Body Conceptions by Mahri

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This review has been a long time coming. I took this fantastic class a few months ago but then life happened (more on that front on another post) and so I am finally getting around to writing this. First thing’s first, I LOVED  Body Conceptions by Mahri! I first heard of Mahri Relin when Flybarre, Flywheel Sports‘ signature class was launched (check out my review of Flybarre here). I never got to try her class because she left soon to develop her new technique, Body Conceptions, which takes elements from her fitness background as an ex- Tracy Anderson trainer as well as a former creative director of Flybarre to create a unique fitness experience. The class is a fun fusion of dance cardio principles melded with moves you may be familiar with from a barre class. Let me explain.

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Mahri Relin. SourceThe class takes place in a bright and airy dance studio located downtown at Dance New Amsterdam.

The class takes place in a bright and airy dance studio located downtown at Dance New Amsterdam. Mahri, whom I met prior to class, is lovely. Incredibly nice and incredible stunning. She asked about any injuries and about my fitness background and showed me modifications for my (at the time) IT band injury. She brought some props along with her, which consisted of 2 lb weights and mats. Mahri pumped up her music and the class began. The class starts off with the cardio portion. There are jumping jacks, and side-to-side movements with twists. The class then proceeds with the addition of the light hand weights. Personally, I am not a fan of light weights and sighed when I saw that we were using 2 pounders. But my disappointment was premature because I soon realized that the weight was just adequate for what we would be doing next. We did something similar to the “dynamic arm” section that some of you barre aficionados may have experience at Flybarre, a fast-paced arm section with lots of punching and boxing motions complete with uppercuts and overcuts. I could feel  my deltoids sculpting right there and then! We then added on lunges and squats while simultaneously doing triceps extensions.  I love it when we are doing full-body work and compounding exercises are my favorite. My arms felt like they would drop off and I humbly accept that I would not have been able to use anything over 2 lbs!

The next section of the class was done on the floor where we did some targeted ab work as well as glute/thigh work.  A lot of the moves were intricate and choreographed but Mahri explained everything clearly and was simultaneously demonstrating so the section was easy to follow. A picture speaks more than words so I’ll show you an example of what we did…

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Source: Body Conceptions facebook page

Looks like we were just moving the right leg up and down? Wrong. We were also moving the leg forward in backward in one plane, bringing it to our elbow as well as doing a type of curtsey and kick move. For a long time! “You probably hate me right now”, Mahri cheerfully said. Yup, that was about right. My backside was burning but it was a great burn. I have been doing barre classes for years and there were definitely some new moves I learned in this class.

The class ended with some free style dance moves, capping off a really fun hour of working out. I really recommend checking out this class. It’s fast-paced, high energy with great music and what is key to a great class, a fun and inspiring instructor!

 

Dance Motivation Fitness

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I must tell you about one of the most fun new workouts I experienced recently. Dance Motivation Fitness is a dance-based workout created by Lindi Duesenberg, a professional dancer. I have known Lindi for a while – she is on my roster of favorite Physique 57 instructors and is just generally one of the sweetest people I know. When I was invited to check out her new class I knew that I would have a great time despite not knowing too much of what the class was about.

“So I get the “Dance” part of the class but what’s the “Motivation” aspect?”, I asked her. “Are we dancing while chanting inspirational quotes, like Intensati?”

“The Motivation is all me!” Lindi replied. “I am going to be motivating and pushing you guys through!” I was intrigued.

Source: DMF website

When I got to the studio some twenty or so women were already there ready to dance their hearts out. Dance Motivation Fitness debuted just a week ago but Lindi has her followers and a lot of them flocked here to pack the class.

