Looking for new and exciting ways to get fit?

Reviewed by the handbag.com team

Our regularly updated guide will review the coolest new fitness trends, classes and gadgets available nationwide to help you decide which one might be right for you, whether you\'re a dedicated gym bunny or decidedly fitness-phobic.

Kundalini yoga

By Becky Taylor

Unemployment, food bills, petrol and debt. It seems that everything is on the rise at the moment except our bank balances and apparently, things are set to get a lot worse before they get any better. As a self-employed writer my job and financial security has always been a little on the precarious side but lately it\'s safe to say I\'ve been feeling the pressure of the recession so, when I was invited along to have a one-to-one session with yoga guru, Guratej, I couldn\'t have been more pleased.

With clients including Drew Barrymore, Edward Norton, Paula Abdul and Marta Kauffman, Guratej is somewhat of a celebrity in the world of Kundalini yoga, a relatively unknown form of yoga which focuses on spiritual practice rather than the physical. Guratej has been teaching Kundalini for 40 years and although based in LA, she often jets in to treat the poor overworked souls in the UK to run workshops at Alchemy, a haven of relaxation in Camden\'s Stables Market ad the leading centre offering Kundalini.

Walking in to meet Guratej I couldn\'t help but feel a little bit sceptic, what could this woman know about my money and work issues? How could she expect a bit of chanting to undo years of frustrated commuting for two hours a day on the packed underground? If Guratej picked up on my negative feelings when we shook hands she certainly didn\'t show it, beaming with radiance showing skin in better condition than mine despite her having over twenty years on me. Leading me through to one of Alchemy\'s rooms we sat cross legged whilst I told her about issues which were making me anxious, stressed and resulting in long periods of insomnia.

After listening to me rattling on for ten minutes Guratej decided we should try different exercises and chants which would not only help me to relax but also strengthen and prepare me for difficult situations and challenges I would be facing in the future.

Guratej led the way by chanting whilst repeatedly bowing to the floor, an exercise which is believed to help clear the mind, great for situations when you feel you have so much going on in your head you haven\'t a clue where to start. As expected I felt like a maniac chanting to myself with my eyes closed but, after only a few minutes I began to relax and moved into a state of peaceful relaxation. I felt my clenched muscles ease and my mind felt more awake and switched on than it had done in months.

The next hour passed in a flash and I was stunned at the difference in my mood and outlook after my session. Through simple, straight-talking advice, stretches and chants, Guratej put all my concerns into perspective, giving me the tools to tackle whatever life may throw at me whether it be cash flow problems, illness or a rocky relationship.

For more information about Alchemy visit www.alchemythecentre.co.uk or call 020 7267 6188

Boot Camp

By Sian Claire Owen

Christmas and New Year had become a distant memory, and so had my waistline. So in a last ditch attempt to shift those stubborn excess pounds I signed up to the New You Boot Camp where they claim to help you drop a dress size in a week. Well, if Michelle Heaton and Sharon Marshall did it, so can I!

After being spirited away to a secret location in the glorious Brecon Beacons, we were put through an initial army recruitment standard fitness test and grouped according to fitness level. After assessment it was straight into the grueling exercise regime, including the first of many night walks. No gentle strolls here, try power-marching full speed up a mountain without stopping. Our first night in the dorms passed in a haze of exhaustion, jelly legs and stiff muscles. And it got worse...

Every morning at 5.30am our Physical Trainers, all serving army personnel, would get us out of bed and have us running up and down steep dirt tracks in the dark. The rest of the day would be spent boxing, wrestling, outdoor combat training, jogging up hills carrying barrels of sand, endless sit-ups and bench presses. In short, we were subjected to around eight hours of daily exercise so intense that I had an actual out-of-body experience. And several tear-soaked hissy fits.

But after a couple of days of mud, sweat, tears and tantrums, the pain subsided and I actually started to enjoy the morning runs. I even learned to love marching up mountains, and discovered that I have a great right hook. Rocky V eat your heart out! Plus the nutrition sessions we had were really useful, and the food, prepared on site by a qualified chef, was delicious.

And let\'s just take a moment to talk about Girl Power. New You Boot Camp activities are heavy on the teamwork (\"Owen! There\'s no \'I\' in TEAM!!!\" was drummed into my head). The end result was a real sense of camaraderie and a huge surge in personal confidence. After all, I endured SAS-style training in sub-zero temperatures without a ready supply of make-up or Chanel. I am officially Hard As Nails.

The only downside is that Boot Camp activities are weather dependant, and unfortunately our time was cut short because of severe snow storms. The moral of this story is check the forecast before consignment. That said, in the short time I was there I dropped a whopping 8lbs, and have since managed to lose a further 2lbs by taking their follow-up advice on diet and exercise.

