Check out all circuit training reviews.
If you are looking for improving your strength, stamina and at the same time flexibility and core balance, you won't be disappointed by Rohit's class. He is a great trainer and motivator. What I like the most about his classes is the fact that they are highly demanding and challenging, and that there is always something new added into the circuits. Using different tools like ropes and suspensions allows you to train different muscles and to learn something different. Whenever I attend Rohit's class I feel that I am not losing my time and I am actually working out.
This gym has an intense and motivational energy (most of the gym instructors push you to your limit and the dj's are great for enhancing the ambience) that means you work out harder. I've been to quite a few gyms and feel like the instructors here focus more on your technique and ensure you work harder, they also talk to you and interact with the class more. The front desk staff are really nice too. Great music and a excellent selection of classes (from quirky to hard core). I recommend the Kick boxing class on Saturday, the Wednesday spin class at 6.45pm and the Monday circuit class at 7.30pm.
This was very conveniently located. The equipment worked well and it was not too crowded. The staff and personal trainers were not very friendly when they found out I was using a voucher and took a long time to process me. Overall good value for money though.
I went to my first bootcamp with my friend and we had a great experience at the Cotswold venue. We have looked at prices in the past and nothing could beat the price we paid. It was great value for money and can't wait to do it again. The booking process was a little frustating but well worth it in the end. The venue gave us everything we needed with clean rooms and excellent healthy meals. I would have no issue booking onto a bootcamp on my own as everyone was so friendly. The staff made the weekend run so well and all of them done a great job making me feel important as an individual rather than just part of group of many. Thank you all very much!
I have been working out with Rohit at MFB since November 2011, and I have been able to transform my body in about 3 months, by losing a stone and a half (10 kg) whilst gaining muscle and body definition.
I have been a member of most of the major-chain gyms for the last 10 years, but going to the gym never yielded any results, as I discovered I am just not able to motivate myself to perform constant, vigorous excercise that has one's pulse always at around 80% of max and leaves them without breath, for 60 mins.
Rohit's classes have always been different and varied, which also helps to avoid falling into a routine.
Yes, they are tough, but my word of advice is - there aren't any short-cuts to weight loss and body definition...
Nowadays, I always go for two hours in a row, doing suspension training and circuits followed by body combat with Rohit.
For more detailed reviews on this gym and fitness visit my blog:
http://wellwhathappenedwasis.blogspot.com/
I've been a member of this gym for about a month now. It is cheap at £15 a month but very busy! The equipment is quite modern, the gym area and changing rooms are clean and the staff are friendly. On the negative side there are a few hidden costs for minor things like padlock for the lockers and fines for not attending classes. The classes are so busy that you need to book a full week in advance and very early in the morning to stand a chance of getting in. In the classes the instructors give very basic instructions and I have some concerns about safety where they do not instruct on proper 'form' but at £15 a month you can't expect perfection.
LA Fitness Marylebone apart for some of the trainers that are not up to par and only like training pretty young girls, I am not young but yet I am good looking female and I was treated shabbily by some of them. I found that overall the LA Fitness in Marylebone is Ace.
Brilliant place, brilliant vibe, brilliant people, one word....brilliant!
Amazing venue, trainers and amazing up to date equipment. Would recommend.
We had a lovely day at the Breadsall Priory.
We chose the back massage which was very relaxing then we went for a swim and sauna afterwards we had lunch there which finished the morning perfectly a great day out
I mainly used the gym equipment which gets busy at peak times. The sauna and changing room facilities are spacious. The equipment is more modern than some of the other fitness first gyms. I'd go again!
Very welcoming, friendly and helpful staff (both on the desk and in the gym), great facilities and great classes. Always clean and never any problem getting on the equipment. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
lovely place fantastic facilities would definately go again .staff were very professional nothing was to much trouble made you feel at ease layout of the club was a bonus a really enjoyable experience
Excellent place to train, clean, friendly & respectful.
Great equipment but most of all quality trainers who know their stuff.
Martial arts can be intimidating to new comers but this gym caters for all, even the most nervous.
If you want to develop your confidence, fitness, learn an art or learn how to fight this is the place for you...Ive train in martial arts around the country & Stars gym is one of the best.
I had any kind of service and it's poor, cheap, always late or classes are cancelled, disgusting showers and swimming pool....I complained till I could now I'll get my membership cenceled. I rather be fat than catch a desease! People bring your money somewhere else!
It was a lovely experience. I have suggested it to several of my friends and would probably do it again! the excercise was nice, the outdoor environment was pleasant, the trainer was professional and very nice. It was all very lovely.
Great venue and great PT's who listen to your needs and correct you when necessary. Would go back and would definitely recommend it to friends!
The venue is great, simple, clean and inviting. No fuss there!
Called in on way back form work on a free pass I got of their website. Staff very friendly, place was clean and decent buzz, joined since, really enjoying it
I chose it for the location. I like to have a lot of classes available to me. Th fitness first I visited did not have a big choice since I'm guessing it's one of the smaller ones. And I really missed a pool. But if you just want to use the machines and don't mind if there isn't a pool then it's fine.
The gym itself is quite cramped and reception always a bit messy. Most receptionists don't know about the deal so have to go off and ask someone else what to do but once that is out of the way it was actually a pretty good deal to test this gym and some classes. They are however very strict and checked if I had really booked into a class before letting me in, so I couldn't just use the gym itself without having booked a class before. Circuit was very good, with 12 stations for 11 people, it was a really good workout and I will go back.
been member for more than 8 years i have never seen they spend any money on club refreb oh shower is cleaner in hostels
all good equipment not high tec but ok after all this is Holmes Place which just changed name
after hard work out in area with no air con for almost 3 month now you go to 1st floor steam and shower you cant get shower as it gose hot and cold all time you go to grand floor shower tiles are lose shower broken i have pesonaly spoken to sparky works there he told me i am just electrician i can not do all job this is holmes place come on maanager you need to do some thing
there is brand new gym will be open near by farringdon i can not wait for them to open so get away from this poorly manged club i have made lots of comment but the manager are always coming up with some thing the cafe area wooden floor was laied down when i moved to barbican flats at 1985 this need to be look at
It was a brilliant and very worthwhile weekend. I felt great when I returned! A really important thing to note is that the benefits of attending the weekend have carried on after leaving and I am much more motivated than before and hope to continue pushing myself more as I have seen results.
