athleisure isn’t going anywhere in the athletic world either. People want their gym clothes to be functional and made from exercise and sweat-wicking fabrics, yes, but they also want to look good and presentable in front of their peers, and if the mood strikes them, head out to lunch, brunch or just run errands after their workout. This is why a great number of traditional sportswear brands such as Nike, Adidas and up-and-coming Mint Athletic are constantly creating alluring athletic apparel that can be worn to a workout session while leaving you prepared for a last-minute call to lunch. The wellness-oriented population, which is increasing all the time, highly appreciates this mixture of comfort and style, and as long as the fitness and health frenzy is alive, athleisure will be here as well.

Image source

The evolving nature

As we all know by now, athleisure isn’t only about upgraded sweatpants, tracksuits and sleeker sneakers. The trend is constantly evolving, and even luxury brands have dipped their toes in the athleisure pool. Some are creating what can only be described as elegant athleisure, given all the luxurious and not-for-the-gym elements of attire and footwear designed by couture brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Stella McCartney. Even the ever-elegant Chanel came out with a line of sneakers featuring their staple fabrics and patterns, and these will definitely not be used for the gym. High-end designers are taking the athleisure game to a whole new level, mixing tulle skirts with sweatshirts, couture dresses with sneakers – every mixture between sporty and elegant garments you can imagine, they’ll put it on the runway and actually make it wearable.

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The bottom line

Given the fact that athleisure is non-constricting and allows for other trends that are seemingly diametrically opposed to it to come on board and play, we can say with almost absolute certainty that the trend will not only survive but thrive. As long as women can get all dolled up for a date and wear tennis shoes instead of feet-killing heels and look ultra-fashionable, and as long as a man can look smart wearing a hoodie under his blazer when he heads out to work, the trend will remain strong. On top of that, we rely on the so far proven innovativeness of designers to provide us with new and inspiring renditions of not only singular garments but also combinations and mixtures that include athletic pieces we, as consumers, will be here to embrace and rock.

Image source

Follow Claire here!

fashion Fitness

Dima Ayad X Hautletic Reinventing Athleisure

Posted on March 11, 2018

It’s a fairly new debate but one without a real answer – can you wear workout gear to work? Some of the athleisure pieces i own are without a doubt much more expensive than the skirts and tops hanging in the wardrobe, as well as remaining ‘un-used’ gym wise. Hautletic is the hub for most of these luxe pieces and there’s a new homegrown collab that’s stealing the show. Lebanese ready-to-wear designer Dima Ayad and Hautletic’s Priya Bhatia have launched a completely limited-edition range that’s definitely too good for the workout drawer.

A nine-piece collection in the Dima Ayad x Hautletic range celebrates female ingenuity; ‘blending Hautletic’s signature athleisure style with Dima Ayad’s precise understanding of the modern woman’s lifestyle’. It’s the kind of sports gear you could wear into a bar and not feel at all underdressed.

Enter a world of minimals, with abundant greys and blacks mixed with Ayad’s signature seasonal metallics. The floaty shapes are far from unflattering as they cinch in the waist and elongate the legs, whilst giving you a bit of wiggle room too. Picture the perfect ‘tracksuit,’ whilst being being as far from cliche as possible.

“I thought about the journey of the modern woman – from the day to the night. I want her to feel great from the morning to the evening without trying,” Dima Ayad, Designer

“It’s also about the value and versatility of the pieces you invest in. Quality and fit are paramount, even for seemingly ‘easy-wear’ athleisure.” Priya Bhatia, Hautletic

Get your hands on this urban wardrobe only at Hautletic in Galleria Mall, Dubai.

Fitness

Lashes for the Active

Posted on December 29, 2017

I get that going make-up free can be intimidating in a mixed workout, and I’m not against wearing make-up in the gym, but one of my pet peeves is walking into a class in the morning and seeing someone with their full face and lashes on… after work it’s much more common obviously – but before? Aside from sweating through the foundation (think about all those blocked pores), I’d struggle to keep my mascara smudge free as I blink through a sweaty bikram session or spin class.

There seems to be one solution I can totally jump on board with – one which allows us to look slightly more put-together, without having to wake up earlier than sun to do so.

