Summer Racing, Social Pace, and U Studios Yoga

Hi everyone! It's FRIDAY!

Wednesday's JPMorgan Corporate Challenge race has me excited for races this summer. So far, I don't have much on my calendar, and I intend to keep it that way since I'll be concentrating on marathon training. But I do want to add a few, both to integrate into long runs and to use as speed work, which Jess has given the OK to. She'll be sending me the plan for my first week of training on Sunday!!

Mason's got his Oiselle rundies and is also very ready to race.
Yes, I will pay for his dog therapy bills, I promise.

Right now, I'm planning on doing a 10K over July 4 weekend, a few of the Al Goldstein Summer Speed Series 5Ks, and the ZOOMA Chicago Half Marathon in August (my sub-2:00 attempt continues!).

I'm using a new site, Social Pace, as I fill out my race calendar. One of the founders, Brett, reached out to me to let me know about the new runners' and triathletes' social network. It allows people to learn about events, share the races they're going to attend, and find run clubs and training teams to join. I thought it was a pretty cool idea and wanted to let you all know about it! (And nope, I wasn't compensated, just thought it was a cool start-up that I wanted to share!)

Here is Brett's description of the site:

SocialPace is the premier online platform making it easier than ever to live an active lifestyle. The SocialPace platform provides its members with the largest database of events, teams, facilities and more, all in the members' local city. SocialPace also enables members of its community to engage with other like-minded, passionate individuals to discuss races, training, reviews, and more. 

If you want to join and "draft" me to your "roster" so we can see each other's events, you can find me here! 

U Studios Yoga
One other thing I wanted to share before the weekend: a new yoga studio I checked out last week! U Studios is located in SoHo, on Canal Street. It's not the nicest location, but the studio itself is a nice quiet, sun-filled room.

I took a very gentle restorative class and really enjoyed it. There were just two of us, so we both got a lot of individualized attention. Several of the restorative poses at the end we held for quite a while and I could feel how much more relaxed and loosened my body was when I went home to continue studying. Well & Good recently attended one of U's more vinyasa-style classes, and it sounds like the more intense classes are great as well.

The instructor, Henry, had a great vibe -- very relaxed and laid-back, leading us through the flow and moving between demonstrating and walking between us to check on form. Sometimes I feel intimidated in small classes, but the vibe was so chill that it was impossible to feel nervous in any way. I just enjoyed the relaxing class and practically melted into a terrific shavasana at the end.

By the way, if you're in the city tonight, U Studios is co-sponsoring a fundraiser for the victims of the horrific storms that tore through Oklahoma in May. The event looks like a lot of fun and is for a great cause.

Psst ... they also have a Groupon going on right now!


The Facts
Length - 60 minutes
Cost - $10 
Location - SoHo (264 Canal Street, off Lafayette, on the 5th floor)
Skill Level - Anyone!

Class Review: Body Ride with Jason at Revolve

Last week I reviewed Dyan's Rip Ride at Revolve, the newest boutique spin studio in NYC. I enjoyed the class overall, although there were a couple of things that I didn't love (no resistance numbers and a techno-heavy playlist). 

This past Saturday, I headed downtown with Abby to try out a different class at Revolve. We were both really looking forward to checking out Jason's class, which we'd heard great things about. 

Jason Tran
(source)

Turns out the great things were all true! Jason's Body Ride class was a lot of fun and I'm hoping to take his class again. He had great energy, got off the bike to engage with the class a lot, and had the kind of playlist I love -- lots of pop and bouncy beats that I can really get into. Obviously that's personal preference, but for me, Jason's playlist was perfect. 

I also loved how he treated the class almost as if he were conducting it. He'd raise his arms as we went into a heavier resistance interval or started sprinting. I felt really engaged the whole time, which is no small feat in a large class!

The hallway where you wait for class - the locker room is down the stairs.
It can definitely get crowded, which is a minus, but I'm ok with that knowing NYC real estate is pricey.

Now, what exactly is the Body Ride? From Revolve's website:

Cardio...Strength...Flexibility...Everything you need in one complete class. This all-encompassing workout allows you to maximize the time you have to work-out in one place. Start out strong. The ride is cardio-intense and gets the heart rate up and keeps it there. Stay moving while you strengthen and tone the upper body on the bike. Polish it all off with a cool down stretch both on and off the bike. You get it all. You get the complete body!

Basically, the 45-minute class entails roughly 35 minutes of spin, 7-8 minutes of upper body weights, and 2-3 minutes of stretching. That means you really need to push it in the spin portion since it's 35 minutes instead of 45 minutes of cycling (if you go to Flywheel, they do a similar 1-2 song break in the middle or at the end consisting of weights work as well). 

