"Go in with an open mind. You might enjoy it. Forget the fact you loathe humidity."…read more These were but a few thoughts running through my mind as I signed up for my $25 7-day intro pass to Fusion Hot Yoga. I'd pre-booked my class online (bonus points) and arrived a little early for yesterday's 9:30am class. I'd heard from a few people that with back issues and such, hot yoga gave you extra support and allowed you to "go deeper" into poses for a better stretch. Fusion wasn't like past hot yoga experiences I've had. For one, it's probably a lot cooler than most at about 30degrees. Even I, the person most likely to complain about heat and humidity, found it to be gentle and not suffocating - even in the middle of my umpteenth downward dog in this 90min power session. It definitely was a heat that let me stretch deeper and feel like something was warmly hugging me rather than suffocating me. Don't be fooled. Combined with the heat, this yoga class is cardio x 3 and today, as I write this, I know I've worked out and have muscles I've not used in quiet some time. Plus, my skin is glowing. Our teacher, Trent, was accommodating to my newbie status and helped out with alternative poses when it was clear I was struggling (go having a wonky back!). As others have said, it is a concrete floor, which even with my mat (borrowed from the studio), I found to be a bit uncomfortable for my situation at times. There were only 8 (including myself) in the class and not once did it feel like I had to be better than the other yogis in the room. I felt entirely comfortable to go at my own pace and trust my own limits. There were times I starred at the door, hatching an escape plan without disturbing the rest of the class, and then there were times of extreme calm and peace as I felt a lot of stresses wash away. Truth be told, I'd sworn it off as an exercise not for me. But 24 hours later, as I write this review, I'll admit I kind of liked it and might just be back!

I got a 10-class groupon pass, but might actually get a normal membership after this…read more It's a small and cozy yoga studio, and I felt welcome from the first day I walked in. After trying bikram yoga, which was way too hot for me, I decided to give hot yoga a go. The temperature is actually quite comfortable, never feel like I'm dying as I did during my bikram yoga class. So far I've had classes with 3 different teachers and I have to say I like all of them! They all cater to the different levels in the class and motivate me to get most out of myself. After practice you will feel your muscles! (especially the ones you didn't know you had)

While one of the more expensive gyms in the area, Lifestyle gym is the largest and in my opinion,…read morebest, with multiple rooms including ladies only. There is a broad range of equipment and televisions while you work out. Staff are friendly and helpful, classes are welcoming and fun with sessions ranging from pilates to weight training. 24/7 access is available as well as child minding and lockers. There is great parking available including a supermarket parking lot across the road. Have a look online for great specials.

Healthworks Aspley is located in the Aspley Coles Shopping Centre complex, which means plenty of…read moreparking. They're currently advertising No contracts, No joining fee - $12.95 per week for full gym facilities.There are other clubs in Deagon and Redcliffe as well as the Aspley store, though I don't think this membership means you can visit the other locations. Healthworks Aspley offer aqua aerobic classes too, as they have a pool upstairs from the club. They offer day care for the kids, and seem to be advertising their Seniors classes a lot - I think it's good they are being inclusive for the older generation who may not feel comfortable in a gym otherwise.

This gym could change your life! Overweight, very athletic and older clients seem most prominent…read moresince it's more expensive than your average gym but the sessions are amazing! I know that my fitness would never improve as much working on my own or even with a private one-on-one personal trainer. The team spirit of sticking through makes an intense workout easier. I love this concept and it also takes consideration of bio-individuality since everyone is working to their own goals, their own heart rate, and with their own body limitations whilst still being in a group training session. You won't feel like you are holding anyone up like you might feel at bootcamp since you have your own designated equipment station. Tell them 'Foxy' sent you to try a free session :-)

