Work up a sweat at Chill Factore
Snow and boot camp!! When the invitation came through to visit this new exercise class the comedy value was too enormous to resist!
Unfortunately I was shampooing a poodle on the proposed date, so asked one of our regular guest bloggers – Charlie (she’s training for the London Marathon) to pop on an extra vest and try it out.
I’ve done a lot of things when it comes to exercise!
Running, gym classes, spin, weights, circuits.
I’ve even tried a little ice skating and Cross Fit.
But Chill Factore are offering something a little bit different, that even I thought twice about before agreeing to. Bootcamp in the snow.
And it’s exactly what it sounds like. A full hour of bootcamp or circuit style exercises in the snow, at an ambient temperature of around -2°C. The lower temperature means that you burn more calories (read more about that here).
Ever curious, I set off to find out what this fitness session was really like.
I have to admit, I’ve never been to Chill Factore before, despite living almost on it’s doorstep. Perhaps that’s the reason, familiarity and knowing it’s ‘just there’ mean it’s the last place you stop by.
I didn’t realise it has it’s own restaurant, a gelato bar, pub and coffee shop – let alone the various sports shops on site. Just turning up was a bit of a revelation.
After heading to the reception desk and collecting my ticket, it was time to get kitted up. You can, of course, do the session in your own gear – but included in the price of your ticket is a pair of ski pants, a jacket and a pair of snow boots – the latter essential for running about in the snow.
Trying on a couple of pants for size (I have a rather curvy figure which means that I did have one or two issues with the unisex nature of the ski pants) I was soon kitted up and headed out onto the snow.
The trainer, Gary Novak, soon had us all warming up on the snow. From star jumps to holding plank and side plank, our ski gear soon got very warm and we were very red faced, despite the temperature around us.
Once our cheeks were rosy, he set up the circuits – polar bear wrestling, snow angels, press ups in the snow and punching the penguin were all on the agenda.
Paired up, we were given one minute on each exercise, 20 seconds to move to the next station – there were seven stations in all.
Whilst this sounds like hard work, I can honestly say it was a lot of fun. Running about on the snow, pushing a tyre with your partner seated in it, using boxing gloves to punch a foam penguin on the nose – there was laughter, sweating (and maybe a little swearing). I absolutely loved it.
If you fancy something a bit different, or just something where you can laugh just as much as you exercise, this is by far the class for you. A great group and a great trainer, mean it’s a whole heap of fun and before you know it, your hour is up and it’s time to head home.
Just try not to stop off at the Hot Choc Hut on the way home.
For more information about Bootcamp in the Snow visit chillfactore.com/bootcampinthesnow
(cost = £8.00 or book six sessions and pay just £40.00)
Charlie x
Photographs: Charlie Hooson-Sykes
Charlie writes her own personal blog – Gin Fuelled Blue Stocking and is also programme secretary for the Manchester WI.
Other articles by Charlie:
Felt Christmas tree decorations
Garter Stitch Mug Cosy Pattern
Top Tips for a Homemade Christmas
Creative Stitches & Hobbycraft Show