On Wednesday we were invited to not one but two celebrity-led workouts, both of them press launches for big-hitter sportswear labels.
In the red corner, we had MILLIE MACKINTOSH – Instagram icon, spouse of rapping-man Professor Green and barre-class fan. We joined her for a high-intensity interval class, to launch Reebok’s new #BreakYourSelfie campaign.
In the blue corner, we had ELLIE GOULDING – Instagram icon (again), A-list pop star and fitness evangelist. We joined Ellie for her Tighten And Tone workout (which is available on the Nike+ Training Club app).
These two clashing launch events accidentally birthed an epic showdown for the ages – Ellie Goulding Vs. Millie Mackintosh. But which A-list fitness icon was to reign supreme? Let’s break things down…
PAPARAZZI-BAITING KIT RATING
MILLIE
No headline-attracting, arse-exposing hot pants here. Millie obviously wasn’t chasing after the paparazzi shots, as she scraped her hair back in plaits and donned workout-appropriate Reebok leggings, crop top and trainers. Da girl meant business.
5/5
ELLIE
Ellie went for the strictly functional: Nike vest top, Nike leggings and new Nike Zoom Agility shoes. Anyone would think these girls were being paid to wear on-brand kit…
5/5
STAMINA AND ENDURANCE RATING
MILLIE
Workout time = 45 minutes. Mackintosh wins this round by a posh whisker.
5/5
ELLIE
The 15-minute warm-up and 15-minute class was tough, but not long enough for the win. Goulding earns herself a bonus point for blasting out a five-song acoustic set beforehand though – definitely not a shirker.
3/5
CONFIDENCE RATING
Millie confessed to us that “coordination’s not my thing”
MILLIE
Back of the class, Mills – literally. Millie told Unbound that “coordination’s not my thing”, and hid at the back throughout. Fair enough, though – there were a fair few press-up-toe-tap-squat-touch-your-nose type combinations. Tricky.
2/5
ELLIE
No shrinking violet, Ellie was onstage with a radio mic, co-leading the class with a Nike instructor. There’s a girl who’s not afraid to squat in public.
5/5
SKIVING-OFF RATING
MILLIE
Millie nipped out to ‘speak to her team’, which meant she missed a few valuable, sweat-soaked minutes. Could this be the celeb equivalent of that classic exercise-dodging fave, pretending to tie your shoelace?
3/5
ELLIE
We thought we’d caught Goulders out after she disappeared around the back of the stage at the mention of burpees. Actually, she was just taking off her mic pack so that she could do them better. Teacher’s pet.
5/5
WORKING OUT TO HUBBY’S/OWN MUSIC RATING
MILLIE
A disappointing nope. Millie doesn’t voluntarily work out to Pro Green, “although sometimes he comes on when I’m in the gym,” she told us.
3/5
Love Me Like You Do played during the cool-down. Ellie didn’t bat an eyelid
ELLIE
Ellie’s Love Me Like You Do – from off the Fifty Shades Of Grey soundtrack – played during the cool-down. Ellie didn’t bat an eyelid. Does she workout to her own tracks at home? Dunno, we didn’t get time to ask her. But let’s pretend she does, yeah?
2/5
ANNOYING GYM-SELFIES RATING
MILLIE
Loads! Although the whole point of Reebok’s #BreakYourSelfie campaign is to stick it to shiny, pixel-perfect gym selfies by posting pictures of yourself in a broken, post-workout state. Extra point awarded for having a selfie with us (yeah, we’re guilty – whut?).
3/5
ELLIE
None. Too busy sweating her ass off and then dashing to catch a plane innit.
1/5
SWEATINESS AND POST-WORKOUT DISHEVELMENT
MILLIE
Hair was definitely less perfect and there was a sheen of very-lady-like perspiration – see the before/after pic below.
3/5
ELLIE
Red of cheek, sweaty of brow and in a crouching position of exhaustion at the end. Hair miraculously managed to stay in place, though – must get deets of her hairdresser.
5/5
THE FINAL VERDICT!
It’s a close call, but Goulding clinches it, grappling the title of Heavyweight Fitspiration Champion Of The World from Millie’s sweaty hands. Better luck next time, Mackintosh.