At a Glance:

Website: www.fbespa.com
Address: 8704 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Length: 60 minutes
Price: 1 class/$25, 10 classes/$200
Sweat scale: medium
Energy level: medium

After rotating through the typical workouts for so long, it’s always fun to throw a sweatventure into the mix. I was so excited to find that another studio using vibration technology was recently added to the schedule, Firm Body Evolution.
Pre Sweat

FBE is located on the third floor of a building next to Pressed Juicery and Fresh Corn Grill on Santa Monica Blvd. They have about seven parking spots in a lot behind the building—take a right into the second driveway off of Westbourne Dr. There weren’t any spots available so I parked at a meter on the street. Getting into the studio is a little tricky. Walk around the building, right next to Fresh Corn Grill, head into the underground-ish parking lot, and take the elevator up to floor 3—the doors will open right into the studio. I checked in, signed the waiver, and met Jessica, the VERY fit and friendly instructor who showed everyone around and explained all of the infrared treatments.

Sweat

Everything was set up already and we started on our mats for about 15 minutes of various exercises using dumbbells and our body weight. Some exercises were for toning/strength and others really got my heart rate up (burpees specifically)—I was sweating only a few minutes in!

After the mat portion, we split into two groups—half went to the Whole Body Vibration machine and half to the Helix Lateral Trainer (basically an elliptical that goes side-to-side instead of forward and backward). As the vibration machine shook violently, we did crunches, planks, and more work with the dumbbells. The vibration from the machine is said to work the muscles in your body faster and more effectively than if you were to do the moves on the ground. I finished class with on the Helix machine which got my heart rate up quickly!

Post Sweat

Take advantage of their ClassPass specials and book a sauna treatment—they seriously look like machines of the future. If you’re hungry, you’ll pass the popular and delicious Fresh Corn Grill on the way out along with Pressed Juicery right next door (they have smoothies at this location but not the new freeze).

Tricks of the Trade

• Not only does Jessica have a rockin body, but she’s also one of the sweetest instructors ever! Feel free to ask her questions about diet/nutrition along with fitness, she’s happy to help.
• Don’t be alarmed by how much ANY extra cushion you may have on your body will jiggle uncontrollably.