Gym Review: The Third Space, Soho, W1

I have been to gyms all over the world, I have seen the good, the bad and the just plain filthy…

But nothing compares to the experience that is The Third Space gym in Soho.

Reviewing a TRX class for ZEST magazine I visited the gym and I was seriously impressed.

The gym’s facilities are excellent and it boasts a climbing wall, a boxing ring, pilates studio, swimming pool, and a hypoxic chamber (left). A what you say? A chamber where the oxygen is lowered to mimic training at altitude! A-ma-zing.

For those who can’t train alone, the class list is impressive offering a wide variety of different ways to exercise including all the old favourites and innovative new classes. From boxing to pilates, MMA to kettleballs there will be something to catch your attention.

After a few minutes walking around I was sold. I want to live there not just train there.

The second most important thing aside from the facilities is the level of cleanliness, Third Space passed with flying colours- it was spotless.

Some gyms can be intimidating for newly enthused fitness participants,particularly ones with such high-tech equipment. The Third Space manages to create an atmosphere of relaxation and motivation at the same time.

The DJ mixing tunes on the glass floor and a table tennis tournament (right) made the experience feel like a social event rather than a training session and certainly helped me out in the enthusiasm department. I was so pumped to just be there.

The energy of the gym contrasts with the sanctuary of the changing rooms and steam and sauna areas. Pure relaxation.

There is interesting artwork hanging from the walls, the atmosphere is charged, everything is stimulating meaning you push yourself harder and faster.

The class itself warrants it’s own post- TRX is definitely a different way of training but my trainer Dan was helpful, explained each position but pushed me way beyond my comfort zone.

The only downside to the gym is inevitably, the cost, which starts at £124 a month for individual membership (ouch).

If you can afford it I think it makes a great investment and with so much to do and so much to try you wont struggle to find motivation!

For boys there is an impressive free weights room, a concern for most male fitness enthusiasts and girls there were a lot of hot men. I couldn’t help but notice….

It is undoubtedly the best gym I have been to and I can’t wait for my next session there.

The Third Space

13 Sherwood street

Soho

London

W1F 7BR

Turning up the heat: Bikram Yoga

If you haven’t tried Bikram yoga yet, you really should do. I have been practicing for the past four months and I can’t quite get over how good it makes me feel.

For those of you who are familiar with yoga, Bikram is the 2.0 version taking your body and meditation to the next level.

The studio is heated to 40 degrees (105 F) and I’ll admit it is rather daunting to walk into the room for the first time.

The hot air is oppressive, the breath becomes laboured and you sweat profusely.

Each class is the same, starting with a warm up breathing exercise, followed by 26 postures, and a warm down breathing exercise.

The yoga is based on hatha yoga which has been adapted by Bikram Choudhury.

The heat makes the ninety minute practice extremely intense and many first time participants find it hard going.

I hated my first class, I hadn’t eaten or drank enough, I felt dizzy, nauseous and pretty useless during my first session. And I hate not being able to do something physical.

I was surprised that I even went back, but something made me and I have kept going back ever since.

The postures are not particularly technical, some require more flexibility than others but generally anyone can participate.

I found that the meditation element of the class was much harder to contend with but the practice has done wonders for my concentration and energy levels.

As well as improved posture and flexibility I have also found the class helps me to sleep better, it helps me to put my problems into perspective and eliminate the stress of everyday life.

Whilst on the pricey side many studios offer a starting deal which are good value for money and allow you to see if the practice is for you. Hotbikramyoga studios in Fulham and Balham offer a 10 days card for £15.

Apart from an open mind you need to remember to eat before a class and drink as much water as you can. It is normal to feel a little sick during your first class, your body takes time to adjust to the heat but trust me, your next class will be better.

As someone who embraces all different types of exercise Bikram, so far is the one thing I do not get tired of, in fact I miss it hugely when I am unable to attend.

Now whilst I am not sure if the practice can cure all ailments, (there are claims it cures everything from arthritis to obesity) but I do whole heartedly believe in the positive effects it has on me.

I would recommend the practice to everyone and anyone, just remember to take a towel, water and thin comfy gym wear. Less is most definitely more here.

You will never look back! I promise

Runners Feet without the running

To the untrained eye the picture above may look like a fairly normal pair of feet.

It has however, just occurred to me as I was painting my nails (what do you think of the shade..) that for the first time in months I have a fully grown big toenail on both feet. Hooray!

Now this is both a happy and sad occasion. Happy because I am now not totally embarrassed by my trotters, I was forced to avoid the peeptoe trend of summer footwear, but sad because having fully grown nails, signifies one thing.

I am not running enough.

Nail loss seems to be a guarantee for me when I am completing long distance runs, it doesn't seem to matter what type of trainers I wear.

My first nail was lost during training for my first half marathon in 2006 and it is always the same nail that falls off. Big toe, left foot, if you really want to know.

Of course a toe without a nail isn’t aesthetically pleasing, my friends frequently remind me how gross my feet are when I am without said nail.

