{"id":59166,"date":"2026-03-12T11:50:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T11:50:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/?p=59166"},"modified":"2026-03-12T12:18:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T12:18:13","slug":"mirror-free-infrared-fitness-studio-set-to-open-on-ecclesall-road","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/index.php\/2026\/03\/12\/mirror-free-infrared-fitness-studio-set-to-open-on-ecclesall-road\/","title":{"rendered":"Mirror-free infrared fitness studio set to open on Ecclesall Road"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A new infrared fitness studio aiming to prioritise community and inclusivity is set to open on Ecclesall Road next month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>J.I.M \u2014 short for Joy in Movement \u2014 is expected to open in mid-to-late April, with studio manager Michelle Whelan, a mother of two, leading the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike many traditional gyms, the studio is designed to create a less intimidating environment for people trying to build a consistent fitness routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA lot of gyms have mirrors everywhere,\u201d Whelan, 36, said. \u201cBut at ours there\u2019s no mirrors. The lighting is lower so people feel less self-conscious.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The studio will offer a range of infrared heated workouts designed to maximise results within shorter sessions. Classes will last around 30 minutes and include yoga and other guided workouts, each accompanied by tailored music to match the pace and atmosphere of the class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Infrared technology is at the centre of the concept. The heating system warms the body from within, allowing participants to sweat more and potentially burn more calories in a shorter time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt warms your body\u2019s core to around 40 degrees, so you sweat more and burn more calories,\u201d Whelan explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The approach is also linked to other health benefits, including improved flexibility, increased circulation and muscle recovery. Whelan said infrared training is also often associated with detoxification, relief from joint pain and skin purification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whelan also hopes the space will foster a welcoming social environment where members can connect as well as train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe want to promote community,\u201d she said. \u201cIf people wanted to do book clubs or organise walking clubs between members, we\u2019d love that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whelan added that the philosophy behind J.I.M is about encouraging sustainable lifestyle habits rather than strict fitness regimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou can come two or three times a week and still go out and eat your pizza,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"528\" src=\"https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3218-1-1024x528.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-59175\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3218-1-980x506.jpeg 980w, https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3218-1-480x248.jpeg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Advertising at the studio shows VIP List is open for sign ups<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Members will be able to book sessions through an app, and first-time visitors will have the option to attend a free taster session. Whelan said she intends to personally welcome newcomers and guide them through their first visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the studio will operate with some automated systems, Whelan said maintaining human interaction remains a key part of the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI like the personal touch,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s more than just another fitness place.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The new studio has special heating technology for maximum sweat workouts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":278,"featured_media":59168,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[636,8],"tags":[243,311,411,280,12],"class_list":["post-59166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","category-health","tag-business","tag-ecclesall","tag-gym","tag-health","tag-sheffield"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59166","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/278"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59166"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59166\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59192,"href":"https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59166\/revisions\/59192"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59168"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59166"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59166"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shef-live.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59166"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}