Category: Cardio
REVIEW: Holly PT, Totally Shredded Drum & Bass Workout
by Carly
THE BASICS: Drum & Bass Workout is exactly what you’d expect, minus the sticky floors and vodka redbulls. Dark room, thumping drum & bass, disco lights, boxing and MMA/combat inspired moves at Motion Fitness Studios at The Pithay in the centre of the city. This workout is bangin’. £7 drop in (class passes available and also on MoveGB – as of October 2017). THE … Read More REVIEW: Holly PT, Totally Shredded Drum & Bass Workout
REVIEW: MoveGB
by Carly
What is it? A nifty little concept and one that might be familiar to some of you already – instead of buying a membership to one gym or studio, you pay for a membership to MoveGB instead, which gives you discounted access to loads of studios and gyms in your area. It’s still very much a nimble little start-up, being run out of the … Read More REVIEW: MoveGB
REVIEW: Flex TV
by Carly
THE BASICS: Flex TV offers social home fitness in the form of a subscription service to an online portal that runs live classes throughout the day, and you attend them via your computer screen. Classes range from short HIIT sessions to yoga and dance, all available for you to do in your own home (or wherever you choose to sweat). It’s nice to know there … Read More REVIEW: Flex TV
BLOG: Running Tips For Idiots (like me)
by Carly
As you may know, I’ve recently moved to Bristol, and as any sensible fitty in a new city would, I’ve decided to lace up my trainers and learn my way around via some new running routes. And I’ll be honest. It’s been pretty dismal to date. So far, so lost. I’ve been blessed with many things, but a sense of direction is definitely not one … Read More BLOG: Running Tips For Idiots (like me)
REVIEW: Best’s Bootcamp
by Carly
THE BASICS: Best’s Bootcamp is a slick treadmill/weights/functional fitness HIIT style bootcamp, tucked up on Villiers street, a stone’s throw from Embankment Station. Their USP is that you have a constant, clear view of the trainer thanks to their 360 video tracking system. It’s pretty sweet. £20 for a drop in class, although packages are available. Your first class is a bargain at a … Read More REVIEW: Best’s Bootcamp
REVIEW: Groove Cycle
by Carly
THE BASICS: Hidden within the hallowed grounds of what’s now known as Third Space in Canary Wharf, Groove Cycle is a large spin studio in the main gym. Classes have a strong element of dance and moving to the beat. Music was pop-py and uplifting, and it did feel like we were in some sort of carnival-spinning fusion. £16 per class, changing rooms are … Read More REVIEW: Groove Cycle
REVIEW: Seen on Screen Fitness- Sweat and Stretch Double
by Carly
THE BASICS: “Dance Like a Star” Seen On Screen Fitness promises. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Think; dance teachers to the stars, feeling like you’re auditioning for FAME but actually getting a right proper workout in the process. It’s easy enough to follow if you’re uncoordinated, but challenging enough to make you feel like you’re performing in a musical. Their classes take … Read More REVIEW: Seen on Screen Fitness- Sweat and Stretch Double
REVIEW: Skinny Rebel Workout- Altitude Training
by Carly
Skinny Rebel Workout. I have no words, but I’m gonna try. It’s a simple concept really- stick on an altitude mask, restrict your oxygen intake, and realise you’re really bad at that thing you do everyday without thinking- breathing. The mask is a little rubber mould that sits over your nose and mouth, strapped round the lower half of your face with soft stretchy … Read More REVIEW: Skinny Rebel Workout- Altitude Training
REVIEW: Shenda Falvey Fitness- North Greenwich Bootcamp
