Where a night out meets a workout in Hong Kong
Fitness centres are combining serious workouts with a fun, Saturday-night vibe. We put some of the best to the test
Tucked in what they call "a hidden cave" on Queen's Road Central, XYZ provides a fantastic atmosphere for spinning, aka indoor cycling. The gym room, dimly lit by blue neon lights that flicker along to the music, evokes feelings of a disco, with the only exception being the presence of exercise bikes.
XYZ's sessions are an enjoyable challenge for the body and the senses. The music starts with a fast beat and a heavy bass line, an instructor leads you on a ride. The beat changes from time to time - sometimes slow and steady, sometimes fast enough to make your heart pound. Throw in a series of crunches and push-ups, all timed to the music, and by the end you'll be drenched in sweat.
Classes are divided into two levels - "Grow Young" for beginners, and "Born To Move" for a more intense cardio workout. Both are 50-minute sessions.
the dark room, neon lights, and loud pumping music give the exercise experience a feel-good, disco-like atmosphere. We left the class with tired thighs, but feeling energised. The best thing about the class? The lights are dim enough that nobody can see your face as you try to keep up.
make the workout more amusing by wearing white or light coloured clothes - they glow under the blue neon lights. Also, you don't need to bring your own sports shoes, XYZ provides special cycling footwear.
2/F New World Tower II, 18 Queen's Road Central. Inquiries: 2865 0999; youarexyz.com
Sometimes, all it takes for a great night out is good company, a glass of wine and some good food. At Barre 2 Barre, after a hard workout - based on Pilates and stretching - you can look forward to monthly "après-barre" socialising sessions, with organic wine and healthy snack menus on the studio's balcony. As for the workout, you get to hit every muscle with poses that challenge core strength - so much that you'll be shaking.
the workout is gratifying, while the food and wine will satiate foodies. Barre 2 Barre is a fun place for classy socialising and celebrating health and indulgence at the same time.
take it easy; the exercises might not seem too hardcore at the time, but you'll definitely feel the burn in the following days. Don't underestimate the power of small movements.
4/F Cheung Hing Commercial Bldg. 37 Cochrane Street, Central. Inquiries: 9688 3503; barre2barre.com
For those visiting BounceLimit for the first time, the 28 mini-trampolines built into the gym floor will surely impress.
The weekly Friday LED Night class offers a party-like environment with a dim classroom and trampolines lit from beneath by LED lights. Instead of jumping as high as you can, according to senior instructor Lucia Tam, a good work-out is all about staying low. The class starts with rebound exercises (trying to resist the momentum of the trampoline as it lifts you), followed by moves such as sit-ups and sumo squats. With a more light-hearted approach, ideal for Friday nights, there's also a game session with different moves that follow the fast-changing LED lights. This exercise left us panting and laughing at the same time. The session ends with some stretching to relax the muscles and some selfie-taking opportunities. The LED class is only available on Friday nights and is suitable for beginners. All sessions are 55 minutes.
BounceLimit is great for an after-work workout, especially for those who have spent the day hunched over a computer. Trampolines are always fun, and being able to work out with them is perfect.
bring your own non-slip socks to the studio, or arrive early and buy some for HK$120 per pair.
The Pemberton 13/F, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan. Inquiries: 2441 0021; bouncelimit.com
If you're out and about on Wyndham Street on weekend nights, don't be alarmed by the roars coming from a glowing fitness gym - it's all, apparently, part of the experience. At Studio Fitness, the energetic crew are all about motivating you to, as they put it, "cut fat", "get ripped", and "get jacked".
The gym is a cosy, crazy environment designed to boost your adrenaline. With a maximum of 12 people per class, each session is a semi-personal training experience with tailored weights and exercises.
Super fit instructors are there to motivate, as you do lifts, crunches and target every single muscle of your body. The gyms are dimly lit, so you'll feel less self-conscious as you struggle to keep up.
Some classes will have you spinning on a bike, overlooking the lively scene on Wyndham Street, while in others you can kick and punch through Muay Thai training - there's enough variety here to keep you on your toes.
This gym has a work hard, play hard mentality, and Studio Fitness often serves champagne, wine and cocktails on Friday and Saturday nights.
testosterone fills this gym, and with the enigmatic interior, neon lights, blaring music and alcoholic drinks, this is basically a nightclub disguised as a gym.
beginners beware, the exercises here are hardcore, especially some of the advanced circuits. That said, don't be afraid to shout or roar as you work out - how many gyms can you do this in without having everyone staring at you as if you were mad?
1/F World-Wide Commercial Building, 34 Wyndham Street, Central. Inquiries: 9450 5600; studiofitness.com.hk
