BOOM Cycle Holborn

BOOM Cycle are redefining indoor cycling for us Londoners. Across the pond the likes of (celebrity favourite) SoulCycle have been bringing Americans the addictive, high-energy, club style cycling workouts for years & now thanks to the recent expansion to Holborn (the original site is located in Shoreditch) we have two revolutionised dedicated cycling gyms in our city.

Top Tips for Starting a Fitness Plan in The New Year

Probably the most popular New Years resolution EVER is some variation on getting healthier/ losing weight and toning up. We all rush out the first week of January and fill our fridges up with everything lean & green, resolving that this year will be the one we get the 'dream body' and stick to a gym routine for good.

Coconut Water

I love coconut water. As well as being absolutely packed with health benefits it's so refreshing & versatile in the ways you can use it. Earlier on in the summer the lovely people at Vita Coco sent us a coconut treasure chest filled with all their varieties of coconut water. It was possibly one of the best parcels I've received this year & I got ridiculously excited thinking up all the ways I could use the yummy drinks.

(Incase you're unfamiliar with coconut water & its array of benefits, to summarise; it prevents dehydration, the electrolyte rich content fuels your brain & muscles, it's anti-aging, a digestive aid & supports the immune system!)

After sipping away on Vita Coco all summer these are what I have found to be my favourite ways to enjoy coconut water & maximise its benefits.

Number one- Coconut water on its own.
Great for hydration, it's packed full of electrolytes & potassium to replenish minerals lost whether you've just done a sweaty workout or had a few too many drinks the night before. It makes the perfect post-workout/ hangover drink.

Number two- Smoothies.
I would say this is the best tip for people who don't love the taste of coconut water. Use it as the base  for your smoothie instead of milk/juice/yoghurt/water. Once its blended up with all the fruit & ice you won't be able to taste it at all, but all the health benefits will be hidden inside.

Number three- Protein shakes. 

Like smoothies, coconut water makes a great base for protein shakes instead of using milk/water. If you use protein powders, blending them with coconut water makes the prefect post-workout drink, containing everything you need to replenish tired muscles & replace lost salt & fluids from sweat. My favourite way to drink this is to use the pineapple flavour Vita Coco with a vanilla protein powder, it tastes absolutely delicious, like a fluffy vanilla milkshake. 

Number four- Ice lollies. 

I first got the idea for these after seeing really pretty recipes on Pinterest. Lots of people simply pop sliced fruit in an ice lolly mould & top up with coconut water, the finished effect once frozen is stunning but doesn't really taste of much. I prefer to make up a fruity smoothie using the coconut water & freeze it in the moulds to make a guilt free frozen treat. Not as aesthetically pleasing as these but much more yummy. If you wanted to make them with more of an ice cream consistency, blend together ripe bananas, a few dates, coconut water & a few drops of vanilla essence. They taste unbelievably naughty for something that's fat & dairy free!

Number five- Iced coffee. 

This is my take on Coco Cafe, a delicious drink consisting of espresso, milk & coconut water. Whilst it's really yummy it's quite hard to find in the UK (you can pick it up in Wholefoods & some branches of Waitrose), so it's normally easier for me to make my own. Simply blend up a handful of ice, coconut water, a shot (or two) of espresso & milk. If you like coconuts & coffee you will LOVE this! I like to have this as a pre-workout drink to make the most of the caffeine from the espresso & hydration from the coconut water.

I hope you found some of these ideas interesting. I would love to see some of your coconutty creations if you give any of these a go! Tweet me/ Instagram @twoloveslondon 

Harriet x

Fitness Tip, Kettlebells

Up until now my experience with kettlebells has been limited to a few upper body exercises. I've never got to grips with the wealth of exercises you can do with them or trained with someone who uses them for full body strength & conditioning.

As of last week I started working out with a friend who has just set up a Personal Training studio & after feeling a major lull in my workouts & generally being quite unmotivated, in just a week I feel hugely re-energised & can feel my endurance returning. The exercises he has incorporated into my workouts have been a mixture of some I'm already familiar with & some that are completely new. The ones that have made the biggest impression have been the full body kettlebell moves. Kettlebell swings, alternating swings, the kettlebell clean & (the amazing but leg destroying) burpee-deadlift.

In just a week I can notice a big difference in my lower body tone & will definitely be using these moves in the run up to summer! Looking for toned lean legs & a pert bum? Try kettlebells! A lot of gyms will offer a kettlebells workshop or class (something I explicably missed out on during 3 years at Virgin Active) so if you're stuck in a workout rut I'd take full advantage of them!

