Strong is the new Skinny
I would definitely categorize myself as a group fitness gal. Other than running, pretty much everything I do to work on my fitness is in a class or group setting. I’ve never really been very good about going to the gym and pushing myself to exhaustion on my own. That’s not to say I wouldn’t love the luxury of a personal trainer a couple days a week but it’s just not in the cards for me right now. Not without giving up a bit of Soulcycle, Minardi Training, hot yoga and some shopping....which I just am not willing to do.
I am happy to report that there is a class I have added to my weekly fitness routine that’s not a personal trainer, not a crowded class, not too expensive, yet it has all of the motivation, attention, accountability and fun of both personal and group training sessions, making it juuuuuuuuust right for this fitness goldilocks.
Back in April my friend Sarah asked me to join her to a class she was testing out for a potential sweat-working event. She prefaced it with "I think it's pretty intense" AND "it's on the Upper East Side". Truthfully, I was less concerned about the intense part and more focused on figuring out how to get alllll the way uptown in and around my already challenging daily commute from Brooklyn to my office in far west, may as well be Jersey, Chelsea. BUT I was still game as I am always happy to be her fitness partner/guinea pig and it's also one of the few things that will motivate me for the trek up to the UES.
We met on a Thursday morning on the corner of E. 80th St and Lexington Avenue at the Fhitting Room for 50 minutes of some UES HIT (High Intensity Training). Each class is instructed by two instructors and that morning we were pushed, encouraged and challenged by Eric "El Capitan" Salvador and Daury "Drossfit" Dross. It was in fact intense, but it was also soooooo much fun, such a kick ass workout, the 50 minutes class literally flew by and I was instantly hooked. I’m not gonna lie, I could barely walk the next day but that just made it all the more worthwhile and made me realize that I hadn’t been working on many, like muscles I didn't know existed, things that needed to be worked.
Aside from there never being more than 12 people to a class, 2 professional instructors, a spring loaded floor, and full body workout. Here's a bit more information (paraphrased from the Fhitting Room's website) on why iCARA about this class so much:
The Fhitting Room offers High Intensity Training (HIT) that delivers a comprehensive, body-changing workout in a small class environment. Each class is designed to be universal and equally effective regardless of gender, fitness level or experience. It is inclusive and adaptive, as each exercise can be modified providing a challenging and attainable workout for everyone.
It does not use treadmills, ellipticals or universal weight machines. Many of the exercises utilize nothing more than bodyweight for resistance and often utilize rowers, free weights, kettlebells, suspension trainers, plyo boxes, medicine balls, pull up bars and an occasional 400m sprint around the block.
Just about every class is different but each one includes a unique FHIX (Functional High Intensity Mix) of exercise moves that integrate five essential building blocks to deliver optimal results: (1) functional movements (2) strength training (3) high intensity intervals (4) total body focus and (5) highly varied exercises.
These workouts are not magic; they are well informed and deliberately crafted sequences of highly effective exercises that require maximum effort in exchange for noticeable results. You have to push yourself out of your comfort zone and allow the Fhitting Room team to challenge you.
Speaking of challenging....There are so many times that I have gone for a 7.5 or 10 lb. weight in class until I hear “Cara, are you kidding me?....no less than 15 for you girl” and I can assure you, it's not the little voices in my head. It's the voice of Daury, Eric or Ben pushing me to push myself to places, I may not have known, but they know I am capable of going. It’s the only way to spend less time exercising, burn more calories, and get much leaner in the process and that's probably what iCARA about the most.
Between the high intensity workout, personal attention and instructed assistance, lots of laughs, an occasional Backstreet Boys tune, a slow jamz cool down and some latin flare I simply love this class. So much so that I got my husband Scott to join me soon after my first class back in the spring. He is equally if not more enthusiastic about The Fhitting Room and there are weeks when he attends more frequently than I do. So, whether I go on my own,with Scott or Sarah it continues to be something I look forward to each week.
I personally think it’s more than worth the time and effort for this Downtown Brooklyn girl to boogie uptown for my "Fhix" but I was also psyched to hear that the Fhitting Room is opening a gorgeous new space this spring at 31 West 19th Street. It will have two studios and showers. Additionally, the second studio will provide the opportunity for more advanced classes, new class formats, as well as private and corporate group classes.
As the Fhitting room says, their doors are open to everyone, but they invite only those willing to leave it all on the mat! So for all my NYC friends looking for something new to add to your workout mix check it out. There is a FHIT Intro Offer for first time customers. Buy your first class for $35 and the second class is free. Such a deal!
Check out Scott and Sarah on CBS "Fhit" Minute with Eric Salvador (here)
For more on how the Fhitting Room combines High Intensity and Interval Training click (here)