Fitness Class

Core Collective Cycle- Join Me In The Saddle

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Spin classes- the general consensus is that you either love them or you hate them. A little like marmite, right? I’ll keep this short but sweet. I used to really dislike spin. Like, really dislike spin. That was until I was offered a place at Core Collective to train up as one of their Cycle instructors. I didn’t of course mention that I wasn’t a spin fan, but instead decided to take on the challenge and train up to be part of the team. It seemed like a great place to work, I wanted to start teaching some kind of fitness class and it would fit perfectly alongside my modelling and blogging. So, I hit the bike behind the scenes and after many one-to-one sessions and a nerve-wracking audition, I was finally ready for my debut.

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Garmin Vivosmart3 hits Third Space London

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When it comes to fitness trackers it can be difficult to know which one to go for and when you do finally choose, it can be even more difficult to work out how to use them most effectively. Luckily, I had Garmin on hand last week showing me just how to navigate the new vivosmart3 and how to get the most out of my workout via the device. We took to Third Space Tower Bridge to take on their Sweat X class and put the vivosmart3 to the test.

Firstly, I have to say a huge well done to Garmin for hosting at such an amazing location. Third Space is a dream and if you haven’t had the chance to go before, I recommend that you do. However, with facilities of such a high standard it’s only right that they have the workouts to match… cue the hardest gym class that I have been to yet.

Before being dragged to hell and back (in a good way, if that’s possible), we were kitted out with brand new vivosmart3 trackers. Extremely lightweight, with a super sleek design, the vivosmart3 is a watch that you can wear everywhere and anywhere, from day to night. It’s slim, discreet and has a hidden display that lights up only when you want it to- how clever- so can literally fit into most outfits helping you to track your activity 24/7. The watch is also good to wear whilst swimming or showering, so there’s no need to worry about it getting wet.

So it looks great and is easily wearable, but what about the features? Along with the usual tracking capabilities of most fitness devices such as step counting, heart rate, distance travelled and calories burnt, the watch has a number of additional features to really get that in-depth insight into your health and daily activity. The vivosmart3 is able to calculate your fitness age, track floors climbed as well as your sleep and even has a stress level indicator. You can see more of what the device has to offer by clicking right here.

We wore our fitness trackers during the entire trip to hell (aka the workout) and competed against each other as to who could burn the most calories by the end of the session. Combining upper and lower body circuits with treadmill running, the class covered both body strength and cardio aspects of training. We ran, lifted, pushed and sweated our way to the finish line to then compare calories burnt. I was sure that I would be up there with my 600+ calories, yet I was up against a tough bunch and the winner came in with over 700 cals burnt! Wowwee.

That wasn’t the end. We then used the rep counting feature to record how many reps of free weight exercises we could complete within 3 minutes. Again, showing us just how the clever features of the vivosmart3 can be used throughout any workout.

After class, we were rewarded with protein smoothies, the satisfaction of completing Sweat X and came away with a whole load of knowledge on just how to get the most out of our fitness trackers. I for one would definitely recommend the vivosmart3. Especially if you’re looking for a watch that can cover all bases and be worn throughout the entire day. Retailing at £129.99, the vivosmart3 is available to buy in three different colourways right now.

Tribeca Studios

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Yesterday I headed to Tribeca Studios– a brand new gym in Ealing, London- to see what they had to offer. Literally just around the corner from Ealing Broadway station, it’s not hard to find, which is always a good start…

Although the gym looks tiny from the outside, it’s surprisingly big once you get in and has a huge personality to match! As soon as you walk through the door, you catch a glimpse of the spin class- that’s if you don’t hear it first. Upbeat music, a hardcore instructor and a whole lot of energy vibrates from the spin room, leaving you eager to see more.

Heading downstairs to the main area, I was greeted by a friendly member of staff who gave me a tour of the gym. Changing rooms, showers, a smoothie bar and the Downtown studio on the lower floor then up to Uptown Ride and another exercise room.

I was impressed with how much thought has gone into the gym to make you feel welcome and a part of the Tribeca family. I was also surprised at how technologically advanced the gym is, with features that I hadn’t seen elsewhere. For one, everybody is given their own chipped wrist band that’s attached to their account. This is used not only to scan you into your chosen class on the screens outside of each studio, but doubles up a key for your locker by scanning it on the locker door. Fancy! You can also request a smoothie before your class and it will be waiting for you after. There’s no need to carry cash (or your card) as it’s charged straight to your account, with an email receipt as confirmation.

Even the smoothies have a likeable personality; tasting great, with a personalised message and witty packaging.


