Fitness - House Of Coco Magazine

Design April 14, 2021

Varenna Founder Arantxa Gandini is redefining activewear for the modern day woman

Amidst the crystal clear waters and rustic villas of Lake Como, a new activewear brand was born. Varenna — established in 2020 by Italian entrepreneur Arantxa Gandini — sits at the intersection of high-fashion and high-performance redefining activewear for the modern day woman.

“Wellness, elegance and beauty at the heart of everything we do,” Arantxa says as she shares the inspirations and distinctive ‘Made-in-Italy’ ethos of her luxury activewear brand.

According to Arantxa, Varenna was “born out of a desire to create clothing using conscious design methods and minimal waste.” In fact, it is the first and only activewear brand to be completely produced in Italy, utilising only high-quality recycled and biodegradable fabrics, reinforcing Arantxa’s own commitment to preserving the environment and contributing towards a greener future.

Taking inspiration from the inimitable beauty of mother nature, Varenna offers refined yet sophisticated sportswear pieces that “give life to the magic that occurs when the natural world meets wise human hands.“

“Our pieces infuse the elegance and sophistication of a luxury fashion label, with the design, performance and versatility of an activewear brand,” adds Arantxa. “Our refined, minimalist aesthetic vision proves that sportswear has indeed become a new expression of contemporary elegance.”

We sit down with Varenna Founder Arantxa Gandini, who invites us to discover the world of Varenna, and learn about the tradition, innovation and passion that inform its lovingly designed and thoughtfully-made collections.

What led you to embark on your journey to create a sustainably luxury activewear brand?

I’ve always felt the need to feel beautiful and elegant, not just at the office or during special occasions, but also while training outdoors, at home, or in the gym. However, I couldn’t find any activewear brands that could satisfy this need.

Because of this, I decided to combine my two biggest passions — sports and fashion — to develop a brand that could meet the elevated tastes and standards of women like myself. So, with my business partner, we founded Varenna with a clear vision in mind. This was to contribute to women’s happiness and to create an environment where wellness, elegance and beauty are at the heart of everything we do.

Tell us more about Varenna’s design ethos. Where does the inspiration for your designs come from?

Our story begins amidst the idyllic beauty of Lake Como, my childhood home. For me, Lake Como has always been the ultimate expression of Italian beauty and way of life. It is a truly magical place where the elegance of the villas seamlessly blend with the majesty of nature.

The main inspiration for our collections come from the natural world in all its forms. From the inimitable lights, patterns, colours and geometries of nature, our collections are born. We design collections that embody the graphic quality and stark symmetries of nature, giving life to the magic that occurs when the natural world meets wise human hands.

Describe Varenna in three words. Tell us more about your brand vision and what sets you apart from other activewear brands in the market today?

Our three main keywords are fashion, sustainable and ‘Made-in-Italy.’ Our mission is as ambitious as it is simple. We combine comfort (an essential feature in any sportswear brand) and glamour, which is something any successful fashion brand has in spades.

Through our collections, we constantly redefine the concept of what an active wardrobe looks like. Our pieces infuse the elegance and sophistication of a luxury fashion label, with the design, performance and versatility of an activewear brand. Our refined, minimalist aesthetic vision proves that sportswear has indeed become a new expression of contemporary elegance.

How important is sustainability to Varenna’s ethos?

In terms of sustainability, we’re always looking for low-impact raw materials and energy solutions. We believe that offering our clients sustainable choices eventually leads to better, more conscious consumer behaviours, resulting in a greener world.

For this reason, we only work with a select network of suppliers in Northern Italy to minimise our carbon footprint. We also put our best efforts towards preventing waste and only using high-quality fabrics from recycled PET bottles and biodegradable sources.

Varenna is the first luxury activewear brand that is completely ‘Made-in-Italy,’ which we hope reaffirms Italy’s position as a leader in the fashion world. Our entire supply chain is sustainable. This begins with design and sourcing the finest recycled Italian fabrics, to our very exacting cut and assembly process, which is as close as ‘made-to-measure’ as you can possibly get in activewear.

