Core Collective TEAM/SWEAT Class.
From school and all the way through university I performed in team sports, and therefore when the time came for me to graduate I [stupidly, and completely irrationally] dreaded the idea of training in the gym completely alone. I was looking for something that placed equal value on high-performance and the social element of exercise, and it was here that I discovered CrossFit and functional fitness.
Today I am still a member of what some criticise as a ‘cult’, but years down the line I’ve learnt that this stereotype misconstrues the true spirit of the sport. It is far more than the clichéd image of a militaristic man throwing a barbell above his head. It is also far more than the image of a strong woman considered to be a bit masculine and tom-boyish as she fist bumps a teammate after a workout. While off-putting for some, it’s worth noting that the women with these carved physiques are elite athletes and not your everyday athlete, so you needn’t worry about leaving the studio with bulging biceps! Believe it or not, veterans and athletes alike are seen as equal to the newbies and the everyday gym-goer in this sport. This is the real spirit of functional fitness – a community that embraces diversity and yet unites people who share a value in bettering themselves.
Like with any fitness pursuit you can take what you want away from it, and I’ve long tried to debunk some of the myths by demonstrating one of the main values in this sport – community – a community where we support one another and hold each other accountable to our personal goals.
Of course, my personal efforts to promote this have minimal effect, so now that premium studios and gyms are introducing functional fitness classes, I feel the methodology is beginning to catch on beyond the dingy dens of CrossFit gyms! Queue the limelight for Core Collective and their new class, TEAM/SWEAT.
Interested in pushing yourself to your limits and training like the trainers? Read on.
What’s the drill?
Expect the ultimate conditioning session; think strength movements combined with cardio for a prolonged period of time to build your working capacity. You’ll be taken through strength movements such as dumbbell snatches, squats and dumbbell cleans, then be put through your paces by jumping straight onto the rowing machine for that extra cardio burn. The catch? Workouts are programmed to be completed between two people working together to make up the reps and max out on the rower, so the workout finishes once you’ve both completed your reps. No slacking here, or else you might have a rather fed up teammate! Leave feeling energised (albeit with slightly wobbly legs as you stumble back up the stairs).
Sweat score?
A solid 8 out of 10 – but never fear as sweat towels are provided. The strength/cardio element means you’re working on both power and endurance across the workout, and you’ll manage to catch a gasp for air while your partner is working.
The Beats?
Pumping dance music to get that heart rate high and set off your adrenaline!
When and where?
Core Collective have three studios:
1. Kensington High Street
2. Knightsbridge
3. St Johns Wood
Classes are every Thursday, 6:30 – 7:30pm. We tried it out at St Johns Wood, an affluent area of leafy streets and best known for Lord’s Cricket Ground – the home to English cricket.
Cost?
Pay as you go: from £23
Membership (permits you to unlimited classes): from £175 per month.
The Overall Vibe?
Friendly, inviting faces at reception as you step foot in the colourful lobby which features a smoothie bar and exclusive pop up shop from The Sports Edit. Downstairs, the changing rooms are b-e-a-u-tiful with clean-cut, white brickwork, exposed pipes, rustic benches and easy to use lockers. Get lost in the labyrinth of showers and lather up your locks with complimentary Malin + Goetz products. Heading out straight after the class? There’s no excuse to not get dolled up while you can help yourself to Cloud Nine hairdryers and straighteners!
Concluding points:
Myths need to be broken, as Core Collective are doing by introducing functional fitness to the regular class attendee. TEAM/SWEAT turns strength and conditioning into a team effort, making it fun as you grit your teeth through the workout and you and your partner hold each other accountable to your fitness goals.
Everyone understands what it’s like to be a newbie. I challenge you to challenge yourself against the stereotypes and get yourself to a TEAM/SWEAT class! Instructors will pair you up, unless of course you bring a friend or a colleague.
