So there’s a few ways this stay-at-home business can go. One is that we all eat too much and lay on the floor thinking about all the things we should be doing instead.

The other is that we stay inside but also make inside our new world, bar crawls are now rooms-of-your-house crawls, Friday drinks are FaceTime drinks and exercise will also likely be an inside job.

Which is why we’re all here today. To discuss Gold Coast exercise-based businesses who have taken things online so that we may all stay fit while we have to stay inside.

VIP Lockdown Machine Squad
Run by local legends Machine Life, the online squad is $25 p/w with live daily workouts that can be accessed anytime on your phone or computer, using just your body weight, tips and tricks from the trainers (Jesse and Alyse) and an online community to support you through this time. Trainers help with technique, nutritional guidelines, motivation and accountability so that there’s no slacking off plus you get healthy recipes, live chats, team challenges and tailored workouts for all fitness levels. Join here.

Pilates by Lisa
One Gold Coast gal who has been doing the online thing for quite some time is Lisa, of Pilates by Lisa. Who is offering online pilates classes for all levels of fitness that you can (and should) absolutely get involved in from the comfort of your home with a FREE 10 day trial! Find them here.

Ritual Yoga and Pilates
The ladies at Palmy’s Ritual Yoga & Pilates are in the process of creating an online hub for yoga and pilates classes. They also offer pilates barre classes so you can get that booty all peachy for when we’re allowed outside again. Stay up to date with their progress here.

Currumbin Academy of Performing Arts
Here’s one for the kiddies – CAPA have taken their dances classes online so that’s one way for the little ones to burn some energy. Not to mention they’ll have fun and possibly learn a new skill while they’re at it. Check it out here.

Emily Skye Fitness
No doubt you’ve heard of Emily Skye, she’s been online for a long time now but she offers quite the array of workouts to keep you fit and fabulous. She’s a personal trainer so there’s lots of strength-based workouts, weights and body-weight based exercise. Plenty of variety. Find out more here.

Fluidform Pilates
Full body strength and conditioning is the name of the game at Fluidform Pilates with classes created to have a meaningful and positive impact. Of course, there are all manner of pilates classes on offer and creator Kirsten King is a former Gold Coaster. Get involved here.

We’ll keep updating as we find out about more business moving online but in the meantime, keep moving and take care of yourselves.

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

If there was ever a time to have wine delivered constantly and in bulk, it is now. Which is why it brings us great pleasure to introduce a new Gold Coast company by the name of Barolo & Friends, who do exactly that.

Offering up quite the array of sips, the business idea began last year when a pair of Gold Coast locals embarked on a trip overseas and due to the weather, had nothing else to do but sample delicious wines.

Lucky for us, those wines were far more affordable than the some of the wines we’re used to seeing in Australia and so, a (beautiful) business was born.

Not only wines from across the seas though, Barolo & Friends also offer local Aussie wines and every single bottle is of the very best quality and offered at very affordable prices.

Owners Craig and Tom have marked their favourites on the site, along with creating hilarious reviews explaining some of the wines in detail with the view of trying to educate people without using stuffy language us regular folks don’t understand. Which means you can learn about different types you may never have heard of before and also sample something completely unique. How good!

Of course, all your favourite kinds are on offer but in varieties you may not know of, but will absolutely enjoy sampling. Maybe a Palmer & Co. champagne fresh out of France? We’ll also take a bottle or three of 2014 Syrah. Coming at you, direct from their warehouse in Burleigh.

There are wines and mixed cases of the week, so you can discover a whole new area of the world’s wines without needing to leave the comfort of your living room (convenient) and there are plenty of award winners available with Barolo & Friends catering to all budgets while also ensuring every single bottle they source is exceptional.

Not to mention, they’re happy to source particular drops and once we spend more time watching their videos online to learn about wine, this is something we might just like to get involved in.

You can of course order mixed cases so there’s the option to try a little bit of everything. The team are also offering contactless delivery if you’re keen to order all of the wine and not go near anybody, plus Gold Coasters get FREE delivery on mixed cases of six using the code INSIDE here

Quite obviously there have been a fair few good inventions over the last few years but wine delivery is right up there with the best of them.

