It has taken me a while to write this review.
The first reason for this, is a combination of forgetfulness and laziness.
The second reason, is that Fitness Reborn offered me two free taster personal training sessions. I had the first one on 4th September, however I put off the second one, "until the weather improves"... Since that doesn't look like it'll be any time soon, I'll write my review based on the single session I did have.
I had googled for Personal Training on Highbury Fields and came up with Fitness Reborn who offer a free taster session. Due to a delay in replying to my emails, they kindly offered me two free sessions.
The session itself was pretty good. My trainer was Lewis, who had me doing press-ups, sit-ups, swinging kettle bells around, using resistance bands on my arms and legs, shadow boxing and kick-boxing too. It was a full hour of targeted exercise - and I actually did find myself putting all my effort into it (especially the boxing, so therapeutic!) and I was properly shattered afterwards.
However, I found that rather than accepting the charade of the whole experience, I was mentally kicking back. When the use of the word "can't" was punishable with 10 burpees, rather than rising to the challenge, I found myself reverting to "je peux pas" instead. After being told to "give it my all" but then to "give it more", I wanted to point out that, if I have already "given it my all" then it is actually impossible to give any more. In fact, I'd have to only offer, say, 75% in the initial burst, and save that 25% for later... All this going through my head whilst swinging a kettle bell around.
The session itself was good. I ached for about five days afterwards and I do feel that Lewis listened to my goals and actually target the workout to achieve them.
However it showed me that personal training is not for me. I had a free session, worth £40, which I have postponed indefinitely, with no intention to "define" any time soon.
This is for your if...
If you lack the self-motivation to push yourself, or if you have a specific goal to achieve, then I can see that personal training would be a good way to achieve that.
It's a bit like paying for a gym subscription if you don't have the motivation to go running and workout at home for free.
Recommendations
If you're going to try personal training for the first time, make sure you work out what your goals would be before going along. Whether it's sculpting arms, legs, weight-loss, general fitness. And try to find one that offers a free session first, if only because they're expensive and freebies are always appreciated.
Sunday 19 January 2014
Sunday 1 September 2013
This is getting personal...
What: Personal training session
Where: Highbury Fields
Who: Fitness Reborn
When: Wednesday 4th September 2013
With: No one, it's personal!
Why: My gym subscription is up for renewal, so I'm considering options and Fitness Reborn offer a free taster session.
Where: Highbury Fields
Who: Fitness Reborn
When: Wednesday 4th September 2013
With: No one, it's personal!
Why: My gym subscription is up for renewal, so I'm considering options and Fitness Reborn offer a free taster session.
Sunday 9 June 2013
Crossbows
I tried archery as a Something New back in November 2011, and it has been the only New activity that I've actually kept up with. When a fellow recurve archer offered me the chance to try out crossbow shooting, I was really keen to give it a go! The have-a-go session was organised by LondonCrossBows and cost £20.
The session started well - with a cup of tea and some Capital radio! We were using (I think) 40lb bows and shooting a short distance of about 5m. At first, it was all going well and the bolts were going in the red and the gold. As with recurve archery, the key seemed to be precise repetition - carefully putting the crossbow in exactly the same place on your shoulder, your cheek in exactly the same place on the top, and aiming at exactly the same spot. Then realising the safety catch was still on and having to reset and start again from the beginning...
Then we moved the targets back a bit, then a bit more to maybe 15m, and it all started to get a bit more inaccurate. I would aim at the zombie-vampire's head, but just kept hitting his gentleman's area... After a bit of practice, we finished up with a 120 Competition - four ends of three bolts, with a maximum possible score of 120 points. Finally, it all came together and I finished in first place with 101 points - and so I got a medal!
We also had a go at shooting some of the more powerful crossbows. One had a laser magnification sight, which really emphasised how much your aim wiggled back and forth across the target face. Another was a dinky pistol-style crossbow which sent tiny biro-sized bolts flying powerfully across the room - the scary thing being that you don't need a licence to own a crossbow, you just have to be over 18...
I don't think I'll be buying a crossbow, but I'd definitely like to shoot them again sometime.