I have to agree with them, but then I have to admit that there is a certain sense of achievement that comes with losing a nail. It is like my own personal pedometer letting me know that I have been clocking up the miles.

And yes, I know I have ridiculously small little toes. I can't help it.

Run to The Beat Half Marathon: Sunday 26th September

On Sunday I took part in the Run to The Beat half marathon and managed a fairly respectable time of 1hr. 54 minutes. Not too shabby considering my training had screeched to a halt due to work commitments and I had events on the Friday and Saturday before race day on Sunday.

I was actually quite surprised by my time as I didn’t enjoy the race at all.

No, it wasn't because I had a few drinks the night before or the fact that I didn't get enough sleep. I'll admit both can’t have helped matters.

Motivation was low on the day because of the complete lack of atmosphere. From the ‘crowd’, from the runners from the musicians.

Now maybe I have just become a running snob. After completing the London Marathon in April and having participated in the Great North and Great South runs perhaps I have been spoilt.

I loved every minute of the marathon, the swelling of noise from the crowd, constant encouragement from other runners, my friends and family interspersed at different points around the course, it was a brilliant day.

This was not the case for Run to The Beat. Firstly there was definitely a distinct lack of beat. I had not taken an Ipod thinking the whole point of the race was the motivational impact of music and from the map it looked like there would be music at every mile. This was certainly not the case, at many ‘stages’ I arrived to find the band adjusting their equipment or seemingly taking an extended break. Rubbish.

There was no beat to run to for the majority of the race.

The next problem was the distinct lack of supporters. Those that were in
attendance simply stared on, offering no words of encouragement or cheers.

I felt deflated and this feeling was compounded by the absence of any camaraderie between the runners. No joking, no laughing none of the banter I had experienced in other races.

The course was surprisingly hilly, there were several steep climbs but at least these were all over with by the halfway point. The mile markers seemed to be missing from mile 8 and the 750 metre mark and there seemed, at the time, nothing worse than not knowing how far you have left, from a pacing perspective if nothing else.

The last criticism of the race I will make is this, plastic cups of water are not suitable drinking vessels for runners.

It is almost impossible to drink in this manner without spilling it down yourself and everyone around you. At least the sight of runners trying to steady the cups whilst running, sloshing water around and finally giving up in frustration provided a little light relief.

Well I had a chuckle anyway.

All in all, not a race I will be rushing to take part in again.

Goal Setting for success

I managed to finish the marathon, collected my medal and had a celebratory meal with the family. It was all rather lovely.

Then I did nothing, literally. Just look at the lack of blog posts.

Apart from a few attempts at heading to the gym and a bit of yoga my physical exertion peaked at ripping off my next piece of a baguette.

With the start of summer well on its way after months of saying no to events I began to say yes to everything. I was attending birthday drinks, Saturday nights drink, before work drinks (I work in the evenings!) and generally anytime drinks.

My social life was off the scale but my body was suffering. After a rather boozy trip to Marbella I decided I had to stop and get back to training.

I have signed up for a half marathon in September and joined a gym using the benefit of corporate membership with work.

So far so good. Goal setting for success

It did get me thinking thought about casual exercise and the people who neglect their physical health for the majority of the year only to try a bikini body blitz two weeks before their holiday.

Whilst I have been a regular gym go-er for over five years I train better when I have focus and focus comes from having a goal.

These goals need to be specific.

Most people who visit the gym want to lose weight, tone up or get fitter but these ‘goals’ are so vague it is easy to forget them.

Specific goals such as working towards an ideal weight and training for a race provide the perfect platform to a better you.

It is well worth taking a bit of time out to look at your diary and identifying what you can work towards.

A wedding in October, a holiday in December, whatever the event by being mindful of it when training will help to maintain your focus and increase the effectiveness of your training time.

Plus once you reach your goal and feel fabulous, try to remember that feeling of achievement and make sure you plan your next goal.

Otherwise, like me, you could spend all that time and effort training hard for months to simply let it slip in a matter of weeks.

Update

The lack of blogging has been down to nothing but my own laziness and preoccupation with other projects. After successfully completing the marathon, and having some time off post run I am now back training and hoping to write health and fitness related articles relevant to young females today.

Feeling the Heat

With less than two weeks to go to the marathon, I am starting to feel the pressure.

As the clock ticks down to the big day, I have been decreasing my mileage and will stop running completely a few days before the event.

It seems strange to be tapering down the runs, particularly when you have been working on the basis that more is better, but it is necessary to make sure I don't overtrain or cause injury.

I am nervous to say the least.

With the weather improving rapidly, I set off for my first run in shorts on Saturday, glad to be training in the sunshine.

It was a hot day, and by ten miles I was parched and sweating like crazy. Although initially pleased by the hot weather I realised how detrimental this can be to a run, particularly when you haven't taken on enough water.

At least i have covered all eventualities now, and feel prepared for whatever the weather on the big day.