Lastly I have to mention the new friends I made and the laughs we had...especially when we weren't supposed to be laughing!! ;) Big thanks to Will and Neil for pulling it all together so well. I would definitely recommend the bootcamp at Flore to anyone thinking of taking part.
The staff are amazing - the classes are fun - Would strongly recommend - They change the content of the classes frequently so you don't get bored - the people on the course are fun too.
The fitness instructors running the classes were really welcoming. The classes were great a bit of gentle pushing without boot camp style pressure. I would definitely recommend going to Balham's Fitness First.
The classes are great I done the circuit and body pump class which I have never done before. The spin classes are great. The gym is clean.The Staff are welcoming and always available to assist.
I was very satisfied with my bootcamp experience.
Nathan Carr is a true professional and knows his stuff! The other trainers were equally good and I found it more eneficial to ahve different trainers each day of the week(Nathan was always present though) to vary the workouts.
I lost over a stone in a month, with 3 sessions a week plus a healthy Weight watchers eating plan.
Thank you!
I had a great experience with Heart & Soul Fitness they were recommended to me by a friend who was still training with them. I am middle aged and have started carrying some extra weight and generally my fitness was poor. Due to my job I am frequently away travelling and my diet is terrible because of this.
However I am a month in with training with a trainer at Heart & Soul Fitness and they are excellent! The trainer I have is making me keep a food diary and pushing me in every session to lengths I did not think possible on my body.
Mixed and varied exercises for people of all fitness levels by professional personal trainers who certainly know there stuff. They have a functional training room which is very different to anything I have seen before. CrossFit style training using your own body weight and doing exercises in circuits timed so you get a cardio workout for your heart & lungs.
In just under a month training 3-4 times a week I feel stronger, fitter and more flexible. I am starting to look how I want to and think about my lifestyle choices more. Heart & Soul Fitness have had a positive impact on my life and have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone.
This branch of FF appears to be one of the smaller gyms but it's proximity to the City & Old Street mean it was very busy at peak times. However unlike other city gyms, the other users were more friendly & considerate and there was none of the usual 'machine-hogging' business. I did want to attend some of the classes however they were few & far between.
The compact size of the gym combined with busy periods meant I was jostling for space on the workout mats with other users & having to fit around PT sessions. I wanted to use the kettle bells but didn't dare try for fear of knocking someone out!
Another slight irritation was that the sales staff registering me with for my 5 day pass didn't seem particually interested in helping me. I had to make an appointment to register & meet a member of the sales team for a tour, however when they found I was a Wahanda customer with a voucher, I was simply handed a pass card & pointed down the stairs. I found the gym, changing rooms & other facilites myself after a while of walking around lost. The sales staff also would only allow me have access to the gym on 5 consecutive days, despite the deal being set for to be for 5 single days access. This meant that I ended up only using the gym twice, rather the the 5 days I paid for.
The steam room & sauna were the cleanest &most welcoming I've been into in a London city gym, with the addition of a warm (but not hot) aromatherapy room to relax in. I've not used an aroma room before and thought it was a great touch for added relaxation when a pool is lacking.
General opinion - an ok gym, if you're looking for something smaller and less 'flashy' in the city, although avoid peak periods. Also the warm, welcoming feel is provided more from the other members & their considerations towards each other rather than from the staff. I would have expected more of a welcome & assitance, in particular on my first visit & especially seeing that I was a potential new member. My search for a new gym to join is not quite over yet....
Good location, clean friendly staff unfortunately I attended during my lunch break and it was packed (peak times at the gym) luckily I had booked my class early that morning
One point to note is that the on-line timetables seem to differ from those taking place in the gym
In order to become a regular memeber I wouldh ave to look closely at the times I could attend - overall I am glad I took the offer as it was definetly worth it
The staff was very friendly. I received a call to arrange and book in my first appointment, which was helpful. They had all the equipment and facilities I needed. I am looking forward to going back.
Wasn't impressed. A member of staff told me I could not use it non-consecutively until he had read the small print properly, then after my class he took my voucher away from me saying that I didn't need it (he gave me another dated form). When I returned the next week I was asked why my pass wasn't signed off the first time although I had told the memeber of staff he had to do this. My friend had exactly the same problem with her pass in another FF. Now the Croydon FF is closed until further notice because of the riots which is not their fault, however everything else is open in West Croydon and FF was not touched during the riots so I am confused as to why. I feel I may have wasted money buying this pass.
I used to be a member of this club and have recently joined again. At first I thought the price per month was expensive but since leaving and trying other Gym's in the area i've realised what actual value for money I had with LA. Lynn sport the next closest (in offering) is £2 per month more for the same level of cover, ie gym, cardio, classes and swimming yet you have to travel to the pool as its not in the same location. Along with this Lynn sport allows people to pay as they use which on the face of things sounds good but when several unsavoury characters kept showing up I wanted the exclusivity of a private members facility. I'm so pleased I made the step to re-join and the staff comitment to my goals are second to non, like most things you get out what you put in and so long as you don't shy away from asking if you need advice or motivation then its readily available. I can't wait to get back in shape and hopefully meet new friends and enjoy my fitness routine once more.
I bought the £5 for 5 fitness classes for Fitness First through Wahanda and it was even better than I imagined. I went to Fitness First Moston. The person on reception was very helpful and ran through all the classes and was a mine of information. The classes were tough but you were allowed to work at your own pace and all the staff involved were helpful and friendly. Overall, a great experience.
The venue had a limited number of classes - one per day - and there was some talk of doing outdoor classes but none have transpired yet. Very small gym area with limited number of machines.
