Tag: group fitness

RETROFIT Event Recap

Leave a comment

There’s a brand new group fitness studio in town with a piece of equipment that I guarantee will surprise you and make you sweat (hint: it’s a self-propelled treadmill that is permanently on an incline!)! I was lucky enough to bring in the sweat and repeat crew in for a killer class at RETROFIT. While RETROFIT has existed as a gorgeous personal training space since 2009, they recently opened up a group training area to offer their unique technique and holistic approach to more people.

IMG_0720

Each of their four classes is 45-minutes long and we were treated to the signature HIITX (they also offer Sculpt, Burn, and Cardio). The room is broken down into ten stations with two people at each station. You complete one minute at each station with 15 seconds to rotate in between stations. Once you have completed all ten, you take a short break and then go through twice more. Some of the stations change a bit each round while others stay the same. Our stations included:

  • Self-propelled permanent incline treadmill (KILLER!)
  • Hill climb on a stationary bike
  • Wall mounted skiier
  • Air assault bike
  • Rower
  • Free weights
  • Body weight cardio exercises
  • Push-ups, tricep dips, and body holds
  • TRX
  • Fitness ball (planks, crunches)

While there may be studios out there with a similar format, the high number of cardio stations is very unique and really helps to get your heart rate up for a majority of the class.

Once we were done with three rounds, we stretched as a group. During this time, instructors are encouraged to add in some opportunities for learning. Christian spoke about the importance of nutrition, emphasizing that no matter how hard you work in the gym, if you don’t do the same in the kitchen, you won’t see results.

After class was over, we enjoyed treats from Siggi’s Dairy and Perfect Bar along with smoothies provided by the cafe at the front of the studio.

/IMG_0715

Interested in attending a class at RETROFIT? You can find their schedule here and pricing here.

How ClassPass Helped Me Through Unemployment

Leave a comment

Written by contributor Angela M

Highs and lows – you can’t have one without the other. Sometimes life can throw us curveballs and lead us in directions that we hadn’t planned for. This is how my 2016 started when I found myself laid off from my tech startup job in Santa Monica.

While I was sad to leave my position and company behind, a part of me was eager to see what this next chapter had in store. Selfishly, I was also excited about all the ClassPass classes I was going to be able to take advantage of while I was looking and interviewing for a new position.

I am excited to announce that I have recently accepted a new position, but while I was thinking back through my time of unemployment (roughly two months) I’m not sure I would have been able to get through it without ClassPass.

At the time, some of my friends were surprised and asked, “Well, since you’re unemployed, are you still going to keep ClassPass?”

During times of the unknown and “crisis” it’s completely normal and most of the time necessary to cut costs wherever you can. For the majority, group fitness classes are probably not a necessity. For me, this was a no brainer. I knew I would be experiencing a good chunk of down time and wanted to have an outlet to help me get through this transition – not only physically but also mentally. And boy was I right!

Thankfully in Los Angeles it’s not strange for people to have unique schedules – rather not your normal Monday through Friday, 9-5 sorta gig. With that being said, there were so many classes at my disposal during the day. When I wasn’t applying for jobs or taking part in interviews, I was excited to browse through and see what was available.

I’m not going to lie – some days were tough. Whether it was receiving a rejection or patiently waiting to hear back from an interview, I needed to get my mind off things. Going to classes was a huge help for me mentally, as I would step into a studio, begin class and immediately forget about everything else going on in the outside world.

IMG_3017

The social aspect was key as well. When you are not going into an office everyday, it’s nice to socialize and be around people. Through ClassPass I have been able to meet (and network) with so many friendly and motivational class goers, not mention the incredible instructors. If I was feeling down, hearing, “Angela! So excited to see you and have you in class!” from one of my favorite instructors really got me in a positive mindset when everything else seemed like chaos. While I’m an avid spinner, it was also a great time for me to check out yoga to work on my “namaste” and help center or calm my thoughts before or after interviews.

Sometimes things were fun! This was a time where I had the flexibility to try new classes or participate in others that I enjoy (like dance!) that I might not have had the time to do previously. Since I talk about ClassPass all the time with friends, I had converted a lot of them to the service. With some of them having unique schedules, I was able to coordinate a lot of catch-ups with them via classes and stay connected/social without having to go out and spend money on meals or drinks all the time.

IMG_7334

Lastly, how could I forget the actual physicality of it all – the sweat! Leaving classes sweaty made me feel so accomplished. Which at the time was a welcomed feeling. My health and fitness journey has been a crazy ride. While that might be another story for another post, I was grateful to have the time to work towards my health and fitness goals.

As I’m about to start this new chapter, I am very appreciative to have had ClassPass to help get me through it. It would have been easy to just sit around on the couch, go through the motions of job searching, etc, but ClassPass was able to keep active and motivated. Thank you ClassPass!