For me, tradition, innovation and passion are three words that perfectly describe our collections, which are all lovingly designed, thoughtfully made and packaged in Italy.

What is next for Varenna? What is your long-term vision for the brand?

Our goal is to continue to design and produce elegant, mindfully-made clothes. We believe that brands today have to go beyond simply producing products, which is why we are developing a holistic brand universe that includes fashion, sports and wellbeing.

Our vision is to transform our flagship boutiques into exclusive wellness spaces, where our luxury clientele can relax and take care of their mind and body. At our Varenna boutiques, they can participate in Yoga or Pilates classes, or indulge in some traditional Italian food, reimagined through a lens of wellness and elegance.

Shop #TeamCoco’s top 10 picks from Varenna’s latest collection

Fitness March 30, 2021

Exercising Through Pain Is Not the Way to the Shredded Body of Your Dreams

A key part of living the dream lifestyle you crave is feeling fit and energetic. This will allow you to explore the world, take dream vacations, feel more confident, and enjoy all the tasty food and drink you want. We often hear the saying, ‘no pain, no gain’, but trying to fight your way through pain to complete an exercise routine is always a bad idea. Let’s take a closer look:

Exercising in Pain Is Always a Bad Idea

It doesn’t matter if you’re an exercise novice or an experienced marathon runner; you should avoid exercising when you’re in any amount of pain. It’s important to realize that there is a significant difference between pain and discomfort. Exercise that is challenging you sufficiently to cause gains will likely evoke a bit of discomfort. Runners have to push through ‘the wall’, gym goers will exercise a muscle to exhaustion, and yoga stretches should feel challenging to your body. However, there’s a difference between discomfort and real pain, and it’s important to know the difference in order to be fit and healthy.

How to Tell the Difference Between Pain and Discomfort

The more you understand about your body, the quicker you will reach your fitness goals. Real pain is the body’s warning sign to stop what you’re doing, or damage could result. It tends to be a sudden burning or shooting sensation, usually felt deep within a joint or bone. Ignoring it is a recipe for long-term injury

Discomfort, on the other hand, is normal to feel when working out. It’s an indication you’re pushing your body to be better. It’s usually felt as a dull ache in the muscles. It will be a low, tolerable burn, and should not have a sudden onset. If you feel any kind of sharp sensation at the start of a workout, stop immediately. If your pain is one-sided, in a joint, or you experience limited mobility, you should also stop immediately, and not wait until the end of the workout. When in doubt, seek medical attention.

Do you have muscle imbalances?

It’s common for dedicated athletes or gym lovers to over-develop aspects of their physique. While this sounds good on paper, it can actually be detrimental to your progress. This is because you can develop overcompensation, where a strong muscle does the job of a weak muscle, joint, or ligament. This leads to extra wear-and-tear on the body. A classic example of this is anterior pelvic tilt. Luckily, if you become aware that an overdeveloped muscle group is causing bodily imbalance, there are things you can do to correct this. For an anterior pelvic tilt, as an example, this is worth trying. You may need to consult a physiotherapist or skilled trainer if you’re not sure how to tackle the matter yourself.

When it comes to exercise, it’s not just about training hard, it’s about training smart. If you learn to take care of your body, even as you reach for your fitness goals, you will soon be on the way to a happier, healthier body that will support you in achieving your dream life.

Fitness March 23, 2021

Top Tips for Your First Rucking Trip

New to Rucking? Here are five tips every beginner will benefit from

Rucking is now growing more popular than ever! And why wouldn’t it be? Why spend hours a week running on a treadmill, looking at the gym wall… When you could take in the finest of what nature has to offer whilst rucking?!

The choice is simple.

With plenty of new Ruckers on the scene, we thought that now would be the perfect time to share our wisdom on the subject. In this article, we have included 5 things we wish someone had told us before our first rucking trip.

