Healthy living in an urban environment comes with its own set of unique challenges.
We have pulled our team of BWW experts together and took part in a deep dive of how working professionals in urban settings such as London can make the most of their fitness pursuits.
BodyWorksWest has created a community beyond just being a gym and bring members fitness classes, with our brand ethos being centred around evoking understanding and support.
2020 and the global pandemic has highlighted that communities and neighbourhoods crave a healthy, positive lifestyle in every sense of the word – whether it be your diet, the people you socialise with or the place where you exercise – everything around us impacts our wellbeing, physically and mentally.
There’s still work to be done to empower more people to consciously look after themselves and others – especially in urban centres.
Learn to relax
When our bodies produce more stress hormones, this can raise your blood pressure and as a result, frequent or chronic stress will make your heart work too hard for too long.
Raised blood pressure from increased levels of stress has also been liked to mental health in recent years so being aware of your stress levels is vital.
Everyone is different, so figure out what helps YOU relax and take some time out each day to do it.
At BodyWorksWest we have our bases covered from studio classes, traditional gym floor workouts, swimming and personal training options. Our members also have a space to relax with a cup of coffee or tea in the lounge.
We are an environment specifically designed to bring peace and tranquillity to a bustling neighbourhood set in the heart of one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
Make the most of our surroundings
When it comes to eating healthily, the city can be both your best friend and worst enemy.
Luckily, we have organic markets selling fresh fruit and vegetables speciality supermarkets packed with spices and quality produce, right on our doorstep in Notting Hill.
We are spoiled with choice in Notting Hill, we have some of the best restaurants and cafés in the city, make the most of it and eat and shop locally whenever you can, always favouring seasonal and organic ingredients.
Make the most of the shops in our neighbourhood and try to shop local wherever you can.
Physical and mental fatigue can lead us into temptation, nobody’s saying you can’t order takeaways, but choose wisely. You can save time and still get a nutritious meal from healthy delivery services such as Fresh Fitness Food. This London-based company delivers personalised meal plans tailored to your health and fitness goals directly to your home.
Switch your workout
Without a doubt, one of the best things about BodyWorksWest is the sheer variety of activities available – you’re not stuck with just the gym when it comes to working out.
One week you could take a High-Intensity class, the next week it could be Street Dancing, then an energetic Spin class and finish the month off with a Dynamic Reformer Pilates session.
With so many different activities to choose from, keeping fit in the city has never been so convenient and versatile. Variety is key, our fitness experts recommend changing your workout routine to stay motivated and inspired.
Let’s guard against getting bored by repeating to the same routine, week-in, week-out. Try something new; who knows, you might like it!
Get your eight hours
When you’re working a stressful job or have young children with demanding schedules, we struggle to make time to spend with friends, family and partners.
A subsequent side effect is that it all too frequently seems that there aren’t enough hours in a day to get a good night’s sleep.
Getting between eight to ten hours sleep a night is vital for your health and well-being. Read that again.
Did you know that lack of sleep can lead to weight gain and depression, as well as making it more difficult for you to focus and concentrate at work or home?
A few handy tips published by the NHS include:
Keeping regular sleeping hours will “programme” your body into a sleep pattern.
Creating a restful sleeping environment is key. Your bedroom should be a peaceful place with the temperature, lighting and noise controlled so that this environment helps you to fall (and stay) asleep.
Too much food or alcohol, especially late at night, can interrupt your sleep patterns. Alcohol may help you to fall asleep initially, but it will disrupt your sleep later on in the night.
Switch your phone and laptop off an hour before your bedtime and unwind with a good book; you’ll soon drift off.
Regular exercise has many benefits, including better sleep. Recent studies have found that moderate-intensity exercise, such as yoga or swimming can be enjoyed close to bedtime without compromising your sleep. Exercise can help you to stabilise your mood and prepare you for a good night’s sleep.
We know that finding the time and motivation to exercise can be challenging.
At BWW we are staying committed to bringing our members the best in health and wellness and continually looking for new ways to meet urban demands. Send us a DM on Instagram if you have any suggestions, we’d love to hear from you!