Music is what drives me to work out and this class was all about the music. Each sequence was choreographed to a particular song. We salsa-ed to Shakira,  hip hop danced to MC Hammer, and attempted our best Micheal Jackson moves to the beat of “Wanna Be Starting Something.” There was also some jazz, a little jive, and the cha cha cha all perfectly choreographed to Nat King Cole, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj and many others. We even did a little Gangnam Style! It was an absolute blast! I was learning different dance styles and having so much fun while doing it. Lindi would start each routine slowly so we could follow along and then the routine would get faster. But this was no ordinary dance class. Lindi radiates so much positive energy and worked the room, constantly reminding us to laugh and have fun. If we did a move well she noticed and pointed it out. Positive reinforcement works. If we looked disheartened she would also notice and provide lots of encouragement. It was not a big deal if you were on the wrong foot. It was not a big deal if you were shuffling in the opposite direction of the rest of the class. Just give it your all, keep moving and most importantly have fun. There was the Motivation. It worked. I cannot explain it but I felt a bonded to the group of women in the class in a sort of camaraderie. You weren’t competing with the person next to you. You were all in the together. It was like a big party. The class would frequently break out into laughter and after almost every song would clap and holler. It was a total blast. I should also mention that it was definitely a workout. At the end of class I was drenched in sweat. You are moving non-stop and that brings the cardio element to this class.

With Melisse from Well + Good NYC, Erica, and Lindi

In order for exercise to be effective it needs to be consistent. The only way it will become consistent is if it’s fun. In that respect Dance Motivation Fitness has got you covered. I know I will be back!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary class from Dance Motivation Fitness but was not obligated to provide a review. I was not compensated for this post. The opinions expressed herein are my own.

Running the Philadelphia Marathon

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As I write this I am sitting at my desk with my right leg fully extended. Not by choice. My (rather stylish) cane leans against the wall next to me, as I wait for my MRI result. It has been three days since I was injured while running my first marathon but I am proud to say that I completed it! But let’s start from the beginning.

I was incredibly disappointed when the NYC marathon was cancelled. I knew it was the right decision but I couldn’t help feeling the way I did. As soon news of the cancellation started to trend on social media my wonderful husband, knowing how important this had been to me, started calling up charities to the already-full Philadelphia marathon. He called me up and said,” We got you a charity spot for Philly. Don’t worry. You WILL run a marathon and I am going to help you do this.” I felt hopeful and motivated again.

I got into Philadelphia late Saturday evening, and found this waiting for me in my room….

The marathoner’s goodie bag, courtesy of the Four Seasons Philadelphia!

I quickly placed an order for my pre-race dinner…

Crab Gnocchi, which was lip-smackingly good!

I then lay out my race outfit so that I could quickly get to it in the morning…

I woke up at 415am on race morning, downed half a bowl of oatmeal and a banana, met up with my friends Mary and Robyn in the hotel lobby and we made our way to the race start.

I won’t give you a mile-by-mile breakdown. Instead I will give you some highlights of  this race.

The Course:

The first half of the course was lovely. It snaked through the city, through residential neighborhoods. The crowd was great!  There was lots of cheering. Some hilarious signs. One of my favorites was at mile 4, “Run Faster. A Kenyan has already finished!”  After the 13.1 mile point, the crowd thinned as the half-marathoners left us. This next section of the course, in my opinion was interminable. From miles 13-20 we were running along the river, and in the lane right next to us we could see the speedier runners racing the exact same path from miles 20-26. The realization that I would have to run this entire path back was demotivating. Also, there was no new terrain to look forward to. Anyhow I persisted on.

The Fuel/Water situation:

This was very well organized. Water was at one end of the station and Gatorade was served at the other end. Plenty of areas where Cliff gel shots were being handed out. I never once felt dehydrated or un-fueled throughout the race. Special shout-out to all the wonderful volunteers that were manning these stations.

The Porta-Potty Situation:

This left much to be desired. I waited 40 minutes in line for one before the race, and 20 minutes in line at one during the race. Throughout the course I would see long lines at each rest stop. I saw plenty of runners dive behind bushes to relieve themselves.

My Race:

Now for my race experience. I felt very strong during most of the race. My training had been strong and I was going for a sub 5:00 race. I kept my pace slow at the beginning and enjoyed the sights and the sounds. I took advantage of every water station and alternated water with Gatorade. I took a Cliff gel shot every 5 miles.  I was feeling great. Unfortunately at mile 5 I felt a slight pang on the outside of my right knee. The last time this happened was during the UAE Healthy Kidney 10k last May, which was ultimately diagnosed as Ilitibial band syndrome and required weeks of physical therapy. I started to get nervous, but hoped it was nothing, and continued running. The pain started to get worse as I kept running. This was not happening, I kept saying to myself. I slowed down my pace considerably and kept going. I got to mile 20 and the pain was excruciating. Every heel strike felt like someone was jabbing a knife into the side of my knee. I moved to the side of the race course and started to massage my IT band and stretch. It did not do much good. I decided to jog/walk which I did till Mile 22, after which running was no longer an option because of the pain. At this point I knew I had to make a decision. I could, a) Drop out- which would have been incredibly devastating; b) Keep running and risk turning this injury into something irreversible; or c) Walk. I chose option “c.”