What is Rucking?

Before we jump into the tips, we’re going to quickly discuss what Rucking is (just in case some of you are here looking for rugby advice).

The term Rucking originally referred to a military training exercise. Both the term and the training practice have become popular with civilians in recent years. It has even become a cornerstone in the Crossfit Community.

Rucking is the sport of walking, running, or hiking with a weighted backpack.

From that description, you may not have an accurate idea about how tough this sport can be. But trust us, you can only succeed in this sport if you prepare well, and look after yourself out there.

Here are five tips that will help you to do that on your first Rucking trip:

For beginners 10% is ideal

We’re all super enthusiastic when it comes to starting something new. And when you begin Rucking, it can be really tempting to overload your backpack and plan an extremely long walk.

But don’t do it!

Like all sports, the trick to getting good at Rucking is incremental improvements and lots of practice.

Walking too far or carrying too much weight on your first run can lead to injury. We recommend beginners start by loading up their backpack with 10% of their body weight. If it ends up being too easy you can always add more weight next time.

Wear good boots

This is key advice if you are walking long distances or doing any form of hiking. But it is even more important when you are going Rucking. The weight you are carrying on your back will put a lot more strain on your joints (from your hips, knees, and right down to your ankles).

One of the most common Rucking injuries is falling and twisting your ankle. Therefore, the best boots to wear when rucking are ones that provide optimal ankle support. They should also be breathable and heavy duty, when possible. Ideally, you should try and avoid boots that are too heavy – you already have weight on your back, you don’t need them on your feet too!

You don’t need Rucking Plates

There are some companies that would have you believe that Rucking plates are essential for Ruckers of all skill levels. These just happen to be the same companies that sell Rucking plates.

Whilst Rucking plates can be useful for more experienced Ruckers who want to carry a lot of weight in a small backpack, they really aren’t necessary for beginners.

If you aren’t going to use a Rucking plate on your first Ruck, what can you use?

Bricks
Sandbags
Full water bottles
Barbell plates
Rocks
Books

Stay hydrated and pack snacks

This may seem like very simple advice, but you’d be surprised by how many people underestimate what a challenge Rucking can be. Remember this sport was originally an Army Training exercise. You need to prepare for an outing and take it seriously.

That being said, you’re first Ruck is going to be a lot of fun. Just remember to regularly sip water (this is a great way of avoiding stitches) and to eat when your body tells you it needs to eat. There’s nothing worse than getting dizzy with a weighted backpack on.

Set yourself a long term goal

If you want to see the most efficient progress of your Rucking ability, then your best option is to set yourself a long term goal.

There is no limit to what this kind of goal can be. But setting any kind of goal will give your Rucks purpose, and stop your walks feeling aimless.

Your goal could be distance, time, or weight-related. Or a combination of all three. You could even decide that you want to take part in an organized Rucking event like GORUCK events. If you’re looking for new friends that love Rucking, then those events will be the place for you.

Couples Travel March 19, 2021

Reclaim your Mojo with a Luxe Wellness stay in the Maldives

After a year of travel restrictions, you are no doubt, like me, looking for a holiday that ticks all the boxes – warm weather, powder white beaches, luxe accommodation and the opportunity to mentally recharge. Surrounded by nothing but turquoise lagoon that fades into the azure Indian Ocean is Anantara Dhigu and Veli Maldives Resorts, the perfect place to reset and reclaim your mojo.

With a renewed focus on wellness, the latest addition to the Anantara team of an on-property experts is Naturopath and Nutritional Therapist, Kelly Manning who works with guests, focussing on their nutrition to help overcome stress, sleep issues and unhealthy eating patterns, including those which may have built up over the past year, as well helping with immunity, digestion, weight management, hormones, skin and blood sugar balance.

In between relaxing in this private slice of paradise, guests can receive 90-minute nutrition and lifestyle consultations which result in a detailed assessment, a tailored diet, lifestyle and supplement plan. Kelly will also provide a handful of practical achievable recommendations to get you started during your holiday and a more detailed plan to continue at home.

