Author Archives: jackthomas

Unknown's avatar

About jackthomas

Jack Thomas is the founder and CEO of BASE - Asia's Gym of the Year - and the host of the Fitness Business Asia Podcast.

Healthy, Organic Wine Delivery In Bangkok: What You Need To Know

Posted on by
Reply

Hey there, fellow wine enthusiasts in Bangkok!

We know how much you enjoy a glass of wine after a long day or sharing a bottle with friends over a delicious meal. But what if we told you that you could do more than just enjoy the flavors?

Yes, we’re talking about drinking healthy wines that not only tickle your taste buds but also give you a little wellness boost.

And guess what? It’s not as complicated as it sounds! In this guide, we’ll spill the beans on how to enjoy healthier sips right here in Bangkok, complete with links to get you started on your wine adventure.

Red wines can be delightfully paired with Thai cuisine

Wine and Wellness: A Perfect Pair

First things first, let’s clear the air – drinking healthy wines isn’t about sipping green juice mixed with grape juice. It’s all about making conscious choices that align with your well-being.

Think of it as a mindful way to enjoy your favorite beverage while reaping some extra benefits. So, how can you do that?

Well, let’s dive in!

Choosing the Right Colors: Red vs. White

Alright, let’s talk about colors. No, not your wardrobe – we mean the color of your wine! When it comes to healthier sips, both red and white wines have their perks. Red wines often get a nod for their antioxidants, like resveratrol, which is linked to heart health. These goodies come from the grape skins and seeds, so sipping on a glass of red is like giving your heart a little hug.

On the other side of the spectrum, white wines bring their own dose of delight. They’re usually lower in calories and have a crisper, lighter profile.

So, if you’re looking to enjoy your wine without the heavy feeling, a chilled glass of white might be your go-to. And hey, if you’re curious about exploring some options, you can check out white wines right here in Bangkok.

It’s All About Balance: Moderation is Key

Okay, okay, we know – you’re excited to dive into those glasses. But hold your corkscrews! Remember, moderation is the magic word.

Drinking healthy doesn’t mean turning your wine night into a full-on wine fest. It’s about enjoying a glass or two mindfully and savoring the flavors. Plus, this way, you get to extend the joy over more occasions. So, let’s raise a glass to finding that balance between sips and savoring!

Organic, healthy wines are available in Bangkok, Thailand

Local Grapes, Global Flavors

Here’s the fun part – exploring different wines from various regions. Bangkok, you’re in for a treat! From lush valleys to sun-soaked vineyards, wines come in a variety of flavors and styles. Now, we’re not here to tell you which exact wine to pick – that’s the exciting part of your journey.

But hey, you can find a treasure trove of red wines and white wines that span regions and grape varieties right at your fingertips in Bangkok.

Wine Delivery in Bangkok: Convenience in a Bottle

Now, let’s talk about convenience. We get it – sometimes, you just want to unwind without stepping out.

That’s where wine delivery in Bangkok comes in. Whether you’re craving a rich red to pair with your homemade curry or a crisp white for a chill evening, you can have your wine delivered to your doorstep with just a few clicks.

It’s like having your own wine stash at home, ready to make your good times even better!

Savoring the Sips: A Healthy Toast to You

So there you have it – the lowdown on enjoying healthy wines in Bangkok.

It’s all about making choices that align with your lifestyle and indulging in a glass or two that brings joy. Whether you’re into reds that cuddle your heart, whites that refresh your spirit, or a mix of both, there’s a world of wines waiting for you to explore.

As you sip, savor, and raise your glass to life’s moments, remember that it’s all about finding that sweet spot between enjoyment and well-being. So, next time you’re planning a cozy night in or hosting a wine-infused gathering, make sure to check out the variety of wines available at your fingertips.

Cheers to good health, great times, and the beautiful blend of flavors that make every sip an adventure!

If you’re ready to start your journey of enjoying healthy wines in Bangkok, you can dive right into Bangkok wine delivery services from Wine Plus that bring your favorite sips right to your door.

Thailand’s wine scene has developed significantly in recent years

List of gyms and boutique fitness studios in KL

Posted on by
Reply

A lot has happened in the last few years in South East Asia’s fitness industry and it has been a joy to watch.

