Equinox Chestnut Hill: Pure Strength Class Review

• 1 • NYR 2017

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.

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“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

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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.

 

Pilates Fusion Class Review: Equinox Chestnut Hill

• 0 • NYR 2017

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.

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Class: Pilates Fusion

Description from the Equinox: Series of exercises performed on a mat to complement different elements of Pilates work focusing on core strengthening exercises and increasing flexibility.

Class length: 1 hour

What Class Was Like

The first part of the class was some cardio and then a weight routine using light weights. Similar feel to an aerobics class. I had an elevated heart rate and could feel the individual muscle groups we were working using the weights.

The second half of class was pilates style mat work focusing on core strengthening and leg work.

There were a lot of older people in the class, and exercises seemed great for maintaining range of motion and muscle strength as we age. But don’t let that fool you; I got a wonderful workout despite being in my thirties. Just because a class is gentle enough for us as we age doesn’t mean it’s not appropriate for multiple generations, especially as we modify by extending further during a rep or increasing weight.

Verdict

A great all-in-one fitness class that combines light strength work with a little cardio and numerous flexibility and range of movement exercises. A wonderful anti-aging class; gentle and effective. I felt the muscles I’d worked the next day, but in a “just right” muscle soreness type of way. I was still able to enjoy attending The Pursuit indoor cycling class the next morning. There was room to grow within the class; I used 3 pound weights and 5 pound weights were available. I could also have extended more on many of the weights exercises.

Will I be back?

Yes, I would. It was gentle enough so I could exercise the next day, and it worked a lot of different muscles in the arms, back and legs. It also helps work on my range of motion in ways that I think would really benefit my swimming, such as extending the legs behind the body in a way that would assist with kicking in the water.

Know before you go

Arrive with time to set up your mat and get items set up.

Props this week were a ball, a hoop, free weights and a cork brick. The instructor announced several times before class what we would need, and it also helps to look around and see what other people are piling next to their mat.

Amazing instructor

This Pilates Fusion class was taught by Cheryl Bentsen who was phenomenal. She provided clear directions, helpful guidance and re-direction during exercises, information on how to modify, and  how to tell if the weight was too much for you.

I loved the way she explained which muscle groups we were working with different exercises, where we should feel the exercise, and which muscle we should be using the most.

It’s not easy to explain correct form and trouble-shoot an entire class of individuals by describing what we’ll feel if we’re doing it right, what we’ll feel if we’re doing it wrong, and how to modify it if it feels like there’s too much strain.

She was naming back muscles I’d never heard of but could feel working, explaining the difference between isomentric and isotonic weight training movements, and constantly scanning the mirrors for errors in form that she could correct with a gentle reminder to the class.

I was so impressed that I later googled her and discovered she was a journalist for 25 years before becoming a Yoga, Pilates, Core Synergy and Barre instructor. She has professional ballet training (I was so not surprised) and has published a book about her experience as a journalist in the Maasai village in Kenya.

You can be in a room with the most amazing people and have no idea.

Equinox Class Review: The Pursuit (Cycling)

• 6 • Bike, NYR 2017

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.

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First of all…

Anyone else having totally one of those days? Those 10 minutes late to drop off, checking into the gym 2 minutes before class when you’re a type A, forgetting a major piece of clothing when you planned to go straight to kindergarten volunteering from the gym kind of days?

Totally one of those days.

But the nice thing about exercise is that it makes you feel capable of handling that kind of day.

Class: The Pursuit: Build (cycling)

Description from the Equinox: Precisely timed high-intensity intervals to maximize your performance, The Pursuit: Burn, is a hardcore cycling experience scientifically designed to push you to a new level of fitness.

Class length: 50 Minutes

What Class Was Like

Ok, they’re missing a major element of the class in that description. What makes The Pursuit different from other indoor cycling classes is that they display your stats on the wall for different games while you’re riding. Motivation.

You can’t always see your individual score, but sometimes you can see your bike number listed in comparison to others, and you can see the first name and last initial of those who make it on the leader board after different portions of class.

This morning’s class had 3 games.

Game One: The first was a 9 minute game split into 3 sections where you tried to match or exceed your mileage from the first sections. (Positive splits.) This requires more pacing than I’m capable of, but I’ve got a better strategy for next time. While we were riding, everyone’s bike number was displayed in a circle with a mileage trail behind it, a little like a lollipop. Each lollipop got longer as you progressed further, and your circle lit up to show when you were on target to beat your previous 3 minute performance. 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place in the class were marked over their circles.

Game Two: We were split into two teams and competed to add mileage rings to our circles. The competition contained sprint segments.