There Is also the chance to join Kelly’s health and nutrition seminars during your stay. The seminars include cooking demonstrations and tastings and can be attended as a group or booked privately for a personalised session.

A calendar of Masters of Wellness in residency during the year is in place at Anantara Veli. Claude Simard is an internationally acclaimed Psycho-Energetic Massage specialist, using his highly developed sensitivity and intuition to combine therapeutic massage with Inner Child work. Claude will join the team from March 15th to the end of April. During the same period Jill Banwell will guide guests in Crystal Healing, Yoga, Massage, Meditation and Tarot. In residency from May to the end of October, Dome Srisawat is a certified Physiotherapist, specialising in Myofascial Release, a unique muscular manipulation technique to resolve acute pain and continuous aches by releasing energy blockages in the connective muscle tissues. To wrap up the year, Muayad Najemeddin will be returning during December until the end of January 2022, practicing Reiki and the healing art of Tibetan Singing Bowls.

Guests can share the facilities at family-focused Anantara Dhigu, adults-only Anantara Veli and the exclusive 20-villa Naladhu Private Island, just minutes apart by boat in the South Malé Atoll.

As relaxation and ‘me time’ have become even more important over the last 12 months, the over water Anantara Spa at Anantara Dhigu offers a newly refreshed menu with four new signature journeys, including the Sundari Sunset spa ritual, which is a deep relaxation massage on a floating platform, followed by champagne whilst watching the sun go down. Once darkness has fallen, the Moonlight Reflections spa healing ritual encompasses meditation and a healing massage on a private beach under the night sky.

The recently opened Cocoon Medical Spa located at the Balance Wellness by Anantara facility at Anantara Veli offers the highest level of aesthetic and wellness treatments performed by medical professionals. Whether guests require a vitamin IV infusion after a long flight for an energy boost or wish to turn back time with a Cleopatra 24 Carat Gold & Collagen Facial, using diamond microdermabrasion and LED Light therapy, the highly trained staff have the expertise and knowledge to formalise a programme specifically tailored to each guest. Other treatments include diamond microdermabrasion to exfoliate and increase blood flow to the skin, velashape fat blast to reduce body fat and oxygen therapy to boost energy levels.

The resorts’ overall offering comprises an impressive range of body experiences, facial treatments, Ayurvedic therapies and wellness programmes, in addition to complimentary daily yoga sessions with the yoga guru, movement therapy and fitness sessions can be booked with the resident personal trainer.

Prices for a 90-minute nutrition and lifestyle consultation start from USD 305. Seminars and cookery demonstrations start from USD 50 per person for 90 minutes. Prices for a stay at Anantara Veli start from USD 475 for an Over Water Bungalow with breakfast and at Anantara Dhigu from USD 535 for a Sunrise Beach Villa on half board basis.

For more information on Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, please visit www.anantara.com.

Adventures February 7, 2021

The ultimate in lockdown learning? Discovering how to dive…from home.

Tropical oceans may still seem a distant pipe dream as we continue to languor in lockdown in our grey English winter, but that doesn’t mean we can’t prepare for the day we can explore once more.

Learning to dive was on my New Year’s Resolution list last year, meaning it automatically rolled over to 2021…and and may at this rate even stretch into 2022. For a while it looked as though that was one item on the vision board that wasn’t getting ticked off, so imagine my joy at discovering that the world’s leading scuba diver training organisation PADI runs online tuition to prep you for the day you can get back to the blue. If, like me, you’re keen to keep busy and challenge your mind during lockdown – not to mention having something to look forward to – then read on. You might not have thought it would be possible to learn to dive from home (nobody’s bath tub is that deep…) but surprisingly, PADI has a range of online courses for the whole family.

