This post is part of my 2017 New Year’s Resolution to try every group fitness class offered at my gym, The Equinox in Chestnut Hill.
“Hi, I’m Kelly. I’ve never taken this class before, I’m actually trying to take every class the Equinox offers. I’ve never really done strength training but I know I should because I’m an amateur triathlete. Can I help you set some stuff up?”
I started this journey sneaking hesitantly into the back of each class, watching others for cues on how to set up my spot. But I’ve gradually realized how helpful it is to speak to the instructor before class and let them know I’m new. I’m more likely to get individual attention during class, which can help prevent injury and increase effectiveness. And sometimes I learn a lot in those few minutes of small talk. And if instructors see me around the club but not back in their class, perhaps they’ll remember that I’m trying to take a new class every week until I’ve tried them all.
Today’s class also called for a partner and it was enormously helpful that my partner had been to the class many times and knew I was a beginner. She was friendly, helpful and welcoming.
Owning being new isn’t a bad thing. People are more likely to welcome you and help you out.
Class: Pure Strength
Class length: 45 Minutes
Description from the Equinox: Iron is tough. You are tougher. Build strength, not bulk in a 45-minute team training that brings more weight into our fitness studio than ever before. Unleash greater power in an innovative circuit that alternates weight lifting with body resistance, mixing moves like pull-ups, planks, deadlifts and arm presses to keep you constantly challenged. Your squad drives you onward. Your coach tests your technique. Walk in fierce and walk out fearless.
What Class Was Like
100% strength work. Kim McCormick is an upbeat, friendly and knowledgeable instructor who nails being honest and positive at the same time. “Oh yeah, you’re the triathlete. You’re going to need to work on that. That’ll be good for you!”
There were four stations in the room and each station had a mat for floor work and some sort of weight exercise. We partnered up and rotated through stations together. One partner would do the weight exercise while the other one did mat work, and then we would switch. We kept switching back and forth until the instructor called for us to move to the next station. Each weight section the goal was to do between 2 and 8 reps. If you could do 9, you needed to increase the weight and decrease the number of reps. I never had this problem.
Sample Exercises:
Seated barbell work, pull ups using elastics around the knee to modify your weight, barbell squats, barbell deadlifts. Matt work included supermans, bridges and push-ups.
Will I go back?
I should! Strength training is even more important as we age, and it’s really important for runners and triathletes (who often neglect it). I thought the class was always manageable because you did things so few times before moving on. Anyone can lift to the point of failure. Knowing that it was ok to do 2 reps or reach for lighter weights meant I could always do what was just right for me.
I do feel like my arms are going to hurt tomorrow. Planning to hit a cycling class instead of swimming. I would love to get in the habit of swimming before this class for 20 minutes since it’s a 45 minute class with no cardio – it could be a good balance to swim beforehand since there’s an awkward amount of time between preschool drop off and class beginning anyway.
UPDATE: Everything hurt the next day. And the day after that. Lift cautiously your first time, and consider starting with a gentler strength training class that uses lighter weights and more reps if you’re new to lifting! A wake-up call that strength training is an area I should be working on.
I am starting to exhaust the number of new classes offered during preschool hours… that’s a free pass to go back to Pure Strength in a few weeks, right?! 😉
Know before you go
Consider wearing lifting gloves if you have them. I have a pair I bought by accident looking for bike gloves, and I’ll bring them next time so my hands don’t hurt gripping the barbells. Sneakers and regular athletic gear are good for class.
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