by Carly
THE BASICS: Shenda Falvey bootcamps run most days on the grassy bit outside The Pilot, a short walk from North Greenwich station. This was an after work class which started on Wednesday at 7.30pm. For all days and times, check out the website. First class free, block book sessions available after that- £100 for 12 classes taken over 6 weeks (working out at… um… … Read More REVIEW: Shenda Falvey Fitness- North Greenwich Bootcamp
REVIEW: Pegasus Military Fitness- THE RETURN
by Carly
It’s a Saturday, and I’ve been out of bed since 6.30am. I’m contemplating this early start while bent over double at the top of what felt like a vertical hill. I’ve just helped 3 people haul a core bag- aka Lazy Larry- up this hill. And my thighs are pretty confused at why they aren’t still snuggled in a duvet. . “There you go- … Read More REVIEW: Pegasus Military Fitness- THE RETURN
REVIEW: Body Con at Love Your Body Health Hub
by Carly
(UPDATE: Love Your Body Health Hub is now unfortunately closed… But Sophie is still PT-ing and she is fippin’ brilliant!) It’s 7.10am and the Spice Girls are powering me through my box squat jumps. “I’m” [jump] “giving you eeeeverything” [jump] “alllll that joyyyyyyy can bring” [jump] “this I sweeaaar” [jump] My quads are screaming and I stop for a little rest. I’m impressed/annoyed by … Read More REVIEW: Body Con at Love Your Body Health Hub
REVIEW: Nike Women’s 10K
by Carly
On Summer Solstice day 10,000 women got up, got dressed in day-glo salmony orange, and came together to celebrate running, sisterhood and living in the glorious city of London. The Nike Women’s 10k was a slick operation- Victoria Park in Hackney was taken over by an entire festival village dedicated to running, fuelling, and all things sporty. The bag drop was seamless- huge and … Read More REVIEW: Nike Women’s 10K
REVIEW: Healthy Living London Bootcamp
by Carly
THE BASICS: A weekly bootcamp for Summer 2015, held at 7pm every Wednesday in Highbury Fields (furthest from Highbury & Islington Station- towards the tennis courts). Sessions are run by Healthy Living London writer and qualified PT Eliza. £6 for your first class, £14 a class thereafter (10 sessions for £100- bargain!) THE CLASS: There was a whiff of sunshine and everyone signed up … Read More REVIEW: Healthy Living London Bootcamp
BLOG: Project HB’s Personal Best (or, PHBPB)
by Carly
At the beginning of the year, I signed up to a couple of mid-year races with a click of a mouse and little thought to training. The races crept nearer, as I was trying to get to sleep, I kept having flashes of coming last in a race… or being pecked to death on the race course by a giant bird of prey in … Read More BLOG: Project HB’s Personal Best (or, PHBPB)
REVIEW: Base Fit, Insanity Class
by Carly
THE BASICS: Base Fit is RIGHT opposite Shoreditch High Street Station. It’s a new, outdoor fitness facility with a mouth-watering array of goodies to make you sweat- ropes, a climing/swinging frame, kettlebells, MASSIVE tyres…. and a big patch of astroturf where you can play with all of this stuff during classes such as Insanity, tabata, strength & conditioning, and bootcamp. £10 a class if … Read More REVIEW: Base Fit, Insanity Class
REVIEW: Frame X-Train (TRX, Plyometrics, Weights)
by Carly
THE BASICS: Frame Shoreditch- the funky, sexy gym that runs approximately 7 billion classes a week. They’ve overhauled one of their studios in 2015, and installed an TRX frame, meaning they can teach new class Frame X-Train. We went to check it out! (Class £15, booking essential) THE BITCHES: Carly & Erin THE CLASS: We work together and so had decided at about 3pm that … Read More REVIEW: Frame X-Train (TRX, Plyometrics, Weights)
