The bespoke way to stay in shape

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

It has got to that point in the summer where our long-ignored Bikini Fitness Plan needs to be wrenched off the bottom of the to-do list and worked on. But while we'd all ideally like to drop a jean size in time for a trip to the beach, no one wants to waste money on a gym membership we might only use for two months, and committing to 10 yoga classes when we might only want to try the first session seems futile.
A new fitness class booking website, Findmyworkout.com, which has just launched for Londoners, may help. Users can choose times, days and class types and book them online. Options include midday zumba sessions in Islington, evening kickboxing classes in Camden, yoga in Shoreditch or Funkacise in Elephant and Castle, which I tried.
The website's founder, Sean Parry, believes Findmyworkout is a "genuine alternative to gym membership". Since Brits waste millions a year on unused gym memberships, he thinks working out on your own in the gym is likely to lose our interest. "Exercising with others and with the motivation of a class teacher does not do this," he says. "We make it easy to find fun classes in your area, so exercise never becomes dull. Zumba is something that people have got very excited about recently, but what has become apparent is that rather than just doing one class, our users love to try out different classes at the same time from the more mainstream such as street dance, to unusual such as Brazilian samba and even Bollywood belly dancing."
With about 1,000 classes to pick from, here is your chance to try something new where you won't get hassled by gym membership teams for weeks afterwards.

FUNKACISE
What? Fun, fresh, fierce dance fitness, done to the song words rather than a routine chucked over any old music.
With who? Scott Whitley, an excitable 28-year-old fitness instructor who wants us to have fun and feel sexy during an all-over body workout to house and pop music. Whitley did dancefloor aerobics for years before adding his own "funky" feel. "What I teach is different. It's camp, fun, it's my own thing," he insists.
Involves: Finding your inner popstar and using muscles you might not normally move. With dance move names such as The Sexy Britney (shimmying), the Gaga Walk (side steps ending with a hard elbow strike - "remember, guys, we are the Lady Gagas of Elephant & Castle") - the Pump it Up March (marching with arm movements), Catwalk (fast-paced walk with a wiggle), the Sunrise (a leg pivot and arm lift) and the Sexy Pony (like a hop with a difference), you should be prepared for anything.
Difficulty rating: Not hard or technical if you have previous aerobics or dance experience but works up a good sweat and you'll be laughing all the way home. Make sure you listen carefully as instructions come hard and fast.
Details: Classes daily (except Fridays) in south east London
(£5/60 mins, funkacise.webs.com).

WHAT ELSE TO TRY:
Belly dancing: Good for toning up and confidence boosting. Classes for any level with Melissa on Mondays and Wednesdays (£15/class, LA Fitness, 4-12 Regent Street, SW1).
Outdoor fitness training: Exercise with a team at whichever level you like, with weekly themes including boxing and cardio. Classes daily at locations including Battersea Park and Wimbledon (first class £1).
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: like a combination of martial art and combat sport which improves strength, core flexibility and stamina. Classes most days (£12/class, Urban Kings Gym, 4 Bravingtons Walk, N1).