This week Nike is hosting #NTCWeek, it’s 7 days of different Nike Training Club fitness activities, nutrition talks and fashion shows hosted all over the world.

Unlike the standard NTC classes each week that are lead by Nike Master Trainers, these classes are hosted by community groups so it’s a chance to try out something new.  I was lucky enough to get into 3 classes this week (the sign up is always super competitive with hundreds of women refreshing Facebook trying to get spots!) and have tried out a Get Lean! dance class at Frame, Barrecore at their new Mayfair studio, and the Secret Yoga & Supper Club in Shoreditch.  The classes have been top quality and in typical Nike fashion we’ve received lovely tote bags, workout vests, and even a Fuelband SE at one event. The best part though, and the reason I keep signing up to NTC classes, is the community of really fun and nice women I meet at every single event.

Last night we did a 1 hour Jivamukti class with the Secret Yoga Club and it was everything I love about yoga. There were two instructors, one to demonstrate the poses at the front of the room, and another walking around helping everyone adjust as necessary.  The light was low and there was a musician there playing music to keep our flow on track.  During the savasana we were even treated to a de-stressing neck massage with cocoa butter. HEAVEN! After we headed up stairs to the showroom and were treated to a 3 course supper club (vegan!) for the full Secret Yoga Club experience.  As I sat around a table with 30 strangers, we actually had loads to talk about and I was so grateful to have had such another amazing community experience

It’s safe to say I wouldn’t have half the friends in London if it were not for the doors that NTC has opened and I gratefully walked through.  I’ve found an supportive community that extends beyond the stretchy and colourful Nike lycra and into a group of women who like getting active, meeting new people, and taking on new challenges.  Through NTC I met Leah and the awesome Team Naturally Run ladies who I’m travelling to Geneva with this year on a Running Holiday.  There is a special bond you create when you spend a Saturday morning together running up a muddy hill several dozen times.  NTC has also given me more confidence in my own fitness to take on new challenges from speedy Parkruns, reformer Pilates challenges, and even joining a real running club. And to think, it all started with a trip up the London eye…

NTC Train to Run Saturday hill sessions

edit: I’ve had a lot of predictable responses of people saying they wish Nike did events outside of London. I totally get that, and understand we are very lucky here in the Capital. But the point I was trying to get across here was that it’s the doors Nike opened, that I walked through to find the community. Everywhere has local events and activities, yes they might be harder to find and require a leap-of-faith on your part to join, but they’re there and will be what you make of them. Get out there and find your community! One of my favourite pieces of advice from Liz & Laura of Write this Run was that if there isn’t something – make it. Start the community you want to be in!