I have attended Zumba class; Kettle class, Pilates and Yoga classes with Vanessa, I am 60+ and have…read moreone or two medical problems, she has helped me exercise within a class setting by customising routines so I can join classes. This instructor goes far beyond her job role, she is an extremely caring person. Classes.are structured to everyone's needs. The people who attend the sessions are all ages, sizes and levels of fitness and they make everyone welcome. So I would recommend Vanessas Fitness classes go along and try.

I used to think yoga was placid, laid-back stretching which didn't require much physical strain…read more How wrong I was. When I first gave it a go, it was very frustrating because many of the poses require far more strength, balance and flexibility than you would assume. But as with anything else, practice makes perfect. And after a few years, I was quite proud of my flexible prowess from regular yoga practice. Alas, as time became limited in my busy life and the lust for a strong body was less at the forefront of my priorities, I fell out of practice. And I fell hard. If I wasn't out partying with friends, I sat idle at a desk with a computer or lethargic in front of the television. Oh, and I gained about 25 pounds. Then I heard about a 10 day challenge at The Yoga Lounge, a hot yoga studio comprising of three studios that offer yoga, Pilates and a workshop for everything from martial arts, performing arts and exhibitions. It's a state of the art facility on Deansgate that uses radiant heat to warm your body, a gentle heat similar to that used in incubators for babies. Don't get me wrong, it get hot. Real hot. A few minutes into the first class, I thought 'this is waaaay out of my league' but I kept going...bending, twisting and balancing (or wobbling, if I'm honest) as the sweat poured off my body. I was perspiring in places I didn't even know were on my body. But this sweat was detoxing my insides, which is exactly what I needed. As class came to an end, I felt like I had accomplished something important for my health. And so I came back. As each class passed, my strength and flexibility improved ever so slightly much to my delight. By the fifth class, people started asking what I was doing different to my skin. Others were saying I was looking slimmed down. I have to admit, I suspected there was difference in my skin and body shape, only to poo-poo the idea as wishful thinking. But clearly, others were seeing what I was seeing. 7 days into the challenge, I found I was able to participate in virtually the entire class, doing some of the poses that I couldn't even attempt in the first few sessions. I was sleeping like a baby at night, and actually started to give a toss about what I was eating and making sure I drank enough water. And so that brings us to today, the 10th day of my challenge. I've lost 5 lbs and 3% body fat. My clothes feel much looser, and I'm starting to fit back in to my 'skinny clothes'. There seems to be a naughty glint in hubby's eyes when he looks at me lately, which is always a bonus. All this after only 10 days is remarkable. But the most important thing is it's gotten back on track to taking care of myself....mostly because I want to look really good in my 'skinny clothes'.

The beauty of The Yoga Lounge is that they are offering something slightly different from bikram…read moreyoga - as the classes don't follow the traditional 26 poses. I feel as though classes are lot more organic, allowing the teachers to really work with the class - I swear I'm making progress already in my first two weeks! The teachers are really great, I love the variety, as each practitioner has their own flows and style of teaching. Everyone is super friendly and happy to give tips and advice after classes too. Specialising in hot yoga, the classes last between 60-75 minutes and at the moment they have three classes per day with two a day at the weekends. They also offer hot pilates, which is a great workout for your core. And plan to open a full pilates studio in the next month or so with Stott pilates, reformer and GYROTONIC® classes. It's a great set up, really well designed space and the hot room itself is a nifty piece of kit - using heat panels on the roof that allows for continual fresh air and a germ free environment to practice in (or I've been told it's something along these lines). There's an online booking system to ensure you get onto the class you want. The evening practices book up pretty quickly, but the lunchtime hour always has a few free spaces. Each class has a waiting list and for every wait list I have been on so far, I've been offered a space in the class. This is a more modern yoga alternative that fits really easily into a busy lifestyle, uniquely balanced to help improve both your fitness and inner calm.

Tonight was my first visit to this oasis of tranquility and I am looking forward to visiting again…read moresoon. Lovely surroundings and great people. The meditation class I went to has left me feeling more positive and energised than I have in a long time.

