1. TRX & Suspensions at New Moves

Price:  ★★★★

Facility: ★★★

Classes: ★★★

The latest fitness opening in Childlom, New Moves looks to make you break a sweat through intense natural workout moves, without the use of conventional machines. The venue highlights the fitness technique of functional movement (aka multi-joint exercise) with equipment like Vipr, kettlebell, sandbell, suspension training, resistance band, slackline, battling rope and clubbells. It mixes cardio and weight training while improving flexibility and agility. Boot camp and combat boxing also available. Membership fees start from B4,000 for one month with unlimited access.

2/F, Maneeya Centre, Ploenchit Rd., 02-652-0539. BTS Chidlom. Open daily from 7:30am-8:30pm. 

2. Cross Fit at The Aspire Club 

Price: ★★★

Facility: ★★★

Classes: ★★★★

This massive gym offers a wide range of fat-burning boot camp exercises, altitude training programs, youth gym training and the intense strength and conditioning training known as Cross Fit, which covers exercises like weight sessions, gymnastics and sprints to help you get results within the shortest amount of time possible. One program may include three sets of burpees (a squat, push-up and jumping jack all wrapped into one) alternating with three sets of kettlebell deadlifts, while another may require a 400-meter run, three sets of kettlebell swings and three sets of pull ups. Membership fee starts from B2,900 for one month of unlimited gym use and B6,313 for one month of group training covering all classes.

348/2 Sukhumvit Rd., BTS Asoke Exit 4. 02-229-4114. Open 6am-9pm on Mon-Fri and 8am-6pm on Sat-Sun.

3. High-Intensity 30-Minute Fat Burner at Flash Fitness

Price:  ★★★★

Facility: ★★★

Classes:  ★★★★

Having just expanded to another location in Sukhumvit 24, Flash Fitness (which started in Sathorn) focuses on group training exercises. Sessions include the likes of sled pushing, sandbag lifts, TRX training, kettlebells, agility drills and free weights. But the real highlight lies in the Body Comp 30 class: 30-minutes of high-intensity group circuit training; which promises to get you shredded through various exercises using things like free weights, blast straps and medicine balls.  Other classes include yoga and a fusion class that combines an intense metabolic conditioning workout and basic yoga breathing. Price starts from B3,000 for six training sessions valid within one month. 

3/F, Capitol Club (President Park), Sukhumvit Soi 24, 081-349-5727. BTS Phrom Pong. Open 6am-9pm on Mon-Fri and 8am-2pm on Sat-Sun.

4. Kettle Bells at The Lab 

Price: ★★★★

Facility: ★★★★

Classes: ★★★

Want to try something a little different, like olympic bars and kettle bells? Fitness studio The Lab, known for its use of unconventional workout machines, just expanded to incorporate a new space on the second floor of RSU Tower, and now has TRX suspension training, ceiling ropes, gymnastic rings, as well as the usual weight training. Group training classes like strength, weight loss exercise and combat training are also available. Membership fee starts from B3,700 for a one-month eight-time use.

2&3/F, RSU Tower, Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-662-1618. Open 7am-9pm on Mon-Fri and 9am-8pm on Sat-Sun.

Animal:

Tie-dye:

After the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority’s failed attempt to launch a bike sharing system back in 2009, this year has seen a much improved effort, the Pun Pun bike sharing scheme. So, what’s the difference? For one, Pun Pun isn’t free and actually covers several different parts of Bangkok rather than just one particular area. Fifty bicycle stations are now set up across the city with space for 10 bikes at each. To reduce excuses, usage is even fairly straightforward; first register at www.punpunbikeshare.com and then collect your Pun Pun smart card from any of these bike stations: Siam Square, Chamchuri Square, All Seasons, CentralWorld 2, Park Venture, Vorawat, Surasak 1 and Rajanakarn. The card fee is B320, which covers life insurance and gets you B100 credit. You can then top up the card and check your balance at each station. Your identity and address will be used to track down the bike if it’s not returned before the station closes, and you will have to pay an overnight fine of B500; but in case of accidents where you are unable to return the bike, call 087-029-8888. If you lose the bike, you’ll have to pay an B8,000 fine which will be returned to you if the bike is later found. Stations currently open from 7am-8pm, but will be extended to 6am-12am after the trial stage is over. For more information, call the hotline at 087-029-8888.

