Category Archives: classes

September 8, 2012

Uplift Studios: Tighten & Tone Class Review

I had the week off before my next fieldwork starts again, so I decided to take full advantage of it. I joined Katherine and her coworker for an afternoon Tighten and Tone class at Uplift Studios. There are so many new fitness studios popping up around the city, either I didn’t notice them before or a lot of them are new. Either way, I’ve been wanting to try them all, but was really excited about this one since I had heard great things.

One thing I like about Uplift is that its a womens-only studio meaning the classes are geared to the specific needs of women “by combining back-to-basics cardio and strength fitness with a fun social/networking element” (Uplift website). They have little touches that are very feminine and fun, like inspirational writing on the mirrors and glass. Reminds me of when my friends used to write notes on mirrors using lipstick! Super cute.

They also feed you. We all know that any place that makes me work my butt off and then feeds me gets an A+ in my book. The offer water, apples, little cups of mixed nuts, and tea/coffee. It was so adorable and such a nice touch! Plus, they have a box of phone chargers in case you need one. They really thought of everything at Uplift!

The facilities at Uplift are very nice too. They have basically anything you could need to get dressed and ready after a class: lotions, soaps, hair products, hair dryer, Q-tips, you name it. It isn’t huge, but there’s two showers in there and lots of lockers. Its more than enough since the classes aren’t filled with too many people anyway and the finishes in there are all top-notch. For some reason, I’m always excited when there’s a nice locker room and this one was really, really nice!

Now that you all know about the facilities, I’ll tell you about the class I took: Tighten and Tone with Patricia. According to the website, this is what the class is about:

“A total body workout utilizing resistance bands and balls, as well as isometric and ballet-inspired moves to create alluring arms, gorgeous gams, amazing abdominals, perfect posture and a divine derriere. You will leave feeling toned, tight and lifted in all the right places! Women only. No shoes required.”

This 55 minute class mainly focuses on lower body, hips, and butt but includes a total body workout. Patricia includes a variety of approaches: pilates, barre/ballet, and resistance training, and several different props including resistance bands, a weighted ball, and a resistance circle thing that really works  your legs and arms. I loved the way she incorporated it! I also enjoyed that there was a good amount of focus on core and posture, as well as little movements that I’m convinced are WAY harder than large movements. My hips were so sore today, so I know it was a great workout. Plus I sweated up a storm.

The class mat and equipment.

Patricia is a fantastic instructor. She was incredibly uplifting and motivating the entire time. She also took the time to come around to make adjustments for all the people in the class which made a big difference in targeting the correct muscles. She kept the class lighthearted and fun, which is how you are supposed to feel working out, isn’t it?!

The Verdict: A+

Between all the amenities, the awesome instructor, and the challenging class I really enjoyed this studio. I would absolutely go back and try some of their other classes, which I’ve also heard great things about.

*******

Do you live in NYC or are you visiting and want to try this studio? The first class for new people is half off the normal price, so you only pay $16 instead of the normal $32 that they charge for subsequent classes.

They also have an option for membership. With a membership you can go and use their exercise equipment/space (as well as eat snacks and mingle with other people) for a really reasonable price! For $50/month you can be a member during limited hours, and for $100/month they offer unlimited access. Each option includes one complimentary class and class discounts. Pretty good deal!

*******

Have you ever been to Uplift? What did you think?
What is your favorite type of group class?

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Filed under City life, classes, crosstraining, exercises, food

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August 22, 2012

Finishing at Finishline & My First Soul Cycle Class

I am officially graduated from physical therapy! Just saying that makes me nervous since I’ve been going for so long.. ah! Going to PT has kept me accountable for doing my lower body strengthening exercises and I also feel like I benefited a lot from the manual therapy (ASTYM and ART). But I’ve run a few higher mileage runs this past month and haven’t had any pain, so my PT decided it was time for me to be finished at Finishline Physical Therapy.

I have to make sure to keep up with my exercises and maintain all the positive things I’ve done to help recover from this stupid IT Band syndrome, but my PT taught me well! I feel that I can continue with what she taught me and hopefully never have this injury again.. its awful. If you live in NYC and need PT, I highly recommend Finishline. They are amazing!

See ya later, PT!

******

Tonight I went to my first Soul Cycle spinning class, which is something I’ve been meaning to do for a while now. Katherine asked me to join her so I figured this was my chance to stop talking about going and just get my butt there. They have a few studios throughout the city but the one I went to was in Union Square. Its a small studio but very clean and they actually fit in a lot of people into one class! They make good use of space here.

After dropping my things off in the locker room, I headed upstairs to my bike. All the bikes require you to clip in, so you can either bring or rent shoes to wear (for $3 a class). Since it was my first time I got to rent the shoes for free, yay! I wasn’t entirely sure how to set up the bike or clip in, but the staff was SO nice and helpful with this! They showed me how to correctly measure myself for the bike and how to clip in/out. Loved that extra help.

