Robin Says -

As a relative newcomer to cycling and triathlons I had never given too much thought to being professionally fit for my bike. I always figured that my “calibrated eyeball” had adjusted my seat to the correct height and that was all I needed to do. In the past few months though, I participated in the 250km Ride to Conquer Cancer, 2 triathlons and am currently training for a Half Ironman so I decided, with the significant amount of time I would be putting in the saddle, I should seek the advice of an expert to make sure I was in the most efficient position possible. When I met with Brad, a certified BG FIT Technician at the Bike Gallery on 10th avenue in Vancouver, he quickly had my bike attached to a stationary trainer and was quietly humming and hawing as he watched me pedal. I should have prefaced this review by telling everyone that at 6’7” and 225lbs I do not fit into the typical size range of most cyclists! Brad let me know that I probably should be using a slightly larger frame but that the beauty of a professional fit is that the technician can make some quick changes to your saddle and handle bar height/position to compensate for this. Over the course of 45 minutes Brad checked my foot position on my pedals, leg, arm and torso angles, made changes that actually me more comfortable. If you are looking to get into cycling, or you are an experienced cyclist that would like to confirm they are in the most powerful position, I would suggest you pay Brad at the Bike Gallery a visit!

Sex: Male
Age: 28
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 225lbs
Fitness Level: Weekend Warrior
Road Cycling:  1 year

Shayla Says -

Disclaimer time… I have never had a professional bike fit. With all the bike stores I have haunted over the years and all the bikes I have purchased and all the thousands of kilometers ridden – no bike fit! Crazy and you could be just like me, just letting the numb fingers or sore shoulders annoy you on long rides, but not actually doing anything about it. So I went to the Bike Gallery and let Brad give me a professional Bike Fit too. Another disclaimer, Brad is my husband. I know what you are thinking, you should never get your husband to teach you anything new, tell you to change or perhaps do your bike fit. But, I thought I could do this for the VancouverVIDA team and besides I know just how particular Brad is… very!  So if I can tell you anything about having a bike fit with him it is this, it will be done with German precision and a lot of patience. I would also recommend all the professional bike fitters at the Bike Gallery, they have all been to Specialized Bike University for at least a week of training for the basics and they have lots of practice. A couple of things I really like about the Bike Gallery is that they have a separate bike fit area where you get the individual and undivided attention for your fit. They also have all the necessary extras you might need to make your bike riding experience more comfortable. And that is what we all really want, to be comfortable so that going out for a ride is fun (and fast). A bike fit will make you more comfortable on the bike, make you more aerodynamic and allow you to generate more power when you are pushing those pedals. All good things, especially if you are riding your bike regularly and want to be faster.

Sarah Says -

Inergy Pilates was my introduction to Pilates. I wasn’t sure what to expect upon arriving to Mylene’s studio and looking at the space was a little intimidating at first since I was very unfamiliar with the equipment and how to use it. Mylene went through a detailed overview of Pilates where I learned it was actually named after Joseph Pilates (random fact timbit).  In the studio Mylene had me start with some floor exercises, then we moved to the big machine that slides back and forth as you use your own body as resistance. We then ended with moves on a stool that had a peddle.  Pilates was different then I expected since Mylene put more focus then I assumed on the breath, but once I got the rhythm of it I found it very natural and relaxing.  As far as the exercises and Pilates movements themselves I found it to be an enjoyable workout. I can see how it could get harder and more physical, but for my first session I think we focused on learning the movements and when I left I felt well streched and I almost felt taller! Maybe I can get the Pilate’s lean and long body if I keep it up. I know the one-on-one sessions might not be in everyone’s budget but the Inergy Pilates studio also offers small group classes, which I will be trying next week!

My rating for Inergy Pilates is 4/5 for the facility, 4/5 for the fun factor and 5/5 for the chance of me doing it again.

