The clocks are going back. The evenings are getting dark. Exercise is getting harder. But if you can spare as little as 15 minutes of your lunch hour, you can still forego the guilt and fit in the burn. Team ELLE has worked up a sweat to find the best exercise classes to do in your break.
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CX Worx at Virgin ActiveThe promise: Burn 230 calories in 30 minutes.The class: Armed with a resistance tube, mat and circular weight, I face my opponent: Marcus, the class leader. His weapons? Taio Cruz tracks, a headset and his Les Mills-devised choreography (if you liked Body Pump, you’ll love this). We power through a barrage of tummy-blasting matwork plus squats and lunges with the resistance band that work muscles that had long gone into hiding.The results: Forget aching the next day – after CX Worx, I’m aching as I walk out of the gym. It’s satisfying to work really hard, and as it’s only half an hour, the end is never far from sight. This rivals the workout you get with a personal trainer and leaves time to buy a sandwich, too.The details: Free to members of Virgin Active. Enq virginactive.co.uk
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ViPR at David LloydThe promise: Burn 500 calories in 45 minutes.The class: Moving around a circuit, I use a long cylindrical weight called a ViPR to perform various exercises at 45-second stations. Every lap has a different focus: the ‘performance’ circuit left me a whimpering mess, while the ‘vitality’ lap was more manageable.The results: This is far from an easy workout. I find it pretty tough and it’s certainly not for the fitness novice. After each session, I ache madly but the pay-off is dramatic. After three sessions in a week, I notice an increase in the definition of my arms.The details: Free to members of David Lloyd gyms. Enq 0844 543 9783; davidlloyd.co.uk
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Cardio Kettlebells at FrameThe promise: Burn 500-800 calories in 45 minutes.The class: After a cardio warm-up, I start circling the Kettlebell (an 8kg weight) around my head and body. From swinging it between my legs to lunges and squats, this workout really works up a sweat. The results: One week and three classes later, I notice a real difference in my arms, legs and particularly my stomach.The details: Free to members or £10 for 45 minutes. Enq moveyourframe.com
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Kettle Core at HeartcoreThe promise: Burn 500-600 calories in 60 minutes.The class: This class mixes extreme Pilates (where you’re stretched to the max by performing exercises on a machine) with strength-building Kettlebells. The class alternates between Kettlebell training and Pilates and by the second class, I manage to pick up the pace. At the end of each session, I’m seriously sweaty – but happy.The results: It’s amazing for building core strength, and although I didn’t lose any weight, my stomach feels significantly more toned.The details: £28 for 55 minutes. Enq heartcore.co.uk
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Nike Training Club AppThe promise: Nike’s 15-minute Leg Sculptor programme on this free downloadable app will lengthen and tone your leg muscles with a series of targeted movements. There’s an all-body workout, too.The class: Lots of lunges, squats and high leg kicks really get my thigh and calf muscles burning. The exercises are explained with easy-to-follow illustrations. You don’t get the motivation of a teacher but classes don’t come much more convenient than thisThe results: As I progress, the moves become easier and I can get lower in my squats and lunges and hold them for longer. I start to see some muscle definition and my thighs have less of a ‘wobble’.The details: Free from iTunes