If you are based in South London & looking to kickstart your fitness regime definitely check out Ed's boutique training studio the Apex Club! The full website will be up & running soon but there's currently a online booking system that you can use to book in your first free session. Ed has a wealth of fitness experience & know-how & has kitted out the beautiful space with everything you need to get a killer workout. Paired with brand new bathrooms & shower facilities it really is a bit of a fitness gem in the Vauxhall/ Stockwell area. Ed is now on twitter as of today so if you have any fitness/ health questions pop over and say hi!

Harriet x

The Gym Group

For me The Gym is THE perfect gym! Open 24hrs, £20 a month (London price - other locations seem to be even cheaper!), masses of equipment & a big cavernous space to workout in.

It goes without saying that for this bargain price it's a no frills training zone, no fancy shower gel & body lotion in the changing rooms, no fluffy towel on arrival & no juice bar. That said, it is always kept spotlessly clean, theres normally some friendly PTs on hand if you need any advice & hardly ever a queue for equipment!

If your main reason for having a gym membership is for the classes on offer, then this gym probably isn't for you. They do have a small class timetable but it definitely isn't a priority - think a 15min abs class rather than spin & body pump every hour on the hour.

If you're comfortable training on your own (or with a friend) then I think The Gym Group is a great option. I don't use them for all my fitness needs, but given how cheap the membership is I can justify training at additional clubs.

I tend to use it for strength training - given the abundance of machines & free weights in a light airy space, it's a far more pleasant experience than being crammed in the dark corner most gyms allocate for the weights section.

If cardio is your thing I can't imagine you ever having a problem getting on the machine of your choice. There's roughly 3 times the amount of cardio equipment than I've seen in other gym chains. Many times  at Virgin Active (£90/month) I witnessed a 'treadmill queue' and each machine was stickered with a 'maximum 20mins use during peak times' notice.

all images courtesy of gymgroup.com

The one thing I miss about my more luxury 'health club' type memberships is the swimming pool & sauna facilities. But hey, theres always my local leisure centre if I feel the need to do some lengths in the pool.

You can join The Gym Group online, no negotiating with the sales team over your joining fee here. You can also freeze or end your contract at anytime for no extra charge! Find your local gym here - link!

Harriet x

Two Loves #2

Isobel Loves

Erborian BB Creme in 'light' £34

This is the stuff that dreams are made of! I can't rave about this product enough. If you can bare the hefty price tag this BB cream really is worth it. I was a BB cream virgin before I tried this product out, and I am now officially a convert. It completely evens out my skin tone, covers up blemishes and leaves my skin so soft. Sometimes I use it as a base for my foundation and other times (if I'm in a rush) I simply just apply the cream and nothing else and it lasts all day. Seeing as it was a bit of a shock going back to work after the festive season I love the fact I can just put a little on in the morning and a bit of mascara and in a flash I'm good to go! Link!

                            Yves Saint Laurent Highlighter Palette in 'Polar Light' £39.50

I got this as a Christmas present this year and is something I have wanted for AGES. I personally prefer powder highlighters to liquid ones. I use it with a small powder brush along the top of my cheekbones and on my brow bone. It has a lovely pinky tone which is gorgeous when it catches the light, and is really build-able from a light everyday dusting to a more intense glamorous party look.  It comes with a cute silver sequin pouch and the mirror that comes in the lid is amazing. Great luxurious item to have in your make up bag. Link!

Harriet Loves

Indo Board 

The Indo Board is a fun but extremely challenging piece of workout kit! Used predominantly by surfers, skaters, wake-boarders & kite surfers to strengthen the specific muscles used in these sports, it  also provides a good general fitness workout. For anyone looking to improve their balance & co-ordination along with sculpting muscles & burning calories this is a fun way to do so. I've been using the Indo Board mostly to give my core an extra blast, as I am looking for more definition in this area. I have been performing push ups, squats & cross-steps on the board once or twice a week at the end of my usual workout, and I have really noticed a difference in my balance and core strength. The benefits that push ups & squats give you when performed on a stable surface are greatly amplified on the sliding board and you really have to activate your core to stop yourself flying off! If your looking to try one out I know that they keep them in selected Fitness First clubs or you can purchase your own here link!

                                                               Homemade Tzatziki

In keeping with the healthy frame of mind I have been loving this low-fat, high protein dip as a snack with carrot & cucumber sticks, or as a light meal with wholemeal pitta.

The greek yogurt is packed with all natural protein & raw ingredients, each individual serving containing a whopping 23g of protein! This delivers steady sustained energy throughout your day which keeps you feeling fuller for longer.

