Armistice at Lithe Method

Category:  Strength, Core

Target Zone:  Arms Location:  Rittenhouse, Main Line, Olde City

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We are officially in the countdown until summer...aka bikini wearing weather ladies! Along with tight abs and skinny thighs, we all really want those tight, toned and cut arms that look great in strapless dresses on summer nights. Well Armistice at Lithe Method is the answer!  Since I added Armistice to my weekly schedule, I've been borderline obsessed and can't wait to go back for more! Let me preface this by saying, this is not like other Lithe classes. There is little to no cardio, only light perspiration sweating, and no bands involved--BUT this class is legit! Armistice is a great class if you want to take a break from cardio, your legs are beginning to feel a little lethargic, or just 'don't feel like it.' For the fitness freaks, pair with running or spinning for a full body workout. 

The class starts out on the mat, mainly focusing on the arms with hand weight and abs. From there, the sequence goes in an intense abs series for about 10 minutes. The sweet relief after being done abs is like nothing else, especially when the instructor told us to stand up and drop our weight. What?! This is going to be easy! Just as my brain started buzzing that I should have worked out this morning, we went into an intense arms sequence sans-weights that had my arms begging for the end of class. I left class feeling toned and lean, the perfect first step to getting ready for Memorial Day Weekend!

Thigh High at Lithe Method

Category:  Strength

Target Zone:  Legs, Butt Location:  Rittenhouse

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I wasn't sure what to expect for Thigh High class at Lithe Method, but I signed up anyway under the impression that I've liked every class I've ever been to at the Rittenhouse studio. I walked in and looked around at all of the veterans in the class, who had a Svelte stick, aka a 4-foot wooden bar, at their spot, so naturally I followed their lead and grabbed one. The music began, everyone stacked their hands towards the top of the Svelte stick, and it was 60 minutes of grueling leg exercises. The beginning of the class started off with a brief warm-up, but I quickly started to understand why the class is called Thigh High. For one of the series, we stood in stiletto, squatted all of the way down to the ground, and back up verrrrry slowly...for 3 sets. That's when the legs really started to burn (and shake) and the sweat started to fall to the ground. I loved the challenging lower body exercises, but was disappointed by the after thought of upper body at the end of class.  I know Thigh High is very focused on the lower half, but I would've liked at least five minutes towards the end to focus on the upper body. Overall, I left the class happy with a good sweat, feeling tight and toned!

Dhyana Yoga : In the Treetops of Our Urban Jungle

Category:  Yoga

Target Zone:  Core, Arms, Legs Location:  Rittenhouse

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Wandering down Walnut Street, past the Apple Store and Urban Outfitters, among honking taxis, and boisterous highschool groupies hanging out on the street, it’s hard to believe that you are standing in front of a yoga studio. 1611 Walnut Street, Dhyana’s Rittenhouse location is situated in the middle of it all, but luckily, all you have to do to escape is go up. Through a secretive door to the left of American Apparel is an elevator which takes you up to the 4^thfloor, and far away from the raucous scene outside.

Hands down my absolute favorite thing about Dhyana was the fact that I didn’t have to sign up ahead of time. I just showed up, bought a very reasonable package ($30 for 3 weeks unlimited as a first-timer), and went into class. I feel like in today’s world that is practically unheard of. The growing population of healthy/ fitness crazed people (women in particular) has made getting into your favorite classes like survival of the fittest… literally. Even if I remember to sign up on the right day, if I don’t get to it until 9am I often still find myself on the wait-list. Insane! Anyway, all the more reason that being able to show up for a 630 class on a Monday night was refreshingly amazing.

The studio itself is big and open, with brightly painted walls, and mirrors lining one side of the room. It’s an older building and I loved the big open space. So since I generally have anxiety about not being able to find a space for myself in these classes, I was there a few minutes early, psyched and ready to go... but after waiting for 15 minutes for our teacher who was late, my feelings for Dhyana started to turn sour, and quickly. Now I know that things happen and though I tried to stay very zen and patient about it, I’m sorry but 15 minutes is a long time to sit and wait… especially during your precious minutes of allocated “exercise time”.

Once the teacher did get there, he made a joke about it and went on with class, which I guess is really all you can do. But honestly I’m not sure that I ever really got over my earlier frustration. Probably my fault for not being able to let it go, but my experience was definitely not what it could have been. The class itself flowed well, however (per my review about Amrita and my general disliking for classes heavy on inversions) it felt like there was a lot of time spent upside down, or for me a lot of time spent watching other people go upside down. Ultimately, it wasn’t the sweat or experience that I had hoped for.

