"Wake up in the morning feeling like Tense-Diddy..."…read more If you've ever woken up stiff as a board, do any regular cardio exercises, or spend your days chained to the cubicle farm's best friend the computer, then Stretch Yoga could be your get out of jail free card from the aches and pains your muscles give you. I've been going to their Deep Stretch lunch-time classes which at 45mins long are just enough time to untwist all those muscles of mine that are wound tight from an array of stress, attachment issues with my macbook and high intensity spin classes. The deep stretch class isn't your standard yoga class. It's more focused on holding positions longer to release the muscles and as such there's not as many poses per class. The relaxation and centering feeling from yoga remains. PJ, the owner, has taken pride in ensuring there are a variety of classes (including traditional yoga) suitable for the CBD office workers that make up the majority of their client base. The choice makes grabbing a class at multiple times across the week a breeze. And just don't go undoing all your hard work with a stop at the kebab shop underneath Stretch on your way out...

Don't worry - you might need to walk behind the kebab place, up the stairs, past the hairdresser…read moreand down the corridor but you will find the place and you won't be killed while doing so! Location aside (Centrally located in Brisbane CBD but hard to find if you don't know its there, despite the sign out the front), this place is great. I signed up for a beginners course on a Monday night and its been perfect. Our teacher is really great about talking us through the beginners steps and how we can adapt the standard poses to make it easier for us. I highly recommend the beginners course for anyone looking to start and since the teachers are so lovely, I think I would also recommend it for any other classes, too! It is also actually really lovely when you get inside the classroom as well, despite the misgivings I originally had with the kebab shop. Cheers,

I found this yoga studio about a year and half ago. I was…read moreliving on Oxford Street at the time and I just so happened to see the large sign that read YOGA on the window. I popped in to have a look and there was one person present who happened to be the studio manager. Her name was Claudia and she was so incredibly sweet and kind. She gave me a tour of the space which is stunning! The ashy wood floors and HUGE windows are welcoming and cozy. They had a small waiting room, a large yoga studio space, and rooms in the back for acupuncture, massage, and counseling, etc. It really was a holistic center more than just a place for yoga. I got the one week unlimited pass and tried all different types of classes. I also tried classes at their other studio locations. That's right, there are three in total. Another studio is located in Camp Hill and the third is in Wynnum. The Wynnum location has views of the water and you can watch the sunrise during the 6am class in winter. The classes were all fab. I've never had a bad class and I particularly loved the variety each teacher brought to the table. I have always felt nurtured and cared for when I'm in this space, and I'm thankful to have found such an incredible studio in Brisbane. They really are hard to find these days in my opinion. Inna Bliss seems to really care about the community and their students- what more can you ask for really? I highly recommend this space for an yogi, beginner or advanced, that is looking to deepen their yoga practice.

If you walk into a Bikram yoga studio for the first time, as I did not long into '12 as part of my…read morehealthy living-themed New Year's resolutions, the first thing you notice is the smell. At first your brain can't identify it as good or bad, just odd. Then the ephemeral veil of sandalwood incense wears off and you wise up to the fact that you are smelling is toxic human secretions. Ew. But you've heard the hype: it's SO good for you, you'll never sleep so well, it'll give you superpowers, Adonis DNA... etcetera. Skeptical? Just look at the portraits of the what looks like Bollywood strongmen (presumably Bikram's founder/s) straddling tigers on the wall -- they look pretty on top of things... I fill in the form and begin my induction with a zealous Russian lady Svetlana who will be my instructor today. Have I done Bikram before? Well not strictly speaking, but I have done a different "hot yoga" based in Kangaroo Point. Svetlana doesn't seem to give this too much credence. Bikram isn't just a generic 'type' of yoga -- it's a brand, a way of life even for some who swear by it. Cult might be going too far, but their are some of the characteristics i.e. the idolising tiger portraits. * A few housekeeping matters you should be aware of if you're thinking of giving it a try: 1. Wear comfortable, flexible clothing, but avoid excess fabric (which will become completely drenched with sweat). Also bring a towel and mat (if you have one), or otherwise you will have to pay to rent these items. 2. Bring a decently sized bottle of water. It will be your magic elixir that will get you through the ordeal you are undertaking (I forgot to do this and instead paid $3 for a large bottle). 3. Avoid bringing your valuables into the studio because there are no lockers and you can only bring your towel and water into the hot room. 4. When you go into the class for the first time you should line up your mat at the back of the room, so you can look to more experienced Bikram-ers for guidance (plus they'll call you out by name and make sure you are appropriately positioned). Also, sometimes they open the windows at the back of the room which offers some respite from the oppressive yet enervating heat. And then the torture begins. I won't go into all the specifics of the postures, suffice to say they get through most of the strenuous ones at the beginning of the 90-minute session (that's right, 90 minutes) and that the latter half has more of the sitting down, flexibility enhancing ones. But what would be quite relaxing "on dry land" becomes decidedly difficult under the 40+ degree rays of the overhead heat lamps. The first drops of sweat start to drop before the end of the opening breathing exercise and don't let up for the rest of the ordeal. Because it would be easy to lose your drive if not properly motivated, the instructors are equipped with microphone headsets to ensure you get the most out of your practice. Svetlana was indeed a harsh task-mistress, with her amplified banter at times sounding like the commentary for a Russian horse-race. She also came out with some real motivational gems, e.g. this in relation to the benefits of the practice: "You'll be bullet-proof, water-proof, money-proof, sex-proof!" I don't know if that's a good thing or not but the euphoric buzz I experienced after the session was definitely worth it. I even went the next day, but didn't make the hat-trick, ruling out my chances of winning the Month Challenge (if you go everyday for a whole month you get a free month's membership: at over $100/month it might be worth it). Namaste.

