Friday Feature: London Marathon Inspired Fitness

If you are anything like us at The Amazing Blog, then the fact that the London Marathon is this Sunday has inspired you to up your fitness game! While it is too late to actually take part and run in this year’s marathon there are still tonnes of cool and exciting ways to get fit this April. We’ve put together a list of great classes that will have you beach body ready for those summer plans, or have you fulfilling any resolutions you made at the beginning of the year that may have slipped your mind! The key to fitness success is to enjoy what you’re doing and we are sure that one of the classes below will inspire you to get active, and more importantly, stay active.

 

First on our list is 1Rebel, which you may recognise from your favourite fitness social media accounts or shows such as Made in Chelsea.


We recommend their ‘reshape’ classes which are 45 minutes of mental and physical intensity. It is an intensive group experience that is designed to condition and re-sculpt selected muscle groups. Their website says that ‘their patented 1R workout platform will help mould your body and break your barriers.’ This is an understatement, within a few sessions those wobbly arms and jiggly thighs will be gone. You are given your own workstation with dumbbells, resistance bands and a treadmill. You spend four minutes doing squats, chest presses, frog jumps and more before jumping on the treadmill for another four minutes to do interval sprints. With each set, the intensity increases, and with each the session, the effects are more and more noticeable.


What we really love about these classes is that while you work harder than you ever have before they’ll make the experience as easy as possible. There is no contract to sign and you simply go online and pay as you go. 1Rebel will provide you with towels, water and even makeup remover meaning that all you need to bring is yourself and a change of clothes. With a beautiful décor, you’ll feel like a celeb going to this gym. The changing rooms are fitted with copper lockers that look like something out of a sci-fi film, the benches are heated, and the vanity area is a dream with hair dryers, GHD straighteners and endless beauty products. Once you’ve worked out and done yourself up again, you can head to their bar upstairs called Roots and Bulbs for a delicious and nutritious juice or smoothie, or a free glass of prosecco on Fridays. It’s wonderful to feel so pampered after you’ve worked so hard and is a real incentive to keep going back.


Book your first class here and thank us later!


If you are looking for something a little different and quirky then Flying Fantastic’s Hoop Class is the fitness session for you! Classes take place on the Aerial Hoop, which is a circular steel ring, providing the perfect structure for your acrobatic moves. Flying Fantastic believes in inclusivity so whatever your ability or experience – from novice to Olympic gymnast – they will be able to cater to you and help you get the best from your experience. Each class has a ratio of 2 people per hoop and there are only ever 7 people per instructor so you know you’ll be getting the best out of this class.


The classes will have you progressively working on your core muscles and balance by focusing on developing your strength, stamina and flexibility. Core muscles are essential for executing the moves with confidence, so it helps if you have good core stability beforehand, but if not don’t worry as these will develop! The Hoop classes are an amazing way to hone your upper body muscle groups, so as well as a better range of motion and flexibility, you’ll have Michelle Obama arms in no time.


This is a perfect class for those who don’t take exercise too seriously, or are looking for a way to jazz up their fitness routine, all the while still working hard to develop your bodies.  
You can get involved here with an introductory offer of 3 classes for just £45

For all the swim buffs reading then do we have the perfect class for you!! Virgin Active has created an amazingly intensive, hour-long, swim session called hydro. The fast moving class combines full body training with expert coaching. Due to the weightless nature of the pool based exercise, this a brilliant way to push your body without straining your joints making this ideal for those with either joint problems or recovering from an injury.


This class is not for the faint-hearted, though, burning 400-600 calories a session, you have to be able to swim a minimum of 100m to join in. The Hydro class will push you both physically and mentally! Whether you are looking to train for an event or just on the hunt for a great and challenging workout, you’ll tone up, build strength and endurance, and improve your technique. Coaches will help you tackle a variety of exciting speed and distance challenges while using a variety of different strokes. 53 Virgin Active clubs run Hydro - so no excuses! 

1Rebel Reshape class, Flying Fantastic Hoop Class or a Hydro swimming session - which one will you choose?

 

Sensitive Skin Travel Kit, "The" Eye Cream, Seaweed Mask and "The Best" Deodorant - Benedetta

Everyone here at The Amazing Blog loves to travel, and with the restrictions implemented at every airport in the world regarding liquids and suitcase weights, travel kits have become something of a must here. The only problem is that the majority of these kits are designed to dramatically transform dried out complexions. While effective on most skins, this can cause blotchiness and discoloration for those of us with a sensitive complexion. This is a problem that we have been aware of for a while here at the blog, so when we came across Benedetta’s new Facial Regimen Travel and Gift Set for Sensitive Skin, we knew we had to try it!

Not only are the products gentle on sensitive skin, but they are also effective. Coming in a clear travel bag that you can quickly place in any carry-on, the kit contains three marvellous and mini versions of Benedetta’s best products! The three products work brilliantly on their own, but we found that by including their eye crème and seaweed mask our skin was positively glowing, so have included them here. To use, you begin with the Anti-Inflammatory Massage In Crème Cleanser, which gently cleanses and exfoliates red or inflamed skin. You then use their fantastic eye crème, “The” Eye Crème, which diminishes dark circles transforming dull, lifeless skin around the eyes as it assists your body's defence against ageing. Following "The" Eye Crème, you apply the Rosemary Verbenone Crystal Hydrating Elixir, which renews hydration at deeper levels and encourages healthy cell regeneration resulting in a renewed complexion. Step Four is the Artemisia Facial Oil. This intensive oil treatment is rich in anti-oxidants and helps to improve the skins ability to protect against UV rays and free radical damage. The final element that we reccomend is the Seaweed Mask and Lavender Hydrosol. To apply you just add the lavender hydrosol to the seaweed mask mix until it is at your desired consistency and apply it over the face and neck and leave it on for at least twenty minutes – to remove, you rehydrate the mix with lukewarm water and a wash cloth.