How it Works:

1. Go to the booth located at each station and touch the bike rental option.

2. Tap your Pun Pun card on the screen and type in the four-digit verification code.

3. Choose the bike you want to rent and tap your card on the dock to unlock the bike.

Rental Fee:

15 min: Free 15 min-1hr: B10 1-3 hrs: B20 3-5 hrs: B40 5-6 hrs: B60 Over 8hrs: B100

Location:

1. Hualumpong Station
2. Ratchathewi 2 Station
3. Ratchathewi 3 Station
4. MBK Station
5. Chula 2 Station
6. Sam Yarn Station
7. Chamchuri Square Station
8. Chula 1 Station
9. Chula 3 Station
10. Yak Pathum Wan Station
11. Siam Center Station
12. Siam Square Station
13. Siam Paragon Station
14. Pratu Nam Station
15. Central World 2 Station
16. Central World 1 Station
17. Ratchaprasong Station
18. Henry Dunant Station
19. Sala Daeng Station
20. Zuellig House Station
21. Lumpini 2 Station
22. Lumpini 1 Station
23. Ratchadamri Station
24. Chidlom Station
25. Ploen Chit 1 Station
26. Ploen Chit 2 Station
27. Park Venture Station
28. All Seasons Station
29. Ruamrudee Station
30. Lumpini 3 Station
31. Thai-Belgium Station
32. Holiday Inn Station
33. Vorawat Station
34. Surasak 1 Station
35. Surasak 3 Station
36. Surasak 2 Station
37. Saint Louis Station
38. Sathorn 12 Station
39. Sathorn Square 1 Station
40. Sathorn Square 2 Station
41. Rajanakarn Station
42. Sathorn Thani Station
43. Sathorn City Tower Station
44. Sangthong Thani Station
45. Sathorn 5 Station
46. Convent Station
47. Suanplu Station
48. Sathorn Mart Station
49. Bangkok Insurance Station
50. Lumpini Tower Station

Plugged:

The Stationery

Labrador

Founded eight years ago, Labrador does leather goods and stationery made from recycled leather in minimal and understated designs. Stationery starts from B590. 1/F, Central Silom Complex, Silom Rd., 02-231-3333. BTS Saladaeng. www.facebook.com/labradorfactorypage

Grey Ray

This stationery maker has won many awards, including a Design Excellence Award 2013, for its designs blending simplicity and practicality. Grey Ray started off doing pencil caps that make pencils more comfortable to hold. They have since released more products like notebooks made with recycled paper and an improved pencil cap with better grip, the Drawing Out 2. 4/F (Room Interior), Siam Discovery, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-0410. BTS Siam. www.grey-ray.com

The Accessories

Greenies & Co

Shops that do smartphone cases are a dime a dozen, much rarer are those whose cases are made from recycled leather. Here at Greenies & Co, the leather used is mostly offcuts discarded due to defects like uneven texture, a trait the shop turns into a selling point. And they go about it in an eco-friendly manner: the leathers are naturally hand-dyed, the boxes they come in are made from recycled materials and even the prints on the boxes are from soy ink. Order online at www.facebook.com/GreeniesAndCo

Rubber Killer

The three-year old label uses unconventional materials like car tyres to create fashionable bags that combine bold designs with rugged touches. Prices start from B350. 1/F, Digital Gateway, Rama 1 Rd., 087-099-0639. BTS Siam. www.facebook.com/rubberkiller

The Décor

Dots Design

Started out as a product design house specializing in wooden furniture and décor, Dots Design has now taken wood to a whole new market, making bicycle frames and accessories from recycled wood that highlight meticulous craftsmanship and minimal-meets-retro designs. Bicycles start from B15,000 and accessories from B2,200 . Shop to open around Victory Monument. www.dots-studio.com

Pin

Winner of a Design Excellence Award 2013, Pin does lamps and wall art with an emphasis on the use of recycled metals. The results are unique decorative pieces which display trippy geometric shapes and intricate designs on products ranging from mirrors and coffee tables to lamps. 6/F (TCDC), Emporium, Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-664-8448. BTS Phrom Pong. www.facebook.com/Pin.metal.life

