Don't worry if the answer's 'no'. You can discover both in our new barefoot group exercise class (because training with trainers is so last season).

Straight outta NYC, willPower & grace® is one of Virgin Active’s success stories of 2011. This unique, barefoot group exercise class perfectly combines a cardio workout (so you can burn some calories) with a more serene focus on mind, body and balance (that’ll be the ‘grace’ part).

The benefits of barefoot exercise are becoming more widely acknowledged in the health and fitness industry, as experts start to recognise that training without trainers is actually really good for our mobility and strength. ‘Although trainers are comfy, they actually limit the movement of our feet’ explains Gillian Reeves, our National Group Exercise Manager. ‘Exercising barefoot helps you develop ankle, knee and hip stabilisation, promoting movement and preventing injury.'

So what can you expect from a barefoot willPower & grace® class?

Typically, classes begin with working through all the muscles in your feet and ankles, then moves to toning and strengthening exercises (we’re talking lunges and yoga’s infamous ‘plank’). Holding these poses without shoes on increases body awareness and ultimately gives you a much more intense workout.

The next part of the class is more cardio based (high-energy music and pulse-pumping routines) but instead of launching yourself across hard gym floors without any real direction, you’re actually taught how to land on your feet safely – reducing the risk of pain and injury.

As well as the physical workout, willPower and grace® also puts emphasis on exercising the mind. Visiualisation techniques are used to help participants zone out from the real world for half an hour and also to increase confidence in those who aren’t used to group exercise classes (so we urge you to try it – even if you think you’ll be a bit wobbly).

Overall, willPower and grace® is a great class if you’re after a full-body workout with a healthy dose of mental wellbeing. ‘It’s all about improving how the body works’, explains Nick Hudson, our National Fitness Training Manager. If your feet work well, this will send a chain reaction through the rest of your body.' Maybe it’s time to ditch the trainers and start putting your best barefoot forward? 

Find out if willPower & grace® has reached your club yet.