Game Three: We were split into three teams and competed for mileage. There were sprint segments when the visual of team progress was hidden and you tried as hard as you could to be in a better team position when the sprint ended and they re-displayed the leader board. Our team was in the lead for the first several sections and then lost it on a hidden sprint and never made it back to first.

You can see below that I was 31st overall out of 32 for game one. This seems fair given the limited cycling I’ve been doing.

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Verdict

This was great. I definitely felt motivated to work harder for longer knowing that I was part of a team. I was a little less motivated by the individual effort. It was clear from the beginning that I was going to be one of the stragglers, and pretty clear by the second segment that I’d gone out too hard in the first and wasn’t going to surpass that effort. When you know you’re that far behind, it’s harder to push. Especially with another effort coming up.

The team games were very motivating, though. Knowing I was likely the slowest cyclist on my team meant I felt a real obligation to do my best and not hold everyone back any more than my ability dictated. I felt like my team deserved my best, especially seeing the leader boards and knowing some of my fellow cyclists were putting down amazing mileage. When my team was in the lead for the third exercise, I pushed as hard as I could because I didn’t want to be the reason they lost the lead.

Will I be back?

Oh hell yes. This class is going to make me faster. I would go back tomorrow. (And regret it. And not have ample recovery time. So actually I wouldn’t.)

Know before you go

Cycling shoes really help you get more power for the full foot-stroke when you’re cycling indoors. Bikes at the Equinox are SPD clip compatible and Look/Delta compatible, but they also had cages so you can wear your normal shoes. (Don’t be afraid to do that before investing in cycling shoes.)

Your individual stats will be displayed by bike number for some of the games, and there’s a leader board at the end of each segment. After the class, the full leaderboard is available online with your username and photo if you supplied one. Not ready to go public with your mileage? Use an nick-name and opt out of the photo when you set up your cycling account on Equinox’s site.

On being behind

I’m fine with being one of the slowest people in the class, because I haven’t been cycling much lately. (Something about swimming 3 times a week and trying every new class at the gym. Time consuming.)

I’m also thrilled with my stats because I can look back at some of the class stats I entered a few years ago and see that I’ve made progress.

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Today I averaged 109 watts.

About 2 years ago on a ride I averaged 83 watts.

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I actually remember averaging in the 40s or 50s for wattage when I first started indoor cycling. Now I regularly average just over 100, even when indoor cycling hasn’t been a focus.

Tracking progress is helpful when it’s helpful

I could look at that leader board and feel embarrassed at being 27th out of 32, but instead I feel great because I’m much stronger than I was before. I also feel excited to work my way a little higher up the board this spring as I get closer to Tri for a Cure and start doing more cycling.

Know yourself. If it’ll bother you seeing yourself lag behind, pick a regular cycling class where you get your stats at the end… or choose not to track your class and just ignore your stats altogether.

It can be particularly hard if you used to be a stronger cyclist than you are now. I can’t get too smug about feeling peace with where I am as a cyclist when I haven’t been working that frequently at it and I’m the best I’ve ever been.

If you’ve got memories of the leader board that you need to let go of for a while, ride solo.

Focus on other goals like frequency, or your average heart rate.

Competition should be fun. If it’s not fun, change your game 🙂

Equinox Class Review: Best Butt Ever

• 0 • NYR 2017

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.

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 Best Butt Ever?

This class was probably redundant since I already have the best butt ever. It’s great for sitting, it moves my legs beautifully through half marathons, keeps my kick controlled when I’m swimming… it’s pretty much the best. I love it. I’m sitting on it right now. Yeah, it’s comfortable.

Ok, so I’m not a fan of looks as motivation to exercise. Health? Absolutely. Increased ability to do the things we love? Totally. Great reasons to work out. But working out to “lift and shape your hottest asset”? Well… why? If you’re doing it to improve your relationship, there are probably much more efficient means to that end. (Or an efficient way to end that relationship.)

One problem with working out to look a certain way is that it takes forever. Our bodies change slowly. Even the infomercials for cardio intense workout videos they expect you to do 5 times a week don’t promise visual results for 14 weeks. FOURTEEN. And that’s if you’re consistent.

So if you’re checking into a class and you’re motivated by how you’re going to look, it’s going to be a long wait.

Here’s what I like better.

Go because it’s fun. Because it feels good after you do it. Because it helps you get closer to meeting a goal that inspires you. Because it means you’re more mobile when you play with your grandchildren. Because the next day you can feel every muscle you worked and it makes you feel like James Bond. Because it’s healthy and you get to feel good about that today. Not in 14 weeks.

I go because it incinerates my stress, not because it incinerates calories. Because it blasts my rainy day mood with techno and sweat. Because afterwards, I feel brave and powerful just for stepping into a class called Best Butt Ever and busting my best butt. Ever.