The Gadget

Re+Pair

Re Pair offers budget portable speakers with a rather unusual concept: the body is made from liquid soap and gasoline bottles. Yep, you read that right. What’s more, the speaker doesn’t require batteries or a power outlet as the frame simply acts as a sound enhancer—if not a particular effective one. Speakers start from B450. Order online at www.facebook.com/repairproduct

1.) The Bag

PN: I suggest a large duffel gym bag preferably with a separate compartment for shoes which is important so as not to dirty your clothes. Go for one with a shoulder strap to take the load off your hands.

2.) The Supplements

PN: The supplement I suggest to anyone is Fish Oil/Omega 3—essential for our body to function properly but which we do not produce ourselves. I lean towards a balanced diet of animal protein and lots of vegetables, but I also have a tub of chocolate flavored whey protein at home.
TS: If you want to get lean, I’d recommend a healthy diet with lots of vegetables and protein in the form of red meat and chicken, but if you want to get bigger and build muscle, whey protein helps a lot, although I wouldn’t recommend it for long-term use since too much of anything is never good.

3.) The Gloves

PN: I think gloves are a pretty accessory and come in many wonderful colors. I’ve found gloves improve my grip strength, but they wear out very quickly and do not really protect you against calluses. If you’re serious about working out, just harden up.
TS: Unless you’re worried about getting calluses on your hands gloves are unnecessary since your wrist and hands will slowly build up strength without needing fitness gloves to support them.

4.) The Music

PN: Certain studies have shown that people will go faster and consume less oxygen when running to music. I would suggest that you avoid ear phones and go for specific sports ear buds as they are more water resistant. I’d recommend Sennheiser, which also have great sound quality.
TS: Although not for everyone, a lot of people do get pumped up by their music and put in more effort while working out. Find the right tune for you and crank up the volume, and if you’re not one for music you could always go for the work-out-in-silence mode.

5.) The Sneakers

PN: I am an advocate of “minimal” shoes which do not have thick soles with exaggerated heel cushioning as our feet were never designed for heel striking when running. I lean towards the New Balance Minimus range of shoes.
TS: I’d go for running or cross training shoes since they’re versatile in the gym supporting both cardio exercises as well as weight training. My favorite model at the moment is the Asics Gel-Lyte 33 2 which is known for its light weight and great support.

6.) The Clothes 

PN: Whatever they are make sure they are comfortable. I went from cotton to synthetics and have just converted back to cotton blend workout clothes. I do like Nike running and Reebok cross fit shorts as they seem to be able to take a good beating and allow me to perform all the necessary movements during a workout.

Essentials

Herschel Novel, B4,190 . 5/F, Zen Department Store, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-100-9999. BTS Siam/Chidlom.

Optimum Whey Gold Standards (5.15lbs), B2,350. Order online at www.musclefoodshop.com

New Balance Minimus 10V2, B3,950. 2/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-690-1000. BTS Siam.

Nike shorts, B1,390. 2/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-690-1000. BTS Siam.

Sennheiser X Adidas OMX 680i Sports, B2,490. Order online at www.jetliveaudio.com
 

Stussy summer camo shirt, B2,490.

Dimepiece LA utility tote, B2,900.

John Varvatos double zip ox camo, B5,300.

Komono Woodland Camo, B2,690

H&M, B1,799

Huf work chino short camo, B2,490.

Topman green camo skinny trousers, B2,290.

Huf summer socks, B650.

Herschel Supply Co., B5,990.

Essentials

Dimepiece LA. 2/F Swag Shop (Lido Cinema), Siam Square Soi 2, Rama 1 Rd., 081-164-9295. BTS Siam.
H&M. 2/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-690-1000. BTS Siam.
Huf & John Varvatos & Stussy. Converse Carnival, Siam Square Soi 1, Rama 1 Rd., 02-252-8907. BTS Siam.
Komono.  5/F, Zen Department Store, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-100-9999. BTS Siam/Chidlom.
Topman. 2/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-613-1796. BTS Siam/Chidlom.