Start the Transition

TRX. HIIT. What the ****?

Sarah and I will try most things in the spirit of getting fit losing weight, so when we got an invite from the lovely Claire at Transition Zone to find out what on earth these mysterious acronyms were all about, we leapt at the opportunity.

The brainnchild of Claire Finlay, a bubbly and expert trainer with over a decade's PT experience under her belt, Transition Zone is a Fulham gym with a difference. Set in a light and airy space on Sulivan Road, Claire encourages her clients to mix up their workout through a series of 30-55 minute classes, most based on the principle of high intensity interval training. Based on the oh-so-true insight that most of use tire of the same old workout routine (how many times have you heard that same spinning soundtrack?) and consequently let ourselves slip, Claire has devised a range of classes to challenge you and keep you on your toes (and off them!) and let you get the same results in just half an hour as you would having spent an hour bored silly on the X trainer. What's more, all the classes are in small groups (3-4 maximum) so you really reap the benefits
of the extra level of personal attention.

Transition Zone offers Power Plate, boxing, dynamic yoga, Pilates chair, personal training and the mysterious TRX - and Claire promises she's got plenty in the pipeline to keep her clients' workouts interesting. In for a penny, in for a pound, Sarah and I opted for the intriguing TRX/yoga fusion. Claire specialises in a dynamic style of yoga that really gets into you moving, stretching deeper and working those muscles. Being a fan of bikram and power yoga, I appreciated the more active style - you get the best of both worlds: feeling a little more limber AND like you're torching some calories. It's in situations like these, too, when the small class sizes really come into play. As you move from posture to posture quite quickly, it's essential that someone is able to keep an eye and spot check your postures to ensure you're getting the most out of the workout and not doing yourself any damage.

Half an hour, and just a small amount of perspiration later, we moved onto the TRX portion of the class. So, it turns out TRX is a suspension-style workout performed with a series of straps attached to a large metal frame. Battling against our bodyweights, Claire had us squat, stretch, dip, balance and bounce. With the focus on core strength, stability and flexibility this workout seriously packs a punch but the focus is very much on long and lean rather than bulky - plus, turns out throwing yourself around using a suspension system, lots of straps and the force of gravity is pretty fun!

Our session made Sarah and I (committed monotonous runners and spinners both) really think again about the way we exercised, and Claire is full of handy hints and advice, coupled with a deep and genuine passion for fitness. Transition Zone offers a fresh take on training, and offers something quite unique for the area - I'm sure it will be making plenty of other Fulham exercise zombies rethink their workouts over the coming months too.

If you'd like to try out Transition Zone for yourself, why not take advantage of the 10 day TRI? For just £50 you can try out unlimited classes for 10 days. Alternatively, all evening classes are currently just £15. You can book online here.

Transition Zone
Broomhouse Studios
Unit 1, 50 Sulivan Road
London SW 6 3DX
www.transitionzone.co.uk

Feeling Arty at Barossa

There are several options for brunch in Fulham but my favourite new find of the last month is without a doubt, Barossa coffee house and Australian kitchen. Before I drive any dieters mad describing the delicious fresh coffee and melt in the mouth brownies I must be honest, this is a somewhat biased review...

Barossa recently tweeted asking local followers to help them find an artist to exhibit on their walls as part of their stylish new refurbishment. I immediately forwarded this to my dad, Robin White, a media trainer by day and pretty darn talented artist by night, to see if it might be of interest. Before I had time to blink Barossa had responded to him and within a week 16 of his paintings were adorning the walls. 

I was totally blown away by the enthusiasm and friendly attitude of this local cafe and am bursting with pride for my Dad. It's his first exhibition, a feat he has only dreamed of from his garage where he tirelessly paints during his spare time. Seeing his paintings hanging so beautifully in my favourite local cafe has made me fall in love with Fulham all over again. I don't think Dad would have ever imagined when I was born at Hammersmith hospital and he lived in Gowan Avenue that 25 years later his daughter would be tucking into a (delicious!) breakfast around the corner from her flat admiring his art work on the walls. 

This is a real testament to his hard work, Barossa's enigmatic spirit and infectious attitude to the local community and my obsession with twitter! The paintings will be there for the next three months and are all for sale at very reasonable prices. Whether you're into art or just want to try the best breakfast in Fulham - I urge you to pop down, check it out and let us know what you think!

For more information on Robin White visit - http://robin-white.com/ 

Barossa - 277 New Kings Road Fulham, London, SW6 4RD - http://www.barossafulham.com/

So very Thai Spa

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not a massive beauty buff. Sure I'll slap some mascara on in the morning, but I bite my nails, rarely get my haircut and can't remember the last time I had a mani-pedi (if ever!). However, after years of torturing myself with an epilator, I have recently begun to treat myself to salon waxes, and it's opened up the whole beauty salon world to me.

So, it made sense to get to know the places on my doorstep, starting with So Thai Spa on the Wandsworth Bridge Road. So Thai manages to strike the balance perfectly between cheap and cheerful (just £25 for a full leg, that's good, right?!), whilst maintaining  a semi day-spa feel through the use of great Asian decor, lots of dark wood, incense and music. The space is light and airy, with the treatment rooms arranged across the ground-level and off the mezzanine, leaving a gorgeous double height reception that gives a clean and sunny feel to the place. The welcome is with a cheery smile and the service is really swift, although still super-friendly.

Although my waxer for the day gaily referred to me as her "new wictim!" there was really nothing to fear - she was a total pro. Within just 20 minutes, both legs were as smooth as a late-night Jazz FM mega-mix, and I had (almost) enjoyed myself chatting away about our shared love of Thai cuisine and penchant for fried chicken (don't ask!).

So Thai provides a little Asian sanctuary right in the heart of Fulham, with gap year prices to match. Since it's just a hop, skip and jump away from my home I think I may have found my place! Perhaps I could get into this beauty malarkey after all...

So Thai Spa
118 Wandsworth Bridge Road
London SW6 2TF
http://www.sothaispa.co.uk/
0207 731 6543