With so many different approaches to fitness popping up in the Capital Region, there is literally something for everyone. Here’s an overview of some of the most popular workout trends right now.
TREAD BR is a boutique fitness studio offering hour-long, high-intensity group interval training, as well as classes based around the BOSU ball. The TREAD program combines treadmill-based cardio workouts, strength training and Pilates core exercises. It is for people of all ages and fitness levels—each TREAD class offers a walking, jogging or running level that can be controlled by both the trainer and the trainee, and with daily alterations to the speeds, inclines and floor exercises, no two classes are the same. With a maximum of 12 people in each class, it’s like having a personal trainer for a fraction of the cost.
Program cost: $25/class, or one month unlimited for $250. See website for complete pricing details.
Advantages: State-of-the art treadmills and equipment; limited class sizes; various pricing packages available.
What you won’t get: Multiple locations