I walked from Miles 22-26. I could not believe this was happening to me. After all the training I had put into this season, my IT band was acting up? Unreal. I fought back tears with every step.

Once I reached the Mile 26 sign, I decided that I was just going to have the buck up all my strength and run the final stretch. My finisher’s picture had to show me running! So I ran and crossed the finish line, tears streaming down my face as I collapsed into my husband’s arms.

My total race time was 5 hours 47 minutes. Not bad, considering the injury-related pace slow-down as well as the 4 mile walk. I was disappointed with how things turned out but I was also really proud that I had had it in me to finish the race!

I limped back to my hotel room and then to the train station to get back to NYC. Walking was becoming a major issue.

I decided to see a physiatrist on Monday who looked at my swollen knee and told me that this is likely more than just an IT band injury.

Great.

She prescribed a cane, lots of painkillers and an MRI.

So while I am still waiting on a diagnosis and a course of treatment, running is out of the question for some time.

Was it all worth it? I don’t know. What I do know is that I am finally a marathoner. And crazy as it may sound, I cannot wait to start training again for another marathon.

 

NYC Marathon-some musings

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My city was devastated by one of the worst natural disasters in its recent history. Thankfully, my neighborhood was unaffected but a lot of friends have just recently had power return to their homes, and are still without water or gas. Residents in Staten Island, the Rockaways and parts of New Jersey have fared even worse, where homes have been destroyed, cars have washed away, and basic supplies are dwindling. Which brings me to the New York City Marathon, that was scheduled for Sunday, November 4th, less than a week later. I was torn about my decision to run. It took me four years to get into this race. I had spent the past four months adjusting school, work and childcare in order to train. Deferring to next year may not be an option for me. But all that paled in comparison to what people were/are going through and so I was prepared for the marathon to be cancelled.

On Wednesday the mayor said that the marathon will go on. Rumblings of dissent began. On Thursday he repeated that the marathon will go on. The rumblings started to get louder. On Friday he reiterated that yes, it will continue. By this point the rumblings had crescendo-ed to an all-time high. Heated discussions turned into talk of tripping and hurting the runners. I was astounded.

It was the city’s responsibility to make the decision on whether the marathon was feasible or not and mayor Bloomberg’s repeated assertions convinced most of us that it would be okay. That is why I decided to run. That is why most runners were on board. Cancelling it would have been fine. I have not met a single runner who doesn’t get why it was cancelled. We get it and most, if not all, of us support it.

What we don’t get is how this turned into a vilification of the runners. Facebook and Twitter were rampant with negativity. I should have stayed off but I was transfixed.

A “Cancel the  Marathon” Facebook page garnered something like 30,000 likes in a relatively short span of time, with some comments that I don’t even want to mention.

“Go run in our blood,” someone tweeted.

“You, the runners have a responsibility. Why don’t you volunteer instead of running,” someone commented.

As if the two were mutually exclusive. Plenty of us are volunteering, but I am not here to defend that. The judgement that people were placing on the runners blew my mind.

Wanting the marathon to be cancelled is perfectly reasonable. Judging and name-calling the runners? Not excusable.

By the time the decision to cancel was made I was emotionally drained but relieved. I did not want to run it anymore. The NYC marathon with its course along each of the five boroughs is about communities coming together and it was clear that this year was going to be different. This was not the right time to have this race and so I do believe the right decision was made. I only wish the decision had been made sooner so that international runners could have changed flight schedules.

I will admit that I am disappointed but I realize that in the grand scheme of things this is insignificant. There will be other races. There will be other marathons. Let’s work on getting our city back in business and let’s all please be friends again?

