It’s always fun when you discover a new gym or new workout class that makes you feel excited about exercise again. That’s exactly how we felt when we visited Equilibrium in Holland Park. Founded by two brothers, Niko and Jay, Equilibrium is a “no fluff” boutique fitness studio, dedicated to offering functional training and kick-ass TRX classes! (Plus, Ellie Golding pays regular visits for boxing and TRX sessions! If it’s good enough for her it’s good enough for us!)
Tell us about Equilibrium and how it all came about?
We are brothers, business partners and best friends, individually experts, but together we’re unmatched. Raised by a superhuman mum who continues to compete and teach after 30 years at the top of her game and dads with world championship titles in kickboxing and martial arts under their belts, we were formed in an environment where excellence and technique are instinctive.
With competitive sport in our veins, we both forged early careers in semi professional football, only to see our dreams end prematurely due to injury.
Driven by a need to understand our own bodies’ failings, we embarked upon a mission to master the theory behind the implementation of different training techniques and their functional and structural effect on the human body.
After founding equilibrium in 2015 the business has gone from strength to strength. the results speak for themselves – professional athletes, musicians and mothers flock to our west london studio for a taste of our fusion of passion, discipline and technique.
2017 will see us build on our solid reputation in boutique personal training and embark upon the next phase of equilibrium’s growth. a new class concept, set to launch in early 2018, will disrupt the current group fitness market in london and establish our brand as a sustainable leader amongst the boutique fitness elite.
You guys love using the TRX in your PT sessions and group classes. What do you love most about using that piece of equipment?
TRX, for us, is the greatest training tool on the planet. It can turn a unfit person at any age in to terminator in a very short space of time and safely. It is suspension training. Because a part of your body is always attached to the TRX (suspended) you core has be active the whole time making it completely functional. You wan work each part of your body in several different effective ways in a very short space of time making machine weights obsolete.
Committing to a fitness routine of any kind takes huge doses of motivation… do you have any top tips to keep pushing when you’re going through a dry patch?
Firstly, and this is key, find something you enjoy because if you don’t it will destroy your commitment week one. Make the process as easy for you as possible. So travelling to the gym or class, you have to make it simple so the effort can be contained to gym and not having to get there. Then, find your level. You can’t go into a class that’s elite fitness if you’re a beginner. You’ll get demotivated and never go back because of the massive DOMS keeping you in your chair!
Finally. Go with a friend. Make it social as well as wellbeing.
Exercise-induced nausea. Why do we get it and how can you prevent it?!
Ah this old chestnut. There are many theories as to why we get it. Over-hydration, Stress, lactic acid build up but in my opinion it’s simple. When you push your exercise levels to their limit your body prioritises the energy it needs to transport blood around the body and move it’s muscles. So, it doesn’t need to waste energy on digesting food and water making it counter productive to keep it in the body. You then vomit and boom, you’re back in the game.
Prevention. Don’t fill your stomach prior to exercise and don’t push yourself so hard that the room starts spinning and you puke! You can be fit and not need to be sick.
Why should women drop the fear of weight training? Can we address the whole “bulking” notion?
This question is so common it’s scary. Let’s go scientific first. Women do not have enough testosterone or growth hormone in their physiological make up to put on massive amounts of muscle. In short, women cannot really bulk up. Weight training, for a woman, only creates quality lean muscle. The muscles are more shapely and defined. They do not become big.
It is possible for a women to bulk up if that’s her goal. You would have to train heavy hypertrophy that’s around 60-70% of your one rep max for between 8-10 reps with only 45s-60s rest in between for 4 sets. Then you’d have to hit each body part around four to five different ways in one session. Added to that you’d have to consume an extra 700 calories a day. You see, it’s actually harder for women to bulk up than avoid it.
Is there an optimum time to workout during the day or is it just personal preference?
Total personal preference in my opinion. Ignore the advice on optimum fat burning time slots just get in the god dam gym and get moving people. The important thing is that you DO train.
Finally, let’s talk nutrition. What’s your idea of a balanced diet and what changes do people need to make to their eating habits if they want to start training regularly?
I’ll give you my ideal day:
Breakfast: Scrambled or poached eggs with avocado, spinach and a sneaky bit of bacon. If I’m starving I’ll add rye bread. Coffee and water
Mid morning: Handful of nuts and seeds, maybe an apple and some water
Lunch: Sweet potato, lean meat like turkey, chicken or fish with a large salad or veg
Mid afternoon: Some more nuts and seeds to tide you over
Then I’ll usually train
Dinner: Lean meat like turkey, chicken or fish with a large helping of broccoli, cauliflower, Kale spinach and beetroot
If you’re starting to train regularly then reduce your sugars, processed foods / refined carbohydrates. Stick to low glycemic index carbs like sweet potato and brown rice and lay off the booze. We’re about Total Balance at Equilibrium so even though you’re making a conscious healthy change make sure you’re a little bit bad on the weekend. Enjoy yourself!