This is how I like to make my Tzatziki -

1/2 pot FAGE 2% Fat Greek Yoghurt (personally I prefer to use the 2% variety, but if you wanted to you could make this recipe almost fat free by using 0%)

1/3 Cucumber - grated

1 Clove Crushed Garlic

Small Handful Chopped Mint & Dill

Squeeze of Lemon/Lime Juice

Pinch of Salt & Pepper

So simple to make you just mix it all together! You can also add a small bit of Extra Virgin Olive Oil on top which tastes yummy.

Personal Training Promotion!

Just a quick post to let anyone in the London area know that Daniel Williams Fitness is having a January sale for all new clients!

Daniel is a Black Belt in kick boxing, an ABA boxing coach (15+ years boxing experience) and a fully qualified advanced Level 3 REPs Personal Trainer. He specialises in strength and conditioning, weight loss and pre & post-natal training.

He is a mobile personal trainer working predominately in the Clapham/Wimbledon/Fulham area, but will travel anywhere in London. He brings all the equipment to you and training can take place either in your local park or at your home.

If part of your January resolution is to lose weight, tone up, get fit, or run a race then a Personal Trainer will seriously help you meet your goals in the most time effective way possible. You'll minimise the risk of injury and see far greater results than training solo.

I know Personal Training can be very expensive and therefore considered somewhat of a luxury but when you consider how much money we spend at the hairdressers, on a night out or on a new pair of designer jeans it isn't so unreasonable. Training with someone who will get you your goal body will make you look far better than expensive clothes & makeup will!

When I first started training with Daniel my body fat was almost 30% within 6 months it was down to below 20%, I went from being unable to do a single push up to doing 50 and above all being so happy with my body & feeling fitter and healthier than ever.

As a January & February 2013 promotion Daniel is offering 50% off Personal Training packages to all new clients & referrals!!

Standard price - £70/hr. Promotion - £35/hr.
Trial session & consultation - FREE!

If you would like anymore information or want to chat to Daniel about your goals you can contact him here:

email- info@danielwilliamsfitness.com
twitter- @DanWilliamsFit
phone- 07885781560

Or check out his website here!

Bikini Challenge

In the new year I came across #bikinichallenge on twitter. The premise is simple- on January 1st you upload a picture of yourself in a bikini on twitter, 6 months later you upload a similar picture, same bikini but with one difference! Hopefully in the course of 6 months you will have made some positive steps towards improving you diet, health and fitness and these changes will be obvious in your new confidence & slimline waist!

The idea is that by having the evidence up on the Internet for the world to see, it will motivate you to keep going with whatever goals you have set for yourself & not give up at the first hurdle. There is also the additional support of the 100s of other twitter users taking part in #bikinichallenge and the online fitness community to inspire, motivate and jog you along. If you are trying to make fitness & healthy living part of your 2013 then I recommend you check it out! There also are some fantastic twitter accounts that update daily tips & ticks to get you that dream summer body.

As for my own goals, nothing drastic but I would like to add more definition to my stomach & arms as well as tighten my lower body. I'll be going about this mostly by tweaking my diet and continuing with my cardio & resistance training. I'm going to keep my diet as clean as possible, keep toxins to a minimum (eliminate alcohol and reduce coffee intake) and fill up on lots of veggies. Aiming for 5% less body fat by 1st June.

all images courtesy of weheartit.com

I'll be tracking my progress both on this blog and on our twitter account @twoloveslondon

Workout of the Day 01. 01. 13

I finally got back to the gym today after about 2.5 weeks of rest from proper training! I've still maintained an active lifestyle (lots of dog walking) and some bodyweight exercises at home. But with December packed full of Birthday celebrations, my boyfriend returning to London and the lead up to Christmas I just hadn't had the time or inclination to hit the gym for a full workout.
I really let myself relax over Christmas and enjoy the festivities with family & friends, this meant my diet and alcohol consumption was slightly all over the place. I haven't gained any weight as such, but I  definitely feel softer and less defined especially in my upper body and midsection. So I set off to the gym today keen to get my pre-Christmas abs back and get back on track.

Today 

Not wanting to give my muscles a massive shock I decided to do a light full body workout & some cardio.