Really good customer service from the receptionists and the quality of instructors in the classes wereexcellent. Very clean and welcoming atmosphere. Especially enjoyed the spinning class and the circuits. Good location and facilities.
I have attended a 1 week boxing bootcamp, a 2 week bootcamp and also their regular sessions. Tim and Steve are amazing and have managed to keep me, not only interested in attending sessions, but also actually looking forward to them. I think its the first time in my life that I haven't used the weather as an excuse to get out of classes.
Tim and Steve are friendly and at the same time push you to work out hard but in an extremely motivating way. The workouts are fun, varied and challenging and anyone of any fitness level can participate.
I have attended outdoor classes with a few different companies, but this is by far the best!
I bought the £5 for 5 sessions thinking this would be good value however i only attended one class therefore it was not really good value. I found the classes very limited at this club.
I love going to my sessions of bootcamp. I go to the morning sessions before I start work and it really gets me started for my day. We always have different things to do and I have really noticed a difference in my fitness since I started. I would recommed Susses bootcamp to anyone!!!
I joined their outdoor fitness boot camp sessions in January in Clapham. It's a great pair of brothers who really know how to make exercise fun. It's brilliant value - you can spend far more going to the gym for less enjoyment and fewer results - I have! Definitely recommend it - it's not just about the exercise, it's about the great group of people who exercise with us also and the laughs we have along the way! P.S. Love the kettlebells and kick-boxing/boxing - and their intensive two-week bootcamps with diet plan are brilliant value for money.
I have already told all my friends to go because I had a fabulous time. I went on a 2 day fitness retreat and loved every minute. The facilities and setting were beautiful, the food was lovely and the peace was especially welcome. As in all things it is the people that make any experience and the trainers and management were super. I really got a lot from these few days and will rebook soon. If you feel at all tentative about throwing yourself into a fitness retreat, you really don't need to at Hillmotts. You will work hard but you smile a lot too.
Signed up initially for a 2 week early morning bootcamp and lost about 9lbs- now going 2-3x a week and feeling fitter than I've felt in years- Steve and Tim do a great job and are very motivating.
The Walker Brothers have put together a great workout in the park, incorporating equipment that you won't find in other outdoor classes (kettle bells, TRX, tyres), and the price is right! Sizes are small enough to feel like a personal training session, and the group dynamics are really comfortable and fun. Unlike other outdoor groups I've tried, classes run year round, which means I don't have to scramble to find something else to do after a few weeks' time. I've definitely toned up and feel stronger now that I'm working out with Tim and Steve, and I can't imagine moving on to the other workout groups in the park...
I've been attending Walker Bros sessions for 6 months now. After our trial period ran out, Me and my boyfriend cancelled our gym memberships and signed up full time to Walker Bros Fitness. Tim and Steve have finally made us realise exercising outdoors works!
I recommend both the boot camps and the general sessions. The trainers are motivating and they've not just educated me on the positives of exercise but they've also changed the way I eat.
Its like a personal training session for a fraction of the price.
travelled a very long way for a 3 day retreat and it was well worth the effort. Incredibly hard work for someone who hasnt worked out for over 5 years ! but fantastic. David was our personal trainer and he pushed us hard in a nice way, and with great results. Couldnt recommend it enough. Would have happily stayed longer.
The manager at this place is one of those people who thinks he can talk down to you when hes alone with you but then starts to backtrack when you confront him in the open. I love the satff here, They are very friendly but the manager has small man syndrome. I dont like being patronised in a gym, I go there for the workout to relieve stress not gain more. I have cancelled my contract due to us not being able to reconcile. All in all, Gym is average to say the least. Better off at the New Malden centre down the road.
Great facilities with plenty of equipment.
Lovely health club, nice and clean. Facilities were all well laid out ans easy to use. The club was quite busy when we went but there was plenty of room for us to use the equipment. Parking good. Staff very nice as well. Thanks!
I had been thinking about taking up some form of exercise for a long while but was put off by the thought that if I joined a gym, firstly everyone there would be much fitter than me in their skin-tight Lycra and, and secondly I’d always find something else more urgent to do so would never actually get there. Although not particularly overweight, I was definitely unfit so knew something had to be done sooner or later.
I was nervous when I went to my first session in my very clean white trainers and newly bought exercise outfit (actually from TU at Sainsbury’s – very reasonable!) but found everyone to be friendly and welcoming. Having done no exercise for more years than I care to admit and heading towards a “special” birthday (sadly, not 40) I found the session quite challenging; there’s a whole range of exercises which you do for short bursts so it’s never boring, and we were given different difficulty levels within an exercise so you all took part as a group so it was never an ‘us and them’ situation (i.e. fit and unfit), also the trainer encourages you to do the best you can and being part of a group encourages you to try harder. I was warned after the first session by some of the regular Bootcampers that my legs would feel the strain the following day but I hadn’t realised just how unfit I actually was and was hobbling round like an old woman! However I strangely enjoyed the aches as it reminded me that I was doing something positive and not just sitting on my backside surfing the net looking for quick fixes.
I am now coming to the end of my third Bootcamp and am surprised by how much I am enjoying it. I have noticed an increase in my upper arm strength (although there’s still a long way to go), my legs are more toned and although I still get out of breath after jogging or skipping, my heartbeat gets back to a normal rate much more quickly than before. I have a more positive mental outlook and am introducing the Bootcamp way of thinking into my home life without having to make huge changes, such as drinking green tea instead of PG Tips with milk, snacking on nuts or carrots and hummus rather than a bag of crisps and taking a big bowl of salad and fruit into work for lunch rather than sandwiches and a biscuit. I am also trying to get a taste for organic dark chocolate but that’s proving to be a bit more of a challenge!
I like the way that there is a lot of back-up available, it’s not just attending the workout sessions - there’s advice on nutrition, a blog where there are regular posts and videos, plus a members’ site where you can share your comments with other Bootcampers. Rather than taking out an open membership at a gym to attend when you can, you have a structured routine of times to attend and you get to know the other people in your group so if you ever feel you can’t be bothered to go, you feel an obligation to attend otherwise they’ll be worried about you!