The easiest way to begin is by downloading the Barolo & Friends app and get ordering in just four pushes of a button (wipe it straight after) and get sipping.

Words by Kirra Smith

We know it’s very 2022 to view our fave mags online, catch the latest headlines (spoiler alert – they’re all about Covid…), and read a book on a kindle. But, what if we dream of ditching the kindle (another spoiler alert – we’re chucking our kindles!) because we crave the good ‘ole days when we held an actual book. Remember the texture of the pages? The satisfaction of bulking out your bookcase with a sweet new read and of course, the unmistakable book smell – which sounds mildly creepy but if you know you know.

And we are super proud to say print is still living it large on the GC and these much loved, thriving bookstores are living proof! 

BOOK FACE
Ahhh BOOK FACE why are you so awesome?! Carrying books spanning all the genres, they also have a curated selection of rare books for sale. The Pac Fair Book Club is held at the Cafe, where on the first Thursday of each month a small group gathers to discuss contemporary novels. It also hosts a book exchange program, where members of the community exchange pre-loved books for free. BOOK FACE showcases local authors and artists in-store on a commission basis and exhibits independent work that may not be accessible at larger book stores. Kudos!
Where: Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Shop 1622 Cnr Sunshine and, Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach

Under the Greenwood Tree Bookshop and Artspace
Those who enjoy a little day trip to our beautiful Tambo would be all over this precious gem-like salt on the rim of a margi glass. Under the Greenwood Tree is a small independent bookshop and art gallery overflowing from floor to ceiling with book goodness. Run by the lovely Janene Gardner, she welcomes new reads on a weekly basis, including new releases, best sellers and everything in between. With Australian art and craft also on her shelves, this place will have you smiling ear to ear.
Where: 92 Main Western Rd, Tamborine Mountain

Books Etc
Looking for darn dirt-cheap bargain book buys? Your search is over folks – Books Etc is the one for you! With several stores on the GC and up the road in BrisVegas, they’ve got your next cheap and cheerful gift covered. Stocking multiple genres, you’ll get bang for your buck with beautiful quality reads and some seriously great titles. Insider tip: if you see something you like, nab it because chances are it will be goneski next time you’re passing by.
Where: Broadbeach, Helensvale, Coolangatta, Elanora

Antique & Collectors Books
Looking for a title you just cannot find for love nor money? Given up hope because all the book stores (and Professor Google) are telling you it’s not in production anymore? Before you concede defeat, check with the gurus at Antique & Collector’s Books. They stock over 500,000 books ranging from antiquarian to modern-day literature. Specialising in “out of print” and antiquarian books, they’ve racked up 40 years’ experience in bookselling. Eat your heart out, Prof Google!
Where: 162 Scarborough St, Southport

QBD Books
When you think of bookstores, 3 letters will inevitably come to mind: QBD. With literally millions of titles available across all genres, this Aussie-owned and operated powerhouse always gets a thumbs up from us. Boasting an epic online store, one helluva loyalty program and super helpful staff at every location, you never need to travel far to find your closest branch. It’s a bonafide staple stop on a bookworm’s day out.
Where: Coomera, Runaway Bay, Southport, Broadbeach, Robina

Big B Books
If you love books old and new, you know about this place. Tucked away in one of Burleigh’s little alleyways, whatever genre it is you’re searching for, Big B delivers! The team are self-confessed (and damn proud) bookworms who personally select each and every title on their shelves. Mind-body-spirit specialists who are passionate about their ‘trade,’ they’ll relish the opportunity to help you choose your next read. Hot tip: be sure to keep your eye on the store’s events page for readings, launches and signings!
Where: Shop 16, Big B Arcade, James Street, Burleigh Heads

Bundle O’Books
Nothing quite beats losing yourself in a good book, and you’ll do exactly that at Cooly’s second-hand books haven, Bundle O’Books. Choccas with every genre you can think of, here you can buy or exchange your preloved reads, and there’s every chance you’ll find that elusive title you’ve been scouring book shops and the internet for. Winning!
Where: 116 Griffith St, Coolangatta

Words by Bianca Trathen.