If you're anything like me, you know the struggle of maintaining a fitness routine.
Even with the best of intentions, it's easy to let my motivation slip. That's why this year I've vowed to make exercise more fun and exciting, to help spur me on towards my health goals.
Find running dull and the gym a slog? Check out my reviews of some of the best alternative exercise classes available in Surrey and South West London. You can learn a new skill, or just have a blast, and still get all the benefits of a traditional workout.
Because if exercising is fun, it's much easier to stick to the plan!
1. HulaFit
VENUES: Kennington, King's Cross and Hackney
PRICE: £7 or buy 10 classes for the price of 9
BOOK: hulafit.com
The rating would be higher if it weren’t for the bruises on my hips (these do stop appearing after a couple of classes, so I’m told!)
Having not hula-hooped for about 15 years, I had very low expectations for how I was going to fare in this class. But I surprised myself!
As the class was largely made up of other beginners, I was not the only one whose hoop kept crashing to the floor in the first 20 minutes. But Anna – our instructor – persevered, and by the end of the hour I could hoop in my sleep.
The main hoops we used were weighted and large, making it easy to hula hoop for longer. And although I expected the class to be a lot of fun, I never anticipated the number of exercises you can do with a hoop – my abs were working hard for the whole hour!
I would definitely recommend it to anyone seeking a fun, laidback fitness class to attend, but one which gets you sweating nonetheless!
2. Wet Bikes
VENUES: Guildford Nuffield Gym and River Bourne Club, Chertsey
PRICE: £12 for a single session, £18 for a starter pack of 2 sessions, or 10 sessions for £89
BOOK: wetbikes.co.uk
I would definitely go back because it's so easy and so fun.
After reading about the numerous benefits that aqua cycling has for your body, and how versatile it is for people of all fitness backgrounds, I was compelled to try it for myself.
Assuming it would just be a cycling class in water, I was pleasantly surprised! My instructor, Giorgia, kept us doing different exercises throughout the 45 minutes, and we did everything from normal cycling whilst doing arm resistance exercises, to squatting down between the saddle and the handlebars as Giorgia counted us down.
This is a really well-rounded class that makes exercising feel like a breeze.
3. Aerial Silks
VENUES: Wimbledon, Battersea, Old Street and Bankside
PRICE: £20 for an off-peak class, £25 for a peak class, or 3 classes for £45
BOOK: flyingfantastic.co.uk
Not for everyone, but the fun increases the more positions you master and classes you attend.
Definitely one of the more challenging classes on my list, aerial silks involves using a few skills which I do not necessarily have - balance, upper arm strength and trusting that I'm not going to break my neck.
When the class began, I was sceptical about whether I'd be able to learn any new skills - but by the time the hour was up, this changed.
Throughout the class, we were taught how to create French and Russian twists around our feet with the silks, to hang upside down from the tied silks, to balance with both feet twisted in the silks, and to hang sideways, both with our legs extended and with our knees bent.
For me, hanging upside down was the most difficult exercise, purely because I'm not a natural acrobat! But, after building my confidence in other exercises, I managed to go back to it and feel a lot more comfortable. Practice is definitely the key to this class.
I didn't think I would say this, but I would go back. The feeling of accomplishment and freedom which you feel when you do master a hanging position or climb is great, and it is easy to see how so many people become addicted to it.
4. Rebounce
VENUES: Clapham Junction
PRICE: £12 for one class, £50 for 5 classes. Get 50% off your first class when booking online
BOOK: offtherails.studio
So much fun and you really get a sweat on. The two things that are most important to me in a fitness class!
Rebounce is a trampolining class with a twist - each person in the class has their own personal trampoline, and the class is a mix of dancing and bouncing.
One of the classes from the Off The Rails studio, Rebounce has fun, energetic energy and I felt welcomed from the moment I walked in - always a plus when you're doing an unfamiliar class with strangers.
Our instructor, Missie, led us through a warm-up which helped to get the beginners used to bouncing downwards into the trampoline, rather than up and down as you normally would, before taking us through some routines.
When I first began the class I was worried about following along without falling off the trampoline (they are quite small) and I will still say that trying to jog on a trampoline was one of the weirdest sensations ever! However, after about 5 minutes I was well in the swing of it and feeling the burn.
Missie was great throughout the class, and if a routine was not suited to everyone's ability, she always made sure to provide alternatives for the beginners and vice versa.
As a bonus, the studio is also a 1-minute walk from Clapham Junction Station - it could not be easier to get to.
5. Clubbercise
VENUES: Numerous locations around the UK
PRICE: £6 for one class, £25 for 5 classes and £40 for 10
BOOK: clubbercise.com
Available to literally anyone, Clubbercise is definitely worth a try
The name 'Clubbercise' is literally my idea of the best way to spend a Monday night. Clubbing minus the getting ready, having a hangover and wearing uncomfortable shoes - to me, sounds like the ideal evening.
Led by Emma, the class in Coulsdon runs on a Monday and Wednesday and did not disappoint. Fuelled by Emma's infectious energy, the class begun with a fun, dance routine and this continued throughout the class.
Dancing to songs old and new - Emma does take requests if you ask her in advance - the class was active yet entertaining for the full hour. With easier and more difficult versions of each exercise demonstrated, the workout is suitable for people of all fitness levels.
The highlight of the class for me was the glow-sticks and I now wonder how I have survived any other workout class without them. The hour zoomed by and I think Monday attendance should be compulsory to brighten everyone's start to the week!
