We heard a rumour there’s some kind of cheesy celebration of love happening this month. F**k that shit, we’re all about sweating instead. Few freebies in here too, because everything’s better when it’s free, oh and we love you! Mwah x
FREE
Foam rolling class
Balance Performance Physiotherapy, Clapham
Every Saturday, 8.30-9am
balancephysio.com
Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m going to roll the crap out of you! This class is on throughout the year but as spring marathon training starts racking up the miles (and the niggles) we thought it’d be a good chance to mention it. The free 30-min session teaches you how to get the most out of your foam roller including the best techniques to massage quads, ITB, glutes and back. Good if you’ve just bought, or are thinking of getting, a foamy roll of evil. Call 0207 627 2308 to book.
FREE
Reebok CrossFit, Armageddon and Reebok Run Club
Reebok FitHub Richmond and Reebok FitHub Covent Garden
Various dates
reebok.com
Ah, free stuff, free stuff, you da best! The Reebok stores in Richmond and Covent Garden have a number of gratis classes happening each week. At Covent Garden there’s an introduction to CrossFit every Tuesday, 7pm, while Wednesdays at 7.30am it’s Armageddon – a fast-paced, variable intensity group class. Over in Richmond there’s a run club on Monday at 10am and Wednesday, 6.30pm. Tuesdays there’s an introduction to CrossFit at 6.30pm. Classes are open to all abilities just give the store a ring to book/find out more.
FREE
Ballet Bootcamp
Online and in Sweaty Betty boutiques from 5 Feb until the end of the month.
sweatybetty.com
Twice a year, good ol’ Sweaty Betty host complimentary seasonal classes as part of their Get Fit 4 Free campaign. This month it’s the turn of Ballet Bootcamp, a 45-minute class devised by the ridiculously toned and flexi ex-professional dancers Flik and Victoria from sleektechnique.com. I’d tell you more but when I went along to trial the session, stoopid London transport meant I only got there in time for the last five minutes. However, there looked to be a lot of leg stretching and graceful dance moves going down and Flik and Vic say the energetic routines are designed to correct posture, sculpt and strengthen. Click on the link above to find your nearest participating boutique or to take part in a virtual class online.
FIRST CLASS FREE
Superhero Bootcamp
Spencer Park, Wandsworth Common
Saturdays 10am
themphmethod.com
Restarting at the beginning of this month, after a winter break, these outdoor bootcamps are run by one of our favourite trainers, Matt Hodges. The guy really knows his stuff. We’ll be popping along later this month, probably the 15th if you want to join? Expect a mix of cardio, strength and a bit of a laugh. The first session is free, prices start from £10 per session afterwards. Enquire on the website or sign up here.
1:1 Cycling Fitness assessments
Cyclebeat, Lombard Court, City
£75, 11 Feb
cyclebeat.co.uk
Sounds good this. GB squad triathlete and fitness coach Rhian Martin will be hosting 1:1 fitness consultations to ensure you’re training in your optimal training zone and help you achieve your goals. The 45-minute consultation will include a fitness test, body composition analysis (eek) and bespoke training plan. Not cheap but if you’re training for an event could be useful. Email rhian@rhianmartinfitness.com to book an appointment.
LIJA launch
House of Fraser
14 February
houseoffraser.co.uk
Forget the chocolates, screw the diamonds, the way to our hearts is new fitness kit (ok, lied about the diamonds). Valentine’s Day sees the launch of Canadian fitness label LIJA in House of Fraser (online and selected stores). There are a few bits on the website at the mo but the full SS collection drops on 14 Feb. We’ve seen it and there are some great pieces in there including a gold jacket we’re probably not cool enough to wear. We tried a few bits on too and have to say the cut is very, very flattering.
Valentine’s Day Cycle Speed Dating
Herne Hill Velodrome
£15, 14 February
findarace.com
A big thank you to Laura from lazygirlrunning.com for bringing this event to our attention. Like cycling? Fancy men/women/others that like cycling? Bonza. All you need to attend this event is a road bike and the guys at the velodrome will help you get started. Plus, as everyone’s wearing lycra, you get to check out the goods before you buy, snigger.
Garmin Race Your Pace Half Marathon
Dorney Lake, Berkshire,
£32, 15 Feb (entries close on 10 Feb, earlier if full)
humanrace.co.uk
Got a spring marathon on the cards? Then this is the perfect opportunity to get a bit of race day practice in. Held at Dorney Lake, the rowing venue for London 2012, the flat, four lapper will be attended by the Human Race Pace team with a pacer for speeds from 6-12 min miles. Great for practicing your marathon speed and fueling or acing a half PB.
Brutal 10
Windmill Hill, Surrey
£16, 15 Feb
brutalrun.co.uk
A reasonably priced off road 10k where the obstacles are all natural – but none the easier for it. Expect extreme hills, mud, swamps, hills, woodland trails… oh, and did we mention hills?
The Chainstore Academy of Parkour/Freerunning opening
Trinity Buoy Wharf, E14
20 February
parkourgenerations.com
We are excited about this. Very excited! The UK’s first purpose-built indoor parkour facility is opening at the end of the month. Somersaults, yeah! There’ll be daily parkour classes (plenty suitable for beginners and women only), regular functional fitness and strength training classes and probably loads of cool people just hanging and like jumping off skyscrapers and stuff. We’re going to check it out on launch night and will report back.
PS. There’s a new indoor cycling studio opening at the end of the month but we’re not allowed to talk about it. Yet. Stay tuned for more info.
PPS. This is for March but come and sign up for the Swimathon with me. Only £11 and you can choose to swim 1.5k, 2.5k, 5k or any other distance you can manage. More info here sportrelief.com
Know of anything cool occurring in March? Share the love and email the deets to charlotte@lungesandlycra.co.uk Merci
