When I first started attending Pilates at The Yoga & Pilates Place, it had been close to a decade…read moresince I had practiced. I felt right at home in the studio, and everyone made me feel welcome. Gail is a great instructor, always with an encouraging word and making sure that everyone is working to the best of their abilities. The Yoga/Mat room is brilliant when the sun is out; it really warms up the room. I've enjoyed the mat based classes so much, that I'll be starting reformer classes this weekend and I'm really looking forward to it!

I've only started Pilates recently as I couldn't go to the gym due to a broken wrist…read moreSurprisingly I'm enjoying it. I'm really impressed with the studio it's clean bright and airy, not like my previous gym. My instructor Hannah has great patience and is encouraging If your thinking about starting a class then I'd recommend The Yoga & Pilates Place

This is a charming little Pilates, Yoga and Reiki centre tucked discreetly just off of Clarkston…read moreRoad. It's small but this makes it feel homely and welcoming. This homely and welcoming impression is furthered by the warm wine tones used for decoration. Meanwhile, inside the centre is comfortable, clean and inviting. The staff especially help make this centre approachable and inviting; particularly considering that some people may be slightly standoffish about these types of alternative medicine and/or treatments. As the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. This meant they took time to chat with my and a friend when we popped in out of curiosity (and a few enquires of the mother's). Leaving the centre, I felt comfortable and armed with much more information and ready to recommend this place further. While, it's not exactly my cup of tea, I can appreciate it and understand others enthusiasm towards it. So if you're at all interested, I'd recommend this particular centre for a nosey.

I love yoga, it really does make a difference to your health and body, honestly it does! So I am…read morealways happy when I find a place that does this sort of thing and has a bit of a belief that you can use alternatives to medecine, etc. There are some amazing stories, about people adopting this sort of lifestyle and curing various illnesses. Yoga Inspiration can ease you gently into a better lifestyle allround, whether you get benefit from only one aspect, it is a great place to go just for some relaxation. Everyone loves being treated and having great feelings through their body. The treatments are fairly priced, and staff are very nice. Ask them anything.

It's been a while now and I'm still here - so I guess it is time for an update…read more I still mean everything I wrote in my previous review: I love the atmosphere, the interior, the variety in classes and most importantly, the people. Since my last review, I did not give up on Barre classes, and even though I still think of my old love Lagree Fitness at times, I am more than happy that Barre is here for me. I know this is just the type of training I can keep on doing for a long time - because I love it, because it challenges me and because the results show. There is a lot of room for improvement, both in skills and my body, but I feel I can change in a sustainable way, levelling up gradually. I have also started doing yoga regularly, taking mostly Foundations classes. This is a beginner type of activity, and as I only learned from videos before, it helped me a lot to get things right. But this is not the biggest asset of this class: the time and location makes it possible to have this as our regular event with my boyfriend, who is away three to four days a week, and comes back on Thursday afternoons, full of stress and various work related thoughts. We really need something that helps us leave all problems behind for a while, ease our minds and be able to concentrate on what is before us - and this is exactly something that was not possible before we both started participating in our weekly sessions. Neither of the two different experiences would be the same without the ladies I had the joy of meeting in this studio. Not only are all instructors absolutely brilliant, kind, helpful as well as beautiful personalities, but I can say just as nice things about the clientele these wonderful people attract here. So the overall verdict is - possibly all the stars in the sky. I hope The Kali Collective are here to stay for long.

Tucked away in the pentagon building the Kali collective is somewhat of a hidden gem…read more There are a good mixture of classes with a variety of yoga and levels. I particularly love Katie's barre class for a tough yet rewarding work out. Ultimately it is the instructors that make this studio. They are so friendly, so positive and make the studio the sort of place you always want to go.

