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Hollywood's hottest workout class Barry's Bootcamp heads for London

It’s dubbed ‘the best workout in the world’ and has no shortage of celebrity followers including Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel not to mention Kim Kardashian - who is such a huge fan she included it on her reality show.
So with Barry’s Bootcamp heading to Britain this year I decided to check out Hollywood’s hottest exercise class.
I arrived at my first session a little apprehensive and with a head full of questions. Would I be able to make it through the hour? How heavy would the weights be? How fast would I actually have to run?

Huge fan: Kim Kardashian is a big fan of Barry's Bootcamp and has even featured it on her reality TV show

I was told I would be starting on the treadmill and waited patiently as a fellow fitness enthusiast advised: ‘You’ll love this it’s great, just avoid Barry’s class if you don’t want to be pushed too hard – he’s brutal.' I made a mental note.
As the class began I was advised by the instructor Natalie how the class would play out – a series of sprints on the treadmill followed by short blasts of weights working the whole body. She added: 'Make friends with the incline'.
Natalie’s figure, she doesn’t have an ounce of fat on her on her, instantly provided me with some much needed motivation – I wanted a body like that.

Heading across the pond: Barry's Bootcamp is coming to London and the studio is hoping to open in time for the Olympics

I left my first class feeling elated, I had conquered a series of steep uphill climbs on the treadmill and pushed, pulled, curled and pressed my way through a circuit of medium and heavy weights as part of the full body class.
During my trial at Barry’s I also undertook a 'butt and legs' class, 'chest and abs', 'shoulders and back', before finishing off with another full body class. The idea behind the classes is that each day trains a different part of your body to shock your system and the variety of each classes means you aren’t left bored.
Barry Jay, who launched the workout back in 1998 explained: 'The class involves treadmills and free-weights and can actually take place of your gym workout. The weights get heavy enough for anyone to be challenged. We also break the workout up into body parts so you don’t over work any one muscle group.’
The studio in West Hollywood is dark, highlighted by red lights, the walls of covered in mirrors and the music sets the pace for your workout – it’s invigorating, uplifting and invariably fast.

Tough talk: Joey, seen teaching a class in New York says: ''Barry's Bootcamp offers both strength training and interval cardiovascular training packed into one intense 1000 calorie burning hour.'

I found the instructors incredibly motivating and encouraging, they address you by name, clearly know the thresholds of the regulars, and smash them and use inspiring speeches to rouse the group.
On every occasion I visited the studio I found the class full of focused, hard-working and friendly individuals, there’s nothing more off-putting than seeing others quit but I found no slackers at Barry’s, there's no chance of that - the instructors are always watching.
Jay describes the one-hour sessions as a ‘workout-party where you work harder than you ever dreamed you could and laugh through the pain.’
I couldn’t agree more, although by day four when muscles I didn’t even know I had were throbbing, I certainly wasn’t laughing.

Tough Class: MailOnline's Sarah Fitzmaurice tested out Barry's Bootcamp in Hollywood and was left with muscles she didn't know she had aching

Nevertheless after each class I felt a sense of achievement both mentally and physically and there’s no doubt that they pack a considerably amount of calorie-burning exercise into the hour.
I found myself running on an steep incline for two minutes at 12 miles per hour, or chest pressing way past the time I thought I might pass out – in short I smashed a series of personal barriers during my trial.
I didn’t think that it was possible but I felt my body become stronger and I certainly felt more toned after just one week – I can easily imagine the impressive results achieved after a longer period.

 

Fitness fans: Jessica Alba and Jessica Biel are also big fans of the grueling workout

Joey, who has trained both Kim and Kourtney Kardashian said the reality star is a huge fan of the class: ‘because of how fast it works. Every time Kim shows up to class after falling off the wagon, she goes on and on about how much her body changes immediately. She loves it.
He adds: 'Barry's Bootcamp offers both strength training and interval cardiovascular training packed into one intense 1000 calorie burning hour!'
And speaking of the celebrities who are fans of the Joey says: ' We have so many Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Amanda Seyfried, Christina Applegate, and many more are all fans.'
With the first studio opening back in 1998 there are now a number across California, one in San Diego and even one in Norway.
And for Brits wanting to get their fitness in gear without fuss or compromise the London studio is hoping to launch in time for the Olympics - I highly recommend signing up as soon as they open their doors - I can't wait to go back and get my sweat on.
To learn more visit www.barrysbootcamp.com