We all pack our gym gear on holiday, but how many of us actually use it? During a recent trip to LA, I made best friends with my yoga mat and worked out like a local.
1. Soul cycle
If the idea of running into David Beckham isn’t inspiration enough, the promise of not only changing your body, but also your life, should have you queuing for this indoor-cycling cult. It’s pedalling, but not as you know it. Candlelit, with inspirational quotes written all over the walls, it involves evangelical instructors delivering spiritual-style sermons over loud rock’n’roll as you strap onto your bike and ride like the wind. Called “soul” for a reason, within the first few minutes of the 45-minute class, I was told to repeat, “I deserve it”, over and over as I pumped my legs in time to the music. I know my thighs certainly did. If this is the new religion, then I am a convert.
2. Hot yoga
There is almost no excuse to not try yoga in Hollywood as it feels like there is a school on almost every corner, next to a juice bar and across the road from a Pilates studio. Most locals, particularly in Santa Monica, seem to spend the best part of their day in workout gear with a yoga mat slung over their shoulder. I tackled a slow style called Yin at Hot 8 Yoga and literally melted into my mat as the room was heated to 37°C. Luckily, dim lighting seems the latest trend, so no awkward eye contact made the sticky experience that extra bit liberating.
Flex appeal! Whether you’re famous or not, yoga’s a must-do activity in LA.
3. Pilates
If you’re someone who likes to work out using more than just your own body weight, Pilates is the ticket. Don’t be scared off by the torturous-looking reformer machines – the stretch is unbelievable and your muscles will thank you afterwards. My group class at Mighty Pilates was a mix of cardio interval training and spring resistance. In fact, on leaving, I felt so long and lithe, I felt a bit like a celeb myself. I imagine Gwyneth Paltrow feels like this daily.
Vanessa, where are you?! On yer bike, girl – Soul Cycle is calling.
4. Sweat
When celebs need to shed kilos fast, they book a session at Shape House, an urban sweat lodge with locations throughout the city. I arrived for an evening session and was ushered into a quiet room, where I changed into a long-sleeved top, long pants and thick socks. Next, I was folded into a silver-foil sleeping bag, zipped up and plugged in. Yikes! Was I about to cook?
I certainly got my sweat on. One hour later, I emerged the colour of a tomato and my clothes as wet as if I’d been turfed in a swimming pool, but I was slim. At least for the rest of the evening.
That’s a wrap for Vanessa! Working up a sweat takes on a new meaning at Shape House.
5. Healing
Feeling good is almost as important as looking good in the City of Angels and it’s in the presence of these divine beings where I found myself on a massage table at Naam Yoga, a non-profit healing centre, receiving a Harmonyum treatment from a gentle soul named David. Over the next 60 minutes, he called on the angels as he tapped lightly up and down my spine until I felt the heat and tingle emanating from his fingertips. It’s the weirdest thing, but it worked. I walked out on cloud nine, humming Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” for the rest of the day.