I was still dripping sweat, though, so I felt like I got a good workout.

The classroom, being cleaned up post-sweaty ride

Again, there's still the no-number-for-resistance problem. When I'm told to turn the resistance up or down "a touch," I just have a hard time knowing what that means. A quarter of a turn? A half a turn? But, since I use spin to supplement my running workouts, that's fine with me. It prevents me from being competitive and gunning for a resistance level that I shouldn't try to hit when I have a long run the next day.

LOVE that Revolve encourages sustainability by having a nice water bottle fill station right outside the classroom!

I've now been to Revolve twice and definitely recommend the studio. It's great to have another option besides Soul Cycle and Flywheel! I feel like it's sort of a combination of the two. And for runners, it's definitely a great running supplement!


The Facts
Length - 45 minutes
Cost - $28 (an extra $2 for shoes - currently they have a $99 unlimited intro month special!)
Location - Union Square (52 E 13th St between Broadway and University Place). They also have a location in Washington, DC.
Skill Level - Anyone! The staff is great at helping you set up a bike.

Class Review: Rip Ride with Dyan at Revolve

On Sunday, courtesy of Melissa and Dori, I got to try out a spin class at Revolve, free of charge! The class was a lot of fun and I'm glad I was able to check out the new boutique spin studio.

Revolve has three classes: Rip Ride, Real Ride, and Body Ride. Real Ride is exclusively spinning, Body Ride incorporates upper body work and stretching, and Rip Ride is a total body strength and spinning workout. From Revolve's website:

RIP Ride (NYC only) is Revolve's hardcore training class -- a class dedicated to fitness fanatics and those looking to push themselves to the max. For 60 or 75 minutes, riders will get it all in this challenging athletic training class that alternates cycling intervals using real resistance with upper body sculpting exercises. A class dedicated to anyone looking to push themselves to a ripped level. Resistance. Interval. Performance.

I didn't 100% love the class, but I really liked it and I'm still going back to Revolve to try out more classes.

Dyan
(source)

I really liked Dyan's teaching style. She got off the bike several times to motivate the room and her general personality was upbeat without appearing to be chemically-driven (sometimes you have to wonder, honestly). She just seemed like she genuinely enjoyed being there and teaching the class. I love that kind of energy from an instructor.

The biggest complaint I had was the playlist. I just don't like techno that much, particularly not in spin class when music is the main driver of the activity. I like to be able to sing along and really get into the song because I know it.

Yes, that means I automatically like any spin class that plays mainly music I like and know. I'm basically a dog with a cone on my head who can only see my kind of music (does that metaphor work? Eh, I'm going with it).

I also didn't like that I didn't have a clear resistance level that I was aiming for, like in Flywheel. Instead, Dyan would tell us "a bit" or "a lot" to the right (to increase resistance) or the left (to decrease resistance). I really like knowing the exact numbers to shoot for, but I know that's more of a personal preference and can vary by person.

However, there is RPM on the bike, so when you're given a range of RPM to shoot for, you still have a goal. It's just the resistance that's up to you. And, since I knew I was long running the next day, in a way it was nice to have control over that and not feel like I was slacking, which I do feel if I'm not hitting the exact RPMs at Flywheel. That's not the instructor's fault there, it's just my own personal competitiveness.

I LOVED the Rip Ride concept. The 60 minutes meant that you could get a lot more upper body work into the class, and I could definitely feel my arms burning despite the bags we held only being 3 pounds. Dyan gave plenty of posture tips, so I never felt like I was in danger of harming myself. And because of the extra intervals between riding, the class sped by quickly.


I'll have a more detailed review about the studio itself after I try a different class this weekend. For now, I'll say that it's a big cramped, but that the friendly staff more than make up for that!


The Facts
Length - 60 minutes
Cost - $28 (an extra $2 for shoes - currently they have a $99 unlimited intro month special!)
Location - Union Square (52 E 13th St between Broadway and University Place). They also have a location in Washington, DC.
Skill Level - Anyone! The staff is great at helping you set up a bike.

Class Review: Lotus Hour (Yoga) at Laughing Lotus with Molly Davidson

I'm trying to make yoga much more of a priority, so I need to expand my horizons a bit and check out more yoga studios that are closer to me than Strala in SoHo.  So on Wednesday, I checked out Laughing Lotus for a yoga class with Theodora. 

I loved the warm, colorful vibe of the studio as soon as I entered. Lots of light and lots of pink and purple.

The ladies at the front desk were also very friendly, which I appreciated. It seems silly, but I'm sometimes surprised at how cool people at the front desk of exercise studios can be. Especially if I'm coming in alone and feeling a bit awkward/nervous, it's nice to have a friendly person greet me.

