We review Velocity, the aquabike workout that cuts more calories than regular biking

Lunges. Planks. Squats. Headstands. Push-ups. It may sound ironic but sometimes it does seem that fitness regimens are made for those who are already reasonably fit. Too bad if, like me, you are out of shape, have the balancing skills of a drunken mule, or joints that creak like unoiled door hinges: there aren’t a lot of options if you want to get healthy. Or, so I thought.

Everyone recommended water-based exercise. Since long before the gym became popular, people have been doing aerobics or deepwater cycling in swimming pools. But these classes were few and pools were far between. So when I first learned of the Velocity Aquabike Studio – two years ago – I had visions of spinning classes in swimming pools which wasn’t very motivating. Now that our office has moved back to Causeway Bay, it seemed a good time to finally check it out.

The studio is smaller than I expected, with just enough room for an adequate reception area, a changing area that can get cramped at peak hours, two showers, six individual cabins and two infrared sauna rooms. For now, Velocity only accepts women.

What does it involve?

The Velocity aquabiking concept originates in France and combines the benefits of cycling and jacuzzi spa technology. Each cabin has a stand-alone aquabike which essentially looks like a jacuzzi tub with an immersed cycle seat and pedals. Like treadmills in the gym, the bike is operated by a user-friendly control panel at the front which allows you to choose between set programmes – or you can create your own. Each session lasts for 30 minutes, although you can book dual sessions if you feel energetic.

The programmes set the tension, not speed, so you can pedal as fast or as slow as you like. Naturally, the faster you go the more “distance” you cover and the more calories you burn. The aquabike is said to burn calories more efficiently than traditional cycling and the 26-jet jacuzzi helps boost blood and lymphatic circulation at the same time, which assists in reducing water retention. You don’t get the fancy 3D landscapes that expensive gyms offer but each cabin is provided with headphones and a tablet installed with Netflix and YouTube to keep you entertained.

What is it like?

All you need is a swimming costume and you are ready to go! It essentially takes you five minutes to change and you are off to your cabin. Booking ahead means that the tub is cleaned, sterilised and refilled before you get in. The hardest part is your first contact with the water! With the air-conditioning and the unheated water, it’s a shock to the system. But, as my therapist explains, exercising in heated water will make your blood pressure rise too much and you warm-up quickly once you start pedalling.

Once you are in, the water comes up to about waist level. There are varying degrees of difficulty so pick a programme you are most comfortable with and start cycling. Being on the bike really took the pressure off my joints and my back; I couldn’t feel the aches and pains I normally do out of water. I found it much less stressful than fighting gravity on the treadmill. The resistance on the pedals starts on the lighter scale so it is more encouraging for those dipping a tentative toe into the exercise pool, but even fitness buffs can challenge themselves with the more strenuous routines.

The changing lights in the tub can be mesmerising, but my attention is taken up by an episode of The IT Crowd on Netflix. I didn’t feel the pressure to keep up or compete with other exercise mates and felt good about being able to exercise at my own pace. It gave me quite a thrill to see the calories notch up on the panel … 100, 200, 300, 400 … At the end of the 30 minutes, I clocked in at 480 calories without feeling like I wanted to crawl into a hole and nurse aching muscles for the next three days.

My legs felt lighter and – dare I say it? – slimmer and I hadn’t been sweating like a pig from the exertion, which meant that I didn’t have to wash my hair and reapply make-up after the session. I was also a lot more relaxed from having 30 minutes of Me time and felt more clear-headed.

Conclusion

I loved the efficiency of the process. You can book your appointment online or through WhatsApp and you can pretty much zip in, lose 400-500 calories, and then zip out again in less than an hour – even with a quick shower – which makes for an ideal lunchtime break if your office is nearby. Being able to pedal at my own pace made it less daunting, but I could also challenge myself by cycling faster if I wanted to make it past 500 calories. No peer pressure and no embarrassment at being unable to keep up with a class of fitness fanatics. The isolation of the private cabin gave me a respite from work and some down time to think. With packages offering sessions from HK$385 to about HK$450 per half-hour slot, it is more affordable than a personal trainer. The only complaints would be the tiny locker area and showers that can be rickety.

Things to note

If you are the type who cannot stand doing anything alone, there is the option of booking adjoining cabins which open up so that you can exercise with a friend. Since there are only two sauna rooms, they can be difficult to get for peak hours so book ahead. And, if you didn’t bring a swimming costume and suddenly want to book a session, there is a selection on sale on the premises. Otherwise, Times Square is just across the road. If you want to do upper body exercises, you can bring some weights to life while you pedal. Velocity does joint promotions with Spa L’Occitane and Detox Discovery, a nutritionist and a TCM master.

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