Body Cycle Studio

Category:  Cardio

Target Zone:  Legs, Butt, Core Location:  Rittenhouse

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Good vibe. Body Cycle Studio is one of those studios where you walk in and feel right at home. At 19^th and Chestnut, above Breakaway Bikes, this studio is a no frills, fun vibe, inclusive, good energy, great music, kind of place. Challenging classes. Cool instructors. You’ll want to work hard and leave with a good sweat. It is definitely one of the studios with an extremely loyal following of riders. This cult-like group walks around Rittenhouse with their “Team Body Cycle” shirts (kidding) and really help make BCS what it is --a home away from home.

The scene. Check in at the top of the steps with a friendly employee before entering the studio. There’s not really a locker room or changing room, just a few benches and cubbies to store your things. The actual spin studio is separated by a divider from the waiting/changing area so there is very little separation from the actual class and the riders waiting for the next class. Not the biggest deal, but it can be an issue when the next class is filing into the waiting room as your class is finishing up. 

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The studio. The studio is pretty bare bones. While they have made some recent upgrades (new fans, more bikes, new sound system), it’s not a high tech studio with a lot of technology and fancy facilities. The bathroom has one shower and it’s not the greatest. Bottom line, it’s fine for going to class and a quick change afterwards, but I wouldn’t want to shower or hang out there any longer than needed. All of the bikes have monitors on them showing resistance and RPM-- the instructors will coach you through the class and tell you where you should be, which holds you personably accountable. The only problem is that you cannot see where you stand compared to the rest of the class. I’m crazy competitive and I love the rush of competing with other riders, so that’s definitely something missing during my spin experience at BCS.

Great variety of challenging classes. One of the great things about BC is the variety of different classes they offer. There are classes ranging from 45 to 90 minutes on the schedule—90 minutes, seriously? YES! Try it, you will feel like a rockstar afterwards (and you can eat anything you want J) . There are also theme rides, charity rides, and clinics offered—most recently, a Superbowl theme ride, a Madonna theme ride, Lactate Threshold Clinic, etc. Body Cycle Studio also throws a few parties throughout the year, which are a great chance to meet other riders and the instructors in a social setting.

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Russell Carter. The owner. He’s amazing and is one of the main reasons I love this place. He is at the studio regularly and is always introducing himself to people and asking for feedback on BCS. He is also really flexible, as far as membership packages go. Recently, I couldn’t use my classes before they expired and he extended the package I purchased no questions asked.

Pricing/ Packages. First ride is FREE. New to spinning? There is a 20-minute intro class every Sunday at 12:30pm to teach the basics and get you acclimated to a general spinning class. After that, they offer 10 rides for $152 and 20 rides for $278 with even lower prices for student packages—wowzas! Their prices are insanely affordable and totally worth committing to a larger package.  

The Seven C's of Cardio Kickboxing at Thrive

Category:  Cardio

Target Zone:  Total Body Location:  Rittenhouse

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Cardio. Let me start by saying Cardio Kickboxing at Thrive Pilates is awesome and I cannot wait to go back again! I love any workout that lets me punch things—it’s the best therapy (for your brain and bod). This class is a high impact workout that mixes fun and challenging interval exercises with tightening and toning. I was shocked by how hard it actually was though! I brought a bottle of water with me to class, set it down on the floor, and didn’t touch it again until the class was over. We were moving fast through the drills, and there was only one break, with encouraged individual breaks throughout class. Normally, this would make me crazy, but my adrenaline was pumping so hard I barely even thought about stopping for a rest (although I was pretty glad to stop kicking when the class ended). 

Core. The last ten minutes of the class has 3-4 intense exercises that fire up the core…YES! You need to partner up with someone you don’t know—brings you back to middle school days when the teacher made you team up with someone you weren’t friends with, but a little less severe because we’re all “adults” now. Love ending a heart-pumping class with a little core! 

 Connection. The instructor, Gina, makes a point to connect with everyone in the class and will spend the first few minutes going through names and trying to make a relationship with every single person. You’re stuck in the back and don’t feel like you will get the same attention as the front row? Not the case. Gina actually remembers names (don’t know how she does it) and will motivate each person out throughout class. 

Crowded. This class is packed! No personal space combined with high kicks and punches seemed like a recipe for disaster. My sidekick was inches away from hitting the CD player, which would have been beyond awks, but everyone in the class is pretty conscious of space. You may feel claustrophobic at times, but this class is definitely worth it! 

Counting. There’s A LOT of counting, but don’t worry you only need to be able to count down from 8. First thing Gina says is “I know you think counting makes you uncool, but I already think you’re uncool so everyone has to count!” I’ll admit I’m definitely not a counter during class, but I was into it and counting loudly. Everyone does it and it actually helps with the flow of class! 