I purchased the current deal: $39 for an unlimited month-long package. If I go once a week, it'll make classes less than $10 each!

Theodora grabbed me a mat and saved me a spot while I finished signing in and changed. We chatted on our mats before class started, which wasn't out of place. Some studios are very quiet before class, but it seemed like there were lots of people who knew each other since the room was lively prior to the start of class.

The classroom was fairly crowded, but that makes sense at lunchtime in such a busy neighborhood like Chelsea. It wasn't so crowded that I ever touched anyone else, which is where I draw the line. I don't want anyone's foot in my face when I'm trying to relax!

From Laughing Lotus's website, here's the description of Lotus Hour: Nourish your body, mind and soul in this one hour yoga party.   All levels. 1hr.

(source)

The class was taught by Molly Davidson. She started by talking about compassion for oneself for a minute or so then played the harmonium and we all joined in a few choruses of "om." It was a bit much for me, personally. I'm just not that into those kinds of things in my yoga classes. However, as long as it takes up no more than 5 minutes of a class, I am fine with it.

In this class, Molly briefly talked, then got us into practice quickly. So no complaints here! And it was cool to have her play the harmonium at the beginning and end of class.

The flow itself was different than the typical vinyasa flow that I'm used to, but left me feeling like my body was an inch or two taller and melting into my mat, just the way I like it. I think I may have fallen asleep during savasana...

Not going to lie, I'm easily wooed by a place with green juice and tasty healthy snacks from Terri available. And comfy-looking couches. 

Overall, I enjoyed my experience at Laughing Lotus. I thought the class was a good basic yoga class and can understand why Theodora is such a fan of the place!

I'm glad that I checked out Laughing Lotus and I'm looking forward to trying other yoga classes there. In particular, I want to take Lounging Lotus, since the description says you experience the melting of the body and the mind into a state of deep relaxation. Yes please!

The Facts

Length - 1 hour
Cost - $20 walk-in, $18 if booked online (newbie special of $39 for 1 month unlimited)
Location - Chelsea (636 Sixth Avenue, entrance on 19th Street, third floor). 
Skill Level - Anyone! Lotus Hour is open to all, but if you're brand new to yoga you may want to start with a class that has an instructor demonstrating everything at the front of the room.

Class Review: 30/30 Class at Pilates ProWorks

Saturday afternoon, I attended a class at Pilates ProWorks, courtesy of Kristine. She set up a 30/30 class for friends and bloggers to try out the studio.

I was really nervous since it was after a long run and I'd never used a reformer machine before, but I'd heard great things about Pilates ProWorks (PPW) and wanted to check them out. I'm so glad I didn't cancel despite being worn out from my 12 miler!

I really liked PPW's space. I'm not a fan of 14th Street, where it's located. I'm just used to the relative calmness of the Upper West Side, I guess, because I always feel slightly jarred when I get out of the subway and head towards Union Square.

Coming off the street, PPW seemed like an oasis with lots of clean lines, bright lights, and cool colors.

And the message is clear as soon as you enter the studio. These workouts are hardcore and they'll get you a hard core.

After explaining a bit about the workouts, Jackie and Jenn split us into two groups with one group starting in the FitFormer (PPW's version of a reformer) room and one in the TRX and barre room. The FitFormer is exclusive to Pilates ProWorks and is made from stainless steel, titanium and bamboo.

My group started with Jenn in the FitFormer room doing a 30 minute version of what I believe was the Pilates ProMethod class. This was my favorite part of the class because I'd never used a reformer machine before and enjoyed learning how to manipulate the machine in all different ways to perform a huge number of exercises.

Most of the exercises focused on the core weren't super difficult for me, but I have a pretty strong core. It was the leg and arm exercises I struggled with more -- the kneeling splits in particular, which focused on the inner thighs, were killer.

I thought Jenn did a great job of demonstrating the highly technical exercises since she had to be restricted to one machine. She definitely made an effort to get around the room and make adjustments, which was a big help. Since there's a limited number of machines, the class is fairly small and allows for plenty of adjustments.

Because I felt like I was learning something constantly, these 30 minutes flew by. By the second half of the class, I was definitely tired, so I was less into the BarreX portion of the class.

I always love a good TRX workout! Everything involving the TRX specifically I loved (and loathed, because that's just the kind of relationship one has with a TRX).

However, the barre moves I was less into. I haven't taken a barre class in a while just because I haven't been into the small movements lately. But if you enjoy barre and want an extra oomph, this is the perfect class, and Jackie was a terrific Barre and TRX instructor.

The afternoon finished with some gift bags courtesy of Real Food Real Life. I haven't tried the products yet but will report back on them!