The class itself was really good, not as challenging at some of Carl Hall’s at Crunch but it was a nice first class to take at a new place! Most of the beginning of the class was similar to other ones I’ve been too (running, push-ups, various positions), butwhat I like about Soul Cycle is that they incorporate upper body more than other places.

Each bike comes with two 2 lb weights, which I laughed a little bit about at first. 2lb seems so low! But let me tell you, it was more than enough and my arms were burning. Keep in mind that I have weak chicken arms though. About 3/4 into the class we did shoulder, bicep, and tricep exercises with the weights, one after the next. I really liked this part of class because this wasn’t part of any other spin class I’ve been too and it was very effective!

The Verdict: I’m addicted.

I can’t wait to take a class here again! I liked spin to begin with but this place made it so much better. I feel that it was a great whole body workout, the music was good, the bikes and shoes were nice, and the facility was super clean. Highly recommended!

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On a totally unrelated note, has anyone ever tried this flavor from Peanut Butter&Co. before?

Not to ruin the surprise if you haven’t tried this yet, but its AMAZING! It also has protein in it like PB so I don’t feel so bad eating it as a PB replacement :) Not sure if that makes any sense but I’m sticking to it. Try this if you already haven’t!

PS. I’m a bit crazy and signed up for my first DUATHALON! Yep, you read that right. Its this weekend on Staten Island and it was really impromptu which is SO unlike me. I’m just doing this for fun and to get my feet wet, not worrying about time at all. Wish me luck.. ah! And any advice is welcomed :)

Do you take spin classes? Where is your favorite class?
Any new food finds lately?
Have you ever gone to PT?

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Filed under classes, food, IT Band Syndrome, spinning

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August 1, 2012

Pure Barre NYC Blogger Meet-Up

Today’s Workout: 3.25 mile interval run, LB strengthening

Monday night I attended a Pure Barre class on the Upper West Side.. my first barre class ever! The wonderful Melissa organized this event and I was so happy to be able to attend. I love trying different types of classes and this was definitely on my list for a while now! I only took one measly picture the whole time.. sorry, I was a bad blogger. This was the picture I took:

The one sole photo.. the front door

Yeah, impressive I know. That picture tells you nothing about the set-up of this class so I’ll just tell you about it.
First of all, equipment: a tiny red ball, rubber band, and a set of 2 and 3lb weights. At first I was confused on why the weights were so light, but I soon realized that in barre small movements are key. And I also realized that small movements are WAY harder than big ones.

The class started with some stretching and lower body. We also did a few core workouts including planks.. not cool. I stink at those and my core is pathetic. But I held the plank the whole 90 seconds, which is good for a girl who NEVER does them, so I was pretty happy. But I have to admit, my abs were hating me for it yesterday!

We went through a series of really tough moves before going to the bar near the mirror. By that time I was already sweating and my legs were dying, especially since I ran my longest run in quite some time the day before. Maybe not the best idea, but totally worth it :)

At the bar we basically did wall-sits without the wall by holding onto the bar and stretching your arms straight out. We did a bunch of tiny movements and what the constructor Leslie called “tucking” while in this position. At first I thought it wouldn’t be that difficult since my legs are decently strong and all we were doing was little movements. But I was SO wrong.. this was intense! I’m sold that little movements are incredibly effective.

We finished off with some more core work (again, I probably embarrassed myself here), hip exercises and stretching. I worked muscles I never worked before or even realized I had, particularly in the hip region. I love how the body positions we were in targeted very different muscles just with slight changes!

Final Verdict: Try it!

If you have a barre class near you, go to it at least once. It was different from the workouts I’m used to because of the small muscle movements but it was really a great workout. The class flew by (in a good way) and my muscles were incredible sore the next day which is how I know it was a good workout.

After the class, we had the chance to try some products from the two sponsors: Bolthouse farms and Ingo Cucumber Water. I loved the Berry flavor of the Bolthouse smoothie drinks. The cucumber water was really interested. At first I thought it had too strong of a cucumber flavor but the more I drank it, I got used to it! Its tasty but it may be an acquired taste for some.

Also, I got to finally meet some awesome bloggers including Lora (Crazy Running Girl) and Mariell (Healthy Pantz). Both these ladies are amazing, super sweet, and as awesome as they seem in their blogs. Also, I met my fantastic RTB Relay teammate and fellow Brooklyn resident Alex (Healthy Wife Happy Life)!! She and I chatted on the train for a bit on the way home about the food we are going to bring for the relay (food is crucial!) and not dying during nighttime runs! Can’t wait to sweat it up in a van for 24 hours with her…  Get ready Alex! :)

I’ve been reading the blogs of all these ladies for so long now so it was great to finally meet them all in person. Another meet-up needs to happen soon girls, lets make it happen! And if you all haven’t already, check out their blogs!

Have you ever taken a barre class before? Do you want to?
Whats your favorite fitness class?

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Filed under barre, blogging, classes, crosstraining, product review

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