Swiss Fitness Blog

Why You Should Try Reformer Pilates in 2016

Why You Should Try Reformer Pilates in 2016

Ever since coming to Sydney, I've traded my weight lifting program for more low impact mat work, cardio, barre and pilates workouts (mainly because I've been excited to try out all the cool studios  and their different styles around town).

I'd always been rather skeptical, especially of Reformer Pilates because it seemed like you're not working out hard enough. If you're not breaking a sweat, it's not a real workout, right? But after having done many similar-type classes in the recent past, I can assure you that this is absolutely not the case. In fact, you're in for a killer workout.

A reformer class sits perfectly in the middle of the "hard core" versus "minimal pain" exercise spectrum, leaving you with just the right amount of achiness the next day. And since it's not a bootcamp-like atmosphere, it especially appeals to us gals who might be intimated by grungy looking crossfit boxes filled with sweaty grunting men. I'm not saying I don't enjoy those workouts, but I can understand how some girls might be intimated by that.

Why You Should Try Anti Gravity Yoga in 2016

Why You Should Try Anti Gravity Yoga in 2016

If you still haven't tried anti gravity yoga aka aerial yoga, then you really need to jump onto the bandwagon. Here's why you should try anti gravity yoga in 2016:

Aerial yoga involves performing a series of exercises inspired by yoga, pilates, calisthenics and aerial acrobatics in a hammock-like swing. Think Cirque du Soleil for beginners!

It's a great new and exciting way of doing a full body workout, and hey, who doesn't like swinging around upside down playing kid every now and then.

Apart from the fun, there's actually some serious health benefits associated with the sport. Without the compression of the joints, especially the back, it's easier to achieve a proper posture by relaxing rather than trying to force yourself into an alignment that seems unnatural.

  • It's great for anyone with back issues, because the free hanging allows your spine to destress and lenghten.

  • It also helps increase strength and flexibility 

  • The different types of stretches combined with the flippin' around helps improve the digestive system

  • It's a beautiful mind-body-spirit experience! 

Wholesome Travel Guide To Berlin

Wholesome Travel Guide To Berlin

Alright, I’m only two months late, but better now then never right? Here comes your go-to health guide to Berlin!

Because I was super busy with work and my health coaching studies, Vic prepared the entire trip and researched all the places that we wanted to go to (aka she harassed me for three weeks beforehand trying to plan every nitty gritty detail of the trip #slightlyocd). But seemingly it pays off to have friends who study hospitality management, because everything about the trip was simply amazing. In short: I love Berlin because it’s absolute vegan heaven. Okay, you don’t need to read no further. You know everything now. Bye bye.

Since Vic planned the trip, I had no idea what to expect. Normally it’s my boyfriend who gets so lean back and enjoy (that’s debatable) the things I plan out, so it was a nice change to be on the receiving end. These days what I get most excited about when visiting a new place is testing my way through the vegan restaurant scene. Luckily Vic feels the same, so our trip was spent eating, eating and doing some more, well, eating.

But seriously, we had a crazy busy schedule and were basically speed walking from location to location. Which we were both secretly happy about because we ate about the amount of Vic’s weekly meal plan in one weekend. Good thing we were actually writing a healthy jetsetter guide for Well To Do London, at least that gave us an excuse as to why we were stuffing our faces 24/7. A girl has gotta try all the food before she can report about it, right?

My First Experience Heli Skiing in Canada

My First Experience Heli Skiing in Canada

3000m up high in the middle of the Canadian mountains surrounded by fresh powder. Silence, only the sound of your own panting breath and your skis cutting through meter deep snow. Hazy memories of never-ending untouched runs and a rush of adrenaline like nothing else can give you...My first experience heli skiing in Canada...

I've always loved skiing. Having grown up in Switzerland and Bavaria, Germany, for a big part of my life, I've lived close to the mountains for many years and my parents put me on skies at the tender age of three. Over time I've gradually improved, graduating to the joys of off piste skiing, mogul slopes and learning to make my way through deep snow. Given my parents are major hobby skiers who've already accumulated 30k+ height meters of heli skiing, it was only a matter of time that I would make friends with heli skiing myself.

Healthspo Talk with Mary Christine

Healthspo Talk with Mary Christine

During my month in Chiang Mai last year, I was scrolling through the hashtag #chiangmai and stumbled across Mary from Mantras and Mangos who was there on holidays. We chatted a while through Instagram and spontaneously decided to meet up, and so we went for dinner with a couple of other girls atImm Aim for some delicious Thai vegan food.

So here we are, sitting in this little cafe in Thailand, complete strangers from different parts of the world and we instantly clicked. Even though we barely knew each other, we started sharing our stories with our food struggles and journey to plant based living over lovely fresh food, followed by vegan ice cream, steamed buns and mango with sticky rice.

I remember leaving that evening bursting full of energy, excitement and gratitude. Full of energy because I felt so positive about everything, excitement because all girls inspired me to keep moving forward on my own health journey and grateful because I think it's just so damn amazing how social media allows us to connect with other like-minded people.

Fit Reserve, the unique multi - gym membership pass

Fit Reserve, the unique multi - gym membership pass

Vic, Sabrine and I have impatiently been waiting for the final pictures of our photoshoot with Fit Reserve and they are finally here! Plus we have heaps of updates to give you about this awesome concept, so if you are based in Suisse Romande, it's time to listen up.

If you haven't heard of Fit Reserve yet, here's a quick recap:

The idea behind Fit Reserve is a multi-gym membership that allows you to discover hundreds of the best studios in Suisse Romande, all with just one pass.