More and more people are taking their fitness seriously and working out is becoming something that is now enjoyed; looked forward to.

Shockwaves from the fitness industry explosion have been felt throughout Kuala Lumpur, with new offerings springing up in each corner of the city.

Singapore and Bangkok has a fitness scene that’s easy to access by the skytrain, MRT or walking. KL is more spaced out with few options walking distance apart, so if you’re on a gym-hopping trip make sure you’ve got your Uber or Grab app at the ready!

Here is my guide to the best boutique fitness options in KL, Malaysia.

THE PLAYGROUND

A new kid on the block, The Playground is a beautiful fitness space in the Bangsar area of KL, spanning 4,500 square feet and offering both group classes and personal training.

A slick and sexy vibe is backed up by solid training programs and inspiring, movitating coaches at the top of their game.

Tons of natural light and a wide range of top quality fitness kit makes this one of the premier training choices in KL.

The Playground Website

The Playground. A boutique training studio in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur

HIIT2FIT

Dark room, pumping music, motivating coaches and on-screen heart rate monitoring – this is what you can expect at HIIT2FIT.

Situated in the Publika building, their workout is a mix of strength training using TRX, medicine balls and dumbbells, combined with water rowing and treadmill work.

Their two offerings are Mean HIIT which is their functional training offeirng and Lean HIIT, which is cycling. Both offering heart rate monitoring as standard.

HIIT2FIT Website

Offers strength, cardio and biking options

FIRESTATION 

I love training at Firestation – the trainers are pumped, the music is good, the workout is tough and well-structured and they add in all the little touches like cold towels and lighting to complete the workout experience.

Firestation – or FIRE as it’s come to be known for many – is an adidas-sponsored gym offering STRIKE, which is water bag boxing, RIDE which is cycling and STRIDE which is alternating treadmill and floorwark in a similar style to Barry’s Bootcamp.

If you can get a spot, be sure to try their Saturday morning 30-30 concept which involves 30 minutes of STRIKE, RIDE and STRIDE with a shot of juice between each session.

Firestation KL Website

Firestations STRIDE class offers alternating strength and running

BABEL

If we had to live in a gym, it would be Babel.

It is quite simply one of the most stunning and well-equipped gyms I have ever been to. State-of-the-art Rogue and Technogym equipment throughout, high-end bathrooms, a beautiful cafe and hang out area and very helpful and friendly staff.

Your Instagram feed will glow radiantly after each visit to this place and we really love the vibe.

They have a lot of niche gear that looks unused and fresh out the box but are great if you know what you’re doing – peg boards, curved treadmills, the new TRX, Concept SkiErgs and Rip Trainer. If none of that means anything to you, trust me when I tell you these are cool pieces of kit in the right hands.

If you’re looking for the complete training experience we would rank The Playground and Firestation higher, but if you like to spend the day at the gym feeling like royalty, this is the place.

Babel Fit Website

Top notch training rig at Babel Fit

KOA FITNESS

Anyone that promotes the message of strong women gets a big thumbs up from us, or in this case a BangkokFitness Top Choice trophy.

Dubbed a ‘playground for women’ KOA fitness is a female-only gym that are serious about what they do. The gym is well-equipped with tons of strength gear like barbells, cables, sleds (always nice to see) and kettlebells, sprinkled with cardio and HIIT tools like treadmills, battle ropes and bikes.

Offering open gym, personal training and group classes, if you’re in KL and you’re a women, a visit should be on your list.

KOA Fitness Website

UNION STRENGTH

An open gym that specializes in raw strength – we have lifting platforms, a sled, all kinds of barbells, kettlebells and dumbbells. There’s also some cardio equipment in their to round off your session.

Union Strength is based on the 1st floor of the Hartamas Shopping centre.

Union Strength Website

MINISTRY OF BURN

Ministry of Burn – or MOB – runs 3 fitness concepts: MOVE is full body HIIT, RIDE is their cycle class and ROW is their new rowing concept class.

When we dropped by to check it out in the afternoon it was closed, so make sure you visit during training hours.