 

Conquering my Fear: Running the Queensboro (59th Street) Bridge

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Confession: I am terrified of running the NYC bridges.

I have never even walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. Part of it has to do with a fear of being too far away from “land” (also the reason why I have no desire to go on a cruise) and part of it has been the fear of being knocked over by an over-zealous cyclist. The Queensboro bridge (also known as the 59th street) bridge is part of the NYC marathon course and every NYC marathoner I know has recommended that it be included in at least 1 training run. For the past few weeks I had been googling “running across the queensboro bridge” just to get a sense of what the experience is like. Where do you enter from? Where does it end? Do you share a path with cyclists? Is it safe? I came across a good forum on the Runners World website. This was also how I discovered Kristin’s blog where I found an extremely informative post on running this bridge. She has a great series on NYC running routes which are worth checking out!

So armed with this knowledge, I packed on my new hot pink sneakers, strapped on my rather unpredictable Nike running watch (having loads of issues with this including a 4 miler on Park Avenue that was recorded as 0.4 miles, and a 15 miler across the city that had me running at a speedy and erroneous 7 minute mile), and headed east.

Pedsterians, runners and cyclists enter on a ramp located on the south side of 60th street intersecting 1st avenue.  There are two lanes, runners on the left and cyclists on the right. Both are 2-way lanes, so while cyclists are supposed to stay in their lane, I found that very often they would take over the runners’ lane. I will say that I was pleasantly surprised at how wide the lanes were. I went on this run thinking that I would constantly have to dodge the bikes because of the narrow space, but thankfully that did not really happen.

The lanes-wider than I had anticipated!

View unfortunately is not so great, at least going into Queens, when all you have is the north side of Manhattan and Roosevelt Island to look at..

View? Eh.

The bridge ends on Crescent Street and Queensboro plaza. The view on the way back is pretty breath-taking, with the beautiful Manhattan skyline in the distance. I couldn’t get a great picture but suffice it so say that it’s similar to what you see up in the first picture.

Overall, I loved running this bridge! The total mileage across the bridge and back is around 2.75 miles. There’s an incline which would be great to use for a short run if you want to include hills.

More importantly, now that I have gotten over my fear of running over a bridge I am excited to take on my next one!

Scene from “Manhattan”, one of my favorite movies, overlooking the Queensboro bridge

Question: What is your favorite bridge to run over?

 

 

SLT- Second time around with Natalie Uhling

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Since my last visit, SLT‘s popularity has boomed. Like my other fitness favorite, Refine Method, SLT has become a darling of the NYC fitness scene, and, like Refine, has proved that the smaller studios can be just as effective in amassing a loyal following. Classes run almost on the hour from 630 in the morning to 830pm (with the exception of a short afternoon break), and are often booked solid. Rumor has it that the studio will soon be opening its doors at a second location. When I first tried it I appreciated what a great workout it could but I felt some frustration with the MegaFormer (the studio’s updated version of a pilates reformer that the class is based off). I found it challenging (which I liked) but on a whole the experience  just wasn’t enough to make me want to go back. I strongly believe that a good class is all about the instructor and in the past year the small studio has acquired a roster of rockstars, each with their set of devotees. Natalie Uhling is one such instructor, and after hearing everyone rave about her I decided it was time to make another trip to see if she could change my mind about SLT. Turns out, she could!

Source: SLT

I got to the studio early and there was a class in session. Not knowing if I could walk in or not I chose to stand outside. Natalie, who has a cool bohemian/surfer chick vibe, was leading the class and intermittently hopping onto the MegaFormer to demonstrate the moves. On seeing me peer in, she came by the door with a smile (while continuing to lead her class) and beckoned for me to come in. It was a warm gesture and made me like her immediately.

Natalie Uhling

Before class began Natalie asked who was new and proceeded to give instructions on how to maneuver the MegaFormer. The machine has a lot of springs, pulleys and handles and does require a quick primer in order to work it seamlessly. Once class began, it was one non-stop hour with me and my new favorite apparatus, the MegaFormer. The focus was definitely on the core but during the course of the hour we hit every part of the body. We chiseled our abs with the brutal pike/plank combo and toned our obliques with a mermaid crunch (side plank and knee pull-in movement). We used resistance-laden handles to do shoulder presses and triceps extensions. Pushing against the resistance of the platforms of the Megaformer gave side lunges and forward lunges a new meaning! The seat section was attacked with the fire hydrant move among other brutal variations.

