BOOM! cycle gym opens in Shoreditch

BOOM! founder Hilary Gilbert

We are thrilled to announce the official opening of BOOM! the cycle gym that has Shoreditch in a spin.

Planned to be the first in a chain of cycle gyms, BOOM! is the brainchild of model and indoor cycling fanatic Hilary Gilbert , who started indoor cycling classes back in 2002 to stay in shape for her modelling career. The classes she took in Miami, New York and Los Angeles became the inspiration for BOOM!.

Hilary said: “BOOM! was born out of a desire to create an indoor cycling gym that offered the expertise, fun and convenience that was evident in some specialised classes in the States but lacking here.”

BOOM! will bring indoor cycling, all day, every day to the capital. Offering busy city workers a convenient and efficient workout.

Each week, an array of classes, individually styled by BOOM!’s team of

trained instructors will guarantee an intensely satisfying cardiovascular workout, burning maximum calories (500-700 in 45minutes) in minimum time. Challenging, effective and fun, these cardio sessions will tone the lower body, blitz fat, strengthen the heart and lungs and decrease

stress.

In keeping with its East End location, BOOM!’s amazing interiors feature exposed brickwork, an industrial feel and street art flourishes courtesy of of Henry B, a leading artist, spray can expert and member of creative agency The Outside Collective. In short the epitome of Shoreditch cool.

Fully air-conditioned, the studio itself will house 39 top-of-the-range Schwinn AC

Sport bikes, each equipped with MPower Sport bike consoles that allow clients to

closely track and record their progress, be it calories burned, resistance or

revolutions per minute.

Street art courtesy of Henry B

BOOM! will offer clients the cost-saving - and flexibility - of pay-per-class rather than

monthly membership. The average cost of a class at BOOM! will be £12.50,

with great discounts given for block and group bookings. This price point will make BOOM! easily affordable as a supplement to or as a replacement for gym membership elsewhere.

New to the craze? It doesn’t take any special skills or ability to enjoy a class at

BOOM!, just a desire to try something different. But to break the ice, the gym offers

two classes per week for "first timers".

Japanese have it down to a tea at So Restaurant

Although we Brits are seen as the quintessential tea drinkers, the Japanese run rings around us. They’ve been drinking tea since the 9th century, suggesting we have much to learn about making a perfect brew!

Happily for us, some legendary masters of tea making have made the journey over to Europe. This week, Soho’s So Restaurant hosted a series of workshops from tea making legends, Ippodo’s Tea Masters.

Ippodo is one of the oldest and most respected tea houses in Japan. Located in the heart of Kyoto, it serves  teas cultivated in the fertile fields that surround the city.

If you missed out on one of the workshops, don’t despair. An exclusive range of Ippodo teas is available  at So Restaurant. You can chose from Matcha, a delicate and mild blend used in Japanese tea ceremonies; Genmaicha, a mix of green tea and roasted rice that has a rich, nutty flavour or Sencha, a crisp and refreshing tea made from ichiban cha.

We’re wheting our appetites over Westfield!

It’s been an unpredictable weather cycle this week, with perhaps the only perk being umbrella shopping – which is a stretch for even the most optimistic of fashionista’s amongst us. Alas, with September comes the launch of Europe’s largest urban shopping complex in the heart of East London. How’s that for shelter?   

Westfield Stratford City, which, you guessed it, will be located in Stratford is set to open it’s doors on September 13th 2011. The new shopping centre will be situated right next door to the London 2012 Olympic village and has taken four years to build from scratch. Unlike it’s older brother in Shepherds Bush, the Stratford City branch promises to be even bigger and better with even more restaurants, more shops, more attractions and more space – 1.9 million square metres to be precise!  

Last week we whet our appetites further as we went onsite for a photocall with some of the Head Chef’s who will be taking orders in the new food districts. Our favourites have to be El Cantara,  Las iguanas, Franco Manca and the Real Greek, hands down!  

As we write this, the handy countdown on the Westfield website reminds us that there are  just ‘19DAYS.17HRS.7MINS.37SECS’ until builders and cement mixers are replaced by shoppers, diners and their wish lists!

Italian engines and Morrocan Mezzes!

