Tis the season for charitable sweat sessions and Santacons. It's also just about that time to switch your routine to a nice warm studio, there are some choices here from a consistent but pricey barre class at a new gym to a deal on small class pilates sessions. Also updates on the self-defense class at Golden Gloves and other fitness happenings before the holiday including an all day fitness festival.

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Upcoming Events

Yeyu App hosting another all day fitness event that'll bring together several organizations including TriFit, Spinback, Free Soul Yoga, Lizzie's, and Wheat. There'll be 7 activities, 3 motivational guest speakers, a pop-up spa, and healthy food. Runs from 11am-6.30pm and entry's 100rmb (all 7 workouts included in fee). FitHearts is hosting a boxing event in Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao's ballroom where everyone can get their sweat on, costs 100rmb to join, 75% of the proceeds will go to the Rende Foundation, which works to bring Christmas gifts to children in rural China. Starts at 5.30pm. Ride for Rescues is back, all participants will ride for animals being cared for by Rose's Rescue. Bikes will be 200rmb and all money raised will be donated. Starts at 11.45am. Dress as santa for a day of boxing and drinking; beginner's class at 12pm, strength and conditioning 1.30pm, and beginner pads at 3pm. There'll also be mulled wine and saffron buns on the cheap (20rmb and 10rmb). The all day event starts at 12pm and costs 60rmb for non-members (free for members) this includes the workouts, one glass of mulled wine, and glove rentals.

New Gyms and What They’re Offering...

SpaceCycle

Photo provided by SpaceCycle

New-ish opening in September, this studio concept from Taiwan is all about building their cycling, yoga, and barre classes around a music theme. A nice feature is that they've got a consistent Barre class on offer daily at 8.30am. Downside is it's pretty expensive unless you buy in bullk, the trial class is free after that you’re looking at 258rmb for a drop in, packages go from 10 for 185rmb per class to 140rmb for 120 classes. They’ve also got an annual membership for unlimited uses for 22,000rmb or a family package you can share for 150rmb a class for 80 classes (fine print: it’s limited to two family members, husband-wife, parent-child type thing).

News From the Ground

Photo provided by Jey Chemla

JeyDancePilates is a free-floating studio opened 8 months ago by Géraldine “Jey” Chemla former ballerina and certified pilates instructor. Classes alternative between 9 Clouds Studio and Wheat (Fumin Lu) and are mostly pilates with some yoga, barre, and dance sprinkled in between. Went to check out a pilates class with Jey at 9 Clouds Studio. The space itself is warm and peaceful and the small group size made it easy for Jey to make rounds for corrections. It’s a good place to break into the practice if you haven’t tried it—she’s attentive and makes sure you get the posture right, but she may call you out for being slightly hungover after…anywho, seems like a good deal for a small studio class, for first timers it comes out to about 117rmb per class for a bundle of three; it's 350rmb for two classes, but this comes with one free class. Golden Gloves is hosting a self-defense class led by Stasia Kucherenko of Shanghai Famous fame. The class will run Sundays 11am-12.30pm and Tuesdays 7am-8.30pm. Costs 200rmb for non-members, free for members. Orangetheory Fitness will be opening their doors later this month. In case you missed it, we got the chance to check it out. And yes, it is a pricey-pricey gym but it's pretty and trial classes will be free. ***