As for the class, I went to BODYATTACK; a  high-energy body-weight class, performed to the beat of the music. From start to finish we didn’t stop moving, yet by the end I actually felt more energised than before! There was a lot of jumping, squatting, high knees, bouncing and pulsing, all in time to the music. I don’t have a dance background (nor can I say that I have too much rhythm) yet I was able to keep to the beat without stopping, so don’t be put off if you’re not a natural mover. A definite feel-good class. Afterwards, you’re treated to luxury showers with hair dryers and straighteners. So you can leave looking as good as you feel.

Everybody was extremely friendly, staff and customers included, and the whole gym just has a really great feel. It’s £15 per class or you can buy packages to receive discount, for example 5 classes for £10 each. I’ll be trying more classes at Tribeca, so keep posted for more recommendations and reviews right here. If you want to see for yourself, click here. 

Total Body Phat Burn at Ministry of Sound

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Clubbing and exercise. Not two words that usually go hand in hand. Sure, dancing is exercise but the alcohol and lack of sleep tends to make it not so healthy. Well, Ministry of Sound have broken that barrier, providing 8 intense fitness classes in the middle of what is generally known as one of London’s most famous partying spots. I grabbed a place at Total Body Phat Burn and (excuse the pun) definitely felt the burn. 

I’m not going to lie and say that it felt perfectly normal turning up to a club at 6.15pm head-to-toe in sportswear. It didn’t. There wasn’t the usual queue of people or distant thud of music as I approached. Instead, there was an eager bunch of fitness enthusiasts ready to take to the…mats? 

In the middle of it all was instructor Dan Chapman introducing himself to every single person. A friendly face that would soon be putting us through our paces. After everybody had been passed a bottle of water- that we were about to discover would be much needed- we were ready to go.

The class consisted of multiple 45 second rounds with 15 second intervals before a slightly longer rest between sets. Firstly we focussed on arms and legs, including a lot of variations of the press up… much to my horror! I soon found, by the look on a lot of other faces, that there are more press up haters than I thought! We then moved onto abs and more legs before ending with a cool down. Dan kept us motivated the whole time. 

I’m not sure if it was the electrifying sound system, Dan’s fabulous instructing, my sheer determination or a combination of all three, but the class seemed to finish surprisingly quickly. I was impressed at how it catered to all abilities, as you were able to work to your own pace and how 45 seconds seemed to be the perfect length to push your body without having to stop. 

Treated to smoothies and fruit and nut bars after the workout, this had to be my healthiest trip to Ministry ever, which admittedly may not be that impressive. But as the most energetic I’ve ever been on the dance floor that definitely takes some beating!

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Thank you to W Model Management for the ticket down! xx

Guest Writer Lois Brown: Reebok Fit Hub

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Today is a special day for Tigeress Lifestyle, as we see the first post written by a guest writer. My best friend and fellow fitness-fashion obsessive Lois Brown, is joining us to talk all things Reebok! This one’s a good one for any of you Northern bunnies (but there’s a little something for everyone if you follow the link). Let’s here what Lois has to say!

Calling all my Northern beauties! I recently discovered that Reebok are offering FREE fitness classes in my area and just had to go along and see what I have been missing out on.

The Intersport Sporting Pro store in Kirkstall Valley Retail Park in Leeds was the meeting point and it wasn’t long before I met a small group of ladies ready and raring to go. With the encouragement and enthusiasm of our wonderful trainer Stacey Jaques, we started off with some static stretches in the store (cue funny looks from onlooking customers)! We then had a steady jog to up to Kirkstall Abbey park just a couple of minutes away and gathered in a grassy clearing on the outskirts of the park. We carried on our warm up with some dynamic stretching to keep our heart rates pumping and our muscles well stretched.

The heart of the work out was an intense 10 minutes of interval style exercise with varying levels from beginner work outs with the option of making the work out a little more difficult if you felt up to the challenge. With a variation of squats, jumping lunges and star jumps for 40 seconds with a 20 second break, which was optional, Stacey really put us through our paces.

Then it was for interval sprints, side steps and high knees running, from one corner of the ready marked square to the other, adding more squats and jumping lunges at each interval. Finally, we had a steady jog back to the retail park to finish with a few stretches, cooling our bodies down gently.

Overall, I had a great experience with Stacey and the other girls. Stacey is a knowledgeable and experienced personal trainer- what’s more, she offers great advice and exercise tips for anybody suffering from minor injury, helping to make sure that their work out is just as successful.

I couldn’t recommend this class enough and to make things even better… it’s free!!! So Ladies, get signed up and get yourself along to this fun event held every Saturday morning at 10am, a great way to kick start your weekend.

Click right here to search for the Fit Hub event closest to you!

P.S. This Sunday, 8th of March , Reebok have organized a 5K run in recognition of International Women’s Day and once again it is free to enter. The meeting point is at the usual spot at the Intersport Pro Sports store in Leeds and all entrants get a free Reebok goodie bag worth over £35!

With love, Lois xxx