On Tuesday we joined forces with the BRDC and set up camp at the home of British motorsport for the Ferrari California Experience at Silverstone once again!

Following on from last years fun-filled inaugral event, we took 50 of the nations most deserving children and chauffered them around the circuit in a Ferrari California with the help of the BTCC champ Jason Plato,  the BRDC,  and Pink Floyd drummer and long term Ferrari fanboy Nick Mason. Each of the children were nominated by The Variety Club and BEN, the automotive charity. Our pals from Disney and Hot Wheels also joined in with the fun by keeping everyone fully entertained on the day!

Other car-mad celebs lending their support on the day included the newly crowned Miss England Alize Lily Mounter, Dancing on Ice runner up Donal MacIntyre and Wheeler Dealer and host for the day Mike Brewer.

As if all of that wasn’t enough, as they left the track,each of the kids were also given  a unique souvenir, a USB stick with footage from their own personal ride so that they can relive their Ferrari California Experience forever!

After going Italian for the day we swam south of the Mediterranen on Wednesday, to celebrate the 25th Aniversary of our favourite Soho shisha-spot Maison Touareg. 

To brush you up on your trivia , Maison Touareg was one of the first restaurants/bars in London to have a 3am license. It’s wasn’t any surprise after last night’s party, which boasted belly dancers, snake charmers and of course, the very best Moroccan and Lebanese food.

After the incense, cocktails and North African beats all of us here at JW woke up this morning wishing it was Saturday!

July's JW event frenzy!

July may be turning into a coat on, coat off month but we are too excited about the JW events taking place this month to care about having no idea what to wear in the mornings!

Our Ferrari charity day at Silverstone is stepping up a gear with the likes of Disney coming on board!
On Tuesday 26th July 2011, Ferrari North Europe, in partnership with the British Racing Drivers’ Club, will be hosting the Ferrari California Experience charity event at Silverstone Circuit.
Following last year’s extremely successful inaugural event, celebrity and professional drivers, together with a number of BRDC ‘SuperStars’ - young stars of the future who are receiving guidance and training from the BRDC, will once again drive 50 of the nation’s most deserving children nominated by The Variety Club and BEN, the automotive industry benevolent fund, around the famous track in a Ferrari California.
From trackside to the very glamourous 25th anniversary of the delicious Maison Touareg in Soho. The Moroccan & Lebanese themed restaurant is going to be celebrating in style on the 27th July and we just can't wait!

What interesting events have you folks got coming up in July that you want to shout about? We love hearing about them all!

WHAT A WEEKEND FOR THE SUNSHINE!

It’s all over the papers today that Prince Harry allegedly chatted up new girlfriend Florence Brudenell-Bruce (AKA Flee) with a line about polo. What a coincidence then that we have been invited to attend the polo this weekend at Newbury!! Dressing up, mixing with Royalty and celebs alike and enjoying some delicious molecular gastronomy from the increasingly popular and always inventive Bubble Food - what more could we ask for?


Festival season is well and truly upon us and we are all caught up in the fever. A little closer to London town than the fields of Glastonbury, Hard Rock Calling last weekend was utterly brilliant, with performances from The Killers, Bon Jovi and Rod Stewart! Following on at Hyde Park last night were the likes of Arcade Fire and Mumford and Sons who proved to be epic and have been causing a stir all over Twitter.



It’s not just music festivals that are making waves though. As we enter July the upcoming Foodies Festival in Battersea Park (July 29, 30, 31) is also something to get excited about. Being die hard foodies ourselves, we aren’t ashamed to say that we are counting down the days – Michelin Star chefs – Yum!!



Enjoy the sunshine folks!

We Heart Everything MIC....

We don't know about you lot but our Monday nights won't be the same after the last episode of Made In Chelsea made us giggle with delight!

Twitter is going MIC doolaly today with hardcore fans begging the producers to release series 2 dates.....we've even been stalking the cast's tweets to hunt for clues- what has happened to the world?!

There's only one thing for it! We are heading to the MIC cast and crew's favourite restaurant- SO Japanese (as featured on the show!) to see if we can spot the "stars" and pick up some exclusives! We think you should all join us!