Start the morning with a bang

CLUBBING doesn't have to be a night-time activity as some health-conscious Londoners are proving, with morning "raves" catching on in popularity. Morning clubbers don't start with breakfast vodkas but healthy juices or smoothies and a good workout before they head to work.

Workers in the CBD here can soon join this movement with Zespri Golden Mornings taking place from June 8 to 12. The bright-eyed set can take part in early morning activities including an indoor cycling class, a rooftop Vinyasa yoga class and, for the first time in South-east Asia, a pre-work party which will be held at club Kyo.

Organised by the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit, the idea is to celebrate and encourage a positive approach to fitness, living well and eating healthily.

The company's regional marketing manager for South-east Asia and Australia, Judy Lee, says: "We didn't want to promote our fruits by badgering people to adopt a healthier lifestyle. We wanted to get the message across in a more subtle way, through experiential activities that show people healthy living can be fun too."

While it hasn't been smooth sailing, the New Zealand-based company has managed to fit in an event every day of the week.

Says Ms Lee: "The biggest challenge was trying to fit everything within the same week. We started planning this in March, and there were a few hiccups, but everything fell into place in the end. It's going to be a truly unique experience."

Kicking off the festivities on Monday morning is the Zespri Golden Spin with a 50-minute "Ride with the Pack" workout at Crucyle. This popular high-intensity interval training class takes place in a darkened room on a stationary bicycle, and will be accompanied by upbeat music to keep you motivated.

Zespri Golden Salutations is an hour-long yoga class with a breathtaking view of the city skyline. Held on the rooftop of One Fullerton, it is conducted by yoga instructor and international fitness coach Chelsey Korus. The class will combine elements of Ms Korus' martial arts, dance and gymnastics background and her teachings of Vinyasa power flow yoga sequences.

The week-long activities will culminate in South-east Asia's first-ever pre-work party, hosted by instigators of the conscious clubbing movement Morning Gloryville, who are based in the UK. Having successfully held daytime parties in 23 cities across the UK, Australia and Europe, Morning Gloryville will introduce Singaporeans to a new way of getting energised in the morning.

Ms Lee says: "I think Singaporeans are quite an adventurous bunch who are keen to try new things. This event will be alcohol-free so people will still be able to make it to work on time, and it's a fun, refreshing way to start the morning."

While there won't be any alcohol, Zespri is organising a buffet bar filled with roast chicken and vegetarian wraps, devilled eggs and cupcakes prepared by raw chef Sandra Lee - all of which will be jazzed up with some kiwifruit.

The locations for all the events are focused around the CBD. Ms Lee explains: "We know that the life of a working professional can be stressful, so we wanted to hold these activities close to the workplace and give them a short break from their usual routines. We also wanted to make it as easy as possible for as many people as possible to participate and celebrate the morning with us."

For those loath to wake up before hitting the snooze button 10 times, Zespri has made sure no one will miss out. Partnering with Daily Juice, Zespri will be giving away 150 bottles of Kooze juice, made with its SunGold kiwifruits, on Tuesday.

There will be another giveaway on Thursday, when a mobile van will be distributing packs of kiwifruit in the heart of the CBD. Ms Lee says: "I think people will wake up for this though. I'm not a morning person myself, but I can't wait to attend!"

While participation is free for these events, spaces are limited. For more information and to register, go to www.wakeupwithakiwi.com