Armistice at Lithe Method

Category:  Strength, Core

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

Intensity:

Cardio:

Tighten & Tone:

Total: 

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

Intensity:

Cardio:

Tighten & Tone:

Total: 

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!

Lithe is for Lovers

Category:  Cardio, Strength

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

Intensity:

Cardio:

Tighten & Tone:

Total: 

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.

www.mainlinetoday.com

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!

www.healthysimplesmart.com

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!

What's Your Workout Personality?

So you've made up your mind- 2014 is your year to get healthy, get focused, and get fit. Now what? Setting out a clear strategy for achieving your goals is key to reaching them, but in order to do this, you need to acknowledge where you are starting from and what your workout personality is. If you hate to run, don’t fool yourself into thinking that you will get up and run five days a week. How about spinning three days a week and running one? If you haven’t worked out in two years, don’t set yourself up for disappointment by starting out in the highest intensity class. Build your strength and stamina in a class that you will actually enjoy, and make that high intensity class goal number one. No matter what your starting point and personal preferences, there is a plan for you— here are just a few suggestions to get you started.

So you’re a bit rusty… You haven’t picked up your sneakers in years, so what! For the last three years I have sworn that I would never step foot in a yoga studio. My friends love it, not for me… or so I thought. Until I learned that I was going to be a bridesmaid in June, and everything I read was telling me that nothing tones you up more than YOGA. Ugh! So with the ultimate goal in mind, I caved, and that Saturday morning I hiked myself (equipped with my new yoga mat/full gear… no one else needed to know I was a yoga rookie right??) right into Philly Power Yoga. Now I am HOOKED. Point being, don’t psych yourself out just because you haven’t done it in awhile or maybe never! Remember the end goal (toned arms by June), and just get out there.

You’re bored with your workout regimen… Find inspiration by trying something new. Its easy to get stuck in the same old routine, at the same place, at the same time, with the same teacher that you like. But your muscles get bored too. Bored muscles = zero results. So spice it up. Try a new studio, or better yet, try a studio that offers a wide variety of classes. Best suggestion? Lithe Method. 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. Yowza!

You’re an ex-athlete… And you swore the day you scored that game-winner in the Virginia state championships was the last time you would ever lace up those cleats (or sneakers or whatever). Be honest— you know you miss it! You just need to get those competitive juices flowing. One word: FLYWHEEL! An intense, heart beating out of your chest, drenched in sweat kind of workout that will leave you wanting more and more. PLUS you can choose to compete against your fellow classmates by having your name and total power score shown up on the screen throughout class. Even better— the first class is FREE so you have no excuse not to try it. Better get moving, because honestly, who doesn't love winning?!