We celebrated the new fitness year all January with the Get Back On Track 31 DAYS OF FITNESS. I’m excited to say the month is now complete! I checked out a different workout everyday at all of the most popular boutique fitness studios in NYC to highlight the multitude of fitness options available. With such a wide variety of workouts and classes, there is no excuse not to be in shape this 2015! We’re based in NYC, but many of these studios have multi-city locations and even DVDs, and there are similar style workouts close to your home town. Check out our day by day reviews below and we hope to see you working out soon at one these studios!
The classes are rated 1-5 on three criteria: Cardio; Strength/Toning; Girly/Macho. 1 is easiest, 5 is hardest, and for the last category, 1 = girly and 5=macho.
DAY 31: CROSSFIT & PURE BARRE. I decided for my grand finale to double down with two very different workouts — in fact they are polar opposites. While CrossFit is about big movements and full range of motion, Pure Barre is about tiny isolated movements. Both are equally hard, just made for two different fitness personalities.
CrossFit is probably the biggest fitness phenomenon across the country and around the world with a network of more than 11,000 affiliated gyms. CrossFit itself is defined as “constantly varied functional movements performed at relatively high intensity”. Functional movements mean exercises that make you stronger in the things you do everyday. It’s useful strength. Luckily for me, the free Intro to CrossFit class was only 10 minutes of actually working out, but in that short period of time we got a good taste of what it’s all about. For 10 minutes straight we did a circuit of 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups and 15 squats for as many rounds as we could until time was up. Exercises are performed correctly, with a full range of motion, for short amounts of time, and with maximum intensity. There is no cheating, although pre-approved modifications are allowed. CrossFit is also about the community that arises when people do these workouts together. In fact, the communal aspect of CrossFit is a key component of why it’s so effective. The workouts are the same for every class all day and change each day, so everyone is on the same program and helps motivate one another. This was very apparent at Crossfit NYC where I checked out the program this morning. C=4 / ST=5 / GM=5
Pure Barre is also one of the biggest fitness studios with locations nationwide. The workout was similar to other barre workouts I’ve done this month and for this big muscle athlete very difficult! The class utilizes the barre, elastic bands and rubber balls in small, isolated and controlled movements targeting the glutes, thighs, arms and abs. The exercises are very difficult and effective, but not a lot of fun. It’s just hard work, which is fine if that’s all you want in an exercise class. Me? I need smiles and laughs during my physical torture! Cudos to instructor Alana Epstein at Pure Barre Union Square, however, for staying cheery and upbeat throughout the tough workout I barely survived on the last day of the 31 Days of Fitness! C=1 / ST=5 / GM=1 Read More