+ Body Conditioning, Cardio, Guest Bloggery, Other healthy bits and bobs, Studio Workout, Team Sports
BLOG: Pactster Interview
by Carly
We received a lovely email from Imme and recently, telling us all about Pactster- a new way to workout with friends online. You choose a workout video, sign up, and up to 4 of you can take the class from your respective houses, watching the same thing at the same time and chat via video too! We fell in love with the idea instantly- … Read More BLOG: Pactster Interview
REVIEW: Slice Fitness, Fighting Fit Class
by Carly
THE BASICS: Slice Urban Fitness offers a huge timetable of classes from it’s neat, bright little studio next to Parson’s Green. It’s in the same building as Cupcake Family Club- so if you’re a mummy, there’s a creche option which is just great! For those of us sans sproglitts, it’s completely separate from the Cupcake Club, although you walk through the cafe area to … Read More REVIEW: Slice Fitness, Fighting Fit Class
REVIEW: 1Rebel Opening Night and Ride Class
by Carly
THE BASICS: 1 Rebel has arrived. Choose one of two ways to do a group work out- Ride or Reshape. Ride is a 50+ person studio, Reshape is a large “bootcamp” style circuits in a basement, which reminded me of Barry’s Bootcamp, but less “American”. No contracts, No BS, classes from 6am through to 9pm. You feel like you’ve been allowed into the world … Read More REVIEW: 1Rebel Opening Night and Ride Class
Edge Cycle, Bootcamp
by Carly
THE BASICS : A new spin studio had opened up close to work. It ran classes before the day job started. This particular class had the word Bootcamp in it. As if I could resist such a combination! Edge Cycle– right at the beginning of Leather Lane- if you get to the burrito shop, you’ve gone too far. First class free, standard drop in classes … Read More Edge Cycle, Bootcamp
Aquallure, Dolphin Square Fitness Centre
by Carly
THE BASICS: Aquallure brings a hybrid concept to London- spinning on a specially adapted spin bike, submerged in a swimming pool. Yes, you read that right! £20 for a drop in, multiple class passes available at cheaper rates. THE BITCHES: Carly and honarary HB Jason THE CLASS: Underwater spinning. I was so confused when I initially heard about this class. My first question had … Read More Aquallure, Dolphin Square Fitness Centre
GoodGym
by Carly
Ellie is one of my dearest friends- She’s been lovely looking after me while I’ve been unwell- bringing over trashy books, making brekkie, and also writing up her recent GoodGym experience for you to enjoy. Thank you for this fabulous guest post, Ellie! (To contribute a guest review then email projecthb@live.co.uk) THE BASICS: GoodGym is an organisation that aims to help us all exercise while doing … Read More GoodGym
Nuclear Rush
by Carly
The Nuclear Rush. Ooh. Well hello there, you cheeky little race! Allow me to introduce you to a 12km, 52 obstacle race in the Essex countryside and woodland. Sunday morning. Cold and windy. Intimidated was an understatement. I’d agreed to join a HUGE green army of Pegasus Military Fitness machines, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t apprehensive (please read “apprehensive” as “peeing … Read More Nuclear Rush
Fitness Five Challenge- Hosted by Project HB!
by Carly
A couple of Saturdays ago (one of those days that requires you to take out both your brolly and your sunshades) 20 of you headed down to the gorgeous new studio Victor’s Lab in Peckham to take part in a Project HB hosted challenge: The Fitness Five! The idea was to introduce HBs to five new classes they might not otherwise have tried, give … Read More Fitness Five Challenge- Hosted by Project HB!
