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Iftar recipes by Kartikya  The most sacred month for the Muslim community is here and during this month, they practice fasting and avoid eating and drinking during the day time until the sun is up. It is the time for spiritual reflection and spending time with friends and family. It is common to have ‘suhoor’; […]

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You never know what you miss until it's gone. Thankfully the current situation has improved and fitness studios are reopening its doors again. Whether you're committed to a more long term fitness game or starting up in time for bikini season or simply just to break the sluggish cycle you're in, you'll need to get moving soon. We've exercised our way through the city to test out the types of training in hopes of finding something that will stick. So here it is, our top ten picks of the best places. From boutique gyms to multi-branch fitness centres -- are you ready to get your sweat on?

4ward Fitness 

Best for: Interactive Training

Branded as Hong Kong's first Korean fitness facility, 4ward Fitness incorporates interactive elements to make workouts feel less painful while still burning off calories. The most unique (and therefore most popular) training workout is Holofit -- a new technology that introduces a virtual landscape to reinvent the workout space to make each program different from the last. With a heart rate and motion monitory system displayed on a sweeping screen, trainers can keep track of progress and while you can measure against others for a little healthy competition. The Holofit room holds several types of classes  including functional, core strengthening, mobility, conditioning and cardio.

4ward Fitness, 2/F, MPM Plaza, 11 Nelson Street, Mong Kok; +852 2362 0508

Anahata Yoga

Best for: Yoga Variety

This is the place for yoga -- you know it’s legit when yoga instructors themselves train here. The studio offers class suggestions that are designed to guide you to the right sessions depending on your current activity level and goals, to help you select the right type of practice, whether that’s hatha, vinyasa, asana pranayama, andiappan, or everything else they have on offer. All instructors are masters of their art, so you know you’re learning from the best in Hong Kong.

Anahata Yoga, 18/F, One Lyndhurst Tower, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2905 1822

F45

Best for: Dynamic Workouts

Developed in Australia, F45 is one of the most dynamic and effective training styles to date; they're also the fastest growing franchise (even Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg purchased a minority stake in the business). The training system is so successful, that it has over 2,000 studios in 45 countries — 8 of which are located in Hong Kong. Perfect for those who suffer from a short attention span, F45 keeps you on your toes (literally) as the exercises are different everyday, its rotational format keeps it fresh, and each station focuses on different muscle groups. There are always at least two trainers on duty each session, ensuring that you’re constantly motivated and your form is correct.

F45, various locations; we tried the Wong Chuk Hang and Causeway Bay studios.

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BounceLimit

Best for: Fun and games

Bounce limit classes all make use of their special rebounder workouts. What’s a rebounder you ask? Essentially, a mini personal trampoline. Unlike the trampoline however, instead of jumping to new heights, the intention is to jump down to reduce the shock and pressure on joints – devoid of any foreseeable injures in the knees. Their LED game nights uses fun exercises and a little competition to get your heart rate up and sweat on.

BounceLimit, 13/F, The Pemberton, 22 – 26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan; +852 2441 0021

Fivelements

Best for: All-in-one Wellness

Set across 15,000 sq. ft. of space on top of Times Square, Fivelements is the wellness sanctuary you need for a quick escape. Take part in any of the twenty classes they offer including anti-gravity yoga, tai chi, pilates, mandala movement, and our personal favourite, gong relaxation to challenge the body and refresh the mind and soul. Also available is an elixir bar for plant-based pre and post workout bites and treatment rooms for massages and steams, too.

Fivelements, 13A, Tower One, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street; +852 3106 2112

FLEX

Best for: Beginners

There’s a lot going on at FLEX -- they offer pilates, (anti-gravity) yoga, barre, and HIIT. The classes are relatively small, the instructors are attentive, and the level of intensity is rather low, making it a really great place to start if you’re new to fitness. It’s also ideal for newbies with their range of offering, so you can try out the classes and find out what exactly you prefer and works best for you. An added bonus is the spacious environment, which makes for a great Instagram backdrop.