Inside every fat girl is one thin one trying to clamber out. And thanks to the New You Boot Camp my inner svelte-like self is on her way to freedom. The thing is, can I make it last?

Best for: All budding GI Janes who want to get fit and drop a dress size. But don\'t turn up armed with your Prada tracksuits, you will be rolling around in mud and muck.

Potential for long term relationship: 4/10
While the New You Boot Camp catapults you into a new healthy way of living, to maintain that level of exercise is nothing short of insanity.

Sian attended Back To Basics at New You Boot Camp. The price for the week is £950 including accommodation, activities, expertise, advice, food and drinks. Luxury weeks start from £1,275 for a shared room and £1,650 for a single. To attend a boot camp at New You Boot Camp go to www.newyoubootcamp.com

Power Plates

Reviewed by Alaina Vieru

Who\'s got the time to exercise? Not me. But 25 minutes, three times a week, is all Power Plates asks of you. Really; that\'s it. Since the workout is sweat-free, there\'s no need to shower (changing clothes is optional), so it\'s a perfect lunch-time fix. This is how it works: led by an instructor, you do a series of various one-minute exercises (squats, press-ups, etc) on a vibrating machine, which will work everything from your core to arms, legs, bums and tums. The vibrations mean your paltry 25 minutes is equivalent to 90 minutes of a normal workout. The vibrations were slightly unsettling at first, but I soon grew used to them (along with discovering aching muscles I never knew I had). After four weeks, I comfortably fit in a size below my usual and after eight weeks I had dropped 10 pounds and several inches. This all was without altering my diet. While regular exercise did encourage me to eat better, I still tucked into curry, pizza and wine with my normal gusto. Compliments soon came flooding in, and best of all, I found a new-found love of exercise. Our instructors became friends and cheerleaders and I actually looked forward to my classes in the swish workout studio. Time is now on my side...

Best for: We defy anyone not to love this, but it\'s especially great for busy girls and the fitness-phobic.

Potential for a long-term relationship: 9/10. Classes can be pricey depending on where you go. But this regime is a keeper and we\'ve sworn lifetime devotion.

Alaina went to Powertone Studios. Classes start from £20 per session or £119 a month. Machine home rental starts from £198 per month, and machines to buy start from £995. Ring 0800 599 9505 to ask about a free trial session.

Bikram Yoga

Reviewed by Alaina Vieru

I like yoga and I like the heat (especially saunas) so Bikram yoga seemed like a match made in heaven. Practised in a steaming hot room heated to 41C/105F you practice 26 postures and two breathing exercises in 90 minutes. The heat is meant to help loosen joints and improve muscle elasticity for deeper stretching and also works as a detoxifier, helping you sweat out (literally) any nasties in your body. The stretches meanwhile, are meant to systematically progressively work every muscle, joint and ligament in the body. And did they! This is not a gentle, soothing class but a fast-paced, fast-talking (by the instructor) hard-working stretching extravaganza. While the room was hot (and sweaty - very, very sweaty - there\'s no room for vanity in Bikram yoga) it wasn\'t nearly as bad as I imagined. But the heat can get to you. Occasional nausea and faintness are common. But if you manage to ride that out, you\'ll leave the class feeling clear headed, soft-skinned and stretched.

Best for: Those who really like to push themselves. While you do feel amazing afterwards, you have to really work for it.

Potential for a long-term relationship: 6/10. We could see the post-class high being addictive, but found it hard to make the time for 90 minute classes.

Alaina went to Bikram Yoga Soho. Classes start from £15 for an unlimited use 10 day pass. Visit bikramyogasoho.co.uk or ring 020 7637 3095 for more information.

British Military Fitness

Reviewed by Juliet Turner

Fresh air? Check. Fun and varied workout? Check. Motivating (and buff) instructors? Check. There\'s not much to dislike about British Military Fitness. The name sounds hardcore, but don\'t worry, you won\'t be lugging around a 30kg rucksack wearing metal-capped boots and shouting army songs. BMF takes exercise away from full-length mirrors and preening Jane Fonda and Arnold Schwarzenegger wannabes that can be found at the gym.

This takes fitness back to basics by only using steps, railings and the occasional tree as props. Each class is divided into ability groups and the session is a full 50 minutes of varied fitness training (think everything from wheel barrow races to press-ups).

Most people wear t-shirts, tracksuit bottoms or shorts and old trainers (it can get very muddy, especially in the winter). Make sure you also bring a fleece for afterwards as there are no changing rooms.

The USP of BMF is its instructors. They will push you like no gym teacher ever has. Unlike some classes which focus on the best performers, BMF instructors ensure even the least fit member is keeping up – which can be tough if that\'s you. The early appeal of being given orders by a fit man in khakis did start to wane when over my pounding heart I could just about make out, \"Keep moving number nine!\" for the umpteenth time.