Bikram Yoga is torture. Hot, sweaty, nauseating, smelly torture. But there's something about it…read morethat keeps you coming back for more. It's the jelly-like, just-stretched-every-muscle-in-my-body, super relaxed feeling you get after doing it. And the feeling you get the next day when you're standing that little bit taller and feeling that little bit more nimble. Torture doesn't get much better than this and the "Gabba Torture Chamber", as they call it, is a great place to begin your addiction. Owners Maddy and Ben have practiced Bikram all over the world and have settled in Brisbane to run their own studio. Whilst the practice of Bikram is the same world-wide, studios differ from place to place. There are two studios in Brisbane that I've practiced in--this one at East Brisbane and one in Bardon. Between the two, the Gabba studio would have to be my preference. For those who've experienced the hour and a half Bikram session before, you'll know how hot and sweaty that room gets. There's something about the structure of the room at the Gabba that's slightly more forgiving; I think it may be that it has an arched ceiling, whereas the room in Bardon has a low, level ceiling that seems to trap the heat and humidity. Whilst the idea is to be hot, I've found the Bardon room to be a little unbearable. Structural comparisons aside, Maddy and Ben create a lovely sense of community in their studio by making the effort to get to know their regular patrons. Not convinced about the benefits to be had from Bikram? Take out the introductory offer for $20 and go to as many sessions as you like within 7 consecutive days. You may just find yourself signing up for more "torture" at the end of it!

So far so good. Really like the space and the two teachers I've had so far. Bryce was very friendly…read moreand welcoming when I arrived. Also great that there's easy and accessible parking in the street.

The staff that I have met are welcoming and from what I have experienced each have their own strong…read moreteaching practice but with enough cohesion across sessions. Their philosophy and approach seems well established and represented across the board. The classes are delivered in a clear way so that people at various stages of their journey with yoga can feel supported in their practice. The way that the space is set up is also effective, clean and conducive to a creating a focused space. There is a nice level of interaction with the teachers so that it there is still a feeling of personal engagement and care even when classes are full.

Anytime Fitness Brisbane City is an awesome club. Always a…read morefriendly smile from the club manager Donna who always stops for a chat when she can. A great group of PTs who are more than happy to answer questions . And plenty of equipment for you to get your heart and muscles moving. Im a big fan of the virtual spin classes too.

