We’re embracing a brand-new skincare regime with FaceGym, a global facial fitness concept
I’m going to be honest: my glory years as a regular gym goer were some decades ago (think the era of fluoro lycra, leotards, and aerobics). In recent years, I’ve enjoyed other activities more, so a gym routine just hasn’t played a part in my lifestyle, until this weekend that is when I decided to try something new.
To set the scene: it was Sunday evening, so energy levels were nearing snooze level. Despite this, I gathered the required equipment, put on my towelling headband, and got ready for action.
Even though it was a completely new kind of workout, just quietly, I #nailedit.
As well as rewarding with many of the benefits of an actual gym workout (the satisfaction of completing a full routine, the feel-good factor afterwards, the tingle of increased blood flow and an unexpected hit of endorphins), it also allowed a small window of self-care time.
FaceGym is the new workout set to take New Zealand by storm. I tried it and I loved it. I’m planning to be a regular (Face)Gym goer.
Launching this week in MECCA, FaceGym has already established its calling card as the home of facial fitness, with a legion of followers around the world enjoying the benefits of FaceGym workout routines, devices, and skincare.
With its MECCA launch, FaceGym skincare and tools are now available in New Zealand and Australia, available in-store and online.
My personal starter kit included the FaceGym Weighted Face Ball (one of several tools available from rollers to electrical muscle stimulators). I may have been a little uncertain as to whether this weighted red ball would live up to the hype, but just a few minutes into the workout video and literally two rolls in, I was convinced. The tension release was instant, particularly around the jaw area, a common place to carry facial tension (as well as the brow area). And using the ball to massage in a lifting motion around the brow and cheekbone area was incredibly satisfying – uplifting even!
Other goodies making up the FaceGym Reset Routine Kit were Electro-Lite (a gel-to-foam cleanser), Skin Changer (2-in-1 exfoliating essence-toner), Hydro-Bound (Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide serum), Liftwear (Vitamin C gel-cream moisturiser) and my fave, the perky little pouches of Active Blast.
These instant-release collagen blaster spheres resemble a pea-sized polystyrene ball but are actually a power-packed vegan collagen skin booster that dissolve when paired with the Hydro-Bound serum into lusciously nourishing hydration for your skin.
While the skincare products alone are clearly incredibly well thought out (the Active Blast was 14 years in the making), when combined with the facial fitness workouts – sculpting movements that are a mix of stroking, flicking, and even hooking your fingers for cheek hooks do feel blissfully good. Among the goals are kickstarting skin metabolism, stimulating blood flow and lymphatics, and exercising the 40-plus forgotten face muscles for more youthful, healthier-looking skin.
It’s a true face/skin workout, with reps of 10 for some movements, as well as a cardio vibe where you are encouraged to pick up the pace. Don’t despair though. It’s an absolutely fun (and surprisingly educational) workout that can absolutely fit into your day (I’ve done a couple now at my office desk) – just the kind of gym routine I love!
Things we loved about the FaceGym experience:
Even the intro video to FaceGym taught us better ways of cleansing our face: putting an end to a lifetime habit of ‘rub and scrub’ for movements that are more beneficial, helping stimulate blood flow and work in the right direction for better lymphatic drainage. Life changer.
Each product is tagged on the packing, with words such as Prep, Train, and Recover, indicating where in the FaceGym programme it applies. It’s a balm to my OCD tendencies where I worry about doing things in the incorrect order. Thank you FaceGym!
The workout videos are so simple to follow in real-time, and just like any gym membership, there are a variety of ‘workout classes’ you can subscribe to, from the Express workout (35 mins) to Signature Sculpt (45 mins) and the Clean + Lift (60 mins).
FaceGym offers skincare subscriptions, online FaceGym events, and a 21-Day Reset Programme.
The world-first concept of FaceGym was founded by female entrepreneur and journalist Inge Theron, from a desire to give women and men the tools to age gracefully and confidently. With celebrity fans including Lizzo, P Diddy, Shanina Shayk, and Sofia Richie to name a few, FaceGym has 13 studio locations spanning four worldwide cities – London, Manchester, New York, and Los Angeles.
MECCA’s Sydney George Street flagship store is the first FaceGym Studio in the Southern Hemisphere and the fifth city worldwide. In addition to the FaceGym Studio, MECCA has launched the exclusive product and skin tool range across Australia and New Zealand in stores and online now.
Inge Theron
Images supplied