Happy Monday! A new week to tackle means a new week to live! It’s the last week of the Tigeress Lifestyle January Fitness Challenge- don’t give up now. Here’s a little Monday motivation to keep you on track. Let’s go! x
This Girl Can!
Tigeress Lifestyle January Fitness Challenge
1Rebel Gym: London’s New Fitness Destination
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.
Sign up now at 1Rebel online. xx
#Swelfie. The New Way To Pose!
The weekend is finally here and the usual selfie culprits i.e. everyone, will be hitting social with their going out faces, fancy locations (in the background) and Sunday ‘boredom’ pouts. 2014 was very much the year of the selfie, but something new is around the corner for 2015… Say hello to the swelfie!
Unfamiliar? Not for long! The sweaty selfie will be filling our feeds in no time, with the likes of Shanina Shaik, Peter Andre, Justin Bieber, Mimi Elashiry and Adriana Lima already sharing their post-workout faces with the world. So swap your praise-for-pouts to praise-for-dedication by getting your #swelfies at the ready!
I for one think that deserves a great big like. In fact, I might even push to a comment. xx
I’ve even jumped in on the trend… #swelfie
Tigeress Lifestyle January Fitness Challenge: Day 15
It’s 15 days since the Tigeress Lifestyle January Fitness Challenge began; twenty minutes of exercise each day and a cleaner diet than 2014, all the way through Jan! How many of you have managed to keep it up? If the answer’s no (or if you haven’t even started!!) or you’re starting to feel a little demotivated, here are a few little tips on how to keep on top of your January Challenge goals.
Do your 20 minutes of exercise in the morning. This is for those of you who struggle with the exercise side of things. 20 minutes isn’t an excessive amount of exercise, but it’s enough to give you a good workout and to improve your fitness. Working out in the morning sets you up for the day ahead and means that it’s out of the way, so you can feel good about yourself for the rest of the day and won’t have the excuse of no time or being too tired in the evening. It also encourages you to crave more healthy food throughout the day- who’d have thought!
Schedule a workout. If morning exercise really isn’t for you, then make sure to pencil your daily exercise into the diary. Be realistic. If you have a meeting straight after lunch are you really going to have time to exercise during your break. 20 minutes is only 1.4% of your day- you can make time for it.
Change your phone screensaver. To a motivational image! Be it that girl or guy that you admire, a picture of you looking a god damn mess (this one really does work) or a picture of yourself that you really love, this is one way to constantly remind yourself of what you want to achieve!
Buy some new sportswear or equipment. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, the better we feel about ourselves when working out, the harder we train. Get yourself some new gear and you’ll feel a greater urge to exercise! Also, keeping gym equipment such as hand weights, a yoga mat or exercise ball in the house gives you no excuse not to get a quick workout in at home. 20 minutes blasting out some abs drills and you’ll feel amazing- trust me!
Get a gym buddy! Training with somebody can sometimes give your competitive streak a little kick up the bum. Whenever I train with a friend I always want to work just as hard as they are and if I hear that they’ve been to the gym without me, then I have to work out! Nobody wants to feel like they’re getting left behind, so grab a partner and get encouraging each other to get moving!
Stock up on the good stuff. Fill your cupboards with healthiness! Ordering an online food shop is a great idea, as you won’t be tempted to throw in quite as many naughty finds. You’ll find that you’re more likely to eat what’s in, than to pick something potentially spur-of-the-moment at lunch or on the way home! Buying healthy snacks such as bananas, hummus, nuts or frozen fruit is always a good idea too. Unfortunately it’ll mean that cheeky stop off for a chocolate bar won’t be needed quite so often!
Tell people what you’re doing. Ever had that feeling when you’re supposed to be doing something amazing like heading to a big party and people ask how it was only for you to murmur that it fell through? Not a good one right! Tell people about your new fitness, health, lifestyle goals and you’ll feel a greater need to actually carry them out.
Write down your goals and be specific! Writing down your aims is more effective than you might think towards helping you to achieve them. Be specific about what exactly you want to do. For example, ‘I want to add 10 pounds to my bicep curls,’ is much more effective than, ‘I want to get stronger.’ You’ll be able to measure you’re improvements and feel more motivated to push closer towards your goal.
Don’t forget, any kind of exercise is allowed and it will depend on your ability, from power walking to yoga, long runs to sprints, swimming to boxing. Anything. Even walking the dog counts. The Tigeress Lifestyle January Fitness Challenge is all about improving your fitness and health in a realistic way. A lifestyle change to influence the rest of your year and beyond! Stay posted for my daily fitness, health and fashion posts throughout the rest of the month and keep up the great work! xx
When Moving Backwards Gets You Forward!
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
Tigeress Lifestyle 