Flex, 3/F & 4/F Man Cheung Building, 15 – 17 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2813 2399 / Shops 308 – 310, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong; +852 2813 2212

H-KORE

Best for: Full-body Workouts

Training at H-KORE integrates strengthening, stretching and sweating in one go. Using their Megaformer (an amped up version of a Pilates reformer) machines, the sessions combine high intensity training with low impact moves to reduce the risk of any injuries. By using the special apparatus, the moves will train muscles you didn’t know you had (400+ to be exact). And as the name suggests, it is hardcore, so if you don’t exercise daily, you will be experiencing somewhat severe muscle soreness the days following your visit.

H-KORE,  3/F, Emperor Commercial Centre, 39 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2441 9000 / 1201, Dorset House, Taikoo Place, 979 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong; +852 3107 1144

LIGHTS/OUT

Best for: High-energy Workouts

Just by its name, you can assume the style of this studio. The immersive boxing group class comprises of flashing lights in a dark room, beast mode playlist, and a mix of boxing combos and weight/resistance workout. Though the classes are the same, the style of training varies quite a bit depending on the trainer you’ve signed up with. Model Angie Ng is all about positive vibes and non-stop encouragement, while trainer Burger is the hard-hitting coach that will definitely light a fire under your ass -- both equally effective, so aside from your schedule, do consider the trainers.

Lights/Out, 11/F, The Pemberton, 22 - 26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan; +852 2392 1428

Ozone Fitness

Best for: Customised Workouts

Hidden away in the corner of the Star Street precinct is Ozone Fitness, a boutique fitness centre that’s tastefully designed and thoughtfully equipped. Here, you can sign up for small group classes, personal training, or free-style gym. And while those are all great, they are best at their mid-term programs. Their most popular being the 12-week Reboot Program that is fully customised by your very own dedicated trainer to achieve the goals you set yourself. Want to do an unassisted chin up? Or perhaps you want to know what it’s like to have abs? Their body composition assessment and tailored program will get you there. Bonus: they have a solarium to give you a tan to go along with your new bod.

Ozone Fitness, UG/F, Hang Tak Building, 1 Electric Street, Wan Chai

Pure

Best for: Convenience

If you know anything about gyms in Hong Kong, you'll have definitely already heard of Pure. Chances are you already know someone who works out here. Whether you need guidance (group classes), or know what your doing (freestyle open gym), or even specialised in only focusing on yoga (Pure Yoga), this is your one-stop-shop fitness centre. It’s perfect for those who work around the CBD area too, as there are tons of locations and they even provide workout gear. So there’s not really any excuse to skip on your training. Plus, it’s a great place to socialise after your session as there is a crowd that hang out at Nood Food (their nutritional arm of the gym), where you can get a balanced meal to complement your sweat sesh.

Pure Fitness, various locations

WeBarre

Best for: Low impact, high intensity

A combination of ballet moves, yoga and pilates, barre focuses on isometric strength training. Focusing on a set of muscles at a time, the high rep, small range exercises may look like a walk in the park, but don’t underestimate the dance-like movement, mini exercise ball and 1kg weights. The continuous 60-minute workout (yep, there are no breaks from start to finish) builds, strengthens and sculpts arms, legs, abs, bum and more.

WeBarre, 13/F, Hilltop Plaza, 49 Hollywood Road, Central; +852 2310 0008

XYZ

Best for: Party-style Workouts

This is the place for a ride and vibes -- it’s home to indoor cycling on steroids; it’s your usual spinning class but on professional cleats, dumbbells for upper body training, and zero breaks. Music is a core driver at XYZ, so prior to booking your bike, you can check out your instructor’s playlist on their website and see if you’re feeling those vibes. But don’t be fooled by its playful style, it is a tough workout so be prepared for wobbly legs when stepping off the bike. It’s also good to note that some classes are “buddy rides” meaning that you can bring a friend along to pedal together with you.

XYZ, 2/F, New World Tower 2, 18 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2865 0999

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The first friendly food one tends to consume as an infant after mother’s milk is usually something sweet.  When In fact we are not even aware of how can sugar have a great impact on our health in the long run and gradually we grow up being habitual consuming sugar or even become addicted to […]

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