The class is hard and you will sweat a lot but thankfully it won’t be impossible. This particular class was also easy to follow. Natalie would demonstrate an exercise and then also provide variations that could make it easier for the newbies as well as more difficult for the pros.  Her cues were spot-on and I was able to transition between exercises effortlessly. This was different from my last SLT class where I kept stalling each time the machine had to be adjusted. The music in this class was amazing. There was some old, some new, some mash-ups/remixes and the class ended with Snoop’s “What’s my name”- a classic!

I loved this class but what really made it for me was Natalie. She has a fun-loving and infectious energy while at the same time a firm command of the room. She was ever-watchful of positioning, and provided gentle shifts in alignment that would make all the difference. She also gave out a lot of positive affirmation, which I always welcome. Especially when I am not the most graceful person in the room! “Everyone’s form is perfect right now!” she would beam from time to time. She’s one of those instructors who loves what she does and wants you to love it as much as she does. Well, she converted me. So much so that I am going to try and include a weekly SLT class in my regular schedule. I think it will compliment my marathon training perfectly and so have already booked my classes with her for the next few weeks!

 

 

So I Guess I’m an Almost-Half-Marathoner?

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I’m 5 weeks into my 18-week marathon training plan and today I ran 12 miles. While not a half-marathon in the classic 13.1 mile race sense, I ran 12 miles so I think it’s fair to call myself an almost-half-marathoner! I won’t lie, it was brutal. 80 degree heat. 90% humidity. Total time= 2 hours 9 minutes. But I’m proud of myself for doing this. 12 miles is definitely out of comfort zone. I am amazed at how much my endurance has grown these past few weeks. 26.2 miles still feels like a far-off accomplishment but hopefully I will get there. I’ve also learned some things over these past 5 weeks.

1. I can now call myself a runner: I constantly struggle with defining myself as a runner. Runners run a few times every week. Runners love to race. Runners are constantly trying to become better runners. I am none of the above. I go through months without running. I certainly don’t love to race and I would much rather content myself at becoming a stronger Physiquer or Refiner then a runner. Now I can confidently call myself a runner.

2. I love running long distances: As part of my training I run two shorts runs and one long run a week. Surprisingly, I much prefer the longer runs. After about 6 miles, the runner’s high kicks in and it carries me through the remaining distance. Funny how that works.

3. I am no longer afraid of running in the rain: Last week, I got caught in a thunderstorm during my 11-mile run. I could have run home but I wanted to finish my run so I continued. I loved that run! I was wearing a cap which kept the rain out of my eyes. I was wearing dry-fit apparel so I didn’t feel too uncomfortable as I ran. My only concern was my IPhone. I wrapped it in a sandwich bag and kept it in my pocket. I wouldn’t recommend this because it doesnt work for everyone but it did for me last week.

Running in the rain: The women’s marathon at the Olympics from this morning-a little rain certainly doesn’t faze these ladies!

4. Fueling is important: During my first long run I did not carry any fuel. Big mistake. At 7 miles my head started to hurt, my muscles began to cramp and I felt as if I was going to faint. I learnt my lesson. Now for runs over 6 miles I carry mocha-flavored Clif Shot Gels. They are delicious!

5 weeks down. 13 to go!

On another note, I just transferred my blog from Blogger to wordpress and I seem to have lost lots of IntenseDebate comments. I am hoping to restore them within the week, in case anyone was wondering.

Question: What are your tips for running in the rain?

I Will Run this Marathon – Yes I Will

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I just realized that I have not posted since May when I wrote about getting yelled at at Soul Cycle. I was floored by all the comments I received, both on the blog and off-line. People felt very strongly, whether they were for or against the ‘newbie in the front row’ concept. Anyhow, loved reading all the comments!But back to why I have been MIA. I do feel bad. I tried out a ton of great classes over the last few months, and went to a few fitness events but have not gotten around to writing about them. I will over the next few weeks but today I want to write about the three new developments in my life that have been all-consuming.
1. New Job:
In June I went back to work. Granted it’s only for the summer (I still have a semester of grad school left) but I am working which means not a lot of free time galavanting around time trying fitness classes. This job is different from anything I have done before and was a little out of my comfort zone when I first started. But I’m already a few weeks into it and I’m loving it. The learning curve has been steep, the people have been amazing and it’s a reminder that it’s never too late to make a switch in one’s career. Having said that, I am now a working mom and it is tiring. Which brings me to development number two.

