The new immersive exercise classes in London
CW: How do immersive wellness classes make a difference to your work out?
CC: Sensory stimuli play such a huge role in our perception of how we feel – not just our perceived exertion or motivation to workout – but also in our perceived levels of wellbeing. Studies have shown that viewing nature or recorded scenes of nature lowered viewers perceived levels of stress and anxiety. Immersive fitness spaces can also help create privacy in a group exercise context. Many gyms and studios can feel intimidating and distracting, as we are aware of all the people around us. Immersive classes reduce this by fully engaging us in our senses and our own workout.
CW: What senses do they play on?
CC: Immersive classes take you out of your every day while you workout. They are so much more than a workout – they create multi-sensory experiences that involve sight, sound and sometimes scent and taste. In our yoga classes at FLY, we practice yoga in dimmed lighting, with no mirrors in the studio, and the class is accompanied by uplifting playlists and cinematic visuals of nature, colour, and space. The darkness creates a feeling of privacy, and the visuals help you to forget the to-do list and find a quiet focus on the mat. We end each class with a short massage with essential oils to fully engage the senses.
CW: Why FLY?
CC: Our focus is on low impact exercise. HIIT classes have been the go-to workout for some time, but they are often packed, with too many customers for an instructor to monitor properly, and involve high impact movements that can be unkind to joints and aggravate injuries. At FLY, we recognise that most of us have enough stress outside of the studio and our classes have been put together with this in mind. Our immersive yoga studio is designed to take your mind off the daily tasks and onto the mat pronto. Many of our yoga classes are taken by 2 instructors to ensure that each client gets the personal attention they need. Our Low Impact classes have been designed by physiotherapist and Crossfit coach, Kat Suchet, to deliver an intense strength and conditioning workout without the high impact of a typical HIIT session. With only 5 people in a class, we specialise in giving each client the personal attention you usually just get in a personal training session. Finally, our barre classes involve isometric movements, mobility and core work to build a strong, lean, healthy body.
Fly LDN
24 Creechurch Lane, London EC3A 5EHFrom £20 per class.
They offer Vinyasa yoga classes with vistas of lakes, mountains, and crashing swells, courtesy of the 30-foot cinematic screen, with the accompanying soundtrack means you’ll be fully immersed during the class as opposed to hearing the hustle and bustle of London life. Plus the space also offers LIT, Pilates and barre classes, the latest fitness gear and super foods from Press London and caffeine from Monmouth Coffee Company.
To book click here
(Offer: New customers can enjoy their first 2 weeks for £50. There are also a limited number of founder memberships left – unlimited classes for £150 per month. After that, we have a standard membership (20 classes per month) for £180.)
First Light Cycle
Westfield London, Ariel Way, London W12 7GFFrom £16 per class, depending on the package.
Five years in the making, the First Light Studio combines spin classes using cutting-edge sunlight simulation technology to mimic the sun’s natural rays, along with beautifully created backdrops of inspiring scenes from locations like Dubai, Africa, Ibiza, and Rio. The 45 and 60-minute full body indoor cycle workouts include cardio, mindfulness, and meditation, together with the best-in-class upper-body strength workouts to keep you inspired and most all – coming back.
To book click here
Inhere Meditation Studio
Central London – more details to be announced shortlyInhere is London’s first drop-in meditation studio, pioneered by founders Adiba Osmani and Ghazal Abrishamch (Ghazal a neuroscientist from Kings College London, and certified breath work teacher with business partner and long-time meditation devotee Adiba.)
The studio will offer group meditations, as well as pods for private use, and also attract inspirational speakers and experts to lead talks and meditations in a tranquil space. Plus expect to see ‘pop-up pods’ in spas and shops around central London – designed for creating the best possible environment for meditation – that comes with comfortable seating, headphones and the option to listen to the Inhere mediation via an audio player. Perfect for finding a little ‘ohm’ improvement in the midst of the metropolis.
For more information click here
