A Month of ClassPass – Injecting New Life into Your Fitness Routine

I am not a fitness bunny. As a matter of fact, fitness is still the part of my healthy journey that I struggle with the most. I consider myself a very active person but I often struggle to get in more focused periods of exercise.

I also have some workout fears; I don't love a gym, I feel intimidated by machines, I am intimidated by gym rats, and I don't own a super swanky workout wardrobe. These are all reasons that I oftentimes don't work out.

I challenged myself to train and compete in a Spartan Race last November to actively work on some of my fitness phobias. I loved it and did fantastic. When the race was over I hit a rut.

I knew it was time to mix things up again when I went to my junky gym across the street from my apartment and got turned away because my membership had expired 3 months earlier. Oops <<hanging my head in shame>>

So ClassPass seemed like the perfect opportunity to reinvigorate my fitness world and try some new classes.

Holy Cannoli you guys, it was incredible!

ClassPass is a monthly service that gives members access to the best fitness studios around. A one stop shop for literally some of the most coveted classes in the city! For $99/month you can choose up to 10 classes per month.

In a span of a few weeks I was able to stretch myself both physically and mentally and above all else inject some much needed new joy and energy into my workout routine.

I found that scheduling my classes ahead of time was fundamental.

I have a motto- “if it isn't scheduled it doesn't exist.” I can have the best laid intentions to go out for a run or go to the gym but if I don't schedule it into my calendar there is a very high likelihood that I will not make it a priority. Do you find that's a road block in your fitness journey?

I also really loved the variety of classes. In all honestly this was the most productive workout month of my life because I was having fun! My fitness philosophy is very much in tune with my healthy eating philosophy “you aren't going to do it if you perceive it as a negative experience” when working out starts to feel like a chore, or mundane and negative, mix it up!

What kind of classes did I take?

Take heed,ClassPass can feel overwhelming at first, because there are just so many incredible classes to choose from. In the beginning I had to really take time to decide what classes couldn't be missed and then work from there.

MyClassPass highlight reel:

Aqua Cycling was by far my favorite class. It was essentially a spin class, under water. How cool is that?!?!? It was challenging but not so much so that I wanted to throw up. I felt so in touch with my body in the water and found I was able to push harder than I do in other classes. I took aqua cycling twice, both times with instructor Lucie. Lucie was, in a word, wonderful.

Shrink Session at The Movement –  Erin Stutland, the instructor and creator of Shrink Session, is an incredible bundle of immense positive energy. The class is a hybrid dance/cardio/yoga-ish/kick-boxing class meets positive mantras. I know that may sound odd but it is really worth a try.  It was held at a new studio in Chelsea called The Movement absolutely worth checking out! I also noted many different body sizes and shapes in this class, that is always a welcome sight to me.

Revolve Spin Class – I did it. I took my first ever spin class and aside from having no idea how to unhook my shoes from the bike at the end of class (I thought I was going to be stuck there all night, panic did indeed set in) I not only survived, but dare I say thrived? The instructor was Jason Tran and he had more energy and sass then should be allowed in one person. Jason had a killer playlist, which I have been told is essential to a good spin class.

Fluid Feminine Movement – S Factor – This studio is best known for it's pole dancing classes, which I was a bit too timid to try, but this class sounded intriguing and boy was it ever. It was essentially a very slow and sensual movement class, unlike anything I've ever done before. There were only 3 women in the class, myself, another girl around my age, and a 64 year old woman totally owning her feminine power! The instructor (I'm sorry but I totally forget her name) reminded us throughout the class to embrace our gorgeous curves. Ok I will 🙂

PureBarre – I've taken a bar class in the past but I must mention the instructors and staff at PureBarre on the Upper West Side were so dang nice!! I hated the music though, it was gunk-gunk-gunk-hard-hitting-club music, not exactly my jam, but obviously that's a personal thing.

And finally I took a few yoga classes and a bootcamp class to round it all out.

I already have a list of 10 more classes I want to try!

If you are like me and have some funky gym issues or could use a little invigoration in your fitness routine then I highly recommend giving ClassPass a try. Grab all the info and sign up here.

Who knows maybe we will see each other in a class sometime 😉