Senior group exercise manager Vicki Antoniou on why taking a class is a great way to train
Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here
“Don’t fear the unknown”.
That’s the message from Vicki Antoniou, senior group exercise manager for Third Space’s two Canary Wharf clubs.
“If people are walking past The Yard – our crossfit inspired training space at the Canada Square club – and there’s a class on it can look like everyone knows what they’re doing,” she said.
“Or they hear a spin session getting underway, it can sound really overwhelming.
“But it’s vital people understand that our classes operate for all levels of fitness – everyone taking part went for the first time at some point.”
We’re sat in Third Space Wood Wharf for our interview.
While the brand’s second site on the estate is in a separate location to the Canada Square club, it essentially acts as a massive extension to the existing facilities as local membership includes access to both.
That means there’s a second pool to swim in and an extra gym floor to train on.
But it also adds something wholly fresh in terms of group exercise – Hot Yoga and Reformer Pilates studios.
This, alongside installing equipment for the latter at the original Canary Wharf site, has allowed the club to extend its already extensive timetable of classes, with more than 300 available every week.
Organising and managing that operation across two sites is no small task, but it’s one Vicki clearly relishes.
the benefits of group exercise
“We get more than 30,000 attendances at classes each month,” she said.
“Around half of the people coming to Wood Wharf are going to a group class, with Canary Wharf a little under that.
“I get really excited about the benefits of working out with other people. We know that once members try a class, they keep coming back.
“The hard part is just getting into the studio. Once you’re there, we’ll look after you.
“If you’re a bit hesitant, get there 15 minutes early and tell the instructor and they will make sure you’re comfortable.
“Everyone’s on their own journey.
“I’m big on inclusivity, so our instructors are trained to make sure everyone who comes into a class has the best possible experience and does what suits their mood for that day.
“We’re also happy to give members a tour of the studios when not in use if they’re feeling unsure.
“We can also advise what classes are best to start with, such as Fundamental Reformer for Pilates or Yin Yoga.”
Vicki’s own journey into the fitness industry began with group exercise, after friends invited her to be part of a film so they could gain Les Mills Bodypump certification.
Having “never picked up a weight in her life” before – a legacy of hating exercise at school – she was hooked and began going to classes.
Later she trained as an instructor and began teaching classes herself. At that time, fitness was more of a side hustle while Vicki worked in banking at Barclays on the Wharf and then in the City.
The arrival of her son saw her spending more time teaching fitness classes, which fitted around his school commitments, before heading back into the corporate world – this time in telecoms.
With her son grown, she “dipped her toe into nutrition”, setting up a company to offer workshops to businesses and organisations.
teaching at Third Space
“Around 2017, a friend of mine had started teaching at Third Space and I went to do a class with him,” said Vicki.
“It was fantastic and I thought I’d really like to teach there.
“I auditioned and began working as an instructor in 2018, first with one, then two and three classes a week. Eventually it was 10.
“At that point, I knew I wanted to manage, mentor and lead other instructors and so I applied for the group exercise manager at the Tower Bridge club and got the job.
“At first, despite my experience, I was petrified, but the support network was amazing.
“If you’ve done the job yourself, it puts you in a good position to manage others and I try to lead as I like to be led.
“Transparency and a lot of communication are essential.
“I’m a bit maternal and nurturing and really want to bring people into the fold.
“If you feel confident and that you belong, you’re going to lead classes as your authentic self.
“It’s vital that we have brand standards and that those are maintained across all our classes so members will always get that high quality experience.
“But I also want the instructors in my team to be themselves, not to put on a persona.
“They should feel free to express their personality and bring something of themselves to the sessions.
“We have thousands of members at Canary Wharf – the demographic is vast – and people really respond to instructors who deliver classes like that.”
what Third Space Wood Wharf brings
Wood Wharf’s additions to the timetable have proved immensely popular, with Reformer Pilates capturing members’ imaginations to the point where extra equipment has been brought in at the original site too, in order to keep up with demand.
“I think, with Reformer classes, it’s the accessibility of it,” said Vicki.
“The way the equipment and the classes have been designed means everybody can do it. We have Fundamental, Traditional and Dynamic classes, so it doesn’t matter what level of fitness you’re at.
“It’s about coming to try something different and learning a new way to move your body with equipment that doesn’t put pressure on your joints.
“It’s perfect for people who don’t want to jump around in the gym.
“But it complements other exercises too.
“If you incorporate it weekly into your training you’ll really see the benefits in strength and flexibility.
“People often need to be a bit brave to try it, but we’ll always look after them and teach them how to use the equipment and give lots of options for those at different levels.
“Hot Yoga has been very well attended at our other clubs, so we wanted to bring a studio here too.
“Practising in a warm room gives you the ability to move your body in a more fluid and challenging way both from a physical and a mental perspective.
“It can feel as though the heat is lubricating your joints and giving you that extra mobility.”
key details Third Space
The Wharf membership covers Third Space’s Canary Wharf and Wood Wharf clubs and costs £230 per month.
This grants access to facilities across both sites and includes unlimited group exercise classes including Hot Yoga and Reformer Pilates.
Third Space also offers group membership, starting at £279 per month, which allows access to facilities at Third Space’s growing collection of clubs including Soho, Marylebone, Wimbledon, Clapham Junction and Tower Bridge. It currently excludes Mayfair.
Find out more about membership here
Read more: How Boat Sales By Aquavista offers residential moorings in east London
Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here
Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