Mother’s Meeting, Nike 1948 Gym
by Carly
THE BASICS: The Nike 1948 showroom hidden in a Shoreditch archway, that runs a free class timetable all week! On Wednesdays, the clothing racks get pushed back and the arch celebrates its full glorious sweaty potential by becoming a work out space! The Mother’s Meeting (a group for “The world’s coolest mums”- although they don’t discriminate against us childless types!) put on an hour … Read More Mother’s Meeting, Nike 1948 Gym
Barry’s Bootcamp
by Carly
THE BASICS: Barry’s Bootcamp has reached cult status. The hardcore indoor circuit and interval session that promise to create buff LA beach bodies out of us pasty Londoners was something I was feeling apprehensive about. Barry thinks he’s going to make a buff bronzed beach body of this die-hard cake fan? I commend your optimism, Barry. £20 per drop-in class, multi-class deals available. THE … Read More Barry’s Bootcamp
Free Hot & Happy Sweaty Betty Bootcamp
by Carly
THE BASICS: Free Hot and Happy is for normal girls everywhere, and I think I have a girl crush. Devised for girls who want to look hot, keep it real and reap the benefits of feeling free and happy as a result- I completely adore this concept that Nikkita and Becky are the driving force behind through their bootcamps and website. After a glowing … Read More Free Hot & Happy Sweaty Betty Bootcamp
Project Fit
by Carly
THE BASICS: Project Fit is so new, it smells new-car new. It’s one of those hidden, unexpected gym spaces under the austere buildings just off the Royal Exchange at bank, promising to put you through your paces in a series of weight, resistance, circuit and treadmill intervals. Its aim? To squeeze every last drop of sweat you have in your body… well… out of … Read More Project Fit
Free Hot & Happy Bootcamp- the Albany Club
by Carly
Super excited- we have another guest review! This review was written by the delightful Nid, who took on the challenge becoming not only a Hot B*tch but a Free and Happy one too! Here’s how she fared…. THE BASICS: Nikkita and Becky are the Free, Hot & Happy ladies. Nikkita is a personal trainer who uses interval training workouts to help tone up muscle … Read More Free Hot & Happy Bootcamp- the Albany Club
David Lloyd, Orangetheory
by Carly
THE BASICS: A gym-based group class on Upper Street, close to Highbury & Islington Station. The point is to complete a structured gym workout wearing a heart rate monitor, with the aim of working hard enough to keep your heart rate in the “orange” zone (between 65-80% effort). Your personal zones are worked out before the class by providing a few stats. Heart rates … Read More David Lloyd, Orangetheory
REVIEW: SuppaJump, Kangoo Jumping
by Carly
THE BASICS: Welcome to one of the only Kangoo Jumping classes in the whole of London- Suppajump with the lovely Carolina. Think a cross between an aerobics and a dance class, with the added twist of wearing boots with 8 inch springs on the bottom of them! Trust me on this one- prepare yourself for an hour of springing around a dance studio like an … Read More REVIEW: SuppaJump, Kangoo Jumping
REVIEW: BOOM! Cycle Holborn Launch
by Carly
My love of this place has been well known for a while- having eagerly bounded my way into the Shoreditch studio for almost a year now, I have to admit that upon hearing of the new BOOM Cycle Holborn studio opening, a little bit of wee may have come out in excitement. And so I was completely delighted when little old Project HB was invited down … Read More REVIEW: BOOM! Cycle Holborn Launch
HIITGirl, HIITGirl Foundation
by Carly
THE BASICS: HIITGirl offers 30 minutes of High Intensity Interval Training- broken down into 30 seconds of a fast rep-bursts, followed by a 30 second rest (for the “easier” classes). 30 seconds of exercise sounds like a doddle. You are so wrong, my friend. So very wrong. First class is free. Membership or class card options available- with an additional 20% discount on some packages … Read More HIITGirl, HIITGirl Foundation
London Fields Fitness, Spinning Studio
by Carly
THE BASICS: London Fields fitness, the eclectic, awesome, friendly place beneath the arches in E8 has opened up its very own spinning studio! As a major fan of this gym, I headed down to see how it shaped up. £10 per class, booking by email or by creating an account online. I went to the 7.30pm Wednesday session with Kate, just before Christmas. THE … Read More London Fields Fitness, Spinning Studio
BLOG: The Day I Ran A Marathon in 6 hrs 31 mins
by Carly
