Yoga, Paddleboards & Giggles

What could possibly go wrong?

Here’s what happened when we had a splashingly good time on the river with the Shredquarters Team!

At VE, we’re big believers in having a go at new things that put us slightly out of our comfort zone. So, when we were invited by Adam Waters, owner of one of Reading’s fastest growing fitness companies, Tilehurst-based ‘Shredquarters’ to join BBC Berkshire’s Michelle Jordan,

Anoushka Williams and pal, Jane for a socially distanced paddle-boarding yoga session on the Thames, how could we refuse?

So off we went with an open mind, knowing that there were at least two certainties. Firstly it was bound to be a

giggle and secondly, getting wet was inevitable. And we did both, in abundance. Arriving just before 10, the early morning temperature was already soaring into the 20s, so a refreshing dip into one of Britain’s cleanest stretches of freshwater on the Thames would be most welcome.

After a short equipment safety briefing, we set off for a gentle meander upstream past the water-lillies to the picturesque spot where Kenneth Graham’s Wind in the Willows is said to have been written. This proved the perfect way to gain confidence and maintain balance.

Once we’d all stopped flailing about with all the finesse resembling octopuses on roller skates and core balance set in, Emma, Shredquarters friendly residential yoga instructor started the session.

Gentle stretching, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques helped build our confidence to attempt more daring moves (like lifting a leg or an arm). Now, lifting a limb doesn’t sound like much, but when you’re floating about on something akin to an oversized inflatable ironing board, any movement (and staying afloat) is to be celebrated! By the end of the hour long session, we were all able to hold position in some of the more traditional yoga poses which felt like we’d really achieved something.

So what was our verdict? A tranquil yet exhilarating experience and surprisingly relaxing too, given the sporadic bouts of splashing followed by howls of laughter as one by one, members of our group took an unintentional and indiscreet plunge into the soothing water below. I seriously cannot ever remember exercise being so much fun. So much so, that it didn’t really feel like exercise

- but given the tell-tale post workout stiffness (albeit mild) I felt in my legs, arms and core the next day, I’d say it definitely worked muscles I hadn’t used since prelockdown. I was a fan.

Paddleboard Yoga is just one of the new and different kinds of exercise on offer with The Shredquarters.

As a functional gym, their regular ‘dry’ classes offer a balanced mix of HIIT training, freeweights, kettlebells, sleds, battle ropes and nutritional advice for people of all fitness levels (including those like me, who would be considered a relative beginner).

Whether it’s serious training for a sporting event, overcoming a Tough Mudder, or you simply want to look and feel the best you ever have – they have classes to get you to where you need to be. We can definitely see why locals are flocking there in droves to get real results.

And, if their dry courses are run with as much enthusiasm and support as their wet ones, where it seems, you get coaching from real people, we can see why their members describe SQ as providing them with the best sense of community you will ever experience in a fitness environment. If you’d like to have a go at one of their dry classes and lose the lockdown lard, we’ve arranged for every reader to have a session on us, just call them to book! You’re welcome, Hellen x.

FREE SHRED WORKOUT for every reader!

at THE SHREDQUARTERS

call 0118 322 4670 or email info@theshredquarters.co.uk