SIX3NINE trainer Dan Baines works on journalist Mark Peacock’s hip flexor

Last night saw the exciting and much-anticipated launch of SIX3NINE, a brand new personal training practice in the heart of Covent Garden. We were joined by a selection of top health, beauty and fitness press, all eager to explore the space and meet James Mitchell, the founder and lead trainer, whilst enjoying some deliciously-healthy sushi and sashimi, refreshing Zico coconut water and fruity anti-oxidant-filled Stolichnaya Premium vodka cocktails.

Throughout the night the energetic team of trainers flexed their muscles and provided demonstrations of the state-of-the-art high-tech equipment, including the stretch cage, kettle bells and hypoxia machine, as well as carrying out body composition analysis and massage therapy on guests.  It was a brilliant opportunity to engage press and consumers with the unique and exciting space, designed and dedicated to personal training and getting the best from a workout. 

With guests already waxing lyrical about the contemporary space and brand and with membership capped at only 200 places, SIX3NINE is set to be a sell-out success and is on course to achieve waiting list status.

Our beauty PR team has been hard at work recently on two major events, which neatly juxtaposed an established brand with a brand new product range.  Despite the 25-year age gap between the two, both brands have their finger right on the pulse of cosmetics trends which was communicated loud and clear at the events and, of course, is vital for attracting the attention (and securing the attendance) of the right journalists.  

Despite the tough economic climate, the ‘lipstick effect’ remains as strong as ever, with women looking for affordable treats which brighten their day and help them look and feel better.  The unprecedented growth of the false lash category is testament to this trend, and the first of our two events saw glamorous music powerhouse, Hed Kandi, and the UK’s number one lash brand, Eylure, collaborating to create the ultimate in going out accessories: Hed Kandi by Eylure lashes. To mark the launch of the new club-tastic range, the cream of the beauty press gathered for a night of glamour at the venue du jour, The W Hotel.  We created our very own club experience in the Wyld Room, complete with giant disco ball and a series of Hed Kandi DJ sets.  As the beats were banging, journalists were treated to professional lash applications and bespoke Hed Kandi cocktails. Each one was named after our new lashes, so we sipped on delicious Disco Heaven, gorgeous Glitterball and irresistible Ibiza, giving a feel of the summer season just around the corner. The night ended with dancing, prettily lashed-up men (an emerging trend!) and the fabulous Henry Conway, who couldn’t resist dropping by to see what all the fuss was about.

The beautiful venue was a pampering paradise: makeup play-stations offered guests the chance to sample their favourite shades, letting them loose to experiment with eye-shadows and lipsticks, or they could avail themselves of one of the professional makeup artists on hand to transform their look.  The fun-filled photo booth, complete with comic accessories, was a huge hit and the snaps perfectly encapsulated the electric atmosphere.  Pop princess and face of the COLLECTION brand, Diana Vickers, treated us to a show-stopping performance of the title tracks from her up-coming album, supported by new girl band Fanfair who were fresh off their tour with The Wanted and added colourful and youthful exuberance to the proceedings.  While media coverage wasn’t the primary objective of the event, it’s been great to see so many journalists and bloggers writing about the brand’s milestone, showing that forever-young COLLECTION has a well-earned place in our hearts.  Long may that continue.

As a subscriber to the monthly magazine ‘Women’s Running’, and a frequent pincher of my other half’s ‘Men’s Health’, when ‘Women’s Health’ launched yesterday I was keen to get my hands on the first issue. In April, in memory of my lurcher Hawk (and in aid of The Blue Cross) I’m running the Virgin London

The front cover of the mag features a gorgeous-looking Kate Beckinsale, aged 38 yet looking a decade younger. I went straight to the article “Kate the great: The four moves that got her this body”. I’m currently running 30+ miles a week, but I’ll be sure to add these four simple strength exercises to my workouts. The next few articles to grab my attention were all about nutrition, notably “Eat nuts, lose fat” (I’ve always read that nuts are a great snack but, having seen how many orange and red traffic lights appear on their packaging in the supermarkets, I’ve always stayed clear), “Your trickiest nutrition questions answered”, and “Five-minute energy meals”. Short, snappy and easy-to-read pieces, these food options and recipes will add to the endless fish, chicken, quinoa, whole grains and vegetables that I’ve recently been stocking up on to get the right amounts of protein and low GI carbs.  

In addition to all this and the various other workout articles (notably focusing on tummy toning and weight loss), the first issue also includes features on what you’d expect to see in women’s glossies – fashion, beauty, celebrities, relationships and sex. The inclusions unfortunately also include the too many adverts, the nonsense fabricated “Ask Women’s Health” and the odd contradiction in the editorial articles. Nonetheless though, to me the issue overall has the right balance – it gives you your hit of women’s health in an easy and digestible manner, breaking up any potential boredom and dread that often appears when we are faced with thoughts of hitting the gym with the other essentials we women love to read. Clearly impressed, and at the ready to order another subscription, I was disappointed to discover that the next issue isn’t out until 2^nd May, ten days post-the marathon. Until then, their website has been added to my favourites. Go check it out and, if you’d live to visit another great website, my marathon fundraising page would love to hear from you. Al support, be it communicative or financial, will not go unnoticed and will be hugely appreciated!