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TRIED & TESTED: Insanity with SW4 Fitness

June 20, 2014 by Eliza Flynn Leave a Comment

Find out how Eliza Flynn did when she tried Insanity with SW4 Fitness down in South London. These Shaun T inspired BeachBody classes are taking the UK by storm. Are they sweat-worthy? Find out…

Insanity at SW4 Fitness

When we heard that SW4 Fitness had added Insanity sessions to their existing repertoire of fitness classes, we jumped at the chance to try it out. Not least because as well as burning up to 1000 calories a session, it combines strength, agility and plyometrics – and all in a class that lasts no longer than 45 minutes.

It is scary when you walk into a class, knowing that you’re going to be beasted. I’d tried the home DVDs before (they were a Christmas present – a big hint that I needed to get fitter, faster!) and that left me in a crumpled mess on the floor. However, my saving grace was that no one other than my secondhand cat need see that horrific sight.

However, what I love about SW4 Fitness classes is that everyone is so friendly and welcoming. There were about 10 of us in a hall and all were in a similar state of excited apprehension. I noted that all the ones who had been before had bought giant bottles of water.

Insanity is all about HIIT training – high intensity interval training – where you carry out a select series of moves (usually 4) for approximately 30 seconds (it felt like longer) as hard as you can, with a short break inbetween This is repeated several times. Each set of moves focuses on different areas, for example agility and balance. Yes, there are burpees! Technique is important, as is the idea that each exercise is done ‘to fail’ – this isn’t a bad thing but ensures that you’ve worked to your limit. It’s a workout that’s guaranteed to raise your heart rate, work all parts of your body and not linger on one particular exercise too long (I like that, I get bored easily).

The class goes by quickly and it really doesn’t seem like any time at all when we reach the warm up. Yes, we’re covered in sweat and yes, our legs were aching and I did worry how I was going to manage the 1 hour cycle back to North London (it took me 1 hour 15 minutes in the end) but it’s worth it. There’s no such feeling like a short burst of intense activity that leaves you feeling on a high.

Take a look at the video below to see some of the moves from the evening*:

More about Insanity at SW4 Fitness

Why? It’s short, sharp and an effective workout.
Where? St Peter’s Hall, Clapham
When?  Tuesdays, 7.30pm
How much? £7.50 or £5 for SW4 Fitness members
Top Tip: Don’t eat anything less than 1.5 hours before the class, least of all cauliflower soup (rookie error) and bring lots of water, you’ll need it.
Website: www.sw4fitness.com

* This is our first video like this so apologies for the rough and readiness of it. We will work on our delivery, we promise!

Filed Under: Fitness, TRIED & TESTED Tagged With: fitness classes in london, fitness review, fitness review london, healthy living in london, insanity

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