Nouveau Lash LVL treatment is a new form of lash elongation, without the need for falsies. Think of it as a perm for your eyelashes, coupled with a tint that adds a bit of extra visibility. Not painful to apply, the whole process takes roughly 45mins and will last for up to a month (if you’re not in and out of the water as often as I am). Not harmful to the lashes either, the process merely curls them upwards slightly for a little natural boost.

I went for the medium curl with a dark brown tint so that it really wouldn’t be too noticeable. The Dollhouse is a great place to check out this service…

Fitness

The Fittest Hotel in Town

Posted on December 20, 2017

Let’s talk hotel gyms… now when you travel it’s common to find a fairly well equipped but standardised fitness studio that mayyyyybe offers a yoga class or PT session. Well Fairmont the Palm is making sure it’s the fittest hotel in town, as it opens another new studio, located adjacent to the North residences.

Already familiar with their full moon beach side yoga where a hundred yogi’s salute the supermoon? This time the Fairmont’s taking things up a notch mixing classes of high intensity training, endurance and mind training. I have tried and tested all their new classes and I recommend you give these a go…

Cardio Muay Thai
A high intensity, cardio blasting combat style work out that includes a mixture of boxing and kickboxing techniques, intense military style drills and a little touch of Zumba.

PRAMA, by Pavigym
a functional training system based on spatial references on the floor and walls brings fitness to life with lights, sound and sensors. PRAMA is a high-intensity, circuit-based workout that quickly improves muscle memory, endurance, strength, balance, speed, agility, reaction time and overall fitness. It is a high-energy workout that provides complete strength and cardio conditioning, burning up to 1,000 calories in just one 45-minute session

Aquaspin™
the latest revolutionary aqua exercise that’s kind to the joints and muscles, yet burns the calories and improves cardio vascular fitness. The 45 minute class involves cycling on state-of-the-art spin bikes submerged inside the water.

All classes are 75 AED, with packages of 10 available at 500 AED where you can mix and match your workouts.

Fitness

Crossfit with the Fittest Women Alive

Posted on November 30, 2017

Total inspiration… Having won the Reebok Crossfit Games 2017, Tia Toomey is officially classed as the Fittest Women Alive, so when Reebok and the new Goldbox gym in Business Bay brought her across to help us all get a bit more physical during the Dubai Fitness Challenge, I was initially in two minds.

Not usually a Crossfit fan, (I’ve maybe only tried it once or twice in the past) I can’t say a morning of burpees and squats amongst a room full of Crossfit instructors was quite my #morningmotivation, but I wanted to hear from the once Olympic weightlifter about her shift in training.

Toomey is fairly young too, but having recently married to her coach, she has a few insights to share. The key with her training has been communication and actually acknowledging that her partner is doing what’s best for her, so listening to him 100% out on the floor is non-negotiable. Off the Crossfit floor however… 😉

Having been asked which she preferred between this and the Olympics, Toomey said “the games have an unbeatable atmosphere, something which helps push you through the toughest parts. It’s all about the fans, family and community out there who are literally willing you to win.”

Well, I was certainly beyond sore the next morning, and as much as Toomey gave persuading me a good go, Crossfit isn’t my forte. But I love the feeling of inner competition it gives you, especially as a team, so it won’t be my last.

Recommended

No More Wires: SOL REPUBLIC

Posted on September 14, 2017

Let’s talk about gym music – are you a pump it up loud, “who cares if anyone’s listening” or more of a “no one should know who who’s on my gym playlist…” kinda person? I’m definitely the latter, but my biggest gripe is using my iPhone earphones, with their notorious mixed up wires, whilst trying to find a place for the phone to balance on the machine itself… Clearly it was about time I updated my experience.

I want something sleek and seamless, something minimalistic in design that also blends in with what i’m wearing – no more tied up cords or wires hanging out of my ears! Sol Republic offer a few options, but for me, the Shadow Wireless Earphones are just perfect. Chic and practical too, where form and function combine to blend with your style.

From a performance perspective too, you get deep bass, clear vocals, and extended high frequencies reveal the subtle details of your music you’ve never noticed before… N*Sync never sounded so good! (Shhhhh…) Key to it all, they are ultra light, have a flexible neckband so also surprisingly comfortable, you’ll forget it’s even there. For the car too, the mic + remote lets you be completely handsfree.