To anyone who is thinking of signing up I would say DO IT, there’s really nothing to lose, and there’s a lot to gain.
The staff are friendly, approachable and check you use the equipment properly. The raise money for charities by holding events, sell magazines, Curves fitness clothing and gym bags which did suprise me.
However, Ive been unable to attend for month due to illness and am hoping they will alllow a freeze on my account until I am fit enough to return.
They hold events where you can join (as I did) for a low ONE-OFF membership fee, then choose how you want to pay your attendance fees, ongoing/monthly/lump sum which is very good.
Bootcamp was recommended to me by a friend, as she had previously been and the results on her body shape and weight loss were fantastic, so I thought I would sign up and give it a go!
On my first evening I was very aprehensive as I didnt really know what to expect but was greeted by the lovely trainer Jo and she immediately made me feel at ease. The group was a mixture of ages and abilities and everyone was really friendly and welcoming, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
The 45 minute sessions went so fast! Jo continually checked that we were getting the most out of all our exercises and was very encouraging throughout. We were asked at the start of camp to set ourselves targets or goals of what we'd like to achieve and then each session were reminded of these goals and how to try and improve ourselves gradually each session. Jo also offered nutrition guidance at the end of sessions so we could aid our weight loss through a more balanced diet. There was also an online forum for continued support and guidance.
The Bootcamp sessions were so motivating and made me realise how bored I had become of my regular gym and aerobics routines! Even after the first week I felt more toned, so this really spurred me on, and the Boxing sessions at the end of the week were a really fun end to the week and start to the weekend. The exercises are challenging but you work to your own pace, so they are easily achievable for all abilities.
I would definitely recommend Bootcamp to anyone looking for a change in their exercise routine or who is looking for a fun and friendly way to lose weight and improve their fitness. Being outside in the fresh air beats being stuck in the gym any time!!
I started Sussex Bootcamps in February 2011 with a friend of mine. We had previously tried lots of different exercise activities together including gym, aerobics classes, boxercise and running but we had never found anything that gave us the weight loss and toning results we wanted, as well as being enjoyable and keeping us motivated. Sussex Bootcamp had been recommended to us by a friend and we had never done anything like it before so we thought we'd give it a try.
We were both quite nervous on the first session as we didnt really know what to expect but we were really warmly welcomed but our trainer Jo who explained what we would be doing and asked us questions about our current level of fitness and activity. The group were a real mixture of abilities and age and everyone seemed really friendly; despite some of the members obviously knowing each other for quite some time through the classes we were made to feel really welcome, and the atmosphere was very comfortable so we didn't feel worried about asking for guidance or clarification on any of the exercises or activities.
We found that the difficulty level was set really well; with the first session being tough but manageable and then the sessions getting gradually more challenging as the 4 weeks went on. This was really effective as i really felt like i was pushing myself and i could feel in just the first few weeks that i had already made big improvements. This is assisted by Jo who encourages you to monitor your own performance and to set yourself goals for the exercises and also for weight loss and body measurements. I was amazed how quickly i could feel my body changing as the bootcamp sessions went by; although i was reasonably fit when i started i had previously done mostly cardio work and the exercises at bootcamp were clearly working my body all over for the first time; i noticed very quickly that my stomach and my thighs particularly felt a lot more toned. I also tried to maintain my running at least once a week and was amzed at how much my muscle strength had obviously improved from bootcamp as the hills seemed so much easier!
The nutritional talks given by the trainers are also great and i have made small changes to my diet based on their advice which have also helped to change my body shape - and increased my energy levels! I am now in my 4 month of bootcamp and overall i have reduced my dress size from a 12 to a 10, lost around half a stone and have reduced measurements in all areas of my body - including 3 inches off of my waist!
I would thoroughly recommend Sussex Bootcamps to anyone; the group and trainers are friendly, the sessions are manageable yet challenging and there is always advice and support available both at the sessions and from the online forums. This is the only exercise activity i have ever found that has kept my interest and with the results you get so quickly you cant help but stay motivated!!
"I've signed up to gyms, I've played loads of sports, yet nothing seems to motivate me as much as Walker Bros Fitness."
I had a very positive and motivational experience. Taking hikes in the country side was amazing, it was nice to breathe in fresh air and get a phenomenal workout at the same time.
It was definitely great value and money well spent.
The trainers and therapist were very experienced and I learned a lot of new things about how to benefit the most for my workouts as well as eating healthy delicious and filling foods. The meals that were prepared were very tasty and left me feeling full.
They provide a wide range of fitness routines throughout the day which are fun and the days fly by very fast. I loved the zumba, yoga, circuit training and trying new ways and routines of exercising that I never have before.
I feel detoxed and renewed with more energy than I've had in years!
I recommend this to anyone as there were wide range of ages, male and female with various levels of fitness and endurance during my stay.
I had a fantastic 5 days at the Hillmotts and would recommend the facility/experience to all of those who are keen to be educated in fitness and healthy lifestyle as well as those wanting to have a luxury pamper in the spa.
The staff were amazing, a lot of fun and understanding they really understood what may objectives were, and taught me that exercise and maintaining a health food balance can be exciting rather than daunting.
I left the facility feeling great, full of energy and most importantly motivated to sustain a healthy lifestyle.
I went to Hillmotts to kick-start my fitness regime, which had been sadly neglected over the winter months. I signed up for the 3 day fitness retreat, which started on a on Friday morning and finished on a Sunday afternoon. The mix of classes and fitness training gave an excellent workout - and I found muscles I didn't know I had! There were eight people in the group and there was always one and sometimes two trainers with us, offering support and encouragement. All of the group were fitter (and younger) than me, but it didn't matter. Everyone was encouraged to stretch beyond their own current level of fitness, rather than compete against one another... which worked perfectly for me. The three days were challenging and rigourous, but the outcome was exactly what I wanted... a huge sense of achievement and a renewed desire to continue to get fitter and healthier. The food was nutritious and the attention and support was excellent. I also enjoyed a body massage, which came at the end of the middle day and was just great! I will certainly go again, for a boost and to help maintain my focus.
