As millennials, we tend to spend our money on things that generations before us find absolutely absurd. We live in a world where overnight shipping, delivery from restaurants that don’t normally deliver, and a ride when we don’t feel like driving are all at the push of a button for a little bit of our hard earned money. An article I read a while ago, 30 Things Twenty-Somethings Need To Stop Spending Money On, really drove home this point and made me take a look at what I consider normal daily purchases. While I agree with almost everything on this list, the one thing I strongly disagree with is the “boutique” fitness classes. Before you roll your eyes at me and tell me that fitness classes really are a waste of money, here me out.
In high school, I played sports and therefore practiced and lifted weights for a few hours every day. In college, I had access to a REC center filled with everything from a rock wall to every fitness machine you could imagine. But once I graduated from college, gone was the environment and schedule I had been used to for the past 8 years. Sure, we had a workout room in our apartment in Dallas, but it was a far cry from the REC center I had the year before. I also didn’t have my workouts scheduled for me, and let me tell you, that makes the world of a difference for me.
In high school, I played sports and therefore practiced and lifted weights for a few hours every day. In college, I had access to a REC center filled with everything from a rock wall to every fitness machine you could imagine. But once I graduated from college, gone was the environment and schedule I had been used to for the past 8 years. Sure, we had a workout room in our apartment in Dallas, but it was a far cry from the REC center I had the year before. I also didn’t have my workouts scheduled for me, and let me tell you, that makes the world of a difference for me.
There’s where “boutique” fitness classes come in. While we lived in Houston, there weren’t
really any gyms around us that met my needs and running outside with Pecan just
wasn’t cutting it anymore. Not to
mention I was really inconsistent with my running. Too hot?
Rain? Count me out! So after the
New Year I started looking for a class I could go to and had heard a lot about
Pure Barre. I decided to give it a try
and never looked back. I love that the
classes challenge me in a way I had never been challenged before and they have
a fantastic feeling of community. But
the thing I loved the most? My classes
were scheduled. And guess what? There is
no option of just not showing up. Unless
you want to pay a “no show” fine on top of the classes you’re already paying
for.
While we were living in Boston, I decided I needed to mix
it up a little with a class that had a bit more cardio in it because the
likelihood of me doing an hour-long class and then coming home to do cardio was
highly, highly unlikely. I researched
for quite some time to find exactly what I was looking for, and finally ended
up taking classes at a local studio called SWEAT Cycling Studio. Like Pure Barre, they have a system where you
sign up for your classes (usually a week in advance) and unless you cancel out
6 hours prior to the start of class, you pay a fine. That’s more than enough motivation for me to
get my butt out of bed and onto the bike.
In addition to having classes scheduled, I love that they
are high intensity the entire time. I
easily get bored with redundant workouts like running on a treadmill or using
an elliptical, but have yet to get bored with spin or Pure Barre. The music is amazing, the instructors keep
you pumped up, and there is no feeling like walking out of the studio and
knowing you just had a great workout.
Now, I will tell you that I am definitely not a pro in either class yet. It still takes me forever to clip in to a
bike or learn a new move and I have the rhythm of an eighty year old lady, but
guess what? The room is usually dark or
dim and everyone is so focused on their own workout that they can’t see how bad
I am!
If you’re still hesitant to try a fitness class somewhere
because of the price, I encourage you to look for some smaller studios that are
independently owned or ones that offer a discounted trial period for new
clients. The cycling studio I went to in
Boston to offers your first class free and their packages are extremely
reasonable. So if I’ve convinced you to
try spin (yay!) I have a few tips for surviving your first class. If you’re interested in trying a Pure Barre
class, I have a few tips for your first class here.
· It will be hard, but don’t let that discourage
you. I have absolutely no rhythm and
little experience with riding bikes, so if I can do it, you can too! There will be times (lots) throughout the
class that you think you cannot physically pedal that bike one more
second. If you really need to, slow
down, get a drink, catch your breath a little and keep going. The most important thing is do not quit.
·
Dress appropriately because it will get really
warm in the studio (mine heats up 5-6 degrees during a 45 minute class). I highly recommend wearing capri or long
leggings, a tank top and socks that cover the back of your ankle. Also, wear your hair up in a bun or a braid so
it stays off the back of your neck.
- Bring water and lots of it. I always bring a bottle for class and one for my drive home. You will sweat a lot during the class and need to rehydrate yourself.
- And last but definitely not least, have fun! This is your time to completely zone out and focus on you.
Even if you already have another workout routine that you
like, don’t discount taking group fitness classes every once in a while. They’re a great way to mix up your workout
and challenge yourself in a different way!
xoxo,
Kathryn
No comments
Post a Comment