The Active Man x Active In Style Farm Fitness Event



Farm Fitness, Essex

You've probably seen it splashed across social media already, or heard me gushing about what an epic day we had, but incase you hadn't yet been fully informed of what when on when Active in Style and Active Man took over Tom Kemp's Farm Fitness, here's the full lowdown of one of the most epics days in fitness this year...



Flying the flag for outdoor functional fitness

The day started at the Active in Style store down in Chelsea (if you haven't yet heard of Active in Style, firstly, where have you been ?! Secondly, it's basically my favourite activewear destination, stocking brands from everyone such as Adidas and Reebok to smaller niche brands including Alo Yoga and Lilybod). Luckily, we didn't have to spend TOO long resisting the urge to shop, as we were ushered outside to take our seats on the bus and make our way to Farm Fitness in Essex.

Laura showing how it's done!

Now, as we sat on the bus, I've got to admit I was a TAD nervous! Usually 'event' style workouts will be somewhat 'tame', however as the fitness professionals, PT's, rugby players, studio owners etc got on board, we realized this wasn't going to be your traditional 'event' style workout!

Just some of the buff bods on show :P

And yep, I wasn't wrong! As we finally arrived at our playground for the day, it was clear this was going to be an event like no other....

Our Farm inspired circuit

Being split into two groups, guys vs girls, the awesome Tom Kemp (PT and owner of Farm Fitness) began to take us through the mega circuit he had created for us on his fully decked out outdoor gym, each station having a 'farm' twist!



Just casually deadlifting a truck, as you do 

First for the girls was the sprinting session.... but not just any regular sprinting, sprinting with logs, in a tag team, 'resting' in handstand position on the hay bales whilst your partner ran the 800m to collect your leg and bring it all the way back. Add in log hold squats and you got yourself a nice little 45 minute full body burner - complete!

What dya mean, sprint HOW more many miles?! We're chillin now!!

Feeling just a TAD dead and only half way through, we had a brief 10 minutes to recover as the men finished off the circuit (where they began). The opportunity to chill in the sun and watch thirty topless male fitness pro's deadlifting heavy tractors and flipping giant tractors? 100% WORTH THE PAIN we'd just endured!!

I mean, I've seen worse views :P

But it was about to get a little more painful, as next up it was us girls' turn on the circuits, as the men made their way over the log sprints we'd just completed.



Log sprints, prepare!

Grouping up with my fitness girlies Dani and Leila, alongside Third Space PT Nika and owner of F45 Tottenham Court Road Amy, Team 'Ddoyoudare' were ready to get on it!

C'mon Nika!!

Hay bale jumps, prowler runs, farmers walks, quad bike deadlifts, 200m rows, wall balls, pulls ups, aero bikes and about a million other different things in between, safe to say we got absolutely BEASTED.... beasted hard!! Just to keep the challenge going, each block had an exercise in it which scored you points depending on your rounds/calories burned/weight lifted etc - who doesn't love a bit of friendly competition!?

Dani pushing right to the last rep!

As the guys finished their log sprints and came over to cheer us through the final stages of the circuit, despite being completely wiped, the energy was high.... and stomachs hungry, meaning one thing - it was finally time to dig into the BBQ that had been calling to us the entire afternoon.

BBQ game going strong with the Food Grinder and Heck

Heck Sausages served up by The Food Grinder, in a crusty role with lashings of tomato sauce, alongside fresh juices from BeFresh and an epic goody bag with tons of other goodies - we most definitely earned our feast!

B Fresh drinks on hand, alongside a squad of other goodies - Bounce, Pip and Nut, Zeo, to name a few!

After the winners to the challenge were announced (unfortunately team ddoyoudare were beaten to the pip at second place, but the Third Space guys came first from the males), and some time to mingle and take a few snaps (it was instagrammer central after all!), it was back on the bus to make our way home to London. Not that the fun stopped at the farm - as any of the cool crew in the back few rows of the bus will know, we kept the banter going all the way back to London. Chat included curry flavoured bounce balls, discovering Pip and Nut contained agave syrup (after swearing it didn't, we were proven very wrong when a sachet suddenly appeared!), disappointing kale chip experiences (when are kale chips ever good, really?) and of course the best sugary spreads (Biscoff crunchy all the way).

When you're THIS happy doing slam balls, something's right!

Genuinely though, I cannot thank Active in Style and Active Man for such an amazing day, bringing together so many awesome, like-minded people to do what they love doing best. The positivity, spirits and genuinely good vibes of the group was unreal - from catching up with so many familiar faces, to meeting many new ones, it's moments like this I realize how lucky I am to be part of such a thriving, friendly fitness community.

Hanging with my girls :-)

Active in Style, Active Man, Andy, Tom, Farm Fitness, The Food Grinder, Box Creative Films, @e.rbsn, and absolutely everyone else involved - thank you so much for such an epic day!

Only one question on everyones lips.... when's the next one!? Follow Active in Style and Active Man on Instagram to keep informed, and hope to see you joining this squad next time!

STRONG SQUAD!