A week in the life of a MyRooh member…
HLN's Laura McAlinden spends a week as a member at a new boutique fitness studio disrupting the North East's health and wellness offering.
In Partnership with MyRooh Fitness
Health and wellness aspirations are rising. We spent a week at the latest boutique fitness studio in the North East, MyRooh, to check out its holistic offering.
All over the world, the culture of fitness and exercise is changing. Gym-goers are expecting more, and middle-market gyms aren’t changing fast enough.
Enter the boutique fitness studios disrupting the industry and bringing new, exciting updates to our health and wellbeing offering in the region – what’s more? They can bring it at a really cost-effective price.
MyRooh is the brainchild of North East-born Naheed Akram who splits her time between Newcastle and London. Housed in a converted scout hut in Blaydon, the studio is surprisingly bigger than it looks from the outside, with four light and airy fitness studios, a juice bar, fully equipped changing areas and therapy rooms.
HLN’s Laura McAlinden tells us more…
Atmosphere and environment
First of all, let’s say it’s certainly the most Instagram-worthy gym I’ve ever been in – #fitspo.
Everything is immaculate as it is all brand new and you can really see the attention to detail that has been taken. Woven baskets and wooden shelving create a great environment in the two fitness studios. The design of the building means it is full of light which is complimented by foliage walls and loads of plants – it feels calming and just a lovely space to spend time in. Inspirational quotes are on the walls to give you that boost you need before a workout.
The MyRooh ethos is all about building a community and friendships – you certainly get that vibe. Being on a main road in a residential area (as opposed to an industrial estate, retail park or town centre like many North East gyms) it is really accessible on foot. There are quite a few members who walk along with their friends so you’re very likely to start running into people you know and building relationships with other members.
As soon as you walk in the welcome is warm. Obviously, with the current Covid-19 restrictions, everyone is careful to socially-distance. In that regard, you feel completely safe as MyRooh opened its doors with the new safety measures as standard. There is hand-sanitiser provided at the entrance and at key points around the studio, temperatures are taken on arrival, a one-way system in operation and class numbers have been limited.
It’s all really clear, with markings on the floor to help you stick within your socially distanced space and baskets with paper towels and sanitiser for members to wipe down equipment after use.
What’s on offer?
Choice! The variety of classes and option of treatments at MyRooh is like nothing else on offer locally. Usually, I would need to travel outside of the North East to access some of the classes and treatments that are now on my doorstep. I particularly love that it’s a spa and gym all rolled into one – it really helped me to think about and focus on a more balanced approach to my health and wellbeing.
As it is class-based it feels a lot more intimate rather than people just all working out on different machines and not interacting. Not only that but I feel like it’s a more focussed session because there is a wide range of specialised instructors rather than just a couple of people taking all of the classes. It means that the staff can get to know you better and recommend suitable classes or treatments if you have any health problems, concerns or things you want to focus on.
Facilities
There is a fantastic shower area with separate changing and dressing room, mirrors, hairdryers and the most amazing hand soap from Naturally Spa.
It feels so much more comfortable and luxurious than a standard gym changing area.
Classes
There is so much variety here that we don’t have at gyms in our local area – especially not all under one roof! Pilates and yoga are available for all levels as well as barre and dance classes which make going to the gym feel fun rather than a chore!
All of your typical fitness classes are also on offer – I tried out the HIIT as well as Triple-A (arms, ass and abs) which is a great workout – low impact but highly effective.
I’ve found that Kettlebell Sculpt which is now called Lift & Tone also really works – you can feel the difference.
I’m really looking forward to trying some of the old school aerobics, 80s retro and 90s throwback classes, and have signed up for Jump trampolining next Tuesday!
Working out has never been so fun…
A focus on Mother & Baby
These specialist classes have been put on hold for now due to Covid-19 but MyRooh has exciting plans for North East mums. There will be specialist pre-natal classes for growing bumps, Post-natal fitness to help women start getting back into shape and a unique North East offering or mum and baby fitness where babies can come along to the class.
The new happy hour
People love to spend time with like-minded people and another huge benefit of boutique fitness studios is the facilities on offer to hang-out and spend time before, after or in-between classes. The juice bar at MyRooh is a lovely, light and airy space with tables – a great chill-out area if you are waiting to start a class.
Nutritional advice
We all know that modern-gym goers are information obsessed and the nutrition advice on offer with MyRooh is the icing on the cake to help you achieve fitness and wellbeing goals.
Nutrition consultations are carried out either on the phone or in-person and loads of free recipes are provided on Instagram to provide healthy-eating inspiration.
You can order your juice before a class which will be made, refrigerated and ready to collect on the way out. My favourite is the Green Glow, so refreshing after a workout. They are currently operating a reduced menu with more flavours to come.
All are dairy-free with vegan options available, recyclable cups and compostable straws.
With these facilities, I could really start to enjoy working out and hanging out here more than going out…
A holistic approach to wellness
The ability to treat your mind and body under the same roof really makes a difference. MyRooh offers a wide variety of treatments – traditional and contemporary – all using organic products. From bespoke treatments to scrubs, facials to massages, reflexology and nutrition – they cover all bases.
There are some really unique treatments on offer, including:
Digital Detox – concentrating on the head, eyes, jaw, neck, shoulders and hands to ease the stresses resulting from the frequent use of technology. This treatment uses an anti-breakout face mask to combat the harmful effects of blue light on the skin, a rich moisturiser to protect and facial mist to refresh and hydrate the skin.
Gut Restoration – because the abdomen is the powerhouse of the body! Many modern-day ailments can be helped and often cured through the digestive system.
Renewal Rose Ritual – a body scrub for deep exfoliation, then Omega 3 oil massaged into the skin before a foil blanket is applied to incubate so that the oils absorb deeper into the skin. All whilst being massaged! Heaven.
CBD Massage
I had heard lots about CBD oil and it’s healing properties so out of curiosity I decided to give it a try. I’m really pleased I did as CBD is said to alleviate some side effects of Parkinson’s so I might have convinced my mam to give it a try. It’s definitely more of a sporty, deep tissue type of massage than a relaxing experience but the therapist was very professional, explaining each part of the treatment and gave advice on how to ease specific areas of my muscle tension on a daily basis with simple stretches and movements. At first, he used normal massage oil to moisturise the skin and when he began using the CBD Oil it was noticeable, really warming. Apparently this is one of the main reasons they use it as it allows deeper muscle penetration. I have aching muscles that I didn’t know existed but I went to bed feeling really chilled and relaxed and woke up feeling amazing the next morning.
About MyRooh health
Prices
Buy one class and bring a friend – £7.50
Unlimited class access for 10-days – £30.00 (intro offer)
Unlimited class access for 3 months – £35 per month (intro offer)
Opening hours
Mon-Fri: 7.00am-12noon. 6.00-8.00pm
Sat: 8.30am – 4.00pm
Sun: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Classes can be booked easily online.
Parking
MyRooh is situated on Blaydon Bank in Blaydon, only a five-minute walk from the main bus station. There is an adjacent car park, parking opposite on the main road or around the corner in a housing estate with no restrictions or permits.
Address
MyRooh Fitness, 46 Blaydon Bank, Tyne & Wear, NE21 4AU
Follow MyRooh on Instagram and Facebook.
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