Hmm... Fitness. Bending. Core. Touching my toes. All things that I'm not overly in tune with/good…read moreat. But I am trying, I'm trying hard to make fitness a thing that is an active (get it) part of my life, rather than something I scoff and try to avoid. I went to Barre Body with a colleague of mine when they were in town. She's pretty into her fitness and I agreed to go with her. Colleague solidarity and all.... OK, so I sound super pessimistic, when in fact, it was great. I really enjoyed it. It's a beautiful, calm space. We were two of four taking part in the class so I didn't feel silly for totally not being able to do certain things. The class was hard and involved a variety of resistance, stretching and strength based movements. There were also heaps of options for you to up it or pull it down dependant on your ability, which I think for this kind of fitness. From simple stretches to balancing, to weights to pull ups from the floor (haha - no), I loved the mix of the ballet/pilates/yoga style movements. There were points where I was laughing, mainly because I don't have the ability to do something yet, but I didn't feel like I was putting people off, I felt really supported, especially by the instructor. I will be trying it again (shock horror, I know) and hopefully, I will be in less pain for less time here therein. Seeing I felt damn good afterwards and that out wayed the muscle pain I felt over the following days, I feel I owe it to myself (and the studio) to give it another go.

Barre Body is a welcome addition to Brisbane, bringing their fun and dynamic classes to the…read moresunshine state. I've been to dozens of their classes in Melbourne and a few in Sydney so it was great to see them also offering classes in Brisbane during a recent work trip. As is the case in all of their other studios, the design is lovely with lots of light and nice touches like freshly brewed tea and scented candles. The teachers are friendly and make newbies feel welcome while also challenging those who come regularly. Book classes on line and on their app - it's super easy.

Awesome. Just awesome…read more Anchor offer boot camps, yoga and PT. Their boot camps are great because they are as tough as you want them to be - so they are perfect for the absolute beginner and for those who are already really fit. The trainers are all really great and never forget a name so it's a great environment. I've also seen they offer more specialised training when it gets close to an obstacle course being run in Brisbane - sounds like great fun but I would rather be in bed so I leave that for others. But it sounds great :) Definitely recommended.

The owners and trainers are friendly. Remember your name. The facility is small enough not to get…read morelost and have a great community feeling and big enough to get your work out done. The only facility I've come across where you can do yoga as well as metabolic conditioning type classes.

When I was pregnant, and ready to pop as they would put it, I really wanted the baby to come out…read moreearly rather than later. It was the 2nd time around for me, and when I was pregnant with my first, the doctors told me drinking Raspberry Leaf tea was good for bringing on labour, and I'm not at all sure it worked. This time around, I wanted the damn tea as well, and no one stocked it. Not one of the chemists I went to or the smaller health food shops stocked what I needed... not even the supermarkets. It's tea people, come on! So I walk into Go Vita and a lovely man greets me with a 'woah you are getting to have the baby now yes' and I nodded yeah yeah. What's new. So I told him what I was after and he said that they didn't have the tea, but had raspberry leaf capsules, so i wouldn't have to go through the bother of making the tea. Fantastic I thought! He then went on about when his daughters were babies and I was stuck there for another few minutes, but it told me this guy was the owner of the store, and he definetely knew his stuff. Which is always a fresh air from asking the staff who never know anything. This is a great place to get your supplements no one else has, and they are all natural therapists and owner worked... so you'll always be getting highly personal service. Love them, will definetely be back... if baby number 3 is ever on the horizon. PS. The prices may be a bit higher than the normal place you buy stuff at though.

I watched a cooking show where Quinoa grain was needed for the recipe, but I couldn't find it for…read morethe life of me, at either Woolies or Coles. I must not be looking right or they just didn't stock it. Forgetting about the search for Quinoa grain, I ended up going to Go Vita to buy some fish oil supplements and as I was about to go to the counter to check out... There it was, Organic Quinoa grains. As it turns out, there are a lot of great organic products you can buy here that would be great to cook with. Not just cook with, there are plenty of products that are great for skin care like their goats milk soaps, I love it. Feels so great for my skin. The staff are very nice. They really informed advice and genuine care for their customers. Given that they are professional naturopaths also gives me peace of mind knowing that their advice isn't just wishy washy chatter, but actually sound information. Go Vita is a pretty good place to go, to stock on some hard to find supplements, vitamins and other healthy products. And if you are ever stuck on a product and just want to know more, the friendly staff at the Go Vita Mt Ommaney, will be glad to help.

State of the art fitness equipment, amazing variety of group fitness classes including Les Mills,…read morecombined with the friendliest owners in the world, and kind/patient and understanding staff - Healthworks Cleveland is a fantastic place to workout. It has no contract memberships that are really affordable. It has just started 24hour member access too! I live in Holland Park, and I think it's worth the journey to have such a great workout experience.