We were also incredibly lucky and able to try Benedetta’s farm sourced and 100% botanical deodorant, “The Best” Deodorant. The ingredients in this product specifically target odor-causing bacteria. While not an antiperspirant, the deodorant counteracts the bacteria that causes excessive sweating. Primarily consisting of locally sourced organic and biodynamic blend of grape alcohol, the product is a spray that dries quickly, leaving only the enlivening botanical aroma of the active ingredients. We think that this is the perfect accompaniment to the travel kit as it slips easily into hand luggage and helps you refresh yourself during or after a flight! Meaning you can easily be the most beautiful, restored and natural version of yourself when you arrive!

All of the products are available on Benedetta’s website. "The Best" Deodorant is available here for £18.00 and The Travel Kit here for £47.00. "The" Eye Crème is available here for £73.00, the Seaweed Mask and the Lavender Hydrosol are available here for £34.00.

Lip Balm & Cleaning Wipes - Benecos

 

Here at The Amazing Blog, we know how important it is to keep our faces fresh and our lips moisturized, and that the best way to do this is to use natural products. So we were ecstatic when the brand Benecos sent us their Natural Care Happy Cleansing Wipes and their Natural Lip Balm.

It is important to cleanse your skin daily as after a long, hard, and tiresome day not only is our skin left looking dull and greasy, it is also covered in unwanted bacteria from pollution, our hands, and sweat. So having Beneco’s Happy Cleansing Wipes in your bag is the best way to cleanse on the go and throughout the day.The pleasant mix of mango, orange and aloe vera leaves your face feeling refreshed and clean. The cleansing wipes are gentle and soft but are sure to remove all makeup and bacteria on the face effectively. Don't worry if you have sensitive skin either; these wipes are pH-neutral and free of alcohol, oil derivatives, and fragrance

We found that the natural lip balm was the perfect solution to dry and cracked lips. The all-natural and fragrance-free balm soothes the lips using organic olive oil and organic cocoa butter. The balm comes in three different flavours: raspberry, orange, and mint.

You can purchase the cleaning wipes here for £3.46 and the natural lip balm here for £2.45.

O2 Shampoo, O2 Conditioner, Lifting Tonic - OGX

Here at the Amazing Blog, we love products that take care of our hair, and as such we are always on the look out for new products that will leave our locks looking more luscious, shiny and healthy. So when OGX was introduced to us, and after hearing impressive stories, we were unsurprisingly so excited to try some of their products.  

We tried the new O2 collection from OGX that has a unique formula of Oxygen, Liposomes, and Cloudberries that breathes life back into lifeless locks. The special ingredients in the new collection (including vitamin A, B, C and E, Calcium, and Magnesium) help nourish your hair and keep it in a healthy condition. The new collection includes an O2 Shampoo, O2 conditioner, and a Lifting Tonic. If you want to find a new haircare regime these products are suitable for fine hair especially as it will help moisturize, hydrate and volumize your hair.

For those of you who want weightless, bouncy, volumised hair the O2 shampoo and conditioner should become a staple! The lifting tonic creates an added boost, which is perfect for those of you who have fine hair which tends to drop throughout the day. A  light oil, the lifting tonic, is easy to use; simply spray, from about 6-8 inches away, on to dry or damp hair. We cannot wait to try more of OGX's diverse hair care range in the future as this is a brand that does not disappoint.

You can purchase the shampoo at a selection of stores around the UK including Boots, who charge £6.99 for the Shampoo, £6.99 for the Conditioner and £7.35 for the Lifting Tonic.

 

 

Anti-Pollution Skin Supplement Essence - FoM London

We here at The Amazing Blog love new and cutting edge skincare. Which is why we haven’t been able to get enough of FoM London’s new, and beauty awards shortlisted. This miracle product left our skin feeling both softer and cleaner throughout the whole day, while protecting it from the ageing and damaging effects of pollution.

The Anti-Pollution Skin Supplement Essence radical skin care at it's best. The unique ingredients in the essence help  the product act as a second skin, almost like a physical barrier between you and the unavoidable pollution in the air. At the base of the treatment a silk a floral bouquet bathes the face in moisture, while juniper and sage help to protect the skin from free radicals and pollution. The red raspberry leaves in the essence contain tannins and flavonoids which reduces discoloration and dark spots on the face. All the ingredients help give the product a naturally fruity and delightful scent, which will certainly keep you coming back for more! Incorporating this product into your routine is not only easy but is worth it as the essence deeply hydrates your skin, protects the antioxidants in it, supports collagen growth and leaves skin looking much brighter.

With a watery texture, the product is very easy to use. To apply, you simply need to put two pumps of the essence onto a cotton pad, and gently brush it over your face and neck, before using your favourite moisturiser. It is recommended that you use the product twice a day, in the mornings and evening.

If you’re worried about the effects of pollution on the skin, and even if you're not, we could not recommend this product enough. You can purchase it here for £32.00.