Amy FriendJune 27, 2016

There are two important elements to creating an effective workout routine. The first is consistency, and the second is a good balance of endurance and strength workouts. I am happy to be part of a community where both are created and supported. Each of the different workouts has its own specific focus and the benefits that you receive help you in the other workouts. For example, building a strong core in TRX classes helps to give you the solid foundation for proper technique in resistance training. And, similarly, building strength with weight lifting gives you the stamina to perform better in a TRX class. Muscle strength is the ability to exert maximal force in a short time while muscle endurance is the ability to do something for an extended period of time without getting tired.

Our training sessions offer a variety of well-rounded exercises that improve strength, endurance and overall fitness. Group exercise classes build as much mental discipline and strength as they do physical. Each class offers its own unique physical challenge while supporting the other workouts. And the common thread through them all is a mindset to do your best, be open to exercise coaching from others and encourage everyone. The incredible combination of the physical and mental games makes it possible to get through some very challenging workouts.

The strong emphasis on proper form, effectiveness and fun is the foundation our workouts are built on. Our rhythm spin classes are led by incredible instructors who keep members at a steady cadence as they build power and speed in a fun environment. Your ride will find you climbing at a heavy resistance followed by intervals of all out sprinting. The group energy is one that allows everyone to feel supported and pushed to have an amazing cardio workout.

Drop-saddle spinning (no sitting for an hour) is a beast all on its own. This class will challenge you like no other indoor cardio does. Instructor Sharon takes you on a journey that you’re not sure you will return from. She may start the class by saying, “Today we are going on an endurance ride” or “Today is your confidence booster”. Whatever the mental focus, the physical ride is challenging. This class will improve your cardiovascular endurance by keeping your heart racing and your breathing elevated. Many people equate it to a good run – without the stress on your knees and body. Sharon’s super motivating coaching and encouragement is what gets you through.

TRX classes are my personal favorite. I love leading a class that gets everyone wondering what I will come up with next! TRX is multi-level class allowing anyone to participate. Each person can vary their angle or up their intensity to challenge themselves. Using your own body weight helps to build muscle tissue that will in turn help to strengthen bones and improve bone density. Choreographed routines to music provide a cardio aspect to the workout and gets your heart pumping, while planks and balancing on a ball take your core strength and mental focus to the next level… every time!

The Saturday morning classes can be anything. It might be track, plyometrics, TRX, spin or a combination of them all. The two things you can count on are that they will be incredibly effective and super fun.

Lastly, the Sunday resistance sessions – designed and directed by our very own, Keith Jones! This is where the weightlifting, core training, cardio and strong mental game all come together. It includes tried and true exercises like squats, pull-ups and dips and relatively new core and balance exercises like TRX and plyometrics jumps. We describe the session in one word, “filthy”. There may be as many as 6 groups of 3 to 4 partners; yet, Keith has partnered together people in a way that creates a positive and contagious energy. The workout is structured and it moves smoothly and efficiently. The pace of the session improves endurance while each exercise builds strength. Everyone leaves the gym feeling as if they could have never completed the session without all the support and encouragement of the group.

Each of these training sessions alone would produce solid results for the participant. But it’s how each unique class makes you stronger for the other ones that enables our workouts to produce extraordinary results.

Amy