Class: Best Butt Ever

Description from the Equinox: Best Butt Ever is strategically engineered to lift and shape your hottest asset. Fire up your glutes, build strength and definition, and get powerful. Waist-whittling exercises are also integrated to further accentuate your new rearview.

Class length: 50 Minutes

My Experience

Lots of equipment needed for this one! But that was good, it meant we weren’t using the step the entire time and starting a fire in our calves like I did in Firestarter. We used weights, a resistance band around the thighs, a step and gliders.

I’d never used gliders before. You put your feet on them and then need to tighten your core so your body stays stable when you slide one foot to the right or back, and then in different sequences. They were also used to slide both feet forward and back while holding bridge pose. My bridge wasn’t quite as stable as I’d like to pretend for that one. It was a little London a couple times.

The resistance band went around both legs either just above or below the knees depending on the exercise. They were used for side-stepping and putting one foot crossed behind the body, and other dance type moves where the resistance made it more difficult and worked target areas. I’d never used these before either.

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Verdict

I seriously enjoyed this class. The diversity of exercises was fun, and the instructor played great techno music perfectly matched to the sequences we were doing. I felt my muscles really working, but it wasn’t so much that I couldn’t enjoyably complete most things with limited modification. At one point I was doing a very short set of jumping jacks to the techno and I glanced at the mirror and I was grinning like an idiot. So… it’s fun to be in a big group of people jumping like crazy to techno music. It’s really fun.

Will I be back?

I could see myself going back. My best butt ever does a lot for me, and it’s possible that this class would make it stronger as it swims, bikes and runs me to the finish line of Tri For a Cure in July. That said, I definitely want to ask instructors which classes would best complement triathlon training. Maybe this is great, or maybe one that’s more weight focused would be better. My goal is to discover classes that are enjoyable but also balance out the other fitness activities I love.

Know before you go

People wore shoes and athletic gear to class. There’s a lot of stuff to get and you set it up yourself. Arriving at least 5 minutes before to set yourself up is helpful, maybe more if it’s your first time. Class was more strength than cardio, but there’s still jumping jacks and some fast cardio sequences.

And in the meantime…

I’ll amuse myself thinking of better names than Best Butt Ever.

Like… Glute Max? Reared?

You know what… I just can’t even type the things I’m coming up with.

Equinox Barre Review

• 1 • NYR 2017

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.

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 Martin Luther King Day

Celebrating his life today by reading some of his famous quotations to our children, and reflecting on what it means to live peacefully and be a voice for what’s right.

And… my next class in my Equinox challenge.

I went to True Barre today. I’ve taken barre classes before, so thought it’d be a safer one to try the day before a swim session than something I’ve never encountered. (I totally hurt too much the day after Firestarter to work out).

I’m half wondering if this is the craziest idea ever because I’ll never repeat classes enough times to get better, so I’ll just stress my body out in a hundred different ways without actually improving.

But no, core work in one way this week and another way next week… it will all add up, right?!

Here’s what I did today.

Class: Barre

Description from the Equinox: Barre at its most authentic, done the Equinox way. Combine ballet movements with conditioning, core work and stretches for that dancer’s physique.

Class length: 55 Minutes

My Experience

Feels more similar to pilates than to ballet. Loosely inspired in the sense that we did do some exercises at the barre, but none of the exercises were any I remembered doing in the ballet classes I took in high school. Former ballet enthusiasts waiting for tendu and grande plié sequences won’t find them here.

The class incorporated:

  • push-ups
  • planks
  • repetitive arm lifts with very light weights
  • use of a ball in between thighs during elevated pliés to work thighs
  • bridges and bicycles on a mat

Verdict

I actually would have enjoyed having it more closely ballet-inspired.

I left class feeling like I had worked a lot of different muscle groups in isolation. Each movement was extremely targeted; you knew which muscles should be shaking and burning.

Overall, it was a challenging and efficient way to work out a lot of different muscle groups.

Will I be back?

I could see myself going back. It seems like it could be a good way to work in some strength training and core work, both of which are valuable for swimming, biking and running. It said online that it was equal parts strength, cardio and flexibility but I thought it was much more strength than the other two.

Know before you go

Most people wore socks. No shoes. Some people were barefoot.

There was a large age diversity in the class, but no men (at least today).

Finding a spot at the barre in front of the mirror is very helpful so you can see what you’re supposed to be doing and what you are doing.

Class was crowded, and sometimes you need distance to extend your leg behind you at the barre. Try to arrive in time to put your mat down next to the barre and get the accessories (weights, ball, class dependent ask the instructor or watch everyone else setting up) you’ll need.