The convenient, interactive study option to their online course allows you to learn anytime, anywhere, using videos, audio, graphics, reading and short quizzes to help you learn and gauge progress. Starting your diving adventures from home at your own pace, you’re given a year to complete the online portion and the option to connect with a PADI Dive Centre to complete your in-water training when they open again, ready to dive right in and complete the certification with your instructor. There’s never been a better time to put your mind to learning new things and given House of Coco’s penchant for ocean-based adventures, we know you’ll love this as much as we do.

Having only attempted diving once – in the FREEZING cold Atlantic off Gran Canaria no less – I’m excited to start my course. Fingers crossed for a Caribbean sojourn later this year to put it into practise!

PADI has over 200 Dive Centres located across the UK and 6,750 across the globe, meaning the possibilities for amazing diving experiences are endless. For more information about PADI eLearning, either contact a PADI Dive Centre or check out their online courses here.

Design February 4, 2021

Seven activewear sets to elevate your living room workouts

Nothing beats the lockdown blues better than a sweat-sesh — and so we’re whipping out some retro aerobics moves and getting a healthy dose of endorphins to get through lockdown 3.0 in true #TeamCoco style.

If you’re looking for new ways to elevate your living room workouts, or simply motivate you to maximise your one hour of allocated outdoor exercise, then these stylish activewear sets should certainly do the trick. Because looking good and feeling good is oftentimes the best workout motivation of all.

Blush Sports Top and Leggings by DKNY available at https://www.donnakaran.com/
Black Sports Bra and Leggings by Enavant Active available at Cult Mia https://cultmia.com/collections/enavant-active
Chromatic Sports Bra and Legging by Calvin Klein Performance available at https://www.calvinklein.co.uk/
Sports Bra and Top by Lindex available at https://www.lindex.com/
Multi-coloured Sports Top and black Logo Leggings by DKNY available at https://www.donnakaran.com/
Printed Sports Bra and Leggings by Aurique at Amazon Fashion available at https://www.amazon.co.uk/
Printed Sports Bra and Cycling Shorts by Oceanus available at https://oceanusswimwear.com/

Books January 21, 2021

5 Wellness Routines to get you through Lockdown

A year of tier changes, lockdown, and a constant need to adapt has meant we have all had to create new routines. Like everyone else, my world today is very different to how it was 12 months ago and as a result I have had to be kind to myself, remember that I am not operating at the same level I was pre-COVID-19 and adjust my wellness routine to reflect this.

Making small changes to your daily routine can help boost your emotional wellbeing and support your mindset in tricky times. Here are my top five wellness routines to help get you through lockdown.

Slow Mornings

Gone are the days of dashing for the train to work and grabbing a coffee on the go. Make the most of being at home and create a slow morning routine that will set you up for the day and put you in a calm space. Wake up at the same time but instead of spending 90 minutes commuting, use that time for a workout or to make a tasty nutritious breakfast. Plan your day with a cup of tea in bed, write down your to-do-list and set your intentions for a dose of clarity and positivity.

Tune out

Tune out from all the negative news and instead get lost in a good book. Reading relieves stress as it diverts your attention and stops you from thinking too much. Try and take some time out over lunch to read a few chapters and relax.

Taste the World

While we currently cannot travel, experience new cultures through cuisine. Use your evenings to cook up delicious, dishes from around the globe. Recreate that amazing Paella from Seville or transport yourself to a bustling Jamaican beach bar with some home cooked Jerk Chicken. Cooking is also great way of being mindful as it requires you to focus and be present. Global cooking might even inspire you to book your next trip.

Exercise to Reflect your Mood

WFH can leave you sedentary so getting 30 mins of exercise a day is essential to boosting your wellbeing. Build your exercise around your mood and listen to your body. If you need to wind down after a busy day then try yoga or if you are feeling tense from back-to-back Zoom calls, lace up your trainers and hit the street for a run.

Night Walk

After dinner wrap up and take a brisk 45-minute walk. This is a great way to decompress and clear your head. Listen to a positive podcast, some of my favourites include On Purpose with Jay Shetty or Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations. If you do not fancy a podcast use the walk to focus on all the things you are grateful for. A night walk will help you wind down and tire you before bed.