I'm trying to tackle my complete lack of motivation for exercising so I thought I'd check out this…read moregym as recommended by Amanda R. I got a 24 hour pass online for £5 to go for a look around and a go of the machines as well. The gym is easy to get to on Cathcart Road and has it's own private car park. We visited at a peak time and there was loads of spots so that's always good to know. To enter you need a pin number and then you stand in a very futuristic pod thing to be let in. You can sign up in the front area as well, in case you aren't already a member. There are lockers in the main area which means they are inside the secure doors, and visible to the whole gym. This was one of my worries about going to a 24 hour gym as I've heard horror stories about people's stuff being stolen - this seems like it might not be an issue here as you'd have to be pretty brazen to steal someone's stuff right in front of everyone. The machines are laid out in one main area which is huge - there is rows and rows of treadmills, cross trainers, bikes, rowing machines as well as a free weight area and machines. Then there's a proper weightlifting room if you're into lifting the heavy stuff. All the equipment I want to use is here, and they also have free classes (as well as some paid ones). There was a good mix of people and by that I mean it wasn't a total gym-wank gym so most people should feel quite comfortable here. The music was bad, but when is gym music good? Bring your own headphones and you'll be fine. I would have ranked this place a 4 star quite happily, but I needed some help from the staff when getting my padlock set up. She was so super helpful and nice about my extreme stupidity that it gets bumped up to a 5 star.

A month or so in, and I'm really impressed with this gym. For less than half the price of what I…read morewas paying before I get loads in the way of cardio stuff, loads of resistance machines and a good sized space for doing body weight stuff. There's also a really big free weights section, but I haven't used that yet. The facilities are really good: nice and bright with a good changing area, loads of lockers, and good quality equipment that hasn't been battered about yet. I've not dealt with the staff yet, but they all look really friendly. There are personal trainers there, and the details are on the wall, but it would be great if there were prices up there as well. It's probably on the website, but something at the gym would be great. All in, this is a brilliant deal. For the price, you get membership for here and the one in the city centre, which is an absolute bargain. If you're looking for a new gym definitely give it a go.

Whether you're a novice or a hard core yogi, Chi and Co has something for you…read more I've been around and have practiced in a number of Glasgow studios. After making the leap and moving south of the river *gasp* I started taking classes at Chi. I reconnected with one of my former teachers Cathy Moran, who I practiced under at the Movement Studio in Park Circus and Merchant City Yoga. From Seasonal Flow, Ashtanga (my personal favourite), Yoga for Runners, even Aerial Yoga; there is something for every skill level. Mat and reformer pilates classes are also taught in the smaller of the two studios. Pros: - Variety of classes - Ashtanga - Great teachers who provide adjustments where you need it - Small classes - Online booking - Great value if you're an avid yogi and attend classes often, which I do (£55/month) Cons: - Smaller studio space than what I'm used to (but hey I've been to a studio that was operating in what was essentially a bedroom in the West End!) - those classes are never overcrowded and you will never elbow/hit anyone - Can be expensive at £12/class If you want to see the human body do insane things check out Cathy's 10:30am Saturday class... but make sure you've been practicing for months before attending!

Chi & Co has now moved to Seasonal Yoga Academy, 46 Darnley Street, Polloksheilds…read more W: seasonalyoga.net E: admin@seasonalyoga.net

Westenders have been swimming (and trapeezing) in the Western Baths since 1876 and for that reason…read morealone, it can be considered an institution. However, the magnificent building, situated near the University, is misleadingly-titled given that it is actually a fully-functioning leisure centre, with a gym, badminton courts, 5-a-side football pitches, Turkish suite, aerobics studio and a range of classes (some of which are also available to non-members). The pool remains the facility's main selling point and is situated in a truly grand hall lined with lovingly-restored balconies. Measuring 30ft, it is frequented by swimmers of all levels, as well as plenty of kids who love diving from the boards or swinging on the travelling rings and trapeze ropes. With the bar having recently had a lick of paint as well, the Western is an all-encompassing venue which many of the members consider to be a second home. For me, it'd probably turn into 600 quid a year for two games of 5s, but for the more dedicated among you, definitely worth checking out.

I have the pleasure of frequenting the Western Baths once a week (despite not being a member) as my…read moreclub has a 2hr slot booked for swim training. I've not been in any of the rest of the building so can only comment on the pool - I really like coaching here, the hall is beautiful, although it can get very warm standing at the side! Like other older baths, the Western baths has a trapeze and rings which I have never seen anyone use but you can watch on youtube if you want to see it done! Note the pool is 30 yards so a length will take you a bit longer than expected. To other coach type people, climbing the stairs up to the trapeze platform gives you an excellent alternative angle from which to watch people swim - best tip from last week!