All in all, I think it was an unfortunate coincidence that my first time at Dhyana wasn’t their best showing and I am definitely going to go back and give it another try. The location, the studio, the people were all great AND knowing that I don’t even have to sign up ahead of time makes the possibility of a last minute drop-in all the more likely. 

Unite Fitness: Twelfth Street Treasure

Category:  Cardio, Strength, Yoga

Target Zone:  Legs, Arms, Core Location:  Midtown Village

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We LOVE Unite Fitness. It's intense and results driven, designed to improve your endurance, strength, and flexibility... all in just an hour and fifteen minutes. Each class is a special cocktail of cardio, strength, and stretching - testing your stamina, keeping you motivated, and strategically working to improve your overall fitness at a rapid speed. Intrigued? You should be. Whether you're a competitive athlete, or someone who dabbled on a high school JV team, if you want to take your fitness to the next level, Unite will help you do it. 

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Break it down.  30 mins of cardio, 30 mins of strength training, and 15 of yoga/stretching. That's the standard "Cross-Training" class (not to be confused with CrossFit!!), however there are different series (A,B, C, D and Express) where you will have slightly different allocations of time. My personal favorite: Cross-Training D. 45 minutes of heart pumping out of your chest cardio. Go to this Saturday morning class and you will feel totally OK enjoying the rest of your weekend knowing that you worked for that R&R.. and bottle of wine on Saturday night :)
     Part One: Cardio. In the "cardio room" you will find a fleet of treadmills, spin bikes and rowers. The choice is yours as to what machine you want to use, so choose wisely. In some classes the cardio segment will involve stations on each (or maybe even the seven flights of stairs in the hallway). In this portion of the class the teachers set the parameters and structure for your workout; giving you a target pace (as a % of your max speed), incline and time for each interval, but it's up to you to set your own speed. So PUSH it. But really, with the teacher pacing around and checking your speed, a guy next to you grimacing in all out exertion, and music pumping all around you... You won't be slacking off. 
    Part Two: Strength. Don't be fooled into thinking that once the cardio is over its an easy ride to the finish-line. It's not. This segment is essentially a circuit training class, incorporating weights, bands, TRX, and other functional resistance exercises to tighten and tone, strengthen and build muscle. In conjunction with the cardiovascular benefits of the cardio segment, this element of strength training will help keep your metabolism ramped up and burning for long after you leave the gym.
    Part Three: Stretch. After your cardio and strength circuits, its time to slow it down. Focusing on flexibility is essential to preventing injury, and lengthening the muscles that you have just worked out during class. On top of these physical benefits, your mind will be ready for a break too! A quick meditation at the end of class allows you to lay back, close your eyes, and just allow your body to feel the benefits of the major workout that you just rocked.

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On the people. The trainers at Unite are legit. Seriously. These aren't just instructors who have gone through a Unite teacher course, every single one of their trainers are certified personal trainers... These guys (and girls) know their stuff but they aren't just kick-butt trainers, they are also SO friendly, helpful and welcoming. I walked in for the first time and they already knew my name--did I have "new girl" written all over my forehead? Probably... But whatever, the teacher immediately came and introduced himself, set me up on a treadmill, explained everything that we were going to be doing, and made sure I was totally good to go. And it didn't stop there. All through class he was checking in to make sure I was good, and afterwards took a solid 10 minutes to walk me through all of the different package options and benefits that come with becoming a Unite member. Love the personal service.

Packages/Pricing.  First class is FREE. Just go onto the website and sign up. You will get an email from an instructor asking what class you want to take and then all you have to do is show up! After your first class, if you think this is something you want to stick with, it definitely makes sense to buy some sort of package. Yearly and monthly memberships are a good option if you think you will make it to at least 3 classes a week (which is ideal to see results quickly, but also can be tough to accomplish). You can also buy 10 class packages or just stick with the Drop-In option. 

Specific class and teacher reviews to come soon! Enjoy!

SNOW DAY!

SNOW DAY!!!!! The universally anticipated, appreciated and celebrated occasion that immediately invokes memories of sledding, hot chocolate and pure happiness. What could be better?! The holiday almost requires comfort food, warm drinks, fireplaces, good books / movies, fun with friends, and if you’re anything like me… definitely a bottle (or two) of yummy red wine. By nature, these days generally get a healthy living “pass” since… It’s a snow day!! I get it and totally agree. However, what could be better than posting up on the couch, at the table, or in the bar, knowing it’s a snow day and you STILL did something to positively contribute to your fitness regimen.

