Last week I had the opportunity to try a few more classes through ClassPass. I realized that my membership would be over on 2/26 so I started planning out a schedule to make the most of it. The weather last week made things a little tricky. I had signed up for a cycle class last Tuesday but it was cancelled due to snow. I also had to plan around PT which I had on Monday and Wednesday last week. So I ended up taking pilates on Thursday, a total body conditioning class at Friday morning, and hot yoga after work on Friday afternoon. I thought I would share a little bit about the new-to-me classes for Tried It Tuesday! (Thanks, Sara!)
Mat Pilates at Ojas Wellness Center
I was a little nervous to attend a pilates class since I have done videos at home and really struggled with some of the exercises. When I arrived at the studio I had a little trouble finding the area where the class would be held, so I walked into the room right before the class was about to start. I would have liked to have a few more minutes to get comfortable, but I also had to fill out paperwork up front before going into the room.
The instructor was really nice and helped me get set up. She showed me that we would be using a mat, a long foam roller, a ball, and a blanket.
Click photo for source
We did a warm up and then mostly focused on the core and glutes. Some of the exercises were barre-style and at the end of the class the instructor explained that it was sort of a fusion class (not traditional pilates). However, some of the exercises were different than what I have been doing in barre and challenged me in a good way.
I knew I would be sore from the class, and by the weekend I could feel it in my abs, hips, and hamstrings!
Total Body Impact at Reflex Fitness
I attended a 6am class at Reflex Fitness, a new “Functional Fitness” studio in the Federal Hill/Locust Point area in Baltimore. This is one of the few studios where I can go in the morning before work because it’s only about a 10 minute drive from where I live. Unfortunately, I picked the coldest morning ever to sign up for this class so trying to get my car to warm up at 5:45am was not fun.
From the Reflex Fitness website
I had no idea what to expect from this class, and was a little nervous for this as well because I don’t really do total body workouts besides body pump (which is choreographed).
The class started with a brief warm-up of jumping jacks and burpees. We then did a circuit where each person had a specific exercise assigned and then we rotated. There were probably about 20 of us in the class, which meant 20 type of exercises. (Things like push-ups on a bosu, chest presses, burpees, squat jumps, jump-roping, etc). I am pretty sure that some of the “minutes” were really closer to two minutes. We did the circuit twice and ended with a cool down.
I felt like I got a good workout in (a nice mix of cardio and strength) while also working out in a different way than I am used to.
Also, it was in the same shopping center as Starbucks, so obviously I had to stop there on my way home:)
Overal thoughts: While I really enjoyed both of these classes, I’m not sure I could make a commitment to attend either regularly. I think I need to be able to go to a gym that has everything (including a treadmill for when I’m desperate). I also don’t think I would go often enough since I am usually running more than I did last week.
Have you tried any new workouts lately?
Do you like pilates classes?
Ever take total-body conditioning classes?
Years ago I took a Pilates class just once per week but it wasn’t something I wanted to continue. At the time it was mainly to have “me” time and do something different. It’s so cool that you get to try these different classes!
I think pilates probably has alot of benefits for runners. Part of the reason I usually avoid it is because its such a challenge for me! It seems like barre is a good strengthening workout in a similar way.
You know me–I only run. I’ve never even done yoga. I really believe though that this is just a phase of my life and that once the kids are grown that I will be able to try different things out. I’m looking forward to it! And getting more sleep. 😛
I think if I had my way I would just run all the time too!(and maybe do some yoga) ClassPass was a good opportunity to try some different workouts that I wouldn’t do otherwise. It sounds like for you running meets your needs right now, but maybe in the future things will change and you will find different activities you enjoy as well!
I’ve tried pilates only once and it wasn’t really me. The class I attended was too slow paced for me. I definitely enjoy hot yoga the most!
I am with you on the hot yoga! The Pilates class I took actually felt like it went really fast- there was no clock in the room but all of a sudden the 50 minutes was up! I would have been annoyed if the class was too slow-paced as well, but the one I went to seemed pretty appropriate.
I bet the pilates class was quite the core workouT. The other class sounds challenging. It’s nice to switch things up every now and then.
Exactly- both were challenging and different!
I really enjoyed the pilates reformer classes that I took last year with Class Pass. I wish I had access to one! Anyone got an extra $5k sitting around?
I wish! Not sure if I would spend it on a reformer though:)
I kind of wish I had tried out a class with a reformer, but it just didn’t fit into my schedule.
I’m not the biggest fan of Pilates because my heart is biased towards yoga 🙂 I can’t help it! Having said that I don’t mind the odd Pilates class and it’s a great workout! I’ve been doing a little more hiking lately which has been fun 🙂
I can understand that! If I had to choose between pilates and yoga I would choose yoga as well. Hiking sounds like fun! Not with the weather around here, but somewhere warm sounds lovely!
I’m not a huge total body conditioning fan, but I love mat Pilates! I taught a mat Pilates-yoga fusion class for 3 semesters in college and miss it so much now. I do mat Pilates videos now and would totally go to Pilates classes if there were some in my area.
I think its probably one of those things that if you go regularly you learn to really like it! It’s hard to judge based on only going to one class. I am hoping that once I move I can find something similar to pilates or barre thats included in a gym membership to add to my weekly routine.
I’ve never taken a Pilates class but I have done some of the Blogilates videos and think many of the moves are seriously so hard. You definitely feel the burn!
