by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jun 24, 2011 | Exercise, Inner City, Reviews
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Gyms stand for everything that makes me uncomfortable. Sweating profusely in public, wearing ugly shoes with unflattering clothing and being around people who may judge you because you cant lift your own body weight above your head. However, recently I started thinking about changing my exercise routine up a bit to include a bit more…well…routine.
Lots of gyms offer free trials for various periods of times you can find one near you on Good Gym Guide, it’s a great way to see whether (realistically) this is likely to be something you are going to be able to easily make a part of your day to day doings.
For this Battle Royale (number two if you’ve been following) I have chosen two gyms located in Perth’s CBD, Fitness First Murray Street and CBD Health Spa.
Home sweet home to our battlin’ gyms.
Round 1 – LOCATION
Ok well, both of these gyms are located right in the city so the ‘location’ point on the surface is kind of tied. So, let’s go into more detail. CBD Health Spa is open 24 hours a day so is as convenient as you like – you can sweat it out at 3am if it pleases you (Ed: Coincidentally, I have actually done this, 2:30am to be precise. Carry on!). It’s in off the street and is spread out over two levels, and has the better layout of the two gyms while also being the biggest. Fitness First has put their cardio room right at the front with nothing but a glass wall separating you and your sweat zone from the escalator to the Murray Street Mall. I didn’t dig it. But both have separate rooms for their classes.
You wont be him at either gym!
Round 2 – EQUIPMENT
CBD has older equipment but in the weights room there is a better mix of machines and free weights than at Fitness First. The locker rooms kind of feel like you are back at high school (a llittle bit old and the sort of place where you would want to wear thongs in the shower) but the lockers are free to use as long as you bring your own lock. The bike lockers are located inside the building right near the reception desk, which ensures max security. Fitness First has the newer equipment by far, fans built into the treadmills, ability to plug your headphones in to listen to/watch whatever is on one of the many TVs. The locker rooms are beautiful and very clean and your membership card is also your locker key (barcode = state of the art). Hairdryers are supplied at both places which means you don’t have to leave looking like a damp rat.
Round 3 – PRICE
Fitness First is about $22 a week and you are locked into a 12 month contract, CBD is about $17 a week when locked into a contract or $20 a week when you pay month by month (no contract) HERE.
Round 4 – ATMOSPHERE
CBD was the less intimidating and less gym-like, just a mix of people (student, corporate, young, old) doing their own thing. They always have Channel V on the TVs, which I loved because I like to catch up on what my girl Beyonce is doing these days. Fitness First has their own TV station (video clips heavily influenced by the 1990s – I saw video clips from AQUA and All Saints, multiple times whilst there, no lie), they have lovely staff and a big supplement store next door, if that’s your thing.
The worst thing about Fitness First is what I call the ‘leery’ atmosphere. The cardio room was ok, but the weights room was very intimidating. I was nearly always the only girl in there (sometimes there would be two, three tops) but I felt uncomfortable. This last point coupled with the 24 hour convenience of CBD Health Spa and the fact I can pay month by month (and the Channel V, I admit it) is what pushes it over the edge for me in this round of Battle Royale. Sorry Fitness First you came damn close. I guess it’s now time to find some not-so-ugly shoes.
Find out more info about both places here;
♥ Fitness First
♥ CBD Health Spa ** Business is now closed, but I loved this little review too much to get rid of it!
Battle royale by Adriane Daff, newest convert to the exercise ‘dark side’!
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jun 22, 2011 | Alternative Therapy, Massage, North of River, Reviews
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Huna is a form of Hawaiian massage that stimulates the natural flow of energy within the body in order to bring about changes in your physical, emotional and spiritual state. This nuturing massage enables stress and tension to be released and can even help to improve your immune system.
With all this in mind I paid a visit to Scott Davey at Massage in Perth in Hocking where he works from home.
In order to experience the true magic of Huna it’s best to go commando, as in no underwear, with towels strategically placed to cover the important bits. However you can of course leave your underwear on and even have a large towel covering you if you wish. Scott emphasises that the MOST important thing is that you feel comfortable at all times. Never once did I feel uncomfortable.
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Once the massage started I discovered what Scott meant. With the assistance of a silky oil there are grand sweeping strokes that run down your body almost from top to toe that make the stress just melt away. If you were wearing underwear these strokes would be interrupted. These amazing fluid movements are like waves that wash all of you worries and cares away. In fact if you were to watch a Huna massage it would look like a beautiful dance routine being performed by the therapist.
Almost no area is left untended, but it was the more unusual areas that really allowed my stress to dissipate. I never knew the palms of my hands and the bed of my foot just under my toes were the key to this! There were also a series of incredible wrap around strokes on my forearms, other movements actually sweep up underneath you.
