Philly Power Yoga and Thrive Pilates

Category:  Yoga

Target Zone:  Legs, Arms, Core Location:  Rittenhouse

Intensity:

Cardio:

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The space. At 20th and Walnut, you can't miss the big sign that reads Philly Power Yoga and Thrive Pilates. Enter the front door, press the buzzer, and head up the steps into the studio--PPY on the first floor and Thrive on the second floor. There's plenty of space to drop your belongings before class, but there aren't any lockers. There are two tiny changing areas for a quick change, but no private area to shower or change for work. Bottom line: It's definitely not the fanciest studio, but it gets the job done. 

Flexible Scheduling. They have several classes throughout the day, especially on the weekends, so it's easy to find something that will fit your schedule. It's not one of those places that you where you need to sign up for classes weeks before. Who knows their schedule two Thursdays from now anyway?? You can easily sign up the day before (and usually day of), making it easy on your schedule. Need to cancel? Make sure you do it 3 hours before the scheduled class or you'll lose a class from the package purchased. 
Easy on my Pockets. The first class is free and there are several amazing, affordable packages that are definitely worth purchasing. Unlimited PPY and Thrive classes for just $165 a month-- not only do you get a variety of classes, but it's also one of the best deals in the city! Also keep your eyes and ears peeled for Gilt City and similar discounts for even better deals! I recently bought a 5 for $50 package that expired within a month. As the days were winding down, I realized I still had 3 classes left and only two days until the expiration. I reached out to extend the package for a few extra days, and they gave me another month within in minutes! 

The not so great stuff. The good definitely outweighs the bad, but I do have to say the classes can get packed. The mats are practically touching in some classes, and while I normally don't mind this, it can get a little tight. I've accidentally smacked arms doing some of the more intricate moves during yoga, and nearly kicked the girl next to me during Cardio Kickboxing in the Thrive studio. The other thing that drives me crazy is the constant buzzing you can hear throughout class, specifically towards the end of the class as the next group is filing in. The studio is not sound proof and it can be distracting to hear buzzing as you're trying to Ommmm. 
Yoga Lovers, Listen Up. Philly Power Yoga offers a retreat in Costa Rica for a week filled with yoga, surfing, and connecting! The week also includes organic meals to complete the total retreat experience. For all of the yogi lovers, check out more details on their website. 

The Seven C's of Cardio Kickboxing at Thrive

Category:  Cardio

Target Zone:  Total Body Location:  Rittenhouse

Intensity:

Cardio:

Tighten & Tone:

Total: 

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!!

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?!