 Correcting. Yes the class get’s very packed, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get the attention you deserve. Gina takes the time to correct everyone’s form throughout class and makes sure everyone stays on the same page. The one personal correction I got from her, to raise my hands higher in front of my face, immensely helped because it improved my balance and focus for the rest of class. 

Cool. No, not in temperature (it get’s pretty sweaty in there). The instructor is really cool. Her music, enthusiasm, and expertise kept the class motivated and excited for the entire hour. No wonder she has a cult following of people that love her class.

Valentines Day 2K14

Couples who sweat together, stay together. Kind of cheesy I know, but its true. Nothing brings you closer than getting through a grueling class, going on a nice run, or just spending time together on a leisurely walk. Whatever it is that works for you, get out and do it...together. "But he can't keep up" you might say (not that I have EVER thought that myself) but sometimes its not about whether you could have run faster or gone for longer. Bonding with your S.O (a term that I just learned the other day, Significant Other) over fitness and health is such a special thing, and whether it's making you get out of bed in the morning for a 6am class, or providing the moral support you need to say "no" to the french fries .. Sharing that passion for health and fitness with the person you love most is really just fun. Especially because it opens up a ton of options when it comes to mixing up the average dinner and a movie date night.  So, in honor of this holiday and in the interest of saying goodbye to the inevitable stir craziness that has most definitely set in by now, here are a few unconventional dates that will not only give you some Q.T. with your S.O but will also get you moving towards your fitness goals... together.  1) Bundle up and go for a winter wonderland adventure. Yes its a bit cold and maybe a little wet, but once you get past that part of it, walking down the middle of snow covered streets of a usually hustling and bustling city is one of the most fun and romantic things. If you can make it, try to get down to the Schuykill Banks trail. We made it down there today (with our faithful hound) and had the best time. 

2) Take a Flywheel class. Nothing like a little "friendly" competition to start off your date night. Not sure about you but nothing makes me happier than beating my handsome fiancé (in just about anything). Depending on your confidence level, take this opportunity to make a little wager on your results. Winner buys the first round, makes breakfast in bed, I don't know... you can figure this one out for yourself ;)  3) Steam things up at Philly Power Yoga. Saturday morning with Steve Gold is my favorite class at Philly Power Yoga and a great way to cleanse yourself of any toxins which I hope you will be consuming tomorrow night. Take an extra shirt/change of clothes and go straight to a fun brunch afterwards. Why end the date night festivities on Friday?!  ALSO... The best part about all of these ideas?? You don't actually need a Valentine for any of them! Go solo or grab some friends and the experience will be equally as fun and equally as impactful to your fitness goals.  Happy Valentines Day!!

A Dose of Culture With Your Wednesday Night Workout : Yoga in the Art Museum

This is why I love our city so much. A yoga class, taught inside one of the most beautiful, world-class art museums in the country, by a fabulous teacher from Dhyana Yoga?! Pretty incredible! So since by most accounts the apocalypse is coming tomorrow in the form of yet another snow/ice storm, I figured there was no time like the present to check it out. 

What to Know. While its pathetic to admit, I can't say I'm exactly a pro when it comes to navigating the cultural landmarks of our city ... and by "not a pro" I mean, pretty much all I know about the Art Museum is that the steps out front are a great part of my exercise routine, the bootcamps that meet out there at 6am and on summer nights look intriguing, and its a gorgeous piece of the Philadelphia historical landscape. Where to find the Grand Hall Stairway Balcony? Absolutely no clue. And walking in with my Lulus, winter boots, and yoga mat in tow, I must say I felt a bit like a fish out of water. That only lasted a minute though as I was quickly greeted by a Museum volunteer who directed me to exactly where I needed to go, and told me what I needed to do: First, buy a General Admissions Ticket, which on Wednesday nights are "Pay What You Want".  Then walk up one flight of stairs, turn left and you can't miss it... Spread all across the "balcony" was a sea of yoga mats and a friendly teacher, Emily, from Dhyana Yoga greeting everyone as they came in. Important to note ** Get there a little early to get a good spot! I was a bit late and ended up on the end which happened to be right in front of the elevator. Definitely surprised a few unsuspecting Museum-goers when the doors opened and there I was in full Down Dog! HELLO! 

Bottom Line. This class is all about the experience. If you're a hard core yogi looking for a challenging practice and a cleansing sweat, you should probably get it in before heading to the Museum. If you are someone looking for a different kind of week night activity / a fun way to get some culture in with your workout, this is perfect. Make it social and plan a fun dinner somewhere nearby.... You probably won't need to shower before because there isn't too much sweating going on! I'm sure the fact that it is 10 degrees outside wasn't helping.. but the room was a bit chilly. Even though it is classified as a Vinyasa Flow class, this is definitely on the more "restorative" side as opposed to a "power flow". However, the teachers do change weekly so other teachers may have a different style than Emily. Either way, coming from a girl who likes her sweaty power flow, this experience was enough to outweigh the lacking "sweat factor". So as long as you know what to expect (aka if you need a hardcore workout, do it in the morning and then come to the Art Museum at night), it is definitely worth it!