This is for you if...
If you've tried a different kind of shooting before (either different bow, or perhaps a rifle/BB gun) and want to have a go at something a bit different, then perhaps crossbow shooting is something to try. I also think it would make a fun variation to a traditional party activity! No alcohol, of course.
Recommendations
If you're in London and want to try it, I totally recommend LondonCrossBows. The atmosphere was relaxed, informative and friendly, the equipment was all ideal - and you might win a medal!
The session started well - with a cup of tea and some Capital radio! We were using (I think) 40lb bows and shooting a short distance of about 5m. At first, it was all going well and the bolts were going in the red and the gold. As with recurve archery, the key seemed to be precise repetition - carefully putting the crossbow in exactly the same place on your shoulder, your cheek in exactly the same place on the top, and aiming at exactly the same spot. Then realising the safety catch was still on and having to reset and start again from the beginning...
Then we moved the targets back a bit, then a bit more to maybe 15m, and it all started to get a bit more inaccurate. I would aim at the zombie-vampire's head, but just kept hitting his gentleman's area... After a bit of practice, we finished up with a 120 Competition - four ends of three bolts, with a maximum possible score of 120 points. Finally, it all came together and I finished in first place with 101 points - and so I got a medal!
We also had a go at shooting some of the more powerful crossbows. One had a laser magnification sight, which really emphasised how much your aim wiggled back and forth across the target face. Another was a dinky pistol-style crossbow which sent tiny biro-sized bolts flying powerfully across the room - the scary thing being that you don't need a licence to own a crossbow, you just have to be over 18...
I don't think I'll be buying a crossbow, but I'd definitely like to shoot them again sometime.
This is for you if...
If you've tried a different kind of shooting before (either different bow, or perhaps a rifle/BB gun) and want to have a go at something a bit different, then perhaps crossbow shooting is something to try. I also think it would make a fun variation to a traditional party activity! No alcohol, of course.
Recommendations
If you're in London and want to try it, I totally recommend LondonCrossBows. The atmosphere was relaxed, informative and friendly, the equipment was all ideal - and you might win a medal!
Friday 31 May 2013
At cross purposes
What: Crossbow shooting
Where: Silverlock Tenants Hall, near Surrey Quays overground
Who: LondonCrossBows
When: Sunday 2nd June at midday-2pm
With: Ann-Kathrin & Steve
Why: I really enjoy recurve archery and would like to try another discipline. Also, it's another skill that crops up in my favourite fantasy books!
Where: Silverlock Tenants Hall, near Surrey Quays overground
Who: LondonCrossBows
When: Sunday 2nd June at midday-2pm
With: Ann-Kathrin & Steve
Why: I really enjoy recurve archery and would like to try another discipline. Also, it's another skill that crops up in my favourite fantasy books!
Friday 26 April 2013
Salt Grotto
I had bought this Salt Grotto experience from Groupon, because it sounded like an interesting and beneficial idea. It was situated at the Adalex Clinic near Hammersmith and advertises itself with the promise that:
I thought this might be especially useful since the relatively epic discovery of a dust allergy last year. I persuaded Emma to come along and try out the calming and soothing experience.
On arriving at the clinic, initial impressions were mixed. The place was a small, locked door next to a busy road, but inside everything was clean and suitably spa-like. There were a few other people there for the salt cave session, who clearly were regular customers, returning to reap the benefits of the cave.
After donning plastic booties, we were led into the cave. The floor was thick with salt, the walls encrusted in an uneven, subterranean manner and the ceiling was covered in (relatively unauthentic) stalactites. The corner had a sandpit full of salt, which I thought was quite a fun idea. (I assume this was for children, although there wasn't a minimum age...) We were cosseted into thickly-cushioned reclining chairs, wrapped in fleeces and then left to, very literally, breathe in the atmosphere.
Unfortunately the experience became a little strange after this. Half of the fake stalactites were "enhanced" with colour-changing LED lights, which twinkled away in a very unnatural way. The "salt water" waterfall in the corner made me very glad that I'd availed myself of the facilities before entering the grotto. And the chosen music seemed to be pan-pipe versions of 80s classics - think "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" and "You Can't Hurry Love" but like they're from Last of the Mohicans.