Warm up 

10mins brisk uphill walk, maximum incline
Dynamic stretches

     Strength     

Squats
warmed up with empty bar (20kg) 15reps squats, 5reps squat thrusts x 5 sets
after the 5 set warm up my body was fully warm and feeling loose so I loaded up the bar to 50kg 10reps x 5 sets
Deadlift 
using the same bar (50kg) 10reps x 5 sets
Lat Pulldown superset with Pushups 
(started the lat pulldown on 15kg increased by 5kg each set)
10reps lats superset with 10 pushups x 5 sets

Bodyweight

Incline Pushups superset with Tricep Dips 

10 reps each x 5 sets

Walking lunges 

1min x 3 sets

Plank 

1min x 5 sets

Cardio

20 mins sparring with my boyfriend (really got my sweat on here!)

A good little workout for New Years Day, in and out of the gym in an hour & a half. I haven't lost any strength during my training break, however endurance and fitness I struggled with. Boxing completely kicked my arse but I'm feeling very virtuous now as I kick back on the sofa watching The Wizard of Oz.

I hope your having a lovely New Years Day. If your having any trouble getting back into your fitness routine after a Christmas break, just remember that you never regret going to the gym once its done. You just need to get that first session in and from there its easy! Hx

(I'll update progress pics as I get back onboard with my diet & training)

New Years Resolutions

1. Keep really hydrated- drink at least 2 litres of water a day. During my training I really notice a difference in my performance if I'm not fully hydrated, I feel more lethargic and generally don't feel myself. In a bid to keep on top of this I'm thinking of installing a Virgin Pure water tap at home/ and only drinking water when I'm out and about- no more soft drinks! Hx

2. Get a hot bod - get into my skinniest of skinny jeans. This is my ultimate resolution (along with probably 99.9% of the population). Every year I make this a resolution and this year I intend to follow through with it. With the help of my blogging pal Harriet, who is (conveniently for me) starting up a personal training business this year, I plan to get my fitness levels back to when I ran the Great North Run in 2010. Ix

3. Get up early!- Realistically I need to have my dog walked by 9am to start my day. He's a big dog and needs at least an hour of exercise each morning, I always feel fantastic after its done, really energised and pro active. Plus walking is a great low impact exercise, fat burner and way to kick start my metabolism each day! Hx

4. Save money - This is a regular one for me, a self confessed impulse buyer and shopping addict (expect lots of haul posts from me) I need to balance my bad money habits with some serious saving. I have lots of exciting plans for this year, possibly putting a deposit down for my first house with my boyfriend, a trip to Australia to visit a friend in Sydney and starting my own personal training business- it goes without saying that I need to be more restrained and only buy something if I really NEED it. Hx

5. Keep my room tidy - I must admit, no matter how hard I try, tidiness and organisation does not come naturally to me. I'll spend hours making my bedroom into the perfect sanctuary that any girl would aspire to, then two minutes later it looks like a bomb has hit it. This year I intend my bedroom to maintain haven status at all times! Ix

6. Keep up with Hot Yoga- my training routine comprises a lot of strength training, HIIT, boxing and bodyweight exercises all of which I love. My least favourite aspect of training is stretching, I know all of the benefits and always feel great afterwards but I just find it boring and always skimp on it.
Without a good stretching routine you lose a lot of flexibility and strength as your muscles become shortened and fatigued and your recovery time after a tough workout gets considerably longer. I have done hot yoga in the past at Yoga Haven in Clapham and definitely noticed the difference when incorporating a couple of sessions a week into my routine, it allowed me to spend a few hours a week getting a really good stretch through my muscles and body, and even better I actually enjoyed it! Hx

7. Adopt a rescue kitten - Unlike Harriet I am a definite Cat person! I would absolutely love a little ginger tom to add to the family and if I can rescue one from RSPCA even better. Ix

8. No eating out in January - Although I hate to admit it, I probably eat out about 2/3 times a week and I really shouldn't seeing as I normally have a whole fridge full of food at home. It all comes down to laziness and also living in London with so many great restaurants at my fingertips. It really is an indulgence I can do without to save a few pennies and also won't do resolution number 2 any harm! Ix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg6yrdhz65s

9. Tough Mudder - "probably the toughest event on the planet" Tough Mudder is a 12mile hardcore assault course designed by the special forces. Its not a typical race where theres a competitive atmosphere and people get preoccupied with their time, you run this race in a team and its all about the camaraderie needed to get yourself and your team mates through the course. I'm planning on doing the event in June in the South of England with some of my work colleagues and friends. If your interested in trying Tough Mudder you can find them here! Hx

10. Start a blog - This is something we have been talking about for ages. So in 2013 we are really excited to bring you "Two Loves London" - beauty, fashion, fitness and lifestyle blog. I & Hx

If you are reading this and have any resolutions of your own please comment below or tweet them to us @twoloveslondon we'd love to hear from you! Harriet & Isobel x

all images courtesy of weheartit.com