My West London Life

Master trainer Sandy Macaskill shares fitness tips from Barry’s Bootcamp

August
16

With summer in full swing, we catch up with Barry’s Bootcamp master trainer Sandy Macaskill for some expert fitness tips, as well as a glimpse into a typical day in the life of

What is a typical day for you at Barry’s Bootcamp?

So the best part of my job is there’s no typical day really. Take the other day – I taught my morning class, jumped into a meeting with my managers, rushed off to row on the Thames for a charity event, literally got taken off the boat in the middle of the river by a motor launch to make a meeting at Canary Wharf, then went to our East studio to take class myself. I got home at 9pm and flopped!

What is your own daily fitness routine?

I take a Barry’s class five times a week unless I’m out of London. That’s pretty much it. I play plenty of sports through the week also, but in terms of working out Barry’s mix of weights and running is all I need – hence why we brought it over here in the first place!

What are your tips for staying cool in the heat?

I only train inside a Barry’s studio which has air con and plenty of fans so I’m usually fine. But the tried and tested ways are the best – have plenty of water, most for actually drinking but then also to throw over your head and and back of your neck.

You opened Barry’s West on Queensway last year – what drew you to West London?

We were looking for space in west London for over five years, but nothing was right. When one of our clients told us he had a building on Queensway, my brother/co owner James and I were like “where do we sign!” We used to live just off Westbourne Grove so know the area well, and Queensway has been crying out for a little love for over a decade. It’s great to be spearheading that process.

After class, where are your favourite places in West London to eat and drink?

I used to be a fiend for The Westbourne, but I’ve graduated to the Prince Bonaparte where drinks are concerned. Food-wise, I have lunch at Cocotte on Westbourne Grove most days.

How would you spend your perfect day off?

I probably would have come up with something more original about 5 weeks ago… but now my perfect day off would just be spent hanging out with my newborn baby boy Leo and my wife Erika. Maybe with lunch at the Red Lion and Sun in Highgate (sorry West Londoners) thrown in.

Sarah Campus, founder of LDN MUMS FITNESS

March
19

We chat sleeping, eating, hydrating and moving with pre and post-natal fitness expert, Sarah Campus

Sarah Campus is a highly experienced women’s personal trainer, a nutrition coach, wellness expert and a busy mum of three. In 2016 she founded LDN MUMS FITNESS. She is a fitness and wellbeing panellist for Women’s Fitness Magazine and often appears on television as a holistic health specialist.… Read more →

Amy Nairn, Personal Chef

January
5

Personal Chef Amy Nairn on her favourite restaurants, high-profile clients, & cooking to impress!

Where do you live and why?

Having grown up between Islington and Scotland, I’ve lived in Parson’s Green most of my adult life. I love village atmosphere, the mix of ‘country’ pubs, young families, and its proximity to the King’s Road.

How did you get into cooking, is

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