From the owner: The Karma Collective of Liverpool is a central place to explore all forms of spirituality, holistic…read moreworkshops, yoga/pilates/chi kung classes, group meditations, various therapies and nutrition for healing the body. For times and days please refer to the timetable on the website.

I've been attending classes here for a good month now and would definitely recommend it…read more Perched on the edge of a busy crossing in what is a fairly anonymous building Barefoot doesn't really look like much from the outside. Once you get past the front door its a miniature haven. I've been to a mixture of classes with several teachers and have enjoyed every one. They offer classes in the ever popular hot yoga, however these are usually quite late in the evening so not always ideal. Warm yoga (less hot than hot yoga), of which I am a particular fan, as well as other classes for all levels and pilates (I haven't tried these though). I've been practising yoga for a few months now and I felt pretty comfortable in the 'level 1' and 'level 2' classes they offer. The level 2/3 was certainly a challenge as my arm balances need some serious work, however practice makes perfect and I never felt uncomfortable when there was something I couldn't do. In general an alternative pose is also offered, this is great not only for when you're not so confident, but also for when you want to have fun and push it further. I've learnt about 6 new poses in only a three weeks of classes and they all make for excellent party tricks as well as nurturing my LOVE of yoga. Facility wise there are changing rooms on the ground floor, the ladies is pretty compact and not really big enough for the number of people in a full class. But its clean, there are showers and the vast majority of people come dressed and leave to shower and change at home so it isn't a real issue. There is also a nice waiting area where you can chill out and get a cup of tea before a class. The studio itself is on the first floor, its a fairly nondescript space but the front is mirrored ballet studio-style which I really like. Mats are provided and laid out already, this is a nice touch as they are strategically placed to avoid bashing arms and legs in the usual poses. Although after my first hot class I started taking my own mat, I have never sweated so much in my life, wipes are provided to clean the mats after use but I'm still not so sure about sharing! All the staff have been great. Teachers (as far as I can comment) seem really good, I have definitely progressed, helped along by hands on correction and genuine enthusiasm. I joined with an introductory offer for 30 days of unlimited yoga for £30. Definitely worth being brave, giving a few classes a go and jumping in. My offer just expired and I will definitely be signing up for more classes. They offer a few 'unlimited' packages where you pay monthly, yearly, etc., or pay per class options and whilst initially it seems a little expensive as far as I can gather the prices are in line with other studios in the city centre and in my opinion, worth it.

I love coming to Barefoot for yoga and pilates. There is a comprehensive timetable with classes at…read moredifferent times of day which makes it easy to fit yoga into my life. Classes have a range of different difficulty levels but the instructors will always show you the easy option and let you have a go at trying something more difficult only if you want to, there is never any pressure. One of the things I love about yoga at Barefoot is that it is a non-competitive atmosphere and there is never any pressure. All the instructors knowledgeable and make the classes enjoyable and fun; the studio is always clean and is light and airy with a full air con system; the changing rooms are clean and fairly roomy and include showers and a hairdryer. Love yoga, love Barefoot.

It's a fabulous class;Judith make a real effort to include everybody across the ability range and…read moretake time with individuals too. I particularly enjoy the way she varies the pace and exercises from week to week to keep us motivated and working across the whole body. Friends commented on my figure within a couple of months of starting and I always leave with the feeling I've cleared my head after a busy Monday with two boys under four. Thankyou! Victoria (Leeds)

This is a privately owned health, fitness and squash club of which I've been a member of for years…read more The gym is exceptional and well stocked with all the latest equipment. The fitness instructors are very knowledgeable and helpful and are happy work with you to produce your own personal training programme. They have fitness classes including Spinning, circuit training, aerobics and pilates as well as a lot more. They've got 3 squash courts, sunbed area, ladies sauna and a mixed sauna and a relaxtation area as well as a licensed bar. The membership deals are really reasonable and it stays open pretty late which is great if you work normal office hours.

From the owner: Le Sport is a family run business that's been in operation since 1996. We provide the best gym…read moreequipment from all over the world as well as classes, functional space, a professional spec squash court, showers and separate gender saunas all for an affordable price for people to train consistently in a safe and positive environment. Our membership ratio is 51% men 49% women with an age range of member going from 12 - 94 years!