Adventures January 19, 2021

Feel The Fear, Do The Things

What are you afraid of?

Whatever you’re afraid of, it’s time to face it. Have you ever achieved something you thought was impossible? Think about it, how long did it take you to learn to walk? How long did it take you to ride a bike? Or roller skate without falling and getting gravel under the skin of your hands? But was it worth it?

Let’s look at some of the things you could be excited about, instead of sitting there wishing you had more to life.

Skiing/ Snowboarding

If you’re afraid of heights, speed, and failure… this is the one for you.

As well as the pure adrenaline you experience from becoming a mountain dolphin on the slopes, the social scene in the snow is something else. Most of the time it’ll be blue skies and as you’re already wrapped up against the cold, partying outside just works. Whether you choose skiing or snowboarding, the mountain air is the best cure for a hangover!

If it’s the cost of a snow holiday that puts you off, don’t be afraid of cheaper resorts like Bansko and Borovets in Bulgaria. You can easily get a week for under £400. Like a lot of European resort countries, Bulgaria gets a big dump in either the second or third week of March so take advantage of the low end of season prices. If you can afford better, make sure you head straight over to Canada for some time in Banff or Jasper where the slopes are never-ending just like the parties.

You could visit any of the Scottish resorts to learn but if you want to be ready before the season starts grab some lessons at any of the below. Just prepare for falls, failures, and hanging off button lifts crying into your goggles. See that bit as a right of passage, you’ll get past it.

Book lessons at: The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead. Chill Factore, Manchester. Snowdome, Tamworth. Snow Factor, Glasgow. Snozone, Milton Keynes and Castleford.

Wild Swimming

If you’re afraid of water, the cold, and the law… this is the one for you.

Wild Swimming is our privilege as human beings and I believe we have as much right to it as breathing the air. Yet, we’re afraid that someone will come rushing along to tell us to get out of the water! The Outdoor Swimming Society tells us that “In Scotland, swimmers have a clear right to swim which goes alongside their right to roam. This means you can swim freely in open spaces. The law about swimming outdoors is unclear in England and Wales. Until the law is clarified, as long as you are not trespassing, then you can swim in most public places and open spaces.”

So can you swim wild? Yes. You can swim in rivers and lakes as long as you don’t have to trespass on someone else’s land to get there. Watch out for reservoirs owned by water companies, they’re not there for you to swim in, but they do often allow it. I always look out for a ‘no swimming’ sign, normally there if it’s privately owned (then don’t swim) or it’s there for your safety. If it’s for safety, as a beginner, please stay clear and find somewhere safer.

If you’re still unsure about where you can do wild swimming, find a quiet bit of water (not in the middle of the local park!) and just do it. It’s not easy to find ‘swim spots’ online because people like to keep them to themselves. I found a little bank on the river near where I live that looked like an easy starting point so I just went for it. After a couple of months, I discovered more and more people jumping in from that very spot. Just go for it, take it slow, and make sure you’re safe… but just do it!

Get excited about it and start your journey by following as many wild swimmers on Instagram as you can. They all tend to offer safety advice to beginners and sometimes they give away the location of a safe spot to swim. Here are a few to start you off: Swimthejewels, Wildswimwomen, Suzannaswims, Theoutdoorswimmingsociety, Weswimwild, and Wildwelshswimmer.

Climbing/ Bouldering

If you’re afraid of heights, falling, and your own athletic ability… this is the one for you.

Remember when everyone started doing pole because it basically made you toned all over? Well that’s what climbing is like! You’re literally pulling yourself up and pushing up from your feet, which means your arms, back, abs, and butt are getting a work out.

You don’t need to worry about the height, in a bouldering centre the walls aren’t that high and if you fall you land on a soft surface. Climbing (indoors or outdoors) is where they strap on a rope and shit gets serious. Either way, you need to get over it and do it.