BUT, if you are the ‘pump it up loud’ kind of gym bunny, then Sol Republic have another no-more-wires solution for you too… it’s called the Punk Wireless Bluetooth Speaker. It’s a cute, handbag sized, small-but-mighty speaker. You’ll hear more bass and clarity than you would expect, even outdoors – so mount it to the handlebars and head out to Al Qudra to try it out. You don’t have to be nearby either, with up to 60 feet of bluetooth capability, it means you can have much more freedom with your phone. It’ll handle being dropped too, so don’t worry about it breaking!

Fitness

Staying Fit on Holiday

Posted on August 10, 2017

I love to travel, but when I do, my body automatically goes into holiday mode. Throwing caution to the wind i’ll have that extra glass of wine, the bread and olive oil, or go all out and have a dessert too! Things i’d normally be uber cautious about back home. But what I do miss is the day-to-day routine of my Classport workouts and wake-surfing that balances out the foodie in me.

I’ve just spent 6 weeks in Europe and the first thing I did when I arrived to our holiday home in France was google translate the nearest gym and try to get myself into a more work to workout mode. I feel it’s a bit like jet lag, if you don’t assimilate quite quickly, it’s harder to get out of it. I certainly feel that with my body type, if i’ve gone more than a couple of days without some sort of fitness, it’s as if i’ve never done any at all! So I jumped at the chance to keep even a little bit of it going. I signed up with France’s version of Fitness First L’Orange Bleu, which for all intents and purposes is a great little outlet about 20 mins from our home in the countryside. They also have week by week plans which are great for the shorter trips across to Europe.

From spinning to pump and ‘abdos / cuisses’, every class was in French but didn’t take me long to pick up the routine having done similar style classes back home.

As it’s France though, the gym itself has now closed as they’ve decided to go on holiday for the last two weeks!?!…

…so back to square one. Heading to the local sport shop i’ve picked up a couple of weights to get myself motivated at home. Just a pair of 3kg’s to give myself a little resistance, i’m working on my own daily routine but so far so good… so after a 5-10 mins run around the surrounding fields, I stick on the radio, grab my weights and get to work in the garden, with last night’s pasta dish as my only motivation.

Fitness

Testing Out: 1SIX8 NuPowerYoga

Posted on June 17, 2017

Yoga is all about bending, stretching and breathing right? So power yoga… something a little stronger perhaps? Described as where strength meets flexibility, NuPowerYoga was introduced to us last week at one of my favourite hotspots, Hautletic, through Dubai based fitness studio 1six8. It cites more than just using weights in its vinyasa flow, with innovative Nubell-technology designed, circular hand weights, which are created to be ergonomically optimal, providing an even, all-round weight distribution for your hand, wrist and (occasionally) ankle too.

The benefit of all this is that it helps to alleviate any stress or tension on your joints, often seen with other weights and bells. I know from personal training that I much prefer kettle bells to barbells as I feel I can keep my wrist more controlled when using them. The creator of these circular designs did so due to an accident where he needed to regain strength in his hands and wrists.

Created in the States (of course) there’s been a real trend towards combining different fitness techniques and classes, to ultimately try and create a more thorough body workout. What Nu Power Yoga does is aid those long muscle movements in yoga by adding a little more resistance, helping to get everything firing and ultimately engage with more core.

NuPowerYoga classes start in June, at their hotspot in 168, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai.

Fitness

Testing Out: Rips, Ropes & Straps at Fitness First

Posted on June 6, 2017

Fitness First is the giant of all gyms. Open everywhere and providing pretty much everything you could need for a one on one gym session with a trainer. They’ve progressed to classes as well, but let’s face it, it’s that shiny new equipment we’re most tempted by.

So when a new one popped open up in Mudon, I was first in line to check out their various HIIT regimes. One which stood out for me the most was their Rips, Ropes & Straps set up. We tried a mixture of 5 different exercises, in a group of only 6 people, so ultimately we had more one-to-one time with the instructor… in this case that meant we couldn’t cheat. Hailed as a 45 minute loaded movement training class, using TRX, Rip Trainer, Battle Ropes & Ankorr. It is designed to use 3D movement, aiming to improve your muscular endurance and core strength.

From being strapped in to a harness for elasticated resistance running to core crunches and assisted side winders, the floor became as tough as the wall. Not somewhere to be underestimated either… I always thought Fitness First would be more of a factory, churning out the gym bodies one by one, but I was pleasantly surprised at the homely feel and support systems.

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