14 Nov REVIEW: SoulBody Barre – Fitness First

A brand new gym class just launched at Fitness First, the name suggests something that could possibly be good for the soul? BGD’s Vicky heads down to try it out…

Walking into Fitness First Tottenham Court Road this Morning at 7.40 (Well… 7.45, I was late.. Oops!) I head upstairs to the mind and body studio to try the brand new one hour long, SoulBody Barre Class.

SoulBody Barre is a mix between a barre and Pilates class, that helps to tone, trim and transform your body. The studio is lit with dim lighting that helps you feel relaxed and a funky uplifting movement that provides the motivation to dance through.

Tone, trim and transform your body.

The first half of the class was performed on a yoga mat with a ball performing toning exercises such as crunches, pulses and lifts which really got my body working – especially first thing in the morning. Whilst the second was delivered on the barre which involved traditional ballet movements such as plie’s and ballet kicks was probably my favourite section. You work up quite a sweat jumping up and down and definitely feel those muscles that were worked during the first section.

The SoulBody class programme is typically broken down into the following phases:

·         Warm up

·         Plank/push-ups

·         Shoulders/back with band

·         Triceps/biceps/back with weights

·         Abdominals with ball

·         Mid-class stretch

·         Thigh/quads/calves

·         Hip/seat

·         Core mat work with ball and band

·         Final stretch

BGD’s Vicky practising the ab workout with the instructor

I leave feeling refreshed, awake and with very tense ab muscles. I’ll certainly be returning!

Book into your SoulBody class in Fitness First clubs including: Baker Street, Tottenham Court Road, Cottons, Solihull and St. Albans