By the end of my treatment I was in absolute bliss, centred and so relaxed I truly did not want it to end.
If you too think your soul could do with a little nurturing, your chakras in need of rebalancing and your stress to disappear I cannot recommend a Huna massage enough – my soul is still thanking me.
Price: 75 mins $100
♥ Massage in Perth
♥ Connect with Scott on LinkedIn
Ph: 0405 801 996
Therapist: Scott Davey
Location: Hocking
Review by Kristy Mollica freelance TV and radio presenter, lover of girl power & things that are so totally not beige!
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jun 21, 2011 | Other, Products, Reviews
♥ The beautiful products from this article ♥
It ain’t easy being green – or is it Kermit, is it?
Well for me it has been easy to get my daily dose of green, knowing that there are a long list of benefits for your body inside and out. There are green smoothies, green tea and green veggies and endless varieties of each. Why not add a bit more green into your daily routine by trying some of these favourites of mine?
Green Tea and Pea Eye Cream – RRP $40
I bring to you Endota’s Green Tea and Pea for your peepers. The balmy green tea helps with anti-aging and the pea promotes elasticity. This soothing cream also contains grape seed and chamomile for those baby brown/blue/grey/hazel/green eyes. Beauty rest takes a whole new meaning with this little side-kick in your night stand drawer. (You’re also being green with the cute card-board packaging!)
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Green Rose and China Jasmine T2 teas. I can’t rave enough about T2 teas and their green teas. When I drink a hot China Jasmine in the morning, it’s like a wake up call deep within my belly. For lovers of Jasmine this fusion with green tea gives you a dose of warmth and energising spirit to prepare you for the day ahead.
Green Rose is another favourite that I like to drink cold. I make a jug of this (4-6 teaspoons of loose leaf tea in a T2 iced tea jug) and store it in my fridge, and when I drink it it’s refreshing and cleansing, and since you know it’s good for you and it’s quick and easy, you’re more likely to want to drink it. I like to add slices of lemon for that extra kick and detoxifying feel in my tum.
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Eating green veggies is the simplest ways to inject some green. The above (top o the article!) packet of snow peas will be making it’s way into my vege patch soon and when they start sprouting green goodness I will enjoy pea pesto crostinis, minted pea soup or home-grown snow peas and butter as a side dish.
BASICALLY IT’S EASY BEING GREEN. Kermit was cute, but oh so very wrong.
Share your green loves and tips, whether it be your favourite beauty products, food or recycling…let us know!
Review by Kelly-Anne, graphic designer and green lovah.
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jun 20, 2011 | Interviews
♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
I am Perth born and bred. Happily married to Joe, I have many wonderful friends and a great role so my life is very fulfilled. I live in East Perth and think we are so lucky to live in Perth and WA.
♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.
I always cleanse and tone my skin as best I can and use a variety of products. I am not a slave to any particular product, but do always use moisturiser and try to keep to a regular routine. I use Apricot Scrub every two weeks.
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♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
Probably a massage and I have a lady Heather who comes to my house. I occasionally have a foot massage at Chi Body Spirit in Carillon.
♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
My hair is done at Head Studio in King Street by Marie and Shane.
♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
A sleep in or a quiet pot of herbal tea while sitting in the sunshine on my balcony!
♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
Probably Johnson and Johnson Cleansing wipes, Natio Toner and Clarins Moisturiser.
♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Attitude – I tell myself I am not tired when I am and aim to drink more fluids each day.
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♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)
Time is against me, but I am keen to start Yoga (Ashtanga) classes soon.
♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
Erratic. I always have muesli and coffee at home but given I attend so many events I do too often rely on the canapé diet as I refer to it and really look forward to my days off to eat food I choose for myself rather than what is served to me at the many events I go to….although it can be lovely, choosing what you want to eat is too!
♥ Describe your fitness routine.
Not as I would like it – but I do get in quite a bit of walking.
♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
No
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♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
I relax by having a massage or watching TV or simply cooking a meal at home and sometimes if I am really lucky a little afternoon nap! (only occasionally on weekends)
Thanks so much to our Lord Mayor for taking time out of her incredibly busy schedule to take part in our interview! I hope you enjoyed reading it 🙂
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jun 18, 2011 | Other
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Hi everyone, I thought I would share with you my first foray into the world of print-based beauty writing, in case you are interested in checking it out! It’s all about warming beauty and wellbeing treatments that are perfect for winter! 🙂
The article can be found here: X-Press Winter Fashion Magazine 2011 – Warm n Toasty Beauty.
It was really exciting to have my article published “in the real world” and I will be doing more writing for X-Press in the future, as I’ve been chosen as their Beauty Writer for the seasonal fashion mags! Yay!
Hope you are well, and I would love to hear any of your thoughts on the article:)
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