Spent three days at Hillmotts on a fitness retreat. The experience was exhausting and exhilarating and physically shattering and absolutely brilliant. You never know what you can achieve until someone challenges but also encourages you as well as they do at Hillmotts. I worked out so hard for three days, I ate good healthy and very appetising meals, I spent as much time as possible exercising outdoors and spent the time with instructors who knew what they were talking about and were able to impart their knowledge in an interesting and entertaining way which meant that I remembered so much more of it! I also had lots of fun too! I recommend Hillmotts absolutely.
I Went with my sister which was really nice, i had a really great time and i enjoyed all the activities which were very challenging. The food i enjoyed as well and the fitness instructers were really nice. I will return again. Angela 191.
I went to Hillmotts as part of a group of 10 ladies, we were really looking forward to the day and had high expectations - and they were met! We had a fantastic morning with a few different trainers doing a wide variety of work outs followed by a delicious lunch (and a chat about nutrition) then we did a 5 mile brisk walk through the beautiful country side. And last but not least treatments in the spa. We all had a wonderful day and will definitely be going back again!
Tip top doesnt even begin to come close to describing Hillmotts !
We went as a group of 10 regular lady 'Boot Campers' and everything about our day exceeded expectation. The staff were friendly, professional, helpful, knowledgeable but above all, very, very hard working and dedicated. Nothing was too much trouble ! They made us feel so welcome and went to a great deal of trouble to make sure that our day was absoloutely perfect.
Our group were already planning our next visit before the last one had finished.I have never been to any other establishment where the staff made such an effort.
I cannot recommend Hillmotts enough - please do go and try it - you wont be disappointed !
Great gym would recommend to family and friends.
Very clean, staff were very friendly and there was a variety of classes and equipment to use.
The gym was fairly quiet when I went so managed to use everything I wanted to.
My wife and I went to Hillmotts to kick start my fitness and weight loss - a lifestyle change.
I need to lose about 6 stone in total. I lost 6llbs in 5 days at Hillmotts and was a great deal fitter at the end than the start. For example I could not do a single full sit up at the start, at the end of 5 days I could do them for 1 minute without a break, not the fastest in the room but a big improvement. So I was very pleased with the results. My wife attended to support me, she did not really need to lose weight and was much fitter than me but she did feel fitter at the end and had lost 2 or 3 llbs.
We experienced hiking in lovely surroundings. The circuit training was varied and some exercises were very tough. The TRX provided good body support whilst being challenging and interesting. Also did Yogas each day which I was surprised how much I enjoyed.
So I would really emphasise that they manage to deal with people of varying ability effectively and push every one sufficiently to ensure you do make progress with fitness. So for example on the hikes my wife and I went with different groups taking different routes and distances.
The menus were varied and tasty and whilst designed to promote weight loss we did not feel starved at any point. Recipes are provided for all the meals and we took the optional cookery course as well which was excellent with more recipes to take away. Many additional support materials are provided when you leave on nutrition and diet, all very good.
I have rated the facilities as OK but do not be put off by this; it is because I know they plan some significant additions in 2011. The facilities are split between a hotel and the fitness lodge, you are transported to and from each day and it is only 3 or 4 minutes journey.
The combination of fitness training, yoga, spa treatments, hiking, diet and nutrition advice with hotel facilities available in the evenings is excellent. The one area perhaps some improvement is needed is the outdoor (actually in a marquis) circuit training/TRX facility which is probably fine in summer, spring and autumn but could be too cold in the winter weeks we attended, but they still managed to get me sweating!
We met some really nice people also of varying ages and fitness.
This was my first experience of a fitness retreat, would I recommend it for the very unfit and obese (I hate that word but it still fits - but not for long I intend) yes definitely, and would I recommend Hillmotts, yes again and I am sure with the plans Cleo described to me it will be even better in the months and years ahead.
So finally many thanks to Cleo, Neil and the rest of team at Hillmotts for giving me a real boost to become fitter and get down to a sensible weight. I had started before I went and have continued since I left and have lost 2 stone 3 llbs in about 4 and half months, so have 3 stone and 11 llbs to go, which now certainly seems achieveable by summer 2011 .
This was the most amazing experience. The trainers are brilliant and the setting of the place is awesome - all really inspiring. There was a great crowd on this trip, but it's the staff that really make it. They really know their stuff, and give you lots of personal attention. The food was great too, and plenty of it. I would recommend this 100%.
I went to this once or twice a week. Kat was doing classes 3 times a week. At the beginning of the month it was tough but at least there were 6 of us, all of differing fitness levels, to laugh about it. Kat changes exercises quickly so you don't get bored (you do get exhausted). We do everything from running to bench presses, to games and boxing. By the end of the month it was easy to see the difference in fitness of all of us. It was also great to be outside in the park at your lunch break.
Definitely worth it.
I attended LFD for the first time about 1 1/2 years ago, and my life has never been the same. I was invited for the first time by a friend at my church, so I decided to go out and give it a try. I've been going ever since. I was regularly using my inhaler for my asthma before attending LFD and within a very short period of time, found myself not even needing it anymore. I have obviously lost weight and gotten in shape because of the group, but I think the highlight of LFD is the comaraderie and friendship that is built between everyone that attends. It is so much more fun and motivating to work out with other people. You push yourself further than you would normally go and you find great strength in doing things together. The instructors are great at making sure everyone gets a good workout whether an individual is a first-timer who isn't in very good shape or someone who has been exercising for a long time. You will get a great workout, and it'll be an amazing experience that you'll want to continue for a long time.