Overall I really enjoyed the class. Union Square is a bit far for me, but I'd love to schedule a pilates date followed by Union Square Greenmarket shopping sometime. I really liked the studio and would love to take a 60 minute Pilates ProMethod class.

The Facts:

Length - 60 minutes for 30/30, 55 minutes for other classes
Cost - $35 (first class is $25)
Location - Union Square (47 W 14th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues, second floor)
Skill Level - Anyone! I'd never tried a reformer machine before and was fine, and others were new to TRX and were given plenty of instruction.

Class Review: Uplifting - Cardio w/ Steph Nieman at Uplift Studios

Last night, I went to one of my favorite NYC fitness studios: Uplift Studios. Uplift is revamping their class schedule, moving to two kinds of classes only, Cardio and Strength, and I was invited to try one of them before they're offered starting on Monday, February 18.

The Strength class is similar to the original Uplifting class, but according to Melissa, who I chatted with briefly after she took the Strength class, the short cardio intervals are less integrated with the strength sections now.

Here's the Strength class description from Uplift's website:

Uplifting-Strength incorporates dumbbells, resistance bands and your own body in order to build strength and power—two of a woman’s most powerful assets! In this strength-training focused class, you’ll work each muscle group to fatigue with longer timed intervals before moving on to the next. To build explosive power (and to keep calorie burn high!), Tabata-style cardio intervals (i.e., 20 seconds of intense work followed by 10 seconds of active recovery for 8 rounds, or 4 minutes straight) are incorporated throughout the workout, including a high-energy cardio “finisher” to leave you feeling exhilarated, accomplished, and strong.

I arrived in time to catch a sneak peek of the class, and it looked like the typical kickass Uplift class, with each exercise being timed by a clock counting down at the front of the room.

Uplift's new Strength class

Since I've taken the original Uplifting class several times, I wanted to try the brand new Cardio class that Uplift is introducing:

Uplifting-Cardio is a music-infused full body rhythmic bootcamp. This workout challenges all major muscle groups by alternating cardio and strength intervals. The cardio will utilize fun combos of plyometrics and other high-energy movements while the music motivates you to push it to your limits. The strength portion will use light dumbbells, body weight, and anaerobic intervals. Be warned—this class is infectious!

The class was developed by Steph Nieman, who previously was at Barry's Bootcamp and Flywheel. When I asked her why she decided to come to Uplift Studios, she said that while she loved the beat and rhythm of spin classes, she had started to become bored with sitting on a spin bike.

Steph wanted to create an athletic, rhythmic cardio class that incorporated strength concepts of a bootcamp-style workout, without turning the class into a dance class that required students to learn choreography.

Well, mission accomplished, Steph. I had no problem following along this high-energy class that had students woo-ing along with Steph as she pushed us, bouncing around the room and motivating us to push through the six high-energy intervals.

The last interval, a high-jump requiring you to (try to) get your knees up to your elbows killed me. I could barely get my knees up to my hips. Apparently I need to work on that...

Steph and me

Multiple Rate Your Burn reviews mentioned Steph's tininess. When I got to Uplift and met her, I was like, "What? She's not that small..." Her personality and charisma in class was enormous and filled the room. Then I saw this picture and realized that she is, actually, quite diminutive. (In comparison to me, leaning forward -- why do I always do this in pictures? It makes me look like a giant person.)

Enough of my giant head. Back to the class. One thing I loved was that the exercises were set to the beat of the music. I am extremely music-conscious on classes, and being able to do things to the rhythm of a song motivates me and makes the class a lot more fun.

By the end of class, I was soaked in sweat. Everyone else was, too, so it wasn't just me being a sweaty beast. The cardio portion is for real; I was breathing heavy for much of the class. And the strength portions, despite using lighter weights, still lead to muscle fatigue because you're doing them in combination with high-energy plyometrics intervals.

As for those who can't handle high-impact exercises, rest assured, Steph started class by mentioning that she had modifications for every exercise, and she followed through by showing a modification for every single high-impact exercise.

the lovely founding mothers of Uplift, Helena, Katie, and Leanne 

As always, wine was set out after class, one of the most fun aspects of Uplift. They really stress the social aspect of fitness, which is something I love about the studio. I got to know my fellow sweat-ers as we sipped wine and chatted with Steph and the Uplift ladies.

For those curious about the changes, it seems that Uplift is trying to create a more uniform experience. Classes are offered on alternate times. For instance, Monday mornings and Tuesday evenings are Uplifting - Strength and Monday evenings and Tuesday mornings are Uplifting - Cardio. This means that you could go to Uplift at the same time every day and get in both strength and cardio workouts throughout the week. 