In terms of getting started, it’s one of those activities where you’ll need a pal at first. So ask around and see if anyone goes or has been before, if not just call the centre and ask for an intro lesson. Each ‘route’ up is colour coded, so you just need to be made familiar with the colours you should be aiming for with your hands and feet. Plus they can teach you the etiquette and some techniques.

The good thing about climbing is that everyone had to start somewhere. People won’t look at you and think ‘Wow, they’re really bad at this’. They’re more likely to think you’re just like them, and they may even offer you some tips. A climbing wall is a really friendly place, you’ll see groups of people cheering each other on and so you can be as social or as solo as you want.

There are loads all over the UK, if you still feel nervous, just give them a call and say that to them. You will not be judged, if anything, they’ll be impressed that you’re brave enough to face your fears.

Surfing

If you’re afraid of water, falling, and not being in control… this is the one for you.

Dear reader, for me, this is the one that got away. I will forever be pissed off at myself for my own negativity with surfing.

Take heed and learn from my mistake. The first time you ever get on a board, make sure you are with a professional and that you are there for a lesson. That professional will know not to head straight into hurricane Bertha (you can tell I’m very bitter about my first surfing experience), and they can not only offer you the skills knowledge to do it but they will help you adjust as you go on.

So yes, I’m still afraid of falling off my board and being swept up under the sea, but I need to face my fear and try again. Imagine the feeling of being carried along by the waves, knowing that you look like the coolest person on the beach, and having worked out that whole time without realising. It’s the sunshine skin, the salty hair, and that feeling of working with nature that attracts me, so as soon as I can I will try again. Being a snowboarder I thought I’d be a natural. Idiot.

Most beach towns in the UK will have surfing lessons available from anywhere in Cornwall and up to Scarborough in England, Dunbar and St Andrews in Scotland, Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia (Adventure Parc!) in Wales, and plenty of places in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

So, what are you going to do first. Be brave, just do it, and tag us in your adventures along the way.

Fitness December 28, 2020

Must-Have Items for 2021 Fitness Resolutions You Will Keep

Twixmas is upon us and never has there been a year where onesies, a good Christmas film and as much festive feeling as possible is needed. However January is right around the corner and we are here to help you achieve your fitness goals for 2021. Whether you are a fitness freak looking to make the most of January or have a general 2021 fitness resolution in sight, here are a few items to consider trying (or buying for fun) for 2021. You don’t have to dedicate yourself to a daily HIIT class to see results with small changes. Try these suggestions to stretch more, get your steps up and move more.

Massage Gun

Every good fitness lover knows the important of rest and recovery and Christmas is the ideal time to take a moment to replenish those muscles with lots of turkey and chocolate orange. Now that’s ticked off the list, use January to focus on rejuvenation rather than indigestion. One such tool is a massage gun, think your own personal masseuse, whenever and wherever you need.

You may already be familiar with a foam roller for easing muscle soreness, however a massage gun can not only be a time saver, but also a great investment for anyone who has stiff muscles. This is true, whether the source of those aches and pains is hunching over a desk for more hours than you should, or an intense gym session. The massage guns of old were clunky, loud and heavy, making handling them more difficult than it should be. The new generation are light, easily manageable, much quieter (though still expect some noise), and there are a range to suit your budget. Take a look at flowsportstech.co.uk, theragun.com and renpho.com

Weighted Arm and Leg Bands

Weighted arm and leg bands can also be another way to take your daily activities to a new level, whether it’s spring cleaning, heading out for a walk or stretching and yoga at home. Add and remove as you needed, a simple way to up your daily fitness goals without taking it to the extreme. If you already enjoy fitness, you can also use these to up your regular regime. They are also very inexpensive, can be easily packed and used anywhere, so whether you are working out at home, in the park or you travel regularly, they will easily fit into your schedule. If you have to have the latest in sportswear chic try shopbala.com or for a cheap and cheerful selection decathlon.co.uk have several to choose from.