Shayla Says -

I met Mylene at the studio she shares with two other Pilates instructors. The studio is warm, quiet and very private. Mylene explained various Pilates techniques and I got try a little bit of everything. I have never done any type of Pilates exercise and Mylene was great at introducing the movement variations and equipment. I enjoyed my session with Mylene and feel like I know more about Pilates after having visited her studio. The movements are gentle and there is no impact involved in Pilates which makes it beneficial for a number of conditions and participants. It would be very helpful for people who want to become more aware of their body and their body position while they are exercising. So many of my clients spend so much time sitting in front of a screen or driving that they have lost touch with basic movements such as how they are sitting or standing. I think that they would benefit from the gentle reminders that Mylene uses while assisting you through the movements. Pilates is also really relaxing and I felt a similar feeling of relaxation that I did after my (amazing) Thai massage. So people who have high stress lives may like the atmosphere and the after effects of doing Pilates at the Inergy Pilates Studio.

My rating for Inergy Pilates is 4/5 for the facility, 3.5/5 for the fun factor and 3/5 for the chance of me doing it again.

Our next review is for the newest health and wellness product to come out of Vancouver the Vidadish. An easy way to pack your meals and snacks in convenient, portion controlled environmentally friendly containers. It comes with a 7 day menu plan for those using the dishes to help with weight loss and we started this morning.  I have to say these containers look pretty small.
You get 3 big containers for your meals and 3 small containers for your snacks during the day.
I had my regular breakfast that I have eaten for the last 15 years and I am not about to change it, so breakfast I was semi successful at, I had my protein, carbs and fat, but I didn’t measure it.
Then my snack went into the snack container. The containers are labeled protein, carbohydrate and fat. you can use them for measuring a mixed meal, like an omelette, or fill with the appropriate foods. I was having leftover pesto and bean pasta for my snack so I probably ate 2 servings of carbohydrate snack instead of half protein and half carbs – two meals and not quite on the program, already I am breaking the rules.
Did I mention how small these containers look?

Day 2

If I had to bring these containers to work with me they would be perfect. Cook, pack, store and eat. If I ate a meat and potatoes kind of diet they would be perfect. The right foods always divided into nice little portions. If I had a better attitude about measuring my food these would be perfect. Okay, so maybe the problem is me. I am rebelling against the portion control, the type of foods I am encouraged to eat, and of course being told what to do – this is all in my head not anything to do with the Vidadish – which I happen to really like. Cute, environmentally friendly, made locally by two women entrepeneurs, what is not to like? Did I mention that these dishes have made me VERY aware of how many carbohydrates I eat in a day… abut 75% of my diet and that means that I am using both the protein and carbohydrate containers for my daily allotment of carbs. I love carbs; bread, bagels, fruit, vegetables. This is what I eat all day long. Good quality, unrefined and unprocessed carbohydrates. I am not living on cookies and doughnuts, but none the less I eat a lot of carbs, and now I am very aware of it.

Day 3

I spent the day at a Health and Wellness Fair, while they provided lunch so I didn’t get to use my Vidadish it did change what I had for lunch. I ate more protein, chickpeas, and less of the exceptionally yummy Quinoa salad. It is a start. I think I still ate more than I would have if I had brought my dish. Maybe I will try the 14 day plan. 7 days for a warm-up and then really do it right for 7 days…

Sarah Says -

This was my very first sports massage experience and I am glad it was with Camelia. I was not sure what to expect and Camelia made sure to remind me that it is not a relaxation massage and as long as I can breath then she is applying the correct kind of pressure. I might have let out a few high pitch noises now and then when she found a few tender areas, specifically my arms from typing and legs from wearing 4 inch heels daily!  During my massage Camelia asked me an important question – if I had coverage with my work to get massages from a RMT?  I do, but I told her how I never even think to use it. But after having Cameila work all the kinks out of my body it is very tempting to go back especially when it is paid for by my employee benefits. I am sure I am not the only one not taking advantage of this benefit, so I would highly recommend to those who have coverage, use it and for those who don’t, go ahead and splurge!

My rating for Vancouver Sports Massage  is 4/5 for muscle tension release 5/5 for finding those tight spots and 4/5 for the chance of me doing it again.

