Posts from — November 2009

According to Suzanne Brue, author of the 8 Colors of Fitness, people can have a fitness personality. Take the online quiz to figure out what type of personality you have and what types of activities may suit you. I took the quiz and was categorized as a “Red Harmonic” which means I enjoy high energy, fast-paced training sessions. I also am goal-oriented and like a little bit of a competition. Somewhat true I must admit.

Boyfriend after much forcing took the quiz as well – didn’t tell him what it was about, but after the 15th question he begun to figure out what this was all about – he is a “White Efficient”. No surprise it is the complete opposite of me. That said I still love him and am “forcing” him to do the Santa Shuffle next weekend with me.

 A few ideas on what to get the fitness fanatic in your life. Take note B a lot of these are on my own wishlist!

1. Get the runner in your life a Running Room clinic as a gift. Most of the Running Rooms in Toronto will be starting a new round of clinics in the new year, so there is definitely lots to choose from.

2. Show the person you love some gratitude by getting them the Gratitude Wrap from Lululemon. Guaranteed that they will be showing you some gratitude afterwards! (PS: If you happen to be in BC or Calgary prior to the holidays definitely check out ivivva athletica – no store yet in Toronto, but a gift from this Lululemon spinoff would make any child in your life ecstatic!) 

3. Hands down the boutique at 889 Yonge is the best place to pick up anything for the yogi in your life. Whenever I am there I just want to buy everything in the place!

4. A subscription to Best Health magazine – a great Canadian magazine and a great treat to look forward to every month.

5. People into fitness tend to like to eat well (90% of the time!), so why not get them a cooking class as a gift? Culinarium and Relish Culinary would both be great options.

Flickr credit: avlxyz

There comes a point in  life when you stop going to clubs on a regular basis. I have reached that point in my life where going to clubs are not a part of my usual weekend plans – not really sure, though when exactly this happened though. The last time I went I felt extremely old and out of place. What I do miss about going to clubs, though, is the music. There is just something about loud music and hearing your favourite song come on.

What do you do then?

Go to one of Micheline’s evening spinning classes at Quad Spinning and you will be able to relive your clubbing days. I went to her Tuesday night “Rihanna theme class” and I really did feel like I was out at a club. Only difference was that I was sweating because of spinning and not dancing. The class was loud, packed with people and full of energy. As an added touch staff came around and refilled your empty water bottles throughout the class/

Never tried spinning before?

They have an introductory class on Saturday mornings where you’ll learn all the ins and outs of spinning – technique and all.

Quad spinning has three locations to choose from. One class was $20 and you can pre-register for classes online.

Apparently, if you stay at the Fairmont there are no more excuses not to exercise – no more I “forgot” my running shoes for me.

On a recent stay at their Queen Elizabeth hotel in Montreal I discovered their Fairmont Fit program. In partnership with Adidas, this program will provide you with workout gear (shoes and clothes), a preloaded MP3 player, yoga mat and stretch brand. All of these goodies can be requested at the time of your reservation. Very cool.

I believe that you have to be a member of the Fairmont’s Presidents Club to take advantage of this program, so if you aren’t already a member definitely sign up!

This program is free if you are a premier or platinum member. Small fee applies for other levels.

Last night I tried out a Bikram yoga class at a local Toronto studio. It has been about five years since my last Bikram experience, so I thought I would give it another go. The only thing I really remember about the last time I did this type of yoga was that I got a badge that said “I survived X’s Bikram yoga class”. Oh and I ended up with a horrible migraine.

A friend of mine had never tried it before, though, so I decided to accompany her – how bad could it be? I like the heat, I’m in decent shape and I’ve been going to hot yoga at Moksha off and off for a while.

I think the email I wrote immediately after sums up how I felt:

Words can’t describe how I feel right now. I thought I was going to throw up.

I did forget to mention in the email that I was scared as well. For a number of reasons, but the top two are:

* You aren’t allowed to leave the room for the entire 90 minute class.
* The instructor was kind of mean – I think that’s the style, but seriously this felt like yoga for sado-masochists.

Apparently it does get better but I think it is going to take me another five years to get over this. Hot yoga at Moksha is something I much prefer.

Simply put this type of yoga is not for me, but as they say one person’s trash another person’s treasure. So, if you like to sweat and love the idea of pushing yourself beyond your normal range of flexibility this could be for you. Just Google “bikram yoga toronto” if you are interested in trying out a class and I’m sure something will come up in your neighborhood.