Teacher Review: Anne Marie from Unite Fitness

Category:  Cardio, Strength

Target Zone:  Total Body Location:  Midtown Village

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On the teacher.

I love her.  This was my first class with Anne Marie at Unite Fitness and I cannot wait for the next. Super friendly and personable, I immediately liked her. Then within the first minute of class she was talking about the Grammy's and Justin Beiber... Liked her even more. Fast forward to the end of class, when I was drenched in sweat after 30 minutes of totally killer cardio, and 30 minutes of circuit training and I was in love. 

Personable. It's pretty simple... When teachers remember your name, you feel special. And when you feel special, you want to work harder because you don't want to disappoint your teacher. Right? Well Anne Marie remembers everyones name, and if she doesn't, she'll make sure to come up and ask you to remind her. Its a super effective strategy because throughout the whole class she will be using everyones first name to encourage and motivate. 

Challenging. So I will admit that I generally shy away from using heavier dumbbells in classes, having been forever scarred by my college lifting experience for lacrosse (can you say, freshman 30... of muscle?!). Building muscle, toning and sculpting is good. Getting bulked up is not on my agenda. Well Anne Marie was totally onto me. After about 30 seconds of the circuit training she came over and dropped off some heavier weights “just in case” I wanted to up my game. —I tried them and she was totally right. I loved that she took the initiative and wasn't afraid to give me the extra push I needed. Not only did I switch to the heavier weights, but knowing that she was watching that closely made me work that much harder for the rest of class to make her proud! 

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On the class.

Express Cross Training. Her 6 am Cross-Training Express class is a great way to kick off the week. It’s a half hour of insane cardio and a half hour of challenging strength training to get you in, out and on your way.

Innovative. During the cardio segment, we did a 3-minute steep incline walk for three minutes with our hands straight over our head. First thing I thought was.. Ok great, a little active rest. Well that was definitely not the case. Those 3-minutes were harder than my 100% sprint, and totally different than anything I would ever think to do myself. My heart was pounding out of my chest and my muscles had no clue what was going on-- which doesn't happen too often! 

Music. Great music for both segments of the class, mixing current music with a few remixes. She puts on whatever she feels like, but also plays to the crowd. At one point, she said how about we listen to some Selena Gomez? Someone in the crowd jokingly screamed out ‘Why???’ Clearly he wasn’t on board, so she was flexible and moved on from the teeny bop pop music genre to something else. 

All in All

I cannot say enough good things about Anne Marie-- she’s upbeat, encouraging, and teaches a killer class. I just wish she taught on Saturdays! However,  I will definitely be making an extra effort to get to her classes during the week. 

Let The Games Begin: Sochi Olympics Part One

The Olympics are HERE!!!! As we eagerly await the Opening Ceremonies tonight, having gotten a teaser last night of the excitement to come (even though I feel like those events weren't real because the opening ceremonies haven't happened yet??... sorry team figure skating) I have SO many things I want to share with you all. SO many things to talk about and stories to tell.  Coming from the girl who as a 5th grader painted a full-size portrait of myself with an Olympic gold medal on, lets just say, I love the Olympics. Still a little bitter that my parents didn't have me training on the giant slalom, or on the beach volleyball court as a young child (I don't discriminate, any sport would do), I am perpetually infatuated with the passion, pride, patriotism and the sheer athletic talent on display at the Olympic games. AH! Ok so before the games officially kick off, here are a few thoughts on my pre-Olympics prep / Opening ceremonies celebration.
Get your head in the game. Gear up for the Games by watching some of my favorite Olympics inspired flicks:
#1. Cool Runnings.  It doesn't get much better than this true story of the 1988 Jamaican bobsled team. (Spoiler Alert) The sight of these guys carrying the sled over the finish line never ceases to give me goosebumps... (and maybe a few tears). Be reminded of the true spirit of the Olympics watching this story of an eclectic group of Jamaican mis-fits take their Olympic hopes from a pipe dream into a reality. With a lot of laughs along the way. On a side note... for the first time since 2002, there is in fact a Jamaican bobsled team in Sochi. And with a story line that would fit in the movie script, the teams equipment didn't actually arrive in Sochi for two full days after the team did after getting put on a later flight!  Feel the Rhythm, Feel the Rhyme, Get On Up, It's Bobsled Time. Cool Runnings!!!!!!!!!!