Shayla Says –

I used to have regular sports massage treatments and I find them extremely beneficial to recover from all my training. Camelia managed to work out more than one tight spot and even found some new ones. She worked through my entire body in one hour and I felt great when it was over. Camelia is really good at getting into your muscle tightness and working it out. Sports massage is meant for improving flexibility and for preventing injuries, especially if you are working out regularly. I would recommend all my clients take advantage of the ability to get regular sports massage. It is a great way to keep relaxed and prevent chronic muscle tightness from becoming an injury. If you are doing repetitive type of training, like training for a marathon or other types of long distance event (or just sitting in front of a computer screen for hours at a time) getting a sports massage is worthwhile. When I was training for my marathons I got a sports massage every week and it made such a difference. Although Camelia’s clientele come from the surrounding businesses as well as athletes, she really understands the nature of sport and how to promote muscle recovery with massage. I would definitely return to Camelia to keep me ready for all my activities.

My rating for Vancouver Sports Massage  is 4/5 for muscle tension release 4.5/5 for  finding those tight spots and 4.5/5 for the chance of me doing it again.

Sarah Says -

When I walked into the Fitness Table studio I was really impressed with the space.  The room is intimate, clean, great high ceilings and lovely windows to let in lots of natural light. I surveyed the room when I entered and saw 10 tables with mats on them and fitness ball. The table are about 3 feet off the ground and about as wide as me, which honestly made me a little nervous when lying on them and having to move into different positions, but once I got use to the feeling and the exercise, I didn’t think about how painful the fall to the ground would be. The Fitness Table routine that owner Katharine Ford took us through was an introduction which focused on small movements to help strengthen our core and improve our posture which like most people are a few areas I need to work on.  I can see this type of exercise routine as being a gentle method for those recovering from injury who just aren’t ready to hit the gym, for people who are just starting to work out and want low impact or even for people who just want to try something new in their fitness routine.

My rating for Vancouver Fitness Table is 4.5/5 for the facility, 3/5 for the fun factor and 2.5/5 for the chance of me doing it again.

Shayla Says -

Katharine Ford has the only Fitness Table Studio in BC and there is also one in Calgary and 12 in Quebec. The Canadian director Thérèse Cadrin-Petit, located in Montreal, has devoted her life to the art of movement. She trained in Montreal at Aline Legris School of Dance, she joined Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and now she is dedicated to the Fitness Table. Katharine, who has trained with Thérèse’s classes, lead us through an introduction to the Fitness Table explaining the history and the popularity of the Fitness Table in Quebec. The movements are gentle and comfortable and I can see how someone with limited range of motion, injuries and conditions like fybromyalgia would enjoy this method of movement. Katharine gives everyone in the class a lot of individual attention  and makes sure that you are not hurting yourself when you are trying the moves. The table, by the way, is not anchored to the legs, which can make you think about the exercises a little more carefully, but is completely safe. It was an interesting experience and I love the studio that Katharine has on Richards Street. It is a very personal experience in a lovely space and Katharine is passionate about the Fitness Table.

My rating for Vancouver Fitness Table is 4.5/5 for the facility, 3/5 for the fun factor and 3/5 for the chance of me doing it again.

vancouverVIDA got to test specifically Bike Vancouver! and Sarah and Shayla have completely different cycling experiences but came to similar conclusions.

Sarah  Says -

The Bike Vancouver digital guidebook is a good resource for those who are new to cycling in the Lower Mainland. The DVD-Rom is packed with over 700 Km’s of cycling routes in the area, and includes Hi-Res pictures of sights and scenery of the rides.  If you are new to cycling, like me, or just new to Vancouver, Bike Vancouver will give you some great ideas as to where to start your next riding adventure. The Bike Vancouver kit also comes with a great topographic map with all their routes highlighted. This was an excellent addition that you could bring along for rides in unfamiliar areas. The last thing you want to do is realize a few hours into an enjoyable afternoon ride that you have taken a wrong turn and you don’t know how to find your way back to your car!! The only problems/technical difficulties we did however experience with this software were when we tried to create our own route. But after talking with the Bike Vancouver team we got it straightened out and they are even currently posting tutorial videos online so this doesn’t happen to anyone else.