This post is for all the people who were fat kids. People are often surprised when they learn that I once ran a marathon. Well, ran is probably an exaggeration. Limped a marathon might be more accurate. Limped, walked, crawled, cried and tantrumed my way through 26.2 miles would probably be entirely accurate. I started this website because I wanted to share my journey … Read More BLOG: The Day I Ran A Marathon in 6 hrs 31 mins
Be Cool Running Club
by Carly
THE BASICS: Be Cool Running Club is a friendly and welcoming running club run by Beatrice, which sets off from Striders Running Club close to Sandilands, Addiscombe (Croydon). It is a beginners running group, affiliated with this venue, although separate from the runs that go on through the actual club. Your first run with Be Cool Running is free, £20 per year membership after … Read More Be Cool Running Club
FormFitness, PT Session with Kate
by Carly
THE BASICS: A hour long, 1:1 personal training session with Kate in an open plan East London gym, matched to a woman’s strength and stamina capabilities, but without scrimping on any of the hardcore workout (i.e. you still get to wear boxing gloves and feel like a bad-ass). Introductory session is free, with tailored follow up packages available. Kate teaches around London, this class took … Read More FormFitness, PT Session with Kate
British Military Fitness Session, Victoria Park
by Carly
THE BASICS: British Military Fitness (BMF) is run by ex-soldiers, and takes place in parks all around the UK- usually week nights after work or on Saturday mornings. There is a big social element to them too. First class is free. THE BITCHES: Carly THE CLASS: Work finished dangerously late, and so I pegged it to Victoria Park for the Monday night class, making … Read More British Military Fitness Session, Victoria Park
Pulse Dance Studio, Zumba with Onyeka
by Carly
THE BASICS: So, I have known about Zumba for a few years now, but never tried a class. What makes it different from a normal salsa or street dance class exactly? I knew it was a latin-infused dance, and so I was pretty much just relying on my genes to make me good at it! I thought I best wikipedia it (the height of … Read More Pulse Dance Studio, Zumba with Onyeka
Frame Shoreditch, FrameBARRE class
by Carly
THE BASICS: Mix an aerobics class with graceful, perfectly postured ballet barre moves, core work and weight reps. Repeat until you wonder how you are going to walk tomorrow (note- you won’t be able to walk tomorrow). THE BITCHES: Carly THE CLASS: Frame Shoreditch is right round the corner from me and so I find myself heading there quite often nowadays. My last experience had … Read More Frame Shoreditch, FrameBARRE class
REVIEW: Boom Cycle, BodyBOOM Class
by Carly
THE BASICS: An hour long spinning class in the pumped, club-like atmosphere that is the Boom Cycle studio. The BodyBOOM class combines spinning intervals with weights to tone and work the arms and torso. IT HURTS EVERYWHERE. But in a daaaaamn good way. THE BITCHES: Carly, Sarah, Erin THE CLASS: I was delighted to recruit some fellow HBs for this spinning class on a Tuesday after work- … Read More REVIEW: Boom Cycle, BodyBOOM Class
REVIEW: Fitness Playground, Burn Class
by Carly
Fitness Playground no longer exists unfortunately. But my reviews of them are pretty entertaining even if I do so myself… so I have left them up. Just don’t go trying to attend a session because they no longer run…. THE BASICS: A second session with the awesome Fitness Playground guys- this time an hour long interactive mad dash around London’s Southbank. Stopping at several destinations … Read More REVIEW: Fitness Playground, Burn Class
Total Boxer, Fitness and Skills Class
by Carly
THE BASICS: A proper Rocky Balboa workout at a friendly, welcoming boxing gym that means business on Tottenham lane, right opposite Hornsey station. There were as many girls as guys in the class so definitely a good find for feisty aspiring Hot Bitches… Get FIT not HIT!! THE BITCHES: Carly (where the hell is everyone else lately?) THE CLASS: Boxing. Yeah, you heard me right. … Read More Total Boxer, Fitness and Skills Class
Frame Shoreditch, Frame Camp Class
by Carly
THE BASICS: A fast, intense 30 minute work out focusing on short, rapidly increasing intervals, designed to give you a real cardio workout for 15mins, and then a toning/conditioning workout for 15 mins. Then you die. THE BITCHES: Carly THE CLASS: Sunday morning. My muscles woke up grumpy with me for the previous morning’s hot yoga flow class. Well, body, you can complain as … Read More Frame Shoreditch, Frame Camp Class