Ministry of Burn Website

LIQUID CAGE BOXING

After the success of Rumble in New York, Aqua boxing – using punch bags filled with water – has really taken off worldwide.

These offerings have undoubtedly made boxing more accessible to the masses, and Liquid Cage have jumped on the trend with a nightclub style training environment and three boxing concepts – 45-minute options with Liquid Wave and Liquid Surge, and a 60-minute Liquid Heat class focusing on endurance.

Liquid Cage Website

FLYPROJECT

Another New York concept, rhythm cycling, finds its way to KL with Flycycle.

Cycle to the beat of the music with motivating trainers/performers who guide you through a tempo cycling workout coupled with upper body hand-weight exercises.

Their Flylab yoga concept and Flyfight boxing classes complete the project.

Flyproject Website

GRIT NATION CROSSFIT

Grit Nation is one of many Crossfit offerings in KL, but the only one we’ve had a chance to try.

Expect encouraging and passionate coaches, your typical Crossfit garage vibe, a giant rig and a bunch of heavy weights – exactly what you’d expect from any self-respecting Crossfit!

We were impressed with the cleanliness of the gym and the warm welcome and thorough introduction from the coaches.

Girt Nation Website

GUAVAPASS

Asia’s favourite gym pass has recently launched in KL, offering fitness classes all over the city.

You can only visit each studio 4 times per month, but if you like to dip into different studios then this is a great option.

Guavapass Website

Guavapass KL – photo taken at BASE Bangkok 😉

F45

With F45 you know what you’re going to get – each of their 1,000+ locations around the world does the exact same workout with screens around the studio to keep you on track and remind you of what’s next.

The 45-minute session will incorporate functional strength and a range of tools in a class setting of up to 36 people. There are currently 3 locations in KL – Publika Mall, KLCC and Mont Ciara.

SUMMARY

The recent explosion of choice has left the fitness consumer spoiled in KL. We predict big things for the industry here over the next few years and look forward to seeing what happens.

If there are any studios we’ve missed out, please let us know and we’ll make sure we visit next time!

Men’s Health Thailand November 2015 Ask The Trainer

Posted on by
Reply

Here is a translation for my monthly column in Men’s Health Thailand.

11012063_10153042306887142_3281844784604478776_oI have heard many people are trying the Paleo Diet. What is it and will it help me to get in good shape?
The idea behind the Paleo Diet is that you only eat foods that occur naturally, and that you could have eaten 10,000 or more years ago. This means eating organic meat, wild-caught fish, fresh vegetables (organic if possible) and fruits in season and nuts. Cooking oils should derive from natural unprocessed sources such as coconut oil or avocado oil. Grains like bread, rice and pasta and dairy like milk and cheese are not permitted in this way of eating as the idea is that we haven’t fully adapted to these foods and so our bodies often do not respond very well to them.
I first heard of the Paleo Diet, or ‘caveman diet‘ as it was called then, about 10 years ago and it’s been gaining in popularity ever since. Unlike many dietary trends, the paleo diet isn’t going to die anytime soon as many people have adopted the diet as their full time, permanent way of eating, rather than a method for losing weight quickly. There are even food delivery services now that only send food that complies with the ‘paleo‘ way of eating.
paleoI personally am a big advocate of the Paleo Diet and it works fantastically well for me and many of my clients. Like many people, my body responds better to a lower carbohydrate diet which this approach naturally promotes. You can still get carbohydrates from sweet potatoes and fruits, but there is strictly no added sugar. Whatever your body type, you will certainly gain many benefits from eliminating processed food and sugar and consuming more natural foods full of nutrients. It also naturally provides high protein and lots of healthy fats which helps to keep you satiated and feeling full, and helps you maintain and build muscle.
Some people get obsessive over this way of eating, and desperately avoid eating anything not considered ‘paleo‘. I aim to eat paleo about 80% of the time but I do add in some dairy such as greek yoghurt and milk. The truth is, we can’t be sure of exactly what we ate 10,000 years ago and our eating habits and lifestyles have undoubtably changed a lot since then. However, as a guideline way of eating for optimal health, low body fat and maintaining and building muscle, you can’t go far wrong with this diet.
I’m Jack Thomas, Founder of BASE. More information on our approach to nutrition.