I'll certainly miss some of the old classes, like the Warrior Fight Club boxing-yoga hybrid, but I really enjoyed the Uplifting - Cardio class, and it looks like the Uplifting - Strength class will be a terrific strength workout.

love these ladies

Bottom line? Uplift has always been a fun, feminine environment where you can get a kickass workout and have fun. While the class offerings are changing, the classes will still be tough and awesome, and the atmosphere will still be fun and indulgent. 

The Facts:

Length - 55 minutes
Cost - $32 (first class is half-price)
Location - Flatiron (24 W 23rd Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues, second floor)
Skill Level - Anyone! While the class is tough, modifications are given that can fit any skill level.

Class Review: RELAX Download by Tara Stiles

I've written before about how much I love Strala Yoga. The warm, open vibe that permeates the space makes it my favorite yoga studio in New York. Unfortunately, it's all the way down in NoHo, so it's too far for me to get to as often as I'd like. 

Enter Strala downloads! For $15--the price of a class--you can download the two main classes the studio offers, Strong or Relax, both taught by Tara Stiles and both an hour long. Both the classes were filmed at Strala, too, so it's basically like taking a class there. I don't really use exercise DVD's, but the idea of having a yoga class instantly available on my computer really appealed to me. Plus, since I have a hard drive connected to our TV, I can play the class on our TV for a bigger screen version. And over the holidays when you're traveling, it's great to have a gentle yoga class that you can do anywhere you go.

I really love the Relax class when I need a restorative yoga practice. It's a gentle flow that leaves me feeling totally refreshed, loosened, and limber. Being able to have a Relax class in my living room is amazing. I've used the download several times when I've felt like I need some yoga but don't have time for the train ride to Strala.

The class itself is just like a Tara Stiles Relax class. You start with some breathing, move onto all fours, then slowly go through the Relax flow, which spends a lot of time opening things up and lengthening your muscles. If you're looking for a flow that focuses on strength and cardio more, then download the Strong flow -- Relax is mainly concerned with ... well its title. Getting you relaxed! 

Tara narrates the class, walking around the room, while Strala guides (their word for instructors) and members follow along. This means that if you're ever confused about what you should be doing, you can just watch the screen and figure it out.

Just like a class at Strala, you're encouraged to move in every pose, doing what feels right for you at that particular time on that particular day. And you see the students in the class doing the same thing -- some will take one option and others will stay basic. It's perfect if you prefer to have a visual guide rather than just a teacher narrating the flow.

The class also includes alternate nostril breathing which I love as part of a restorative yoga practice. I find that having to concentrate on my breathing makes me much more focused on something and helps keep me in the present rather than making mental to-do lists. It's great to have that included in the class.

One thing that can get irritating with a video workout is that if an instructor makes a joke, you hear it over and over again. But one thing I love about Tara's teaching style is her dorky little jokes, like when you're in tree pose and she says "you can be any kind of tree, there are lots of kinds of trees in the forest" and giggles. A happy, giggly yoga practice is what I like. And since she doesn't make many jokes, I never found it annoying to hear a few again. (I say dorky with love, by the way, since I am a huge fan of dorky jokes. When my trainer texted me that she was bringing the TRX to our session a few weeks ago, I texted back that that would be "TRXtremely awesome." She was polite enough not to mock me openly.)

I really love Strala Yoga and I'm so excited that I can have Strala with me wherever I take my laptop. I highly recommend this downloadable class to anyone who wants to have a restorative yoga class available to them whenever they want.

All photos are screenshots of the Relax Class download.

Length - 1 hour
Cost - $15 to download (and keep)
Location - Wherever you want it to be!
Skill Level - Anyone! Since you have both a visual guide and Tara's voice leading the class, it's easy to follow along.

Class Review: KettleX Class w/ Lorna Kleidman

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Lorna Kleidman's  PR rep reached out to me, asking if I'd like to try a kettlebell class with Lorna. I'd used kettlebells a bit in a few classes I'd taken, so I was interested to learn more and take a class dedicated to kettlebells.

When I read more about Lorna, I realized I'd be taking a class with a three-time world champion and world record holder in kettlebell sport. Exciting! And... nerve-wracking!

Lorna, holding a kettleball

When I arrived at the Upper East Side Fitness Cell Collective, I felt even more intimidated. There ended up being only four people in the class, and they were clearly regulars who knew the method and Lorna well (she greeted them all by name). However, this turned out to be fantastic! Lorna was able to give everyone attention, sensing when someone might start giving a bit less effort and encouraging them by name. Since she didn't focus on anyone too much, besides helping me learn proper form, it never felt like she was calling out other students. She was also just a friendly teacher, so I never felt like I was left out of the "kettlebell clique." In some classes, where everyone appeared to be BFFs with the teacher, I have felt like a bit of an outsider. So I always appreciate a teacher who makes new students feel welcome.