No Gym Required. Let’s be honest, if the gym is more than 20 ft from your front door today, it will take a lot of discipline to get you there. No worries. Just do SOMETHING. Here are some thoughts.

Be Creative. Ok so maybe you don’t get in your scheduled 5 mile run today. There's a foot of snow on the ground… It’s ok! Improvise and remember that just moving in some capacity provides a benefit to your body. Roll out a yoga mat or towel, push your couch out of the way and you’ve created your own mini studio.

35 Minute Living Room Workout:

- 10 Minutes: Stretch. Wake up your muscles slowly. Listen to your body and give everything time to warm up. Your muscles know its a snow day too!

- 15 Minutes: Cardio Intervals. 1 minute on, 30 seconds off (then repeat the circuit)

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1) Walking Plank: Get yourself into push up position. Slow and controlled, lift your right hand and left leg, keeping both straight and tight. Release and switch to the other side. Continue to alternate and remember to keep that core tight!

2) Standing Mountain Climbers. No time for vanity when there’s a workout to be done. Although I am yet to see a graceful looking standing mountain climber (feel free to prove me wrong), this one is a killer. Standing tall, reach up with your right hand while lifting your left knee in towards your chest, as if you are climbing an imaginary ladder. Alternate and pick up the pace, this one is for speed.

3) Side Lunge with Leg Lift. Start with your feet together, step out into a wide stance bending your right leg. Get that butt down and touch your foot with both hands while simultaneously lifting your left toes off of the ground. Come back to center and do the same over to the left side (lifting right toes). Try to keep a steady pace.

4) Burpees. Start in a standing position. Lean forward putting both hands on the ground, step or jump both feet back so you are in a push-up position. (Optional— Add a push-up here). Jump both feet back up to your hands and stand back up. Continue this way and pick up the pace!!

5) Tricep Dips. Find a chair, couch, or any hard and stable surface. Sit on the edge and place your hands, facing forwards on either side of your butt. Walk your legs out so that your knees are at a 90 degree angle over your ankles and slide your butt forward off of the seat. Lower yourself down so that your elbows are now at a 90 degree angle and push up. Dip away and feel the burn in those triceps.

- 10 Minutes: Cool Down Stretch

The Non "Workout" Workouts

Shoveling. Necessary AND a great workout! Not only will you get some major brownie points but you’ll burn some major calories as well. Spend an hour shoveling your driveway / sidewalk / walkway and you will feel even more deserving of that indulgent lunch (which we all know is a must on a snowy day).

Sledding. You know you want to go. Let your inner kid shine and grab the sleds, hit the hills, and work for that hot toddy that you’ve been thinking about ever since you heard there was a snow storm brewing. You’ll have so much fun on the ride down that you won’t even realize you are actually doing wind sprints to get back to the top of the hill… over and over again. (Looking for a hill in the city — try to Art Museum steps!!)

Sweaty With A Side of Zen : Anjali Power Yoga

Category:  Yoga

Target Zone:  Core, Arms, Legs Location:  Rittenhouse / South Street Intensity:

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Did you know that Forbes Magazine recently ranked Philadelphia as the third best city in the US for practicing yoga?? Venture down to the Linc on a winter Sunday and you might find that hard to believe… Yogi’s by day, aggressive (or as I’d prefer to call it “passionate”) sports uber fans by night. Only in Philly. But seriously, recently I feel like it’s hard to walk two blocks without seeing at least one yoga studio. Eager yogi’s hustling past with their stretchy pants and yoga mat backpack in tow is a pretty standard occurrence these days. I don’t need anymore proof- the yoga scene in Philadelphia is booming, no doubt. And so, even though I still love my Saturday mornings at Philly Power Yoga with Steve Gold, I decided to stretch my wings and venture down to South Street and Anjali Yoga. 

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You’ll Feel Right At Home. Literally, you are pretty much in the owners living room- she lives right upstairs! My first time at Anjali I opened the front door and suddenly had this “oh-my-god I think I just entered someone’s house instead of the yoga studio” feeling. Luckily that was not the case, but don’t be alarmed when you walk inside and wonder if you are in the right place.. You are! The hospitable and communal feel of Anjali will put you immediately at ease, allowing you to sit back, find your zen, and get ready to sweat. 

No-Frills, No Problem. Remember, this is about the yoga! While the aesthetics may be less glam than you will see in other spots around town, the charming simplicity of Anjali makes the experience feel even more authentic. And after a few vinyasas, the only thing on your mind will be how you’re possibly going to get through 75mins of the sweat bath that you are entering. 