I love the idea of ClassPass (and it’s just come to Miami), but I don’t think I’d want to drive all over the city for my classes. Then again I’m not really a class taker to begin with, so I probably don’t fit their demo!
I used to be really into fitness classes before I started running as much. But I always took classes at my gym so it was included in my membership. All thee stand-alone studios are really nice but so expensive! If you are really into taking those classes than ClassPass is absolutely worth it, but considering I am already paying for a gym I really cant justify it right now. I also ended up driving all over the city and I got stuck in rush hour traffic too many times- I couldn’t keep doing that!
Is that Starbucks with coconut milk? I’ve been meaning to check that out, but I never make it to Starbucks unless I’m at the airport. How was it?
Yes it is! I liked it, but didn’t notice a huge difference. I haven’t had a regular latte in a really long time so maybe thats why its harder for me to compare?
I’d probably have the same problem. I always do black coffee, but a coconut milk latte sounds really good. It’s nice to have an alternative to soy!
I took a couple of Pilates classes years ago but just couldn’t get into it – I might have to give them another try though! Glad to hear PT is going well!
I feel like its one of those things you probably need to go to regularly to get the most out of it!
I have yoga and Pilates DVDs so I can do them at home on my schedule, and I’ve started HIIT. The gym I go to either doesn’t have Pilates, or classes are so late in the evening, I’m already in my PJs. By having the DVDs, I can do these workouts when I want to do them.
Yoga and DVDs are really great to be able to do at home. I don’t like going to the late classes either!
I teach a total body conditioning class 3-4 times a week and it is by far my favorite class to teach. I am with you in that I have to go to just 1 gym. I have wanted to make special trips to a hot yoga studio, pure barre, or an aerial silks class but just never get to. When working at a gym, it is hard to tell yourself to leave work and drive to a new gym when you can just stay where you are!
Its much easier to be able to do everything at one gym! I know that some gyms have special classes like barre and pilates, so that would probably be good enough for me, even though they may not be as good as the separate studios (but who knows, maybe they are as good? I just know I prefer yoga at a yoga studio).
When I first joined the gym way back when, I used to incorporate the total body conditioning classes. Over time though, I stopped since I focused more on cardio and did the weight stuff on my own. Those classes left me real sore though and definitely taught me lots of exercises to do on my own!
They are a good motivator and helpful for when you are first starting to work out! I remember taking some classes back when I first joined a gym after college and the only way I ever did strength was in a class.
Yay, so glad you are enjoying Class Pass! And thanks for joining the link up. Whenever there is a starbucks in sight you have to stop. What did you think of the coconut milk latte?
Its been fun, and I’m glad I’ve had some things to contribute to the link-up!
I thought the coconut latte was really good…but didn’t really notice a difference from the skim milk that I used to get!
I wish there was a gym that had all of these great classes in one place and one membership!!
Agreed!! It would make things so much easier!
I think I’m more excited and curious about the coconut milk latte! How was it? Is it at every starbucks? Does it taste coconutty?
Haha…I didn’t think so! I didn’t notice much of a difference from the skim milk that I usually get.
I am with you about wanting to belong to a gym that has multiple offerings. Right now I’m just doing Pilates and yoga at a local Pilates studio. I love Pilates equipment classes right now but don’t want to take the next step and sign on for a year-long contract (even though it means a lower monthly membership fee) because I can see myself tiring of it. I need variety!
I know what you mean! Thats why its always worked pretty well for me to have a standard gym membership that also offered classes like spin and body pump.
I enjoy Pilates and I do a few moves as part of my post-run routine but I haven’t been to a class in years. I’m so focused on strength and swim right now, that’s all I can fit in along with my runs. Did you like the coconut milk? I use it in my coffee at home but couldn’t bring myself to order it at Starbucks the other day.
I agree it can be hard to fit all different kinds of workouts in…we need to prioritize and do the best we can!
I liked the coconut milk but didn’t notice a huge difference from regular milk. I hadn’t had any kind of milk in my coffee in months so it was kind of difficult to compare! But I did think it was good:)
I’ve definitely grown to love pilates. I use free various online videos for pilates and strengthening based yoga workouts. My favorite classes are the barre classes, an hour and 20 minutes away, in Annapolis:)
Not sure where in southern MD you live but is Columbia any closer? They have a Pure Barre studio there.
I think its great to be able to do those kinds of workouts at home. Its a nice option when you can’t regularly get to classes!
The pilates was definitely different than I expected, but in a good way. I’ll definitely go back for that. I didn’t get a chance to try out Reflex yet (or do any of the Strength Training options with my ClassPass) but classes like that tend to scare me because I have an irrational fear of burpees. Mr. Salt is getting me another month of it for my birthday, so maybe I’ll get brave. 🙂
Haha I used to hate burpees too but I just went with it. I have a fear of box jumps but luckily we didn’t do any of those:)
I feel the same way you do, about needing a gym with treadmills too if I’m going to be paying for some type of cross-training. Plus I like being able to switch up my cross-training classes, so I can’t see myself buying a membership to a studio with very limited class types.
I saw the end of a similar sounding body conditioning class as I was waiting for yoga one day & it looked fun to try. But I still haven’t gotten the nerve up since it didn’t look routine like yoga, spinning or body pump. Maybe one day when I’m feeling gutsy 🙂
I had to force myself to try some different classes knowing i had a limited time to try them out. I am glad I tried it even though I was nervous!