Lorna's form corrections were very helpful. I find that I don't always "get" what an instructor is saying to do. (I can't lie, I may also have gotten distracted by Lorna's incredible abs and guns. If that's what kettlebell can do, I guess I need to use them more!) She would rephrase her suggestion, giving me something to visualize. For example, in a squat, telling me to visualize a rod from my pelvis to my sternum, so that I only could hinge from my knees and hips. This really worked and helped me figure out the kettleball swing we were working on. I've found that just because someone is an expert at something, does not mean they are going to be a good teacher. Thankfully, that wasn't the case with Lorna!

The class was a mix of different circuits, which I always like because it keeps things moving and you can't get too bored by any one exercise. After warming up, we worked with light (15 lb) and heavier (25 lb) kettlebells, doing a variety of exercises. Then we did a ladder, which worked like this: 30 seconds of kettlebell swings then 30 seconds of push ups, with a different interval each time, going up to 1 minute of kettlebell swings (VERY tough) then back down to 30 seconds again. We concluded with some tough abs work using the kettlebells before stretching as a cool down.

Lorna was not a shrinking daisy, either. She was encouraging, but she would push you if she sensed you flagging. In that minute-long kettlebell swing interval, at one point I put down the kettlebell. Lorna immediately noticed and pushed me, yelling "c'mon, Jen!" Ahh ok, ok. I picked it up and kept going. Thanks for not letting me slack, because it turned out I could keep going. I'm not sure I've ever sweat that much in a pure strength workout.

Lorna and me -- her "jeans" were actually fun leggings meant to look like distressed denim! 

Besides KettleX, Lorna teaches a Kettle Step class that combines step movement with light kettlebells. In addition to teaching classes at the Fitness Cell Collective, Lorna also teaches a kettleball class at the 50th St and Broadway Equinox. If you're an Equinox member, you can check out her class and learn a lot about kettlebells!

$50 is unfortunately a bit steep for me as a student, but once I start working next fall and my workplace is closer to the location, I would definitely take the class again. And if I join Equinox next year, I'll make sure to drop by Lorna's class!

Details
Length - 1 hour
Cost - $50 at Fitness Cell Collective, free at Equinox if member
Location - Fitness Cell Collective - Upper East Side (328 E. 61^st St., 4^th Floor, between First & Second Ave), Equinox - 50th and Broadway
Skill Level - I think a beginner to exercise could just use very light weights and be able to follow along fine.

Class Review: Fly 45 w/ Holly Rilinger at Flywheel Studios

(source)

Saturday I was browsing the Flywheel Sports website (don't you spend your weekends checking out fitness studio websites? No? Never mind...) and I noticed that new students could try a Flywheel and Flybarre class for free. I had already wanted to check out Flywheel, so being able to do so for free? Yep, I'm there.

I checked out Rate Your Burn for instructor reviews to see who I should try. Holly Rilinger had 13 reviews and 4.9 stars. I'd already heard about her awesomeness by reading various NYC fitness blogs, so I figured I couldn't go wrong with a 12:30 lunch class with her.

the gorgeous boutique and lounge area

First, the new Upper West Side Flywheel studio. It is fabulous. Lots of room and a large boutique. Really pretty, light, and airy -- outside the spin room. The spin studio is like a nightclub. I've decided I like dark spin classes, though, since it lets me rock out to what will hopefully be an epic playlist. If you ever catch me in a spin class, chances are I'll be bopping, sweating, and singing along. No hips action, though, because I try not to start sexy times in an exercise class. That would be awkward.


I also love how close Flywheel's new studio is to me. There is nothing else that close! Sure, I could jog down to one of the studios on 72nd Street, but it's over a mile away and when I already walk 2.5 miles round-trip to and from school every day, sometimes I just don't want to do that. So Flywheel being 10 streets closer? That somehow seems amazing to me. Yes, I know, this entire paragraph is about how lazy I am. I'm very lazy when not working out, this is a true fact.

more waiting area -- pretty wood lockers are behind the wall

But back to Flywheel -- one thing I loved was that shoes, water, and towel were all included in the class. You don't have to pay extra to rent shoes or $1-2 for water. It's only $1, but when you're already paying more than $30 for a class, I really appreciate when studios just give you free water (the fact that Uplift Studios gives you both free water and free snacks makes them near and dear to me). It also made a huge difference to be able to clip in -- I just can concentrate on working harder when I'm not trying to keep my shoes in the pedals.

Ok, so what about Holly and the class?

Wow. I am so happy that I tried this class. Holly was incredible and I loved the entire experience. She was incredibly pumped up the entire time without seeming fake in the slightest bit. When an instructor is as obviously excited about teaching you as Holly was, it's impossible not to draw energy from them. And as the whole class becomes energized, you get this wonderful communal energy going (that's dripping with sweat).