I started coming to LFD bootcamp in the spring of 2009, and was truly unable to run over a 1/2 mile at a time. At the time, I probably could only keep up with about 50% of the rest of the workout, too. I've stuck to it for almost a year and a half, and all I can say is - WOW! Not only can I keep up with the rest of the group, I love showing up for the camaraderie (and, I've got a couple of 1/2 marathons and a sprint triathlon under my belt so far!). This is not an in-your-face, drop-and-give-me-another- 50-pushups scene. It's a rigorous workout with a great deal of encouragement and enthusiasm throughout the hour. I feel great at the end of our early morning workout, and I'm ready to face the day! I'd recommend the LFD bootcamp for those who are fit and looking for a great group environment, as well as for beginners who are ready to get started on getting fit. Hey - if I can do it, so can you!
I found myself losing strength and stamina due to the changes in my work. Spending long hours in my truck and few doing any kind of physical activity, I knew I needed to do something. I never worked out at a gym. I was talking to one of the instructors in the program and he was telling me it is a boot camp workout program. I was not able to serve, so I had no real experience with "boot camp" so I had no basis of comparison. Just another catch phrase. The difference is the background of the instructors. These are all ex-military. They have all served in special forces groups or instructed them in training. So I went to a complimentary session on a Friday. Then spent the rest of the weekend in painful realization of how poor my condition was. These guys can and will find a way to work every muscle in your body. They demand your best efforts and a strict policy of proper conduct from instructors and participants. No negative talk allowed..... There is a great deal of motivation in having 20 plus people calling the count together. At the end of the session everbody is complimenting everybody else on how well they did. In a year with this program I have regained a level of strength and stamina I have not had since I was a teenager.
This was my first ever venture into the world of boot camps. I had no expectations going in, but came away thrilled. The instructors were knowlegeable and motivating. They pushed me beyond what I thought my limits to be and helped me achieve my goals. In four months, I lost 15 pounds (probably more lbs. in fat...but I added muscle) and two sizes in my waist. I highly recommend to anyone serious about their physical conditioning and overall cardiovascular health.
Really enjoying my sessions with the walker bros fitness guys. I have lost weight already and I think it is the best fitness bootcamp out there much better than the army bootcamps as they have personality and all the equipment.
Although Kingsdown looks old from the outside, the facilities and staff inside are top rate. I did a class called CubaTone, it was great fun and I really felt I had done a work out. As for the gym the membership it is reasonable and everything is included so took advantage of the sauna. Staff seem really friendly and quailfied to take you for personal training sessions, so I will take a look at in the future. I would recommend you take a look and do a class and make your mind up for yourself.
The club has been through a fantastic transformation and the treatment area is lovely. All the staff are incredibly helpful and friendly and the place really has a lovely atomosphere. Rachel is the beauty therapist - I had a fab manicure with great attention to detail. As you would expect the classes are taught by extremely qualified and professional instructors. Value for money, great atomosphere and wow what an amazing place that you would never expect behind small doors!!
I was extremely happy with the facilities at Virgin active. This is the perfect gym for me it is a 2 minute walk away from my house! On arrival I was given a fresh towel, I went into the changing rooms which were very clean and upmarket. I had a 40 minute workout on a few of the cardio machines. I was impressed by how many machines the gym had to offer including the Power plate machines which I really want to try. After my workout, my friend and I went to have swim which was really nice to have the swimming pool right next to the gym - I love swimming too. Lastly I went for a steam in the Steam room - to finish off my healthy afternoon. I will defiantly visit again.
I was able to workout using the fitness studio available in the Adults Only area. The studio was cramped but the equipment adequate for a nice workout. There was a TV on to watch EuroSport, videos or the news. After the workout, the pool was available for a quick dip, which was needed since the studio did not have A/C and it was hot in early July. The other pools were also nice to swim in. Other: I used the golf facility several times. It's only a driving and pitch/putt range. It was great to swing facing the MedSea, gave the feeling I was at a famous hole. But the lack of manicured greens didn't allow for 'real' practice. Club Overall: The club was beautiful, great views. The staff was friendly and accomodating. The Well-Fit menu is great, especially when they offer the recipes for you to try at home.
After suffering back discomfort a few months ago, I decided to take advantage of the Wellness Center here and get back massages. My therapist, Maria, was great. I felt muscles in my back I didn't know I had! She focused on my lower back and each time my back felt relaxed yet stronger. Because of my satisfaction with Maria at the onset, I didn't try the other therapists. Overall Wellness Center: The staff at Reception are friendly and accomodating to all requests. The fitness/workout studio is equipped with modern machines. The wellness/heated pool is perfect to relax the body after the workout. Overall Aldiana Cyprus: The sports/animation staff members are all friendly - they will sit with you at dinner! And the wait staff are also accomodating to our special requests. The beach, pools and restaurants are all 2 minutes away from our room but you never feel the place is cramped.
Wanting to tone up and get fit for race-for-life this summer, I jumped at the chance of reviewing Sussex Bootcamps for Wahanda.com! So I downloaded the friendly introduction of what was in store for me over the next month, the Bootcamp Success Guide- which included a couple of tasks such as recording my body measurements to monitor inch/weight loss, writing down the goals that I wanted to achieve from Bootcamp, as well as information such as nutritional advice, and how to sign up to the members site where I could chat to the Bootcamp trainers and fellow 'Bootcampers' as well as get regular updates on Bootcamp happenings.
I agreed to the four-week plan of three 45 minute sessions a week, opting for the women-only sessions, commencing at 9.30am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (for people who have commitments during the day, there is also the choice of an early morning session at 6.15am or evening sessions starting at 6.15pm or 7.15pm). Come Monday 9th March, off I trotted on a lovely sunny morning to Beech Hurst gardens, Haywards Heath, for my first Bootcamp session! Here’s how it went…
Week 1
Monday DAY 1 - 9.30am Beech Hurst Gardens.
After a bowl of porridge with nuts, dried dates and honey, I was eager to start because after a few weeks of working from home, I felt like a rabbit trapped in a cage! I arrived a few minutes early with my bottle of water and towel that we are advised to bring to every session. Once everyone had arrived, our trainer for the next four weeks, Ben Davis, introduced himself to the new 'Bootcampers' and gave us a brief overview of what the next few weeks would entail. We began with a quick ice-breaker to learn each others names (there are 20 places available on each Bootcamp, many of the women are regular Bootcampers- some coming back every month), before starting the warm up routine.
