A fitness class deal like none other!

Hey friends!

I hope you're having a fantastic Friday. Any fun plans for the weekend? I'm going to spend some quality time relaxing and get in a few good workouts!

Speaking of workouts, I've tried three new-to-me classes in the last week thanks to a little "secret" that I wanna let you all in on. It's called Classtivity, and it's a company that helps people find fitness and other classes in their area at times that fit their schedules. The company is operating in eight cities currently, with plans to expand. I found out about this great offer through social media called The Classtivity Passport which allows you to take 10 classes in participating studios in your area for only $49. I don't know about anywhere else, but in NYC, that's the best deal out there! You can check out the website here.

I purchased my Passport and started searching. From the participating studios, I can choose from yoga, Spinning®, Kettlebells, TRX®, dance classes, Pilates, boot camp, and many other boutique fitness classes. So far, I've taken an open vinyasa class at Jivamukti Yoga School; a SyncCycle class at SyncStudio; and a strength and conditioning class at Uplift Studios. I've scheduled a Kettlebells/TRX®-style class for tomorrow morning!


What have I thought of the classes thus far, you ask? Well, I have been very pleased with my choices, to say the least. I'd never taken a Jivamukti yoga class before, and so I was a bit surprised when I was handed a book of Sanskrit chants at the beginning of class and was told that we would be chanting together to initiate class. The instructor played the harmonium to accompany us, and while I was a bit skeptical at first, it was a lovely way to ease into the class. I swear I felt more connected to my breath  than I usually do as I performed each asana. We closed class with a five-minute meditation which was a lovely way to transition from savasana to the rest of my day off the mat.

The second class I took was at a new studio in  Williamsburg, SyncStudio. The class I took is called SyncCycle and it's basically Spinning® with choreography...in the dark...with loud, pumping music. Now mind you: all this choreography is happening while you're pedaling at various resistance settings. To call it challenging would be an understatement; I sweat my *($@B off! I didn't think it was possible to get a full-body workout on a stationary bike, but SyncCycle proved me very, very wrong!

The most recent class that I took today was at Uplift Studios, with the lovely Chelsea Dornan, who just so happens to be in the running for Racked's Hottest Trainer contest 2013! I. loved. this. class. Uplifting-Strength is the quintessential strength and conditioning class because it incorporates everything you need to get lose fat and build lean muscle. There's bodyweight training, HIIT intervals, core and balance work, and lots of exercises with dumbbells. The class really takes the intimidation out of weight training, which hopefully inspires more women to jump off the cardio machines and take over the weight room!

This would make a great workout, circuit-style!

On that note, I'm off to enjoy the beautiful day--now that my workout's already out of the way :-)

xoxo, Hil