2. My Child is a Toddler:
My son is now 18-months old. This means that he is constantly “discovering” things. This has involved turning on our stove, rummaging through the cleaning supply closet, or attempting to lock himself in our walk-in closet. We have survived one instance of a partial hand burn when he immersed his hand into a boiling hot cup of coffee, as well as a more recent trip to the ER after he caught his hand between the elevator door and the adjoining wall. Every day is an adventure! The weekends are a constant quest to keep him entertained. Which also means that I am exhausted. And finally…

3. The NYC Marathon:
For those of you that do not know, I will be running the marathon this Fall. I caught the running bug three years ago and decided that I really wanted to run the NYC marathon once in my life. I applied for the lottery that year and was rejected. The next year I attempted the New York road runners 9+1 program, which guarantees automatic entry for the following year. However, I got pregnant and since I was not running regularly decided to hold off it for a while. Last year I ran my 9 races, volunteered for one and now I’m in. Which is great. Except that my life is completely different now than when it was three years ago. Career, child, family-there are too many variables and I cannot plan things in advance the way I used to. Which can make training for this race challenging. I contemplated deferring it or just bowing out. But what if I regret it? A switch went off in my head and I decided that I was going to do this. I bought the Nike sportswatch to keep track of my miles and pace, an armband for my Ipod. Now all I needed was a plan. I did not want to invest time running 4-5 days/week. I love Physique 57, Refine Method and Flywheel Sports and really want the option to be able to mix them into my training plan. Dori, a blogger and runner I admire a great deal was kind enough to share her marathon training plan from which consisted of three runs a week. Works for me.

I completed week 2 of training today. It hasn’t been easy. I tried setting my alarm for 530am so that I can get a run in before work and also before it gets too hot. The snooze button and I have become way too familiar and so runs have been pushed to after-work when it’s a little cooler. I ran 10 miles yesterday, the most I have ever run. After 7 miles an overwhelming sense of fatigue came over me. My feet began to hurt, my calves started to cramp and my head started to pound. I remembered a tweet I read from Katherine earlier in the day: 


                                              “If it was easy everyone would do it”


And so I pushed on. Thank you, Katherine! I walked a good portion of the last mile but I did it and collapsed in a heap by the time I got home.

NYC 2012, it’s on!

Question: If you have run a marathon or even a half, I would love to hear your number one training tip for first-time marathoners, be it fueling, pacing, speed training.

Getting Reprimanded in my Spin Class: Janet Fitzgerald at Soul Cycle

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I’ve known it to happen but it had never happened to me. Until this particular class. Where I was reprimanded for being out of sync in my spin class. Let me back-track.Janet Fitzgerald is one of Soul Cycle‘s most popular instructors and has a devoted following on both coasts. Her classes are booked solid so when I stumbled upon a lone front row bike in one of her classes I jumped on the chance. In hindsight I should have done my homework where I would have learned that Janet does not like first-timers to her class to sit in the front row. Regardless, I was too pumped to think twice about it.When I got to the Tribeca studio and started bike set-up Janet came up to me and warmly introduced herself. She then introduced me to my fellow riders to my right and left. Nice gesture! After that she asked if I was going to be okay up front with the rhythm. “Sure thing, I have been spinning for years!” I replied, thinking how sweet she was for coming up and introducing herself.  Later, I realized that I was probably the only one in the front row whom she did not recognize, and so my ‘newbie to Janet’s class’ status was plastered all over my face!

Janet Fitzgerald Source

I’m all about rhythm and I respect that if synchrony is not your forte then you shouldn’t be sitting up front. In this class the pace was very fast, faster than what I was used. So yes, I was soon out of sync. Everyone’s right foot had to hit the pedal at the exact moment. No exceptions. A few minutes into class and I was called out for being out of sync. My left foot was pedaling when my right foot should have. Crap. I managed to sync up but it happened again. And I was called out again. Oh dear. In my defense, I was syncing up with the person sitting next to me, not realizing he was going on his own beat. But alas, being the newbie, the focus was on me.