Fitness Dice

Keeping your fitness regime fun and flexible is another great way to ensure success! Making sure that you try lots of different types of exercise and just move your body is the main thing. Keeping it different can be tough, especially where home workouts are concerned. Buy some fitness dice to create your very own fun and varied workouts. Simply roll the dice and depending on the set of dice you choose, the exercise, number of reps or time you do it for changes. Find more suggestions for a variety of home work outs here.

Another super portable fitness idea, you can use them in a group or individually and you will be amazed at the variety of workouts which you can enjoy. Roll them a few times before you start your workout to get your regime for that session and you are set! Who needs a personal trainer? Save your money for fabulous activewear instead! Most sets are cheap and cheerful and can be found at sites like etsy.com and phoenix-fitness.com

Adventures December 18, 2020

Last minute splash-out Christmas gift ideas for frustrated travellers

As a collective of travel-obsessed content creators, #TeamCoco definitely understand the frustration brought about by being grounded for the better part of the year. So, if like us, you’re a disgruntled frequent flyer, then this gift guide is just for you.

Here’s a few blow-the-budget ideas for you or someone special this Christmas. Because heck – we’ve all survived a truly ‘unprecedented’ year and we deserve something to look forward to in 2021.

The Ultimate Bespoke Health Membership to the Lanserhof at The Arts Club

The Arts Club is one of Mayfair’s swankiest member’s clubs and its state of the art fitness and health facility Lanserhof certainly matches the club’s impeccable standards.

The Lanserhof boasts some of the most advanced diagnostic facilities and training equipment in the world. The Ultimate Bespoke membership — its most expansive to date — includes unlimited personal training, virtual reality coaching sessions, cryotherapy, massage treatments, studio classes and even the exclusive use of the Members Lounge’s Butler services.

It also includes IV infusions, physiotherapy, two spine and movement analysis sessions, six 3D body scans and an MRI over the course of one year. It is the perfect gift to yourself, if you’re looking to take your living room lockdown workouts to new heights.

Lanserhof at The Arts Club’s Ultimate Bespoke Health Membership costs £18,000 per annum with no joining fee. Visit www.theartsclub.co.uk/lanserhof for more information.

A European Supercar Driving Holiday with Ultimate Driving Tours

Car enthusiasts will love this next gift idea, because Ultimate Driving Tours is offering a 10-day luxury supercar tour of Europe that is ideal for those looking to do a socially-distanced ultra-luxe driving holiday in style.

During this incredible supercar tour, guests will drive Ferraris and Lamborghinis across Stuttgart, Provence and Nice all the way to Monaco, where they will board a private superyacht to watch the Formula One The Grand Prix.

As an added flourish, guests can also book helicopter transfers, accommodation onboard the superyacht, or drive an ex-F1 car at a private track in the South of France. Now that’s what we call THE perfect splash out holiday.

Ultimate Driving Tours’ European Supercar Driving Holiday with Monaco Grand Prix Yacht Hospitality is 10-days long and takes place over two sets of dates. Saturday 15 – Monday 24 May or Friday 21 – Sunday 30 May 2021. All-inclusive rates start from £16,190 per person for a couple.

A Private Jet excursion with PrivateFly

What better way to say goodbye to 2020 than by booking your very own private jet travel experience? PrivateFly’s Jet Card is a fabulous gift idea for frustrated travellers, giving cardholders exclusive priority access to PrivateFly’s jet fleet.

Each Jet Card allows up to five nominated users and travellers returning within 24 hours also receive an added 20% discount on their hourly rate. Travellers can choose from three aircraft categories: Light jet which holds up to six passengers, Midsize Jet which holds up to eight passengers of Heavy Jet which can hold up to 13. After this holiday gift idea, you’ll never want to fly coach again.

Fixed hourly rates start from €5,900 for the Light Jet Card in Europe. For more information, visit privatefly.com/jetcard.