My rating for Bike Vancouver is 3.5/5 for user friendliness (due to initial technical difficulty), 4/5 for features  and 4/5 for the chance of me using it again.

Shayla Says -

Even though I have grown up cycling in the lower mainland I enjoyed the photos and the route info about traffic, nearby parks and especially bathrooms! Nothing worse than being on a ride and wondering if you are going to make it to the next pit stop… I currently use other bike programs for my route planning, calculating distances and coming up with ride alternatives, but the Bike Vancouver is definitely suited to the recreational rider who wants photos, images and set routes for ease of use and to know exactly where they are about to go. I think this would be a great gift for the newbie rider. The maps are fantastic, I really like both the print and digital map, and the planned routes are great. They have lots of distances and lots of variety. But, since I love a little adventure and know my way around Vancouver I wanted a bit more information and the ability to plot routes not already labeled. I would recommend Bike Vancouver for new riders, perfect for tourists and for those not comfortable riding unfamiliar terrain. However, if you are a seasoned cyclist who knows Vancouver really well you may find this is not the best resource for you. I do have to say, like Sarah, the folks at Bike Vancouver are really helpful and contacting them for information was so easy and they respond to all suggestions – really superb customer service!

My rating for Bike Vancouver is 3.5/5 for user friendliness (due to initial technical difficulty), 3.5/5 for features  and 3/5 for the chance of me using it again (mostly because I have other options that I already use)

Sarah Says –

I had know idea what Thai massage was before meeting Barb. I assumed like most other relaxation massages I would be lying naked under a blanket, on a table, with my face squeezed into one of those round face holders. But when I walked into Barb’s massage room I was surprised to see just a mat on the floor surrounded by pillows. I felt unsure at first and did not know if I was about to have an awkward moment with Barb. Especially if she asked me to remove my pants, since I decided not to wear underwear. Like I said before, every other massage I have had was naked under a blanket on a table. I think she saw my look of panic and told me the whole massage happens while clothed. Hence the reason why she told me to wear comfy clothes when we booked the session.  That all aside, my overall experience of Thai massage was unbelievable. I have never felt so relaxed or at peace. I found it interesting to see where I hold most of my tension and stress in my body, mainly in my hips and thighs (high heels can really do a number on you). Barb would pick up parts of my body and move them around and stretch them right to the point where I didn’t even know they were tense.  Then when she stopped the controlled movement I would feel that part of my body sink deep into the mat and I would have this instant sensation of total relaxation. I would recommended anyone to try Thai massage, athletes, professionals, students, anyone who wants to feel all stress melt away from their body and only be left in a state of total relaxation.

My rating for Westcoast Thai Massage  is 4.5/5 for stress relief 4.5/5 for relaxation and 5/5 for the chance of me doing it again.

Shayla Says -

This was my first Thai massage too, but I had some idea of what to expect in terms of being clothed and having a combination of facilitated stretching and pressure point relief. Barb was fabulous, I spent the whole hour with my eyes shut and feeling myself become more and more relaxed. I definitely felt the tight spots, especially around my shoulders from trying to keep a 110 pound German Shepherd beside me. The best thing about Barb’s Thai massage is that you leave with an all body relaxation, you get the head to toe treatment. I find that sometimes when I have a sports massage the rest of me – not the spot that got the treatment – is feeling left out and even tighter because I have some relief. I left the experience with an overall floaty, relaxed feeling that lasted the entire day. Being able to have your whole body stretched and gently manipulated is more relaxing than I would have imagined. I slept so well that night. I highly recommend Barb’s professional practice of Thai massage it felt like a well deserved treat.

My rating for Westcoast Thai Massage is 5/5 for stress relief, 5/5 for relaxation and 5/5 for the chances of me doing it again.