Holly being awesomely excited 
(source)

I'm not normally a fan of the, "why are you here, look inside yourself, pull out your best" dialogue in class (I think my grinch heart is two sizes too small...).  Yet somehow, when it was Holly saying it, I was SO into it. Maybe it was her masterful cuing, her incredibly positive energy, or the way she aligned what she said to the song's lyrics, but I was totally with her the whole ride. She made it easy to follow the beat, which also helped me stay in sync with the flow of the class.

My favorite part of class? Holly shouted, "we focus so much on shrinking the outside, let's focus on expanding the inside," followed by intense pedaling with eyes closed. LOVE.

As far as composition, the class had more sprints than hills, but did a good job of mixing up both. Flywheel's bikes tell you the "torq" (AKA resistance) you're on, which is SO helpful as a newbie. I could make sure I was working at the right level rather than guessing at how much a "half-turn" or "full-turn" was supposed to be (that confuses me, guys). 

Partway through we used weighted bars to get in some core and upper body strength work. The class finished with some light stretching. It was a great way to work out the lactic acid build-up from my runs and strength-training over the weekend -- my legs felt way better than they had before the class!

this is basically what the new UWS studio looks like
(source)

How much did I love this class? I've already signed up for next Monday's 12:30 class as well and I can't wait. A few months ago I said to someone that I wasn't sure spinning classes were worth $32, but if they're with instructors as motivating and fun as Holly, I take that back.

Length - 45 minutes
Cost - $32 (free first class, for now)
Location - Upper West Side (466 Columbus Avenue between 82nd and 83rd Streets). There are also locations on the Upper East Side and in Flatiron, in addition to locations around the country.
Skill Level - Anyone! I'm a relative n00b to spin and had no issues.

Have you tried a Flywheel class? Do you like spinning?

Studio Review: Refine Method

I finally got around to trying my second Refine Method class today! I met Dori for a 10:45 AM class this morning to give it a go when I wasn't semi-paralyzed from just running a half-marathon.

I've taken two classes at the Refine Method's Upper West Side studio, and I've really enjoyed both. An interesting feature of Refine is that each class is different from the last, but they all incorporate props and the pulley system on the wall, and they all revolve around the same basic building blocks of foam rolling to start, circuit-style exercise, and stretching at the end. There's a reason for that: "First, we focus on large movements, stoking the metabolism and stripping the fat. Then we move to targeted finishers to activate and attack the smaller problem areas, leaving an attractive, balanced physique" (source).

Brynn, the founder of Refine Method
(source)

That means that all areas of the body are targeted in each of the circuits, which are repeated at least two times and sometimes more. Today's class involved rows, chest presses, planks, box step-ups (these scare the shit out of me -- I'm always afraid I'll fall off and kill myself!), box squats with kettlebells, planks, and lunges with kettlebells. For the cardio parts, we did jumping jacks, pretend jump roping, and sprinted with high knees in place.

the pulley system used in classes
(source)

Classes are not too large, since the number of students is limited to the number of pulley systems, which I think is around 20 or so in the room. That means the instructor can really get around and help with form, which I found necessary on some of the work using the pulleys since I was new to the class.

My first love for these kind of cardio-strength interval circuit classes is still Uplift Studios, since I know and love the ladies there, but Refine Method is going to be a wonderful option for me when I can't make it down to Gramercy. I bought a $80-for-4-class pack that's available for new clients, and I'm looking forward to the three classes I have left!

Length - 1 hour
Cost - $32 (50% off your first class)
Location - Upper West Side (117 W 72nd St between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues, next to Juice Generation). There are also locations on the Upper East Side and in Union Square, although the US location is closed for now due to Hurricane Sandy damage.
Skill Level - Anyone, the classes are measured by time not reps so you could do as little or as much as you're capable of.

Midweek Training Update & Long Run

What Happened on Tuesday
Tuesday's attempt at my final long run of 11 miles had to be ended early -- it was actually a hilarious disaster of a run. It was raining really hard, but since I hadn't gotten the run in on Sunday, I was determined to make it happen. I threw on a light rain jacket and headed out.

The light rain quickly turned into a shower and I was drenched soon after starting, but I really didn't mind. I may or may not have previously mentioned the fact that I'm kind of a heavy sweater. Since I normally am sopping wet with sweat by the end of a long run anyway, getting drenched by the rain seems like a nice alternative.

