Fitness gets fabulous

You can’t express a negative Madonna-related opinion to a gay man. They just won’t have it. Having had the misfortune of catching a snippet of her ‘Sticky & Sweet’ tour on Sky last weekend, I noted that I wasn’t sure grabbing one’s leotarded crotch before falling to the ground in a spasm of faux-orgasmic fittage was entirely appropriate for anyone, let alone a 52 year old with the thighs and ass of an anatomical model straight out of Gunther Von Hagen’s Body Worlds. I was duly chastised.

So if that’s what you’re into, Madge has the answer. Having done music, movies and manhandling (whilst setting daughter Lourdes on the fashion path), the Queen of Pop is turning her hand to Hard Candy - her very own gym in the heart of Mexico City. Zumba, Capoeria, BarWorks, a Juicebar, ‘lavish’ locker rooms, and cardio equipment with personal viewing screens are on offer, with 10 more locations promised worldwide. Or, instead of committing to a membership (and a move), why not check out PTX’s new Dubai-based getaway. The Ultimate Wellness Retreat promises 7 days of top-notch accommodation, healthy meals and workouts at the gorgeous Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa. Camel rides, laps in the infinity pool, stargazing and a thoroughbred horse-racing finale at The Meydan should set you on the right path, with the whole shebang coming in cheaper than booking a seven day stay at the hotel on your own.

And if that all feels like a bit of a stretch, how about Notting Hill? Mark Anthony’s flagship gym recently opened boasting three floors, a dedicated personal trainer per client, kit-cleaning service after each workout, branded water and most intriguingly ‘after-hours’ membership for a restricted 100 to use the facilities unsupervised at their leisure.

Now that sounds like something Madonna’s fan-base might well be into.

INFO
Hard Candy Fitness opens in Mexico City Nov 29th.
Membership details at the enrolment centre, Bosque de Duraznos 47, Bosques de las Lomas, or call +52 55 5245 7550.

Mark Anthony’s flagship gym is now open in Notting Hill, call 0207 221 8625 or email info@markanthonysuk.com for more information.

PTX Dubai launches on the 20th November and is running 7 day retreats every week thereafter. 9000 AED (approx £1500).

Do Something Different

Everyone knows the iconic shape of the Absolut vodka bottle and the amazing variety of associated ‘Absolut’ ad campaigns it’s spawned. This November it’s getting its first ever shape-changing makeover – and to celebrate, Absolut are asking you to look at the world in a new light too. The Absolut Limited Edition Experience will hit 5 UK cities this month, kicking off tomorrow in London, by collaborating with a host of cool artists and taking over disused spaces to turn them into 30 minute journeys of the totally unexpected. Enter a maze, take part in a 1 minute meal, contribute a word to the Neverending Story, and enjoy complimentary Absolut cocktails.
To register to attend visit: www.absolut.com/uk/seemore

4th November, Nicholls & Clarke Building,
3-10 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6PG. 6:33pm-10:03pm