HEALTH-minded visitors to the Westgate Centre tried out various classes at a FitFest Oxford pop up this weekend.

Free sessions in hula-hooping, spinning, ‘Jump Fit’, a make-up demonstration and an array of other activities were on offer in a wellness zone at the Oxford shopping centre.

The pop-up marquee also featured fitness classes, food tasting, yoga, pamper sessions and live healthy cooking demonstrations ahead of a one-day festival at the Oxford Academy this summer.

Lydiah Igweh, one of the founders of FitFest, who said around 250 people had signed up for the nearly 20 sessions on offer, said: “This is a pop up weekend event: a taster of what we can expect at our major festival on June 15.

“It's nice to have a range of different activities including fitness classes, cooking demonstrations and wellness workshops.

“People seem to be having fun so it has been a success.”

SEE VIDEOS OF THE CLASSES IN ACTION HERE

Organisers say last year’s festival attracted more than 1,200 visitors and is set to be bigger this summer.

Friends Vickie Ward and Claire Lee, from Oxford, tried a number of classes over the weekend, including a ‘healthy glowing skin’ session, vegan food tasting and a spinning class.

Oxford Mail:

The pair said: “(Spinning) was really hard work but we are really enjoying it.

“It is nice to have a chance to have a go at something that we haven’t done before.”

They said they were less self conscious than at other similar events ‘because there are a lot of people that haven’t done it before either.’

Zarra McFarland, Too Faced’s events manager UK, said the make up company’s demonstration was the first to be fully booked.

Brendan Hattam, General Manager at Westgate Oxford, added: “We were excited to be hosting a FitFest Oxford pop-up.

“There were dozens of free sessions to experience – what better way to kick-start the new year?”

Oxford Mail:

Wellness talks addressing issues such as body confidence and stress relief, treatments, a cleanser making session were also on offer in the wellness zone.

A host of well-known companies and local food businesses Jericho’s Kitchen and Cinnamon Kitchen also took part in the pop up, as well as an ‘insanity’ and ‘twerk’ class.