However, being soaking wet meant my socks rubbed against my feet more abrasively, and I started feeling a nasty blister a few miles in. I still wanted to finish the run, but 4 miles in my iPod ran out of battery, so I had no way of knowing my distance and no music to distract me from the driving rain.

the park looked something like this, and yes, tourists were all covered in these
(source)

I finished one partial loop of Central Park (5.5 miles, including both Heartbreak Hill and Cat Hill) but decided I needed to just try again another day, since my right calf was starting to hurt and a disastrous long run as my last big run before my half-marathon wouldn't leave me feeling confident.

Mid-Week "Barre" Break
I took Wednesday off because of the calf pain and then Thursday morning I did a barre class at Exhale Spa (core fusion barre with Elisabeth Halfpapp, the co-founder of the method), but decided not to run home as I'd planned, in order to give my calf a bit more rest. 

(source)

I had received a free class offer after taking a yoga class at Exhale on NamasDAY, their free class day celebrating National Yoga Month. I liked the barre class alright, but it just wasn't as much fun as Physique 57 classes. I liked Elisabeth a lot, and she was very friendly and helpful. However, the class just wasn't as enjoyable to me in the way Physique classes are, and I also didn't feel as thoroughly worked over. Physique's position as my favorite "barre" remains unchallenged. Yes, barre puns, I know. Don't judge my love of puns.

Lululemon lovin'
On my way back from Exhale on Thursday, I dropped by Lululemon at Lincoln Square to check out tops for my half-marathon. I wasn't sure what I wanted, but I figured I needed something other than my tank tops since it's supposed to be in the 40s-50s on race day. The always-helpful Lululemon team pointed me to the run:swiftly tech long sleeve top.

how cute and flattering is this top?
(source)

Love at first sight. It's extremely comfy, dries quickly so that you're not left shivering in cold sweat, and is SO CUTE. I wore it on today's long run and it was terrific.

I have to give a huge shout out to the wonderful Lululemon team. As I checked out, they invited me to join the Monday night Lincoln Square Lululemon Run Club, and then after asking my shoe size, they gave me a pair of padded run socks free of charge, to use for my half-marathon! I am always so impressed by the Lululemon ladies and gents. It eases the sting of their (worth-it) price tags!

So, about today's long run...

Riverside Park with today's gorgeous sunshine

To sum up: Yayyy! I kept a great pace for myself (sub-10:00, which is my goal for my first half-marathon), I felt good, and the 11 miles weren't even that hard mentally, despite being by mself. So, what do I think made the difference?

The Proper Prep
Last night I made myself a really delicious dinner of quinoa pasta with kale, garlic, shallots, sweet potatoes, and shrimp. It was SO tasty and filling (I'll try to post a recipe for it). This morning, I ate half a cinnamon raisin bagel with coconut peanut butter, earl grey tea with some unsweetened almond milk, and a Clif shot gel 15 minutes before I headed out (and another halfway through).

I never felt my energy flag on the long run, despite my feet hurting. In fact, when the "400 meters to go" signal came on my iPod, I was able to really push myself for the last 400 meters. I'm going to do the exact same prep before my half-marathon on the 14th, only I'm going to try to drink even more water in the two days before because I think I may have been a tad bit dehydrated.

Foam Rolling
Foam rollers are amazing. I'm officially in love. I might have to name my foam roller so my love is less creepy (or does that make it more creepy?). I'm thinking Abe or George, something stalwart and dependable.

maybe I should call him Rome the Foam?
(source)

After Tuesday's aborted long run, my calves--the right one in particular--were really tight and downright painful. I spent Thursday night foam rolling and woke up without the calf pain I'd felt all Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday, and Thursday. Magic!

Fun Sightings
I'm a total dork who's always on the lookout for a celebrity when I'm out and about. It must be my small town roots -- I'm convinced that celebrities are everywhere in big cities! Since I keep my eyes peeled, I actually noticed one of my favorite TV and movie actors out power walking/jogging on the riverfront in TriBeCa: Victor Garber! He was the architect in Titanic, Sidney's father in the TV show Alias, the king in Disney's Cinderella that starred Brandy, and many, many other shows and movies. He's also in the upcoming Argo, directed by and starring Ben Affleck -- oh yes, he's best friends with Jennifer Garner and officiated her wedding to Ben Affleck. Ok, I know, I pay too much attention to celebrity gossip. Don't judge! Anyway, it was a fun boost around the halfway point of my run.

can't beat the Statue of Liberty for a view while running

I also had never run that far down in Riverside Park, so it was great to be in a totally new part of town for me. 

I'm ready for my half-marathon!
I was really happy with my pace for this run (~9:40/mile), especially considering that I had to stop for water fountain breaks rather than grabbing water from an aid station and power walking while drinking it, which I'll be able to do next Sunday. I felt strong the whole way through, even with some foot pain. I feel totally ready for the half-marathon now, and I have a prep plan!