Get Ready To Sweat. Make sure to bring an extra towel and lots of water, because the combination of a heated room (usually to around 90 degrees) and the vinyasa flow style will have you dripping by your first down dog. Love it, and embrace it. When you walk home feeling like you’ve just cleansed every toxin out of your body, you’ll be happy you stuck with it. 

Male-Friendly. In my mind, seeing guys in a yoga class can mean one of two things. Either its a super athletic, ultra sweaty, awesome workout OR... there's a super hot teacher. It's a pretty basic equation (sorry guys). The class I most often attend is Monday nights with John Wylie, and while he is really great, I think it’s option # 1. So while I know "yoga" can be a tough one for guys, the teachers at Anjali make the experience that much more enjoyable AND beneficial by offering multiple variations of every pose. This isn't a mirror lined studio so you won't have to see yourself struggling to get into that elusive pidgeon-pose, and most importantly- you won't be alone!

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Multiple Locations. Work in the burbs? Or looking for a place to stop on your way home from the city? Anjali offers multiple studio locations making it that much easier for you to find a time and place to squeeze a session into your daily routine. I have only experienced the South Street studio, however Anjali also has studios in Westmont, Maple Shade AND in those summer months... Avalon too!

It’s A Steal. The first-timer deals at Anjali are so good that you really have no excuse not to sign up. First month unlimited classes for $50, or 10 days of unlimited classes for just $20. Don’t feel like committing? Drop-ins are a perfectly reasonable $12 per class. Bottom line: Anjali will leave you feeling all the benefits of a toxin-cleansing, muscle lengthening and body strengthening workout, without feeling a major hit to your bank account. 

Brazen Boxing: Don't Let the Smell Scare You

Category:  Boxing

Target Zone:  Arms, Core Location:  Olde City

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I’d been wanting to try this studio forever, so I finally grabbed the old boxing gloves and made the push to Olde City and Brazen Boxing. I’ve boxed 1 on 1 with a personal trainer in the past, but never in a group setting, so I was excited to see what this was all about. I went to the Women’s Boxing class with Jess and it ended up being a tad on the instructional side.

On the studio? 

Where is this place? 45 North 3rd Street, 3rd floor (above Sweat Gym). If you feel like you’re walking into a side entrance of the Olde City Sweat location, you’re in the right place. Walk up the narrow staircase and Brazen Boxing is located on the third floor.

First impressions? My first thought -- this place smells awful. I mean like really bad. It takes a few minutes to adjust, but you’ll soon realize that it’s just because this place will make you sweat-- I can get over the smell knowing that I’m definitely going to get a good workout.

Don’t let the boys scare you. The first time I walked in, two guys were going at each other in the ring. Eakkkk do I have to get in there? NO. The Women’s Boxing Class is completely different, focusing more on form and fundamentals, rather than kicking each other in the face.

On the class? 
Warm-up. Class starts with dynamic stretching and individual air punching. I feel like this is where Jess watches and assess where you’re at with your form and body awareness.

Put your hands up. Lots of skill building exercises, learning the right way to throw a punch, how to avoid a punch, how to cover your face, how to position your legs, etc. It’s important to learn these fundamentals, so when you get to the “real stuff,” you do it right.

Cardio hit. Just when I was thinking I should’ve run before class, the last twenty minutes crushed me. We did three minute segments of bag boxing, four times, with suicides in between. My heart jumped out of my chest and made me regret why I was ever complaining about the class being “easy.” 

Stretching. We finished the class with a group stretch to elongate the tightened muscles. Two thoughts: Why won’t my arms stop shaking? and I can’t wait for the next class.

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On the teacher? 
Funny. I want to be best friends with Jess. She’s not only badass, but she is hilarious, making jokes the entire time. Trademark of a great class!

Form. Jess doesn’t joke around about form. She takes the time to explain every detail of each move-- sometimes seems like a little much-- but she won’t let you do anything unless it’s done right. 

Knowledgeable. She knows what she’s talking about and there is a purpose for each move—air punching, 1 on 1 drills, recoveries, bag punching, sprinting, etc. There is rhyme and reason for every exercise and Jess is excellent at explaining the WHY throughout class.

Overall 
While I loved the technicality of the exercises we did (and understand why we did them), I did need a bit more of the heart racing intensity to make the whole hour worth the while. Maybe a few more intervals throughout class before coming back to boxing drills, letting our heart rates shoot up and come back down would help me leave the class feeling a little more fulfilled. I’ll definitely go again, but glad to know the breakdown of the class.