FITNESS: Speedflex London, Bank

Last week I attended one of the hardest classes of my fitness life: Speedflex. Based in Bank in Central London, Speedflex uses weighted machines to provide a high-intensity, low impact training regime that absolutely kicks butt!  Speedflex machines which work by creating resistance to applied force, meaning that anyone can use them with no need to adjust weights or levels. The group circuit sessions provide a combination of cardio and resistance training however, they also have more targeted sessions which are applied to certain areas, including Coreflex for a core workout. Speedflex group training sessions have been designed to offer a full body workout to improve fitness levels, enhance strength, power and speed; all with the added benefit of little to no post workout muscle soreness. I can vouch that I had very little soreness the next day (but my thighs were knackered).

Recently Speedflex have introduced new 'themed' sessions that will shake up your workout routine. In addition to the original Speedflex Classic sessions, which combine low impact auxiliary exercises with circuits using the unique Speedflex machines that automatically respond to and create resistance based on the force you put in, Speedflex has introduced six new session concepts including:

• SPEED4LEX - Designed around the Tabata training theory, Speed4lex 30 minute sessions will be structured around four minute blocks to offer a variety of strength and cardio-based exercises, with an emphasis on intensity for enhanced fat burn and results.
• FLEXTREME - The most challenging Speedflex experience to date, Flextreme offers an array of new complex and compound Speedflex and auxiliary exercises which involve more resistance and are more focused on strength. These sessions will be more demanding on the body and have been designed to truly take your training up a notch
• PUREFLEX - 30 and 45 minute sessions comprising of Speedflex only exercises without any auxiliary stations. PureFlex has been designed to take interval training back to basics, utilising the Speedflex machines to take you to high intensity training zones, followed by rest periods to lower the heart rate. 
• BODYFLEX - 30 minute sessions which focus on the use of your own body weight and interval training using the Speedflex machines, followed by 15 minutes of core work. 
• COREFLEX - Challenging 30 minute sessions which combine Speedflex training with abdominal focused exercises to help achieve a flat and toned torso. CoreFlex sessions have been designed to improve your strength, posture and spinal stability. 
• FUNDAMENTALS - Designed to perfect your Speedflex form and technique, Fundamentals sessions will teach you how to improve upon core Speedflex exercises including squats, deadlifts, pushes, swings and presses. 

All Speedflex sessions are led by experienced personal trainers who push you to work to your maximum, encouraging you to sustain your heart rate in a high intensity zone above 85% for increased fitness, stamina and results with a reduced risk of injury. Each person uses state-of-the-art heart rate monitors to track their heart rate during the session and find out an accurate calorie burn at the end. When compared against my FitBit the heart rate monitor certainly won. 

Speedflex also offer a detailed body analysis, which is free for first-time clients or paid for by current members. Carried out on the InBody720, the body composition health assessment gives you a real insight into what your body is made up of. This involves you standing on a very fancy set of scales which sends gentle electrical currents through your body. Body composition is one of the most important assessments to establish a starting point and verify the progress of your training efforts. The analysis demonstrates what the body is composed of in relation to muscle, fat, water levels and visceral fat – to name but a few.

I have shared my InBody stats with you, not to show off, but to show how incredibly detailed each assessment really is. My weight on the day was 57.8kg (around 9st 1lb) and my body fat percentage at 12.6. This really surprised me as I eat a lot of fat in my daily vegan diet (um, hello avocados!). This body fat percentage in perfectly healthy and is something I would love to maintain. Typically the bulk of my weight is carried in my trunk (no surprises there) but it was interesting to see that my lower body is also disproportionately stronger than my upper half. These sorts of readings are really helpful in guiding my training and directing my work. 

 Overall my time at Speedflex was pretty awesome! I have learnt so much about my body and how I can train it more effectively. I have also experienced a killer workout that doesn't leave you dead the next day. I cannot wait to start my two week trial so be sure to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat for more updates!

I was invited to Speedflex to review their training system. This post is not sponsored or paid for. All opinions and images are my own. 

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