(For the authentic experience, play THIS whilst reading the rest of the review...)
Now... I don't do yoga, I don't meditate, I get bored in a sauna. So perhaps I wasn't really the right person to invest 100% in the Salt Cave experience, since much of meditation must rely on a certain susceptibility and acceptance of this particular relaxation method. After only one hour, it is probably unsurprising that I noticed absolutely no health benefits, but I was so uninspired by the whole experience that I won't be returning to test the cumulative effect.
This is for you if...
If you ever need an hour to just get away and have some quite alone time away from the world. Much cheaper, however, would be locking yourself in the bathroom with a bubble bath, a bar of Galaxy (one of the large ones) and a glass of wine (one of the even larger ones!)
Recommendations
Take a book or go when you're sleepy and have a nap.
"Breathing in the delicate salt brine mist, full of microelements,
is hugely beneficial for your general health."
I thought this might be especially useful since the relatively epic discovery of a dust allergy last year. I persuaded Emma to come along and try out the calming and soothing experience.
On arriving at the clinic, initial impressions were mixed. The place was a small, locked door next to a busy road, but inside everything was clean and suitably spa-like. There were a few other people there for the salt cave session, who clearly were regular customers, returning to reap the benefits of the cave.
After donning plastic booties, we were led into the cave. The floor was thick with salt, the walls encrusted in an uneven, subterranean manner and the ceiling was covered in (relatively unauthentic) stalactites. The corner had a sandpit full of salt, which I thought was quite a fun idea. (I assume this was for children, although there wasn't a minimum age...) We were cosseted into thickly-cushioned reclining chairs, wrapped in fleeces and then left to, very literally, breathe in the atmosphere.
Unfortunately the experience became a little strange after this. Half of the fake stalactites were "enhanced" with colour-changing LED lights, which twinkled away in a very unnatural way. The "salt water" waterfall in the corner made me very glad that I'd availed myself of the facilities before entering the grotto. And the chosen music seemed to be pan-pipe versions of 80s classics - think "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" and "You Can't Hurry Love" but like they're from Last of the Mohicans.
(For the authentic experience, play THIS whilst reading the rest of the review...)
Now... I don't do yoga, I don't meditate, I get bored in a sauna. So perhaps I wasn't really the right person to invest 100% in the Salt Cave experience, since much of meditation must rely on a certain susceptibility and acceptance of this particular relaxation method. After only one hour, it is probably unsurprising that I noticed absolutely no health benefits, but I was so uninspired by the whole experience that I won't be returning to test the cumulative effect.
This is for you if...
If you ever need an hour to just get away and have some quite alone time away from the world. Much cheaper, however, would be locking yourself in the bathroom with a bubble bath, a bar of Galaxy (one of the large ones) and a glass of wine (one of the even larger ones!)
Recommendations
Take a book or go when you're sleepy and have a nap.
Tuesday 12 March 2013
Caving...?
What: Salt Cave Grotto
Where: Acton Town
Who: Adalex Clinic
When: Thursday 14th March at 7pm
With: Emma
Why: I saw it on Groupon, then bought it.
Where: Acton Town
Who: Adalex Clinic
When: Thursday 14th March at 7pm
With: Emma
Why: I saw it on Groupon, then bought it.
Thursday 24 January 2013
Violin Lesson
It was only brought to my attention on the Friday that Chappell of Bond Street music shop, just off Oxford Street, was offering free beginners' violin lessons. Never one to turn down a free gift, I signed up straightaway for a 20-minute private lesson slot on Saturday afternoon.
I wasn't impressed at first with the service at the shop. I arrived about 5 minutes before the scheduled start and waited at the service desk indicated on the sign. Despite the fact that numerous shop assistants came up to the desk where I was standing, they all just ignored me completely and, in the end, I had to interrupt a salesperson serving another customer to find out where to go.
