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WE LOVE: Speedo’s new H20 Activewear, the kit you NEED for 2017 fitness trend ‘water workouts’

The kit you NEED for 2017 fitness trend 'water workouts'

Water workouts are 2017’s fitness trend, and Speedo’s new H2O Activewear ticks all the boxes for pool gear with mix and match geometric printed pieces 

If you hadn’t already noticed, everyone is talking about water workouts. They are set to be one of 2017’s biggest fitness trends, according to Elle, The Independent, and The Telegraph. The dynamic way of burning calories may be appearing on your gym timetable soon.  Clubs such as Virgin Active offer Hydro, a group HIIT class in the water, combining sprint swims and resistant activities, burning up to 500 calories per class.

The new Floatfit

Last week, week I took on the challenge of FloatFit and it was the most engaging exercise I’ve done in weeks. It’s a combination of yoga, Pilates and HIIT (just to throw in some instability) all whilst balancing atop a board on the water called the Aquabase. Looking on at the boards in the pool at Haymarket Hotel, I imagined scenes of myself wailing around in the water and giving up after 10 minutes, out of breath and bewildered. But once I had got to grips with the board, which is tied loosely to the sides of the pool, it was far from a joke.

The kit you NEED for 2017 fitness trend 'water workouts'
The routine flowed between moves such as mountain climbers and burpees, to bicycle crunches and lunges. I say flowed – you aren’t exactly moving elegantly whilst wobbling on your toes. Joining my class was TV presenter and fitness blogger AJ Odudu, who gave me some useful advice beforehand: ‘It’s very much about your core, and engaging it all times. As soon as you relax the core, you’re in the water’. She was right – I fell in three times, all of which was when I took my eye off the ball. This makes it a fantastic workout, as my mind had to be extremely focused on avoiding humiliation.

The best part is the pieces can be mix and matched depending on your activity and style

Speedo’s H20 Activewear tested

What was far from distracting, however, was the discreet feeling Speedo kit I was wearing. Keeping in line with the trends, Speedo launched its new gym -to -pool attire this year, for all of those want to get their pulses racing aboard a current. The H20 Activewear includes a variety of swimming costumes, shorts, crop tops, tankinis, briefs, and Capri pants. The best part is that they can be mixed and matched depending on your style and activity needs. With a few pieces from the range, you can go from bikini clad to yogi on the water – whatever your preferences.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPsDhRfD_Gt/?taken-by=vanessa_chalmers
I hadn’t considered how exactly one goes around wearing minimal clothing during a water workout until I came across this range, and I’m sure it will be in demand with others taking up the sport. I wore The Astro Pop Lookback Swimsuit is in a grey, pink, and mint geometric print, with the most gorgeous cut out detail to show off your back. Over the top I put on the matching Capri pants, wary of who was behind me during the downward dog.

The kit you NEED for 2017 fitness trend 'water workouts', by healthista (1)
The Astro Pop Lookback Swimsuit

In the pink, orange, and mint, is our favourite, the Luna Vision Crop Top and briefs, which also have cut out detail in the design. Bright and head-turning, this sporty bikini could be worn by the pool on holiday, or if you’re brave, on a water workout.

Our editor Anna Magee tried the Speedo Luna vision and was impressed. ‘I like being sporty in the pool, coming from Australia we’re used to jumping around in our swimmers. What I loved about this was it stayed completely put while I swam, did some diving in and didn’t budge or ride up. I felt really supported too, but felt like it was pretty enough to wear to the pool even if you weren’t planning to do sport. You can’t help but feel brightened up by the colours too’.

The Astro Pop Lookback Swimsuit
Luna Vision Crop Top and briefs

MORE: REVIEW: Shape & Tone with FitSteps DVD by Strictly Come Dancing stars Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite.

The kit feels thin and flexible when squatting on the board (and splashing as you fall), and the double layering of the swimming costume’s chest kept me supported. Made with 78 per cent ECONYL yarn, which is a nylon fibre regenerating waste, you know the environment has been considered in the manufacturing of the garments. As well as this, chlorine-resistant ‘power flex eco’ fabric means the pieces will retain their shape with regular use, and I can imagine, if you don’t want to be bored of your usual spin or boxfit, you’ll be coming back for some more water workouts.

Luna Vision Crop Top and briefs
The Capri pants, tankini top, and shorts

Aquaphysical FloatFit classes run across the UK, with 2 locations in London. Classes start from £5. Find more information on their website.

MORE: 5 best sports bras for large breasts

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