Me, doing yoga? I know, what has the world come to?!…read more I'd wanted to try yoga for ages but I could never find somewhere that had classes when I wanted them and I was worried about being a newbie. A friend of mine posted about Infinity Yoga on instagram, and when I looked into it, it seemed like it could be for me. Based in Merchant City/Trongate behind Mono, they have a jam-packed timetable of classes so there should be something to suit everyone. While the classes are mostly heated classes, they do have Hatha yoga (no heating) and pilates. I went along to the lunch time session to try Hatha yoga. I'm not going to lie, I was really, really nervous. Thankfully the staff were really friendly and explained everything to me so I relaxed quickly. You leave your shoes at the door, and check in on the clipboard. There's changing areas with showers and you leave your stuff on the racks (it's all secure from the public so no need to worry). There's one main yoga space with mats laid out. I went in, picked a mat and got into the class, lead by Gemma. I found it a real struggle (I won't lie, I stupidly thought yoga would be easy) but at the same time I really loved it. Gemma was a great instructor, giving detailed instructions and always checking everyone was doing the poses right (or as close to it as I could manage, ha!) The lunch class goes for 45 minutes and I left feeling all stretched out, relaxed and euphoric. I'm really looking forward to going back, and am planning on going at least once a week from now on. - A beginner's membership is £15 for 3 classes, and then they have a range of options after that like pay-as-you-go or monthly memberships, or bulk packs of 10 classes. - Parking is available at King Street car park for £1.90 for an hour. - Bring a water bottle and towel. - No need to bring a yoga mat as they are provided for you.

Aww this is a GREAT yoga studio!…read more I'm currently on their introduction package, which is as much yoga as you like for 30 days for £30 - a fantastic deal. I'm in week 2 of it, and have been to, I think, 6 classes, and have had 6 different instructors! There's a wide range of different styles of yoga on offer, and the instructors seem really versatile. They're also just really lovely. What has really struck me about this place is the friendliness of it. The instructors seem to like to have a bit of a wee giggle during class - they often attend each other's classes, so there's some good natured banter. It's certainly not a place for po-faced yogis. And the other clients will say hello and have a little chat too. It's just a nice friendly, down to earth place. I love the studio itself. A long wooden floored studio with full length mirrors up one side (OK I hate the mirrors part of it - ugh!), and it's so lovely and toasty warm. Even if it's not a hot yoga class, there's beautiful residual warmth and it's so comfortable and relaxing. The mats are steamed after each class which is great for hygiene, and you are provided with towels or little face towels if you need them, for no charge. Shoes are left at the door, so you can pad about barefoot and still have lovely clean tootsies. So I'm enjoying it so far and the 30 day trial is a good opportunity to find out if it will suit me long term. But already I feel quite at home here.

"I am Hans." "Und I am Franz."…read more"Und ve just vant to pump... *clap* ...YOU UP!" Back in the US, I regularly trained with a personal trainer who would continuously push me harder, and with whom I picked up kettlebell training. After moving back to Glasgow, and being so physically inactive because of the intense demands of juggling my MBA programme, Class and Social Committee, I needed to get my ass in gear again. I went from training at least 6 days a week with a mix of kettlebells, spinning, yoga and pilates; then to absolutely zero physical activity aside from climbing Induction Hill in the middle of Strathclyde's campus, which leaves me panting like a dog. Woof. So being the resourceful and clever gal I am, I found Ubiquitous Fitness (aka Calum). After an exchange of emails, including an extensive interrogation, we set up a session. Calum trains just about anywhere that's convenient for you. He's extremely flexible and his training is bespoke. I told him I enjoy boxing, and we do boxing. I love yoga, so we do yoga. He incorporates different aspects of fitness into his workouts that cater to the client. I especially enjoy when we do kettlebells in Kelvingrove Park. More so when puppies walk by, because the giant steel balls being flung in the air as we train mesmerize them. Then the pups run up wanting to fetch the balls. Little do they know they weigh a tonne! Because Lumberjack and I train together, and have pretty difficult schedules, Calum is extremely flexible when it comes to scheduling and last minute cancellations. He is pretty laid back, but isn't afraid to push you. I've seen my strength and fitness get better over the months that we've trained. Overall, we enjoy working out with Calum, his flexibility, the way he challenges, and his approach to fitness. End of the year goal: lift Lumberjack over my head with one arm. Holla!