This Week in Health and Fitness: Female-Only Gym Ms. Uptown Opens in Galaxy Soho, Plus Krav Maga, and Burlesque

This Week in Health and Fitness looks at the latest fitness and health goings on around Beijing so you can live your #bestlife.

Listen up ladies, this coming Saturday, October 15 marks the grand opening of Beijing's newest female-only gym, Ms. Uptown. Located in Galaxy Soho. The studio offers classes in things like yoga, pilates, dance (including hip-hop, urban, and jazz), and core strengthening, among others. The grand opening event, which takes places from 3.30-5.30pm, will give you the chance to chat with Ms. Uptown's owners and their training team, and listen to presentations from three up-and-coming Beijing entrepreneurs: Brittany Dunn, co-founder of The Mind Body Project; Xiao Jie, founder of CandleX; and Miranda Vukasovic, founder of The Radiance. 

Ms. Uptown are currently offering a 14-day trial pass for only RMB 99. For more information, or to purchase a pass (one-year, six-month, and monthly memberships also available) check out their WeChat at MsUptown尚城健身.

Speaking of female-only fitness, now is the time to sign up for the latest session of Krav Maga Global Beijing's popular women's self-defense course. Taking place over the course of four consecutive Saturday afternoons, starting October 22, the four-session package is priced at RMB 1,800 per person, and includes 10-hours of complimentary Krav Maga classes (must be redeemed before November 30, 2016). During the lessons, you'll gain an understanding of the common threats women face, and learn everything from developing awareness and avoidance, to fighting back, and improve your ability to protect yourself in a violent encounter. Email rebekah@kravmagabeijing.com or call 150 1024 6131 to sign up.

Now, this final item, a new burlesque dance course, isn't strictly for ladies only, although burlesque is traditionally performed by women (do I spy a gap in the market there, gents?). Taught by Moonglow Burlesque's Trixie Royale, the four-class course offers an introduction to this sensual, controlled dance style and promises to help women improve posture and discover their bodies. Beginners are welcome – nay, positively encouraged – and no previous dance experience is necessary. The four-class package is priced at RMB 400, or a single drop-in lesson is RMB 120. Sign up here. The classes will be held on Sundays at Cat's Corner Dance Studio in Jintaixizhao (directions in the directory listing). 

More stories by this author here.

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Photo: Moonglow Burlesque