Feeling loose and flexible, we then moved on to the core sequence which consisted of the plank, back bridge, side bridge and one I hadn't heard of before - the grasshopper (these are all quite difficult positions to explain, so I recommend you search for images if you don’t know what they are!). Ben gave very thorough instructions and demonstrated different versions of each for those at different levels of fitness - which I appreciated because I need to build up my upper body strength, and find the straight leg version of the side plank quite tough, so I opted for legs tucked in – and aimed to do the proper version by the end of the four weeks!
The grasshopper was a slight killer, but I did my best, and to be honest was quite pleased when the 30seconds were up! After a quick water break, 40 seconds of squats with a two second pause at the bottom of each were up next- which were rapidly becoming my favourite- especially whilst being able to look at the lovely view of the downs! Then onto thigh crunching lunges for 40 seconds. At this point I was beginning to feel the burn, but it felt good to work through it with some star jumps (which I discovered get me really out of breath and are not as easy as I remember them being when I was a 10 year old!), high knee run-on-the-spots and the back bridge, all for 30 seconds.
I liked the short spurts of different exercises as it stops me from getting bored, which is where I think I went wrong in the past - doing the same thing for too long meant I wouldn’t put as much effort in. I also found Ben very encouraging, and it’s nice to be in a group of motivated ladies rather than on your own in a stuffy gym where everyone keeps themselves to themselves! We then did press ups with 2 seconds pause when down, standing row, and skipping for one minute- which I struggle with as I cant seem to co-ordinate my legs! Then side bridge for 20secs each side, and then repeat from squats and finally a warm down. Ben advised us to keep moving throughout the day and not to take a hot bath as this prolongs the muscle ache.
The first session went really fast – I really enjoyed it and was feeling motivated for the rest of the day!
Wednesday DAY 2 - A nutritional bowl of muesli and I was ready for my second session, but ouch, did my thighs really ache from Monday. I spent most of Tuesday complaining and struggling on the stairs! I wondered if it was because I hadn’t warmed-down enough, but it was more likely that I just wasn't used to all that exercise.
Ben asked everyone how they were feeling, a few other ladies were also aching, so it was on with a good warm up. We did the same core sequence as Monday, as well as static side lunges (moving side to side), press ups, half sit ups with a hold, jumping punches and regular stepping lunges for 40s.
Then, we paired up and got the punch pads out. I hadn’t done any boxing before so it was a new experience for me and I really enjoyed it - another Bootcamper suggested that it’s a good way of releasing any hidden anger- I agreed! Ben advised us the correct way to box, and to have one leg in front of the other. We swapped places with our partners encouraging them to do their best, and then we all warmed down.
Friday DAY 3 - My shoulders were aching after the boxing on Wednesday's session, but my thighs had stopped hurting and I was feeling like I had more energy. After a warm up, we had a test! Argh! It wasn't as bad as it sounded at the time- it was just so we could monitor our improvement over the month. So we took a pen and paper and recorded the amount of squats, press ups, walking lunges, dips, mountain climbers and skipping we could do in a minute. After our quick water break we did the core sequence and then repeated hook punches, kneeling row and side shuffle, keeping slow for new people.
Ben advised us to make sensible consumption decisions over the weekend, i.e, to watch what we eat and drink! (I knew I had a girly night in store, which normally consists of camembert and cocktails) and to keep the good work up over the weekend.
Week 2
Monday DAY 4 - It was the beginning of week two, and after a relaxed weekend I was looking forward to 45 minutes of hard exercise. A good warm-up and we got on with the core sequence. Ben reinforced the concepts of keeping a neutral back position whilst doing 30 seconds of the plank, back bridge, grasshopper and side bridge for 20 seconds.
We then went on to do squats, static lunges, star jumps and high knee run-on-the-spots both for 30 seconds, and the back bridge. We then repeated that sequence once again, before doing press ups on the bench (pausing for 2 seconds when down), standing row with a partner, skipping and finally the side bridge before repeating and changing sides.
After a good warm down, we all stayed behind for a drink (I made a healthy choice and had a glass of fresh orange juice rich in vitamin C) and talk with Bootcamp’s life coach Will Perry, who gave us an insight into how he could help us on the motivation side of things. He explained that through one-to-one emails or the Sussex Bootcamps members site, he could offer us free help and advice on getting into the right mind set to achieve your goals from Bootcamp, such as making the right nutritional decisions to lose weight, and feeling more confident within yourself. I thought this was very helpful; although I am quite good at self motivation, people who just need that extra nudge of support could benefit greatly from it. I went home feeling good about myself and had lots of energy. I decided to go on a nice long walk in the afternoon to keep up the good work and burn a few more calories!
Wednesday DAY 5 - I was getting used to having a nice big bowl of porridge on the days of Bootcamp, as I found this the only thing to give me enough energy for each session. I would vary what I ate on my days in between Bootcamp, having either egg on toast, fruit or cereal.
A good warm up including a skip around the picturesque grounds, and we were ready to start the core sequence which was a repeat of Monday’s. We then did squats to calf raises - which meant on the way out of the squat we were to come up on to tip toes. Then triceps dips - I chose a spot on the wall as I found it more comfortable than the bench, and Ben told us to keep strong and use our legs if our arms got too tired. Foot kicks, which is where you sit on your mat and balance with your arms down by your side with your legs bent and raised from the ground whilst you kick them out (very good for the old stomach muscles!). Last but not least, a brisk jog/run 'at your own pace' for 40 seconds before repeating the sequence.
After some other sequences, we had regular stepping lunges to look forward to. My legs were feeling a bit wobbly and aching from all the lunging at this point! Regular lunges feel a lot more effective than the static ones. We paired up to do the standing row, then back to our mats for 40secs of the curl up/crunch before some boxing.