Nevertheless, the class was fun. Really tough. Janet is disciplined and so it makes you want to focus all your energy on the ride. The music was cool, and different from the more recent Soul classes I have taken – there was some Alanis, some heavy metal, not a lot of remixed dance tunes. There was a good amount of the upper body choreography that is typical of a Soul class. And as I mentioned above, the pace, for the majority of the class was very fast.

After class Janet told me that I needed a little bit more practice to ride up in the front. She said it with a big smile and twinkle in her eye, and it made me chuckle. A part of me was thinking, “It’s JUST exercise!” But the other part of me got it. Janet’s front row is the equivalent of an advanced Soul Cycle class. You have to work your way to it. It’s her class and those are her rules and I respect that. Janet, I’ll be back, and next time I promise I’ll be in sync!

Question: Do you ever notice if the front-row riders are out of sync in a spin class? Does it affect your energy levels when the people around you in an exercise class are taking it easy?

Body By Simone: A Review

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Boutique fitness studio, Body By Simone opened up late last year but I only recently read about it on a Well + Good NYC article. Intrigued, I did some research and learned that its creator, Simone de la Rue, is a former dancer from Australia who has been building up quite the fitness presence among celebrities as well as the ladies-that-lunch. She’s been called the “new Tracy Anderson”because of her focus on dance-based fitness and the utilization of light hand weights, and celeb-cachet (similar to Ms Anderson).Body By Simone is located close to the west side highway, in west Chelsea – not incredibly convenient to get to but once you see that the creator of the method looks like this it’s inspiration enough to trek cross-town!

Source

The studio is surprisingly large, considering the limited number of classes on the group fitness schedule. There is a main studio, a loft-like space lined by mirrors, and two smaller studios, one containing a number of trampolines. After observing for a few minutes it suddenly made sense why the space was so large. It is to accommodate the private clients, of which there are many. In fact, the studio caters mainly to its private clientele and I saw private classes taking place before, during and after my group class.

There is a beautiful locker room, very boudoir-red, with lockers (bring your own lock though) and showers. There are also large posters of a very fit-looking Simone and other equally fit instructors plastered all around the studio.

Dance Cardio is the studio’s signature class and is the one I signed up for. My instructor was Alison, a petite blonde who is also a professional dancer. There were four other women in the class, two of whom were brand new so I was glad not to be the only newbie.

The class was 45 minutes of dance cardio, and 15-minutes of floor work targeting the arms, and abs.

The dance cardio portion consisted of many different sequences that were repeated throughout in different variations. There was a lot of jumping, skipping, foot tapping. At the same time we were doing pulling, punching and jabbing motions with the arms. We skipped with high knees, did jumping jacks, and essentially kept moving for the 45 minutes. With the exception of two short cool-downs that were embedded within the dance cardio portion of the class.

Source

The class is very high impact, fast-paced and choreography-based. So if you have bad knees, hip injuries or do not enjoy synchronized choreography, this may not be the class for you.  For everyone else, this class will be great fun. I was drenched. I will emphasize that this class is pure cardio, a similar feeling as going for a run. I also want to emphasize that the dance sequences were repeated many times so even if you don’t get it the first couple of times, you will eventually get the hang of them.

For the last 15 minutes we grabbed a mat and set of 3lb hand weights and did a short arm series followed by an abdominal curl section. I was not a fan of this section. It felt too short and left me wanting a bit more.

Overall, this class was great fun. The only issue I had was that I couldn’t hear the instructor at all due to a lack of a microphone. I had my eyes glued onto her so that I could follow along, since I could not hear any of her verbal cues. This led to some frustration. I brought this upto Alison after class and she explained that the lack of a microphone is a conscious decision. The routines follow the same sequence and are repeated again and again, and most clients soon become familiar after which they follow along without any issue.

Worth checking out? Absolultely! Classes are $35 but the first class is complimentary. The schedule is currently limited but the studio expects to add more classes soon.

 

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