Guest Writer Lois Brown: Reebok Fit Hub

March 5, 2015March 14, 2015 | tigeresskirby

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, 8^th 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

1Rebel Gym: London’s New Fitness Destination

January 25, 2015January 25, 2015 | tigeresskirby

With Nike’s NTC Week touching down in London there’s been a lot going on in the city’s fitness scene this week, but something that’s definitely caught our attention is the launch of the new 1Rebel gym- a no-contract boutique gym experience. I just had to see what all the fuss was about.

1Rebel is new fitness destination with ‘pay-as-you-go’ high intensity classes. Aiming to ‘revolutionise London’s fitness industry’, this boutique gym differs from other gyms in the city. Located centrally opposite The Gherkin, this is one gym that you definitely need to experience. Consisting of two contemporary fitness studios- one for spin, one for shape- luxe chill areas and top-class spa-like changing rooms, the gym even has a sports fashion retail zone and a cold-pressed juice bar, courtesy of Roots & Bulbs.

This isn’t a gym, it’s an experience. There’s no standard workout area, just classes. You can choose between Rebel Ride, a high-intensity group spin session and Rebel Reshape, a hardcore conditioning class that targets certain muscle groups. Both classes are carried out to a backdrop of bespoke playlists curated by internationally acclaimed DJs.

I tried the spin class at London’s NTC Week at the top of the Gherkin, which was literally breathtaking but yesterday I participated in the Lower Body Rebel Reshape at the gym itself and got more than I’d bargained for. This class was intense. In fact, that’s an understatement. A full 45 minutes of non-stop training. Switching from treadmill to bench every 4 minutes there’s no time for slacking. The trainers are amazing, screaming words of encouragement down their microphones. My favourite of the day, which definitely got me squatting harder was ‘think of those cocktails tonight!’ Oh boy.

A great class to go alone or with a group, just select your station online at your desired time. I went along with my good friend Lois and it was great. We had stations next to one another and were able to push each other to train harder, but not to fear if you want to go alone. Everyone is there to push their limits, so you’ll have enough encouragement from others in the class and the group leaders. This is an amazing gym for both men and women and you’ll get a great work out no matter what your fitness ability.

After working up a sweat (plenty of sweat), you’ll need to recover in the amazingly modern changing rooms. You’re offered cool towels from a Smegg fridge, top-class grooming and skincare products and GHD styling equipment. There’s even nail files, hair grips, combs, toothbrushes and heat protection spray for the women. Men you’ll have to go and see for yourselves, as unfortunately I wasn’t allowed in the male changing rooms, but I’m sure you won’t be disappointed! Exposed piping, Hollywood style bulb-lined mirrors and heated seats to ease post-workout aches, this is a trendy urban fitness destination. If you’re serious about getting fit, you know where to head.

When Moving Backwards Gets You Forward!

January 14, 2015January 13, 2015 | tigeresskirby

It’s all about moving forward. Moving forwards in your career, further towards your ambitions, closer to your fitness goals and always pushing that little bit harder in the right direction. But sometimes you need to take a step back in order to move forward. Or a few in this case… Backwards running! A great way to move in order to get super fit!

Ok, so you may look a little crazy, but backwards running is a definite way to tone up. Not only does it target your glutes (hello perky butt!), it also works your hamstrings, core and lower back. It’s great for improving balance and will work muscles that you’re not used to using, which is always a bonus.

Try working this into your usual running routine. Say 60 seconds backwards and 3 minutes forwards, then repeat several times to warm up. Push yourself harder and for longer if you want to use this as part of your full work out. It’ll take some getting used to at first but you’ll soon get into your stride and when you start seeing results, the only people who will be looking crazy are the ones who haven’t tried it! xx

Run This City

January 7, 2015January 7, 2015 | tigeresskirby

Get up close and personal with your city all while getting fit! I love taking in the hustle and bustle of the streets, the infamous landmarks and continuous buzz of the London and what better way to do so than to go for a run.

Running is one of the most effective forms of exercise with a number of health benefits such as burning calories, improving stamina and strengthening muscles, including your core. Fab abs here we come! It makes the skin glow and I’m not talking about the sweat, although this is the reason behind it. Sweating clears your pores and increases natural oils, meaning less breakouts and healthier looking skin. And the benefits aren’t just physical. Running can improved memory, aid positive thoughts (no glass half empty business here!) and give you a better nights sleep!

No matter where you work, live or travel, exploring the area by going for a run is always a great idea. You’ll improve your fitness and may just stumble across a few hidden gems.

Oh and by the way, if you’re worried about the ‘running-is-bad-for-your-knees’ offenders, the truth is that there’s actually no significant evidence behind this. In fact, there’s actually proof that there’s little correlation between regular runners and osteoarthritis. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise tracked 75,000 runners over 7 years and found no correlation between the two- including in marathon runners!!

Love your body, love your city, love your life. Go for a run.

Trainers & Headband: Nike. All images by the amazing Dean Martindale x

Victoria’s Real Secret: Boxing

January 4, 2015January 4, 2015 | tigeresskirby

With the recent Victoria’s Secret show hitting London, all eyes were on those ridiculously lean legs, to-die-for abs and fabulously toned arms. Bodies that many girls would give their right arm, leg and make-up bag for (I mean who really needs make-up anyway when you have a body like that)! But just how do those flawless ladies get their bodies? The answer… boxing!

Everybody knows what boxing is, but it’s not exactly a sport that we participated in at school. In fact, I imagine that it was rather frowned upon. But boxing has quickly become the way to get fit fast. Victoria’s Secret models Lily Aldridge, Adriana Lima and Kelly Gale have all revealed boxing as their number one workout! If it’s good enough for the Victoria’s Secrets girls, then I definitely want to give it a try. So I did.

Going to boxing gym Gymbox, I had plenty of choice as to what kind of boxing I’d want to do. I decided on Thai boxing, as I have quite a lot of leg strength so thought this would work to my advantage. My initial thoughts were ‘how hard can this really be?’ Punch a few bags, throw a few kicks. But it was way harder than I expected. I’d worked up a sweat in no time and was working practically every muscle, including ones that I hadn’t used much before (or at all).

The truth is, that these beautifully fit women actually train hard to build and maintain their bodies! Whatever your ideal body would be, you need to work for it and that’s exactly what these ladies do. Boxing is intense but fun and even after a super hard session you’re eager to get back in the ring! When I gave it a go, there was a combination of men and women training together, all encouraging each other to push harder. It was great and there was a real sense of group bonding!

If you want to get fit, toned, have a full-body workout and have fun, then boxing is definitely the way to go.

So Victoria, you’d better watch out. We know your secret and we’re coming for you! xx

Tigeress Lifestyle

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