Here are some of the studios that I loved during my time off and I encourage you to check out:

  • Training Mate
  • Hot Pilates
  • Playlist Yoga
  • Moore Dancing – PlyoJam
  • Air Aerial Fitness

IMG_2774

 

About the contributor: Angela is originally from Upstate NY but has called West Hollywood home for the past five years. When she isn’t keeping up with pop culture and social media trends, you can most likely find her at spin class or having a glass of Pinot Grigio at The Den on Sunset. While Angela’s passion and career is in HR/Recruiting, she is also the co-creator of the blog I’m Moving to Los Angeles.

Aqualillies Synchronized Swimming Fitness

Leave a comment

At a Glance:

Website: http://www.aqualillies.com/fitness/
Address: (season starts again in April) Annenberg Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Length: 75 minutes
Price: $35 drop-in, $160 full season (6 sessions)
Sweat scale: hard to tell underwater
Energy level: medium

Sometimes I say to myself, “Only in LA” and my experience with Aqualillies had me repeating that phrase quite a bit. I couldn’t help but tell anyone and everyone! The Aqualillies is a professional synchronized swim/dance team who has successfully brought back the art form of “Water Ballet” into mainstream culture. Think of those classic swim numbers in the movies from the golden age. You can’t help but look in awe as they float with their makeup set perfectly. These women have opened for Bon Jovi! Lucky to be invited to participate, I set out to my local sports shop and bought a new cap, goggles, and swimsuit. Would I be as graceful as them or would I sink to the bottom?

Continue reading →

You’re Invited: Six hours of free fitness @ SIX:02

1 Comment

Join me on Saturday, June 6th at the SIX:02 retail store on the Third Street Promenade for six hours of sweaty group fitness classes. From 12:02 to 6:02, SIX:02 will be offering six free workouts with live DJ tunes brought to you by Refinery 29 and organic sweetgreen snacks.

Check out the schedule below and RSVP here (space is limited):

12:02: Nike Training Club (NTC): Nike Training Club is a full-body functional workout developed by Nike professional trainers and inspired by world-class athletes. This high intensity, multi-directional session will inspire you on your journey to becoming a better athlete.

1:02: Dance It Out: This workout is part intense muscle conditioning, part electrifying dance party. Easy-to-follow moves blend everything from ballet to belly dancing to booty shaking.

2:02: Interval Insanity: Challenge your body and mind to the max with this nonstop, high-intensity, muscle-burning class. Open to all fitness levels; can-do attitude required.

3:02: Power Vinyasa: A fusion of Ashtanga and Bikram, incorporating deep rhythmic breathing and movement. Each student is encouraged to dedicate the practice to a loved one.

4:02: Upper-Body Blast: Use your own body weight, and fast-paced drills to chisel your chest, back, shoulders, and arms.

5:02: Nike Training Club (NTC): Nike Training Club is a full-body functional workout developed by Nike professional trainers and inspired by world-class athletes. This high intensity, multi-directional session will inspire you on your journey to becoming a better athlete.

I will be at the 12:02 and 2:02 classes if you want to sweat together–comment below if you can join!

Blazing 50 Spin at Blazing Saddles

1 Comment

At a Glance:

Website: blazingsaddles-la.com
Address: 13535 Ventura Blvd, Unit D, Los Angeles, CA, 91423
Class length: 50 min
Price: first class free, 1 class/$20, 10 classes/$150, month unlimited/$150
Sweat Scale: high
Energy level: high

Ever since my coworker saw Kendra Wilkinson (she’s 90% sure it was her) leaving Blazing Saddles, I knew I had to check it out, and hopefully spot a celeb myself. When I logged onto ClassPass and saw that the studio had finally been added I booked a bike right away! Continue reading →

Group Reformer at Pilate-ology

Leave a comment

At a Glance:

Website: http://pilate-ology.com
Address: 13630 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA
Class length: 60 min
Price: first class $10, 1 class/$25, 10 classes/$200, first month unlimited/$140
Sweat Scale: low
Energy level: low

I walk by this place daily and always notice the “first class $10” sign but haven’t really had an intention to try it. However, when I accidentally signed up for Pilates Plus at 5:45 AM instead of PM, not realizing until I was asked to rate the class and swearing that ClassPass messed it up, I needed to find a plan B. Thankfully, there were still 2 spots left and I booked at Pilate-ology immediately. Continue reading →

Xtend Barre at Xtend Barre

1 Comment

At a Glance:

Website: http://www.xtendbarre.com
Address: 8254 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90046
Length: 60 minutes
Price: 1 class/$25, 10 classes/$220, month unlimited/$210
Sweat scale: medium
Energy level: medium

Barre is one of my favorite workouts because it is what got me into this fitness studio craze in the first place. I have studios that I attend on the reg (check my Instagram to figure them out…) but it took me a while to give Xtend Barre a chance. Continue reading →