Friday DAY 6- We had a particularly tough work out in store today. After our usual warm up we did 1 and half mins of work, then rest – trying to move from one straight into next – e.g. 45s squat with 45s press up then fairly good amount of rest before next pair. After the press up's we moved on to walking lunges and the plank (different versions for different ability levels). The walking lunges are tough but as they say- no pain no gain!
We then got the punch pads ready for upper cut punches with our partners. We teamed up with a different person each session to give us the chance to meet everyone and experience different ability levels. Once again Ben encouraged us to keep the good work up over the weekend, if we had any queries or needed any help we could contact him through the members site where we could start a discussion or message him privately.
Week 3
DAY 7 - Monday.
I cant believe how quickly the weeks are zooming by. We are half way through the four week course and I’m feeling good! I have a lot more energy throughout the day, I am feeling a lot healthier and I actually want to do exercise. Another thing I have noticed is that my appetite has grown! As I’m burning off more energy, I’m getting hungry quicker and eating bigger portions, but I’m sticking to healthy foods such as fish and vegetables, big salads with cheese or tuna, and healthy snacks like fruit and seeds. I’m also drinking a lot more water throughout the day and opting for jasmine tea rather than normal tea because I drink so much!
We start with the usual warm-up stretches around the grounds of Beech Hurst before beginning the core sequence. After a quick swig of water, de-layer of clothing and a few seconds to catch our breath, we had squats (with pause at bottom of each), static lunges (moving up and down), star jumps and burpees for 30s (on a bench/low wall hold your position like your about to do a press up, but instead you jump in and then up with your arms stretched above you, and then work back through it -with your hands flat on the bench you leap outwards, then to jump back in again and onto your tip-toes with your arms stretched to the sky - all very quickly). Burpees are not my favourite exercise as I found it churned my stomach from all the jumping, but I did my best albeit probably a bit slower than everyone else!
The last sequence of the session included press ups – wide and narrow for those who wanted, then repeated the whole sequence before a good warm down.
Wednesday DAY 8. A lovely fresh sunny morning, but quite chilly so I wear extra layers until we complete our warm-up. We continue with the same core sequence as Monday and then complete a sequence of squat to calf raises, tricep dips, foot kicks 40s and a run – twice! A water break and it's onto the next repeat sequence, followed by a good warm down and the 45 minute session has once again flown by.
Friday DAY 9 - After a few laps of the swimming pool in between Bootcamps, I felt extra energised and eager to start today’s session. We completed our warm-up before moving on to a sequence in which we did short sharp bursts of exercise to shock the system. This was very tiring but quite fun as we were changing positions quickly and concentrating on doing our best.
After we had caught our breath we paired up with someone different and got the punch pads out for boxing. Each partner did 40secs of upper cuts/ hook punches and kneeling row. We then repeated these three as many times as possible before having to end the session with the all important warm down.
The final week- Week 4.
DAY 10, Monday morning. I had to email Ben and let him know that frustratingly I could not attend today’s session as I had obtained a foot injury over the weekend. I was quite annoyed as it was the last week and I wanted to put as much effort in as I could, but before developing this injury I managed to make a quick trip to the gym on Saturday morning where I continued some of the exercises I had learnt at Bootcamp, mainly picking out my favourites and doing them for 30s each which were squats, grasshopper, lunges, plank, boxing, tricep dips, back bridge and foot kicks.
Wednesday DAY 11 - Every session Ben would check to see how we were feeling, and we could bring up any queries about aches and pains that we had. My left foot was still feeling a bit sore so I knew I had to be careful and take it easy- taking the session at my own pace.
After the warm up we claimed a mat each and started on a sequence inclusing sit up hold's – adding a slight turning through shoulders (not lower back) and the dreaded burpees. We then repeated this workout. Partnering-up (once we had caught out breath and had a swift water break) we began regular stepping lunges, standing row, and crunches before doing boxing and warming down.
At the end of the session Ben handed out information on the next Bootcamp- which included dates and times, as well as how to renew our membership if we wanted to. We were also handed flyers to give to any friends/family that might be interested in joining Sussex Bootcamps and invited to stay behind for a drink after Friday’s session. After helping Ben pack away equipment I went home in-the-know that there would be a test on Friday - our last session of the month.
Friday DAY 12 - final session. I woke up, weighed myself (to see if I had lost any pounds over the four weeks -YES, 5 pounds, rather pleased!) but also felt a bit sad that it was my last Bootcamp workout. However, when I arrived I was greeted by Ben’s big grin and reminded by our previous test score sheet, that we had a gruelling last session in store for us today.
So once we had completed our warm-up, we cracked on with the one minute tests. We started with squats- I think I managed about five more than I had done during our first test in week one. Press ups, a few more than before- this was definitely something I was pleased with, as it meant I had built up a bit more upper-body strength- which was one of my goals for Bootcamp. Walking lunges- 4 more, Tricep dips, an improvement! Mountain climbers - stayed the same, and finally skipping - I managed about three more. Overall I was very pleased with my results, I could definitely feel an improvement within myself, through toning and weight loss and just by feeling generally more energised and motivated in everyday life!
To finish, we did some boxing. We packed away the equipment and sat down for a drink (nice healthy orange for me!) to celebrate the end of a good month at Bootcamp. We reflected on our goals and achievements and overall everyone was very pleased and had had an enjoyable experience at Bootcamp be it their first time or the third month in a row.
I for one was most definitely impressed with with my achievements from Bootcamp. It is such a good experience, and I found it very friendly and motivating. The way Bootcamp is run and the service you get is really well thought out, it’s not only the very fun sessions you benefit from, but it is also the support of the trainers and other Bootcampers that is all a part of the Sussex Bootcamp ethos.
I would highly recommend Bootcamp for anyone of any age who is looking to improve their fitness and have a fun work out in a friendly environment. It is also a great way to meet people and make new friends, and the members site is also a good addition as you can chat to people and arrange group fitness events such as going for a run. I am most definitely going to return to Bootcamp in the future - voluntarily next time!