The price of the pass is CHF 99.- for half a year (valid from March 1 - September 1), which includes two classes for only CHF 10.-  at every studio that Fit Reserve has partnered with. After that, classes cost whatever the usual price is at that particular studio. Which is a pretty sweet deal, because you get a buuuunch of classes at a reduced price (individual classes usually cost up to CHF 30.-) while trying out many different studios. For even more info, check out this description and for a full FAQ, look at this. You can also look at my previous blog post for even more info and some cool behind-the-scenes pictures.

Functional Training at My Private Gym | Geneva

Functional Training at My Private Gym | Geneva

A couple of weeks ago Vic and I had the pleasure of trying out My Private Gym in Geneva, a gym that offers personal training, group training, functional training, boxing classes, while also having cardio and weight lifting equipment that members can use depending on the type of membership they have signed up for. One of the four owners, Paola, is actually an IIN graduate (where I'm currently studying to become a health coach), so it was awesome to meet her and connect over our common passion.

We arrived a bit earlier to have a chat with Paola and were then introduced to Morgan, our trainer for the day. His first comment was that he's looked at our Instagram accounts and knows that we're fit, so he created an especially hard workout for us. "Damn it, showing off on Insta just totally backfired!" Let's just put it like this: we pretty much got our boo-tays handed to us on a silver platter.

The workout that Morgan created for us was based around functional fitness, one of my newest favourite ways of working out. Not sure what it is? Here's the lowdown:

Behind The Scenes Of Fit Reserve

Behind The Scenes Of Fit Reserve

The decision to seal the deal with a new gym subscription is not taken lightly. Oftentimes you have to commit for a minimum of six months and you have to be 100% certain that you're not going to throw in the towel after a couple of sessions. Joining just one studio seems limiting, but joining more than one becomes expensive.

Have you ever found yourself thinking about trying new fitness routines, or do you cringe at the thought of signing a 1-year contract with your local gym? Then the soon-to-launch Fit Reserve may be for you.

I've already shared with you guys on Instagram that Vic, Sabrine and I are ambassadors for Fit Reserve & I'm beyond excited to introduce you to this new concept (and show you the awesome behind-the-scenes pics from the photoshoot). Let's take a closer look.

BBG Bootcamp in Berlin with Kayla Itsines

BBG Bootcamp in Berlin with Kayla Itsines

So...this just happened. I can't believe how quickly the day went by and that the BBG Berlin Bootcamp is already over! About two years ago I started using Kayla's guides (see my initial review) and here I find myself training with queen K herself. How crazy.

But let's go back a couple of steps...Vic and I have been planning on doing a weekend city trip for a while, so when we heard that Kayla was coming for a BBG bootcamp to Berlin, we didn't think twice. We bought our tickets instantly without wasting any thought on how to get there, where to stay and if we even had time on that day. But there was simply no way we were passing up the opportunity to work out with our favourite personal trainer in person! Berlin is only a short 1 hour flight from Switzerland and we had been thinking of doing a weekend city trip together anyways, so it was perfect timing.

When I first started Kayla's BBG guides, I was hoping to get stronger and look fitter (take a look at my progress pictures here and here), but never in a million years  did I expect to make a best friend along the way. Did you guys know that Vic and I went to the same university but only met because she found me through a #BBG hashtag that I was using and recognised the gym I was taking selfies in?! Thank god for Instagram & thank god for the amazing BBG community.

My First Marathon Experience

My First Marathon Experience

We did it, it's done. Finally checked off the bucket list, the thing I've been planning for so long (read about my marathon prep here). It took 4 long and strenuous hours and while during the race I was begging for the time to pass quickly, I look back at it now and feel like the whole day flew by way too fast.

On the morning of the race, I followed the exact same schedule that I did for my first half marathon. I made sure to eat a warming bowl of oatmeal (with banana, almond milk and raisins) exactly three hours before start time and to drink lots of water up until one hour before the race. The goal is to go to the bathroom right before the start of the race to make sure you are perfectly fueled and won't need to search for a loo during the run.

Training For My First Full Marathon

Training For My First Full Marathon

I can't believe my first marathon is less than one week away. I remember signing up just a couple of weeks ago; somehow that time flew by without me even noticing it and I don't quite feel 100% ready. But then again - I don't think I would ever feel ready to run 42.195 kilometers. At least I'll be running the race with Vic whom I ran my first half marathon with in April 2015 (we were inseparable the entire race and went through he finish line hand in hand). She decided straight after that race to sign up for the Lausanne Marathon this coming Sunday, but I politely opted out of her offer to join yet again. It was only about a month ago that I changed my mind and decided to do it after all. If not now, when ever am I going to do it, right?

Given my spontaneous sign up, I haven' really had a lot of time to train. Thank god I've been working out 5-6 x a week in some form or another for the last two years, otherwise this mission would be slightly suicidal.

Heart Beat Up Yoga Event

Heart Beat Up Yoga Event

I have to admit: I'm not a big party girl. I went through a crazy party phase from when I was 18 to 20, but those days are over now. Call me boring, but I just don't enjoy getting drunk every weekend and 'wasting' my days hung over in bed.

I haven't stepped foot into a club in a while, but this event convinced me to give it another go. Hosted by Deddou from Pop Up Yoga and Liora, the Heart Beat Up yoga event converts your yoga mat into a dance floor and sprinkles good vibes like confetti in your body and heart. Imagine holding downward dog to funky hip hop tunes and lying in shavasanah while admiring the twinkling disco lights on the ceiling. Who wouldn't love that?

The event started off with a 90 minute Hip-Hop yoga session with Liora - we first did some gentle flows accompanied by a DJ mixing the beats and later on did some core work and handstand practice in pairs of three. In case you've never done yoga to Hip Hop before, let me tell you that it is a completely different experience to your typical yogi practice with meditative music. You feel so 'up beat', letting loose of all yoga stigmas and can flow freely whichever way you like. Anything is allowed, and it's just so damn liberating.

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