After a fairly long yoga hiatus, winter is starting to catch up with me. Read: it's too cold to run…read moreso my default exercise this season has been walking to the shops. With a yoga-teacher friend in town, I thought it would be a great excuse to try out a new studio, and the drawcard of Hip Hop Yoga made it sound more "fun" and less "exercise". How wrong I was. The class definitely was a whole lot of fun, but with some seriously intermediate and above poses, I found myself well and truly feeling the burn. In between giggles and trying to sing along to Kanye, Jay Z, Drake, RiRi, and some old school beats, our brows became furrowed and our breathing bordered on grunt. Sweat dripped down my forehead during Power Vinyasa sequences, and my muscles shook during extended holds and handstand prep. My yoga-teaching friend turned to me with a smile and a swear word half-way through, so I knew it wasn't just me being out of form (not totally anyway). I have never been more grateful for Savasana. My fitness tracker confirmed I had well and truly earned a green juice and a raw treat but my friend and I were more interested in having another lie down. The music gets loud enough that you can't be relying on the instruction, so if you have a few classes under your belt and need something more interesting aurally, this could well be for you. You can use the mats in studio, pick up a 10 day trial for $25, and pat the very handsome studio pooch (his name is Heston). Be warned; you will need a couple of days of recovery but then you'll be keen to jump back in. Uh huh honey.

Sometimes in the quest for finding the right fitness venue, it's right under your nose, blocked by…read morethe lingering smell of linament. So, forget about finding something in the city - if that's where you work - because the best time to work-out and get in the zone is far earlier than when the bus calls, if you're a fan of public transport, or when you're trapped outside of the T2 lane. Dial up a work-out time of around 6 a.m. at The Gap Health & Racquet Club and you'll find yourself in a sensational sweat and near solo as you work through the static and free weight machines and get that metabolism up to Mach speed that will kill any kilojoules consumed during the day - and even into the night for that matter! The Gap Health & Racquet Club has been the site of other health and well-being venues over the years, but seems to have found its followers in this incarnation that offers the traditional gym work-out plus tennis and racquet ball as alternative cardio sports. The facilities - and I was just there yesterday - are clean and hygienic - with a robust and friendly feel that evokes and encourages a comfort level of camaraderie that's often lacking in traditional gyms. And you won't find any gaps standing in your way when it comes to that experience!

Urban Climb is one of those places where you can just let go and hang out; though probably not…read moreliterally. I used to be scared of heights, so a friend decided the easiest way to get over it would be to scale a wall of about 10 meters while secured with a harness. It worked, albeit with much yelling and, 'I'm not letting go of the %$##@! wall!' But now I'm hooked. To be fair, people can start off at around 5 meters and work thier way up to a giant 12 meter waterfall and nose style wall (massive upper body strength training, oh the pain...), and for people who just want to try boulering there is also a 3 meter high bouldering wall. Prices vary, but average at about $25-$30 a climb (if you're renting equiptment, but you can bring your own harness and shoes), and its for unlimited climb time. You will need a partner to belay you, or Urban Climb organise singles nights (check out thier website for more details). The staff are great, and the walls are ridiculously fun. the general vibe of the whole place is adrenaline pumped spider-people, which adds a pretty good atmosphere. Word to the wise though: if it's your first time, you need to do an introduction with the staff for saftey which is included in the price of your climb and is a one off, but dont usually start until after 5pm on Monday to Thursday, 4pm on Fridays, and 10am on Saturday and Sundays. And if you're renting shoes, bring socks. Seriously.

I've been a member of Urban Climb for a few years now and despite being a little more expensive…read morethan your average gym (and open for fewer hours), I'm very glad I discovered it and the joys of rock climbing. Wander in in the early evening on a weeknight and take a look at one of the fittest and hippest sporting communities around (plenty of eye candy too for people of all persuasions). In addition to boasting far more climbing space than their competitor indoor rock climbing facility Rocksports they also have a pretty well decked out traditional gym space - 'The Lab' - with free weights, machines, exercise bikes, treadmills etc. The main room is a large rectangular shape (about 400+ sq. m) of rock climbing space, with four walls to choose from. Beginner walls on the far left and right of the gym are perfect for learning the ropes (pun intended) while the overhung 'wave wall' is at the other end of the spectrum -- great for the more experienced climber or the learner wanting to push themselves and build endurance. They also have a couple of areas dedicated to bouldering (short intense climbing roots done without a rope -- a padded mat cushions your repeated falls) and a newly constructed wooden wall on the mid right hand side as you walk in. These guys seem to be doing pretty well for themselves and it's good to see that they are reinvesting in the business. The only downside for me is that the place has kind of slack opening times. They only roll up the doors at midday on a weekday (though they do stay open until 10pm). On weekends it's a slightly earlier opening time. It isn't cheap either, with a one-off visit costing a day tripper nearly $30 (gear hire included, cheaper if you have your own shoes and/or harness). I pay arounf $65/ month for my full membership, a figure which has probably climbed a bit (pun intended).