However, the once the lesson itself started, everything was positive. We started with the basics - how to hold a violin. Without breaking it... I actually found it kind of similar to the flute - in that you're holding your elbow up at a right-angle, keeping your shoulders down - and I liked that I could look down the violin, to see both the music and my fingers at the same time.
As I can read music, we cracked out a Grade 1 book and tried out a piece pizzicato (plucking the strings). The trickiest bit was definitely getting the spacing right, to get the right pitch, and pressing the strings down hard enough to sound the note properly. At least I had a bit of an advantage, in that I could hear when the pitch wasn't quite right and make the necessary adjustments.
Then came the bow. I feel like, at least initially, if I was to hold the bow for any length of time, I would get the kind of hand-cramp you have after writing solidly in a 2-hour exam. I was expecting my bowing to sound like a screeching cat, perhaps trying to climb a blackboard... But it didn't! It was tricky but tuneful and very rewarding. Considering it was only a 20-minute lesson, by the end of it, the teacher and I were playing a piece, with harmonies, and sounding at least alright!
Although a complete violin beginner, I benefitted from previous musical experience. The violin is the same clef and a similar pitch to the flute, and quite often seems to play the same long strings of semiquavers that I'm used to from flute pieces. Finding out that there are things called "practice mutes" that would allow me to learn without annoying all my neighbours, makes it a very tempting instrument for me to try and teach myself...
Watch this space.
This is for you if...
My main reason for having a go (other than it being free) was to find something new to do in music. Music always puts me in a good mood, but I don't feel I have advanced over the last few years. Every orchestra already has at least one flautist; I can't really practice my piccolo in a London flat without rousing every animal within a 100m radius; I never took to piano or clarinet. This is for me because I'd like a new musical challenge.
Recommendations
Whatever the instrument, if someone is offering free lessons then definitely sign up! You have nothing to lose and you might discover a new talent. I'll be signing up to the Chappell's mailing list, to keep an eye out for any more...
I wasn't impressed at first with the service at the shop. I arrived about 5 minutes before the scheduled start and waited at the service desk indicated on the sign. Despite the fact that numerous shop assistants came up to the desk where I was standing, they all just ignored me completely and, in the end, I had to interrupt a salesperson serving another customer to find out where to go.
However, the once the lesson itself started, everything was positive. We started with the basics - how to hold a violin. Without breaking it... I actually found it kind of similar to the flute - in that you're holding your elbow up at a right-angle, keeping your shoulders down - and I liked that I could look down the violin, to see both the music and my fingers at the same time.
As I can read music, we cracked out a Grade 1 book and tried out a piece pizzicato (plucking the strings). The trickiest bit was definitely getting the spacing right, to get the right pitch, and pressing the strings down hard enough to sound the note properly. At least I had a bit of an advantage, in that I could hear when the pitch wasn't quite right and make the necessary adjustments.
Then came the bow. I feel like, at least initially, if I was to hold the bow for any length of time, I would get the kind of hand-cramp you have after writing solidly in a 2-hour exam. I was expecting my bowing to sound like a screeching cat, perhaps trying to climb a blackboard... But it didn't! It was tricky but tuneful and very rewarding. Considering it was only a 20-minute lesson, by the end of it, the teacher and I were playing a piece, with harmonies, and sounding at least alright!
Although a complete violin beginner, I benefitted from previous musical experience. The violin is the same clef and a similar pitch to the flute, and quite often seems to play the same long strings of semiquavers that I'm used to from flute pieces. Finding out that there are things called "practice mutes" that would allow me to learn without annoying all my neighbours, makes it a very tempting instrument for me to try and teach myself...
Watch this space.
This is for you if...
My main reason for having a go (other than it being free) was to find something new to do in music. Music always puts me in a good mood, but I don't feel I have advanced over the last few years. Every orchestra already has at least one flautist; I can't really practice my piccolo in a London flat without rousing every animal within a 100m radius; I never took to piano or clarinet. This is for me because I'd like a new musical challenge.
Recommendations
Whatever the instrument, if someone is offering free lessons then definitely sign up! You have nothing to lose and you might discover a new talent. I'll be signing up to the Chappell's mailing list, to keep an eye out for any more...
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