Power Plates
You’ve read about them, we’ve read about them and now we’re going to rave about them, because Wahanda has been busy trying out Power Plate sessions across the capital. After cherry-picking three of London’s prime Power Plate locations, we decided to hotfoot it down to each one to see how a class can differ, and if the sessions really lived up to all the hype. Just because they’re good enough for Madonna, doesn’t mean they’re good enough for Wahanda!
The Lifestyle Institute
Location: In the heart of the financial City district, seconds from the Barbican Centre and within walking distance of Moorgate, Liverpool St and Bank, this is the perfect location for busy city types who want to make the most of a quick half-hour class on their lunch break.
Facilities: Set in a top floor studio – think intimate and cosy, the room has low lighting, chilled-out funk music and candles – this isn’t your normal keep-fit class. Four power plates also fill the room. Located at the front of the studio in front of a floor-to-ceiling mirror, you can keep check on your posture while you work-out. The small, compact theme runs throughout the studio with very little space to change. There are also very limited bathroom and shower facilities, however the whole point of Power Plates is that they’re meant to be a quick and fuss-free way to get your fitness fix without getting hot, sweaty and needing a shower.
Class: Lasting for half and hour, our class was led by instructor and owner of the studio – Jessica. Super-impressed by her guidance, great tuition and encouragement, she gave easy to follow instructions and tailored the class to suit our differing fitness levels and abilities. And so we didn’t head back to the office a quivering wreck, she ended the session by laying us on our front, then our backs to allow the plate to intensely massage our quaking legs.
Final thought: Due to the intimacy of the space and the care and attention the trainers bestow upon you, The Lifestyle Institute would be particularly good for personal tuition. The instructors are very sympathetic to your abilities and are knowledgeable and informative, which makes for a welcoming atmosphere.
Get 2-for-1 on Power Plates at The Lifestyle Institute for just £20.
Location: Not the glitziest of gateways, clients must use the stairs off the street to enter the basement location, but its central location makes up for it. Situated on Maddox Street, just off Regent Street, it’s less than five minutes walk from Oxford Circus.
Facilities: Although below street level, the studio is very bright, airy and welcoming, making it feel like the sort of place you could do some serious exercise. The main room houses four power plate machines in front of a floor-to-ceiling mirror, beyond that is a smaller room with one machine for private instruction and located at the very back is a further room used for various massage treatments. The changing facilities consist of two spacious curtained-off areas in the main studio but once again there are no showers.
Class: Our class was a one-to-one with personal trainer and although the basic preamble about the equipment was minimal, the session was fluid and very enjoyable. Because the focus was solely on Wahanda (just how we like it), we were able to go at suitable pace and managed to fit a number of exercises into the 25-minute slot. As before, the session ended with an intense thigh massage on the plate and a lower back massage.
Final thought: The class we took was mid-morning and although we had the studio to ourselves, the phone ringing was constantly was a tad off-putting. Nevertheless, the direction was very good and made for a thorough workout – just what we like.
Try a 2-for-1 Power Plates session at Powertone Studios for just £20.
Location: Situated on Little Riding Street, a quiet road hidden behind the hustle and bustle of Oxford Circus, this is the perfect setting for media types popping out for a half-hour fitness blast.
Facilities: A very large reception area, decked out in white with orange bubble chairs, colourful chandeliers and large ornate mirrors, this was the most frivolous of the three. In the hallway between the reception and studio there are two changing rooms along with two toilets – one accommodating a shower cubicle. This studio was also the largest with five Power Plate machines in total, the customary floor-to-ceiling mirrors on and a pleasing glass roof.
Class: Our class began with a warm-up, followed by a chunk of leg toning exercises, some brief arm exercises then a punishing abdominal work section, before we engaged in a warm-down massage on the plate.
Final thought: Of all the classes we attended this felt like it had the best structure, although our instructor seemed slightly more ‘light-weight’ than those in the other venues. The studio does appear to be more geared up for groups rather than personal training and despite knowing that we were all beginners, there was little instruction about the Power Plates and how they worked. This makes the perfect studio for a fun workout session, however more serious fitness types may turn their noses up.
Read more about Power Plates at Wahanda.