#2. Miracle. Re-creating arguably the greatest sports moment of our time was no easy feat. However, Miracle succeeds, taking us back to 1980 and the US Hockey win over the Soviet Union, an Olympic memory etched in the minds of anyone lucky enough to witness this momentous event. The story is fit for a movie, except it actually happened in real life as the MAJOR underdog US team defeated the power house Russians at a moment in time when tensions between our two countries had never been higher. After watching this classic, you will no doubt be singing the national anthem a little louder and a little prouder this Olympic season. USA USA USA

Now for the party.  To appropriately ring in the 2014 Games, you need a festive celebration:
#1. Costumes. Red, white and blue everything. American flag shirts, shorts, jackets or vests would be ideal. Sweat bands are also great for an added effect. If you're really feeling festive, throw on some ski goggles to complete your look. Everyone loves a good prop for a theme party.
#2. Decor / Party Accessories. My two favorites. A full-size ice luge is SURE to be a major hit, and perfectly fitting for the theme. Hula hoop "Olympic rings" are also a fun way to give your party scene a great Olympic vibe... and makes for a fun activity/game as the night goes on. When's the last time you were in a hula hoop competition?? 
#3. DRINKS.  -Mix up some White Russians in honor of this years hosts. (Ingredients: 1.5 oz vodka, 3/4 oz Kahlua

Lithe is for Lovers

Category:  Cardio, Strength

Target Zone:  Total Body Location:  Olde City, Rittenhouse, Main Line

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What’s this all about? Lithe Method is an innovative, fun, and highly effective hour-long workout that burns mega calories through a mix of cardio, “cheer” inspired aerobics, and strength training exercises. Yeehaw! Using resistance bands (see below), a variety of props and your own body weight to tone and sculpt muscles quickly, while at the same time improving your cardiovascular stamina and endurance. Ok, so cheer inspired aerobics… What the heck is that you might ask? You kind of have to see for yourself, but my best attempt to describe it would be like jumping on your bed, dancing to your favorite song while no one is watching.. for a prolonged period of time. Important to note- dancing ability/cheer experience/any kind of rhythmic sense is 100% NOT necessary to get a great workout. All in all these classes are kind of like an awesome hybrid of all your more fundamental methods like pilates, barre, yoga, weights, and cardio—but with the Lithe spin on it, this workout takes them all to another level. And by another level, I mean you will pretty much walk out of class feeling like your butt should be completely tightened and toned- which makes it a win in my book. To be fair, just like any method you probably won’t wake up the next day looking like a new person, unfortunately, but if you stick with it and make Lithe a regular part of your regimen (as in go to class at least a couple of times a week, 3 or 4 would be ideal), you won’t have to wait long to see results. Bottom line? Time and money seriously well spent.

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Location. Convenience is key, but with Lithe the old “its too far away” excuse won’t fly because Lithe is everywhere. With studios in Rittenhouse (255 S. 17th St- 2nd floor), Olde City (219 Cuthbert St- 4th Floor), and on the Main Line (393 W. Lancaster Ave), you have no excuse not to pick the location nearest you and sign up!

Pampered. Who doesn’t to love be pampered? At Lithe you will be, starting with the Lithe employee who greets you as you walk in the door. This is especially helpful before the first class as you might be a little confused (like I was) when you see “The Medical Tower” on the side of the building. You are in the right place!  Once you are inside, the locker room is bright, airy, clean and they have plenty of space to de-layer and store your things. Essential when coming in from this freezing weather! Other fun extras: nice waiting area, incredible smelling essential oils, clean equipment, and delicious juices. Needless to say, I was swept off my feet.  

First class. Before taking any of the regular classes, a pre-requisite Lithe 101 must be completed. So if you’re anything like me, you’re first thought is probably: how annoying! But it’s actually not so bad—they teach you the basics and it’s less “scary” because everyone else is new too. Also don’t be fooled into thinking this will be an easy walk-through of a class, you will most definitely be getting a workout, so plan on a major sweat!

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Variety. The absolute best thing about Lithe is the assortment of classes they offer. Instructors are always switching up routines to make sure each class is special and unique. Don’t be overwhelmed by the number of different classes on the schedule-- Skinny Jeans, Pom, Armistice, High Waisted, Wings, Barlesque, and the list goes on. Try them all! You will not be bored and will wake up feeling soreness in muscles you didn't even know you had.

Do I need my pom-poms? Not physically no. As I said above, while the workout does incorporate some “cheerleading” aspects, it’s more about the total body cardio movements than the RA-RA-fight-team-fight atmosphere. That being said, be ready to do some high knees with your arms straight in the air (sans pom-poms and uniform). Trust me… If being the “cheer” type was a pre-req at Lithe, I would not be a part of the clientele!

Go Philly! Lithe founder Lauren Boggi opened her first studio in Philadelphia in 2005. Now with three studios that are bursting at the seams with devotees, she is spreading the Lithe brand to NYC and who knows, maybe beyond! I love that by going to Lithe I’m supporting a local Philadelphia start-up that is getting nationwide cred – go Lauren go!