Sound a bit like tough love? Well, it is. The instructors, unlike Mr Harvey in Year 9, are not out to turn you off sport forever, but they do make sure you get your money\'s worth. There is a strong social element for those who enjoy a team environment, with get-togethers at a pub afterwards once a month. The next day you won\'t be able to move (from the exercise that is, not the beer), but after a few weeks, my fitness and strength levels had noticeably improved. This is no celebrity-endorsed \'miracle\' slimming regime. This is a proper workout that will leave you leave sweaty, and at times muddy, but the glow in your cheeks and sense of achievement is hard to beat- and there\'s not an exercise ball in sight.

Best for: Competitive women who don\'t mind a bit of mud. It\'s also great for those who want to inject a social element to their fitness regime.

Potential for a long-term relationship: 7/10. Exercising in the great outdoors is addictive, but when it is lashing down outside, you may need to draw on your motivation reserves.

Juliet went to British Military Fitness on Clapham Common. Classes run at 15 parks in London and 34 venues across Britain. Membership starts at £24/mth by direct debit. Alternatively block sessions can be booked from £100 for 10 lessons, plus joining fee. For more information and to register for a free trial session go to www.britmilfit.com.

Cardio And Cocktails

Reviewed by Anneke Hak

If your exercise regime consists of hitting the dance floor or lifting a glass of rosé to your lips four nights a week, then Cardio And Cocktails is perfect to get you motivated. Monday and Wednesday nights at Mahiki (the popular A-list haunt in London\'s Mayfair) are SUPERChick nights (well, from 7 - 8pm that is). Here you\'ll find around 15 like-minded SUPERChicks squatting, lunging, pressing and persevering.

Because of the location I joined in expecting the session would be relatively easy and stress-free. I left at the end of the hour feeling exercised, stretched, and ready to take on the world, although my body might have disagreed with me. Walking up the stairs to leave the club after all that hard work was a killer! Although the cardio was painful, the hour went quickly as I giggled with other SUPERChicks and we were put through our paces by our instructor Mel - who kept asking if we felt like we were working hard enough, and the answer every time a resounding \"YES!\", just in case she unleashed any more work on us.

The only letdown? I didn\'t see one cocktail - which possibly was my main motivator in the first place. I\'d also suggest that you don\'t make any strenuous plans for the next day, although my aching muscles did keep reminding me \"I am SUPERChick!\"

Best for: Those who just aren\'t motivated by the thought of a sweaty gym, and want to add a little spice to their exercise.

Potential for a long-term relationship: 8/10, Both the potential to burn between 300 - 500 calories per session and the fun factor mean this is a class that you\'ll want to head to again and again.

Anneke went to Cardio And Cocktails at Mahiki, 1 Dover Street Mayfair London W1S 4L. Tel: 020 7493 9529. Cardio and Cocktails is held at Mahiki. Monday and Wenesdays and at Kitts, Sloane Square on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Membership to SUPERChick, and all of their training sessions is £35 per month. Visit .iamsuperchick.co.uk for more information.

X-Bike

Reviewed by Alaina Vieru

The X-Bike numbers look good: burning up to 500 calories in just 30 minutes? Where do I sign up? Essentially a high-tech exercise bike for our modern times complete with an iPod, X-Bike mimics the move and feel of riding a real bike thanks to special handlebars (\'X-Bars\') that move from side to side so you can manoeuvre just as if you were in the great outdoors. Added resistance to the bike makes you assume correct form, which is why you benefit from a shorter workout time as your calorie burn is higher.

Hooked up to an iPod, you watch a video which guides you through a 30 minute workout designed to accommodate everyone from beginners to advanced cyclists. To the beat of hip-hop music (\'80s and dance music were other options), we cycled through the French countryside. Comments such as \"turn left to avoid the stale baguette on the path\" were cheesy, but they made the 30 minutes pass more quickly, which was a relief; this was totally exhausting, sweaty and heart-pumping. While I appreciated the short workout, I soon realised I had to factor in a shower after every session, especially as I X-Biked three times a week over lunch.

After four weeks I managed to shed five pounds and a few centimetres off my hips and tummy. While I liked the quick workout time and appreciated the technology, I have to say that when it comes to cycling, ain\'t nothing like the real thing, baby.

Best for: Those who like their workouts short but intense, or don\'t like biking outdoors.

Potential for a long-term relationship: 6/10. Fast and convenient are great motivators, but if you love this you might just decide to pursue the real thing.

Alaina used the X-Bike at Destination, 42-48 Great Portland Street, London W1. Tel: 020 7636 4477. For more information on the X-Bike visit www.x-biking.com or telephone 01249 700615.