My rating for Westcoast Thai Massage

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Sarah Says -I had tried 30 Minute Hit for the first time about a year ago at their Vancouver location and have liked it ever since.  I will be honest I am not a huge fan of working out, but they say at the “Hit” in only 30 minutes you can burn about 500 calories. This of course depends on how hard you want to work and as far as I am concerned, 30 minutes is the ideal workout time! My time is very important to me which is why I have to say this again,  I love the idea of getting my work out done and over with in 30 minutes. This makes 30 Minute Hit ideal for before work, after work and even on your lunch break. Shayla and I tested 30 Minute Hit’s newest location in Burnaby on Rosser Ave. We had a fun and intense workout with owner Teri; my arms are still burning. Shayla, however, will probably tell you it would be a good warm-up.  I will let you in on a secret, Shayla is a beast when it comes to working out, so trust me and know that this is all the working out you need in one day. Now back to Teri, she is great with her customers and really makes sure you have clear instructions for each station. My personal favourite station is the where you practice round house kicks, lets out every frustration in your body!

My rating for 30 Minute Hit would be 4/5 for the facility, 4.5/5 for the fun factor and 4.5/5 for the chance of me doing it again.

Shayla Says – Teri Brewer owner/operator of the Burnaby 30 Minute Hit welcomed us to her location near Brentwood Mall. We went early on a Saturday morning for the circuit workout. I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I arrived, but Teri was very friendly, gave clear and concise instructions to all 13 stations. We started with a skipping warm up – not my best activity – and progressed through a variety of upper body, lower body and core exercises. We did uppercuts, roundhouse kicks, jabs, and more. It was fast paced and fun. As an endurance athlete this was definitely a muscular strength / endurance workout and I felt warmed up after our 30 minute session. If I had gone through the circuit again it would have felt like a good workout and all that kicking and punching is a great way to work out stress! The facility is new, clean and bright with a spot for kids. The workout is fun and fast paced, but I like to train for a sport and I would be interested in the Self Defense classes.

PS. Sarah is prone to exaggerate my propensity for exercise, maybe just a bit, well maybe not.

My rating for 30 Minute Hit would be 3.5/5 for the facility (only due to the lack of showers – it is clean, new and bright), 4/5 for the fun factor and 3/5 for the chance of me doing it again.

Brodie Bikes is a local bike company. Founder Paul Brodie, a member of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, was originally an artist and motorcycle fanatic. Paul began by painting and brass-welding frames for mountain bikes in 1985. Inventor of the trademark Vancouver sloping top tube, Paul went on in 1986 to launch the company that builds the bikes bearing his name. Brodie Bikes lent us a Section 8 city bike for cruising and short commutes. The Section 8 has a simple 8-speed internal hub that makes getting around fun and easy.  Equipped with fenders, a sturdy double-kickstand, relaxed geometry and a rear rack to carry your gear.

Sarah Says -

I had a great time with the Section 8 bike made by Brodie Bikes. I am not big into cycling and found it very useful in and around my area. I would take it for a few leisurely rides through my North Vancouver neighbourhood (hills and all) and a couple times to grocery store when I needed to grab a few items.  My favourite things about the Section 8 bike was how easy it was to the change gears. I have a mountain bike and have always had trouble gear changing, I never remember which way to turn the gears to make it easier or harder, which as sadly resulted in me falling off my bike or struggling greatly up a hill or two! But the Section 8 has a grip gear shift and showed what gear you were on, 1 through 8. This feature made my biking experience a dream!

My rating for the Section 8 5/5 for comfort and convenience, 4/5 for the fun factor and 5/5 of me having one of my own or recommending this bike to a friend.

Shayla Says -

I have a bike for every occasion and I loved the Section 8. I would definitely add this one to my collection. It was so much fun and easy to get around. I rode it everywhere.  I took the Section 8 to work, to Whistler, to take my dog for a run, it was fun and convenient. Besides riding around my West End neighbourhood, through downtown, to work and to the farmer’s markets. I also took the Section 8 to Whistler for the weekend. It was perfect for the Valley Trail, taking my big dog for a run and getting to the Village. This is the perfect commuter / cruiser bike if you don’t have big hills to climb, it can easily handle gravel paths, bike paths, city streets and more. The internal hub makes this a maintenance free alternative for an easy ride and more time riding.

My rating for the Section 8 4/5 for comfort and convenience, 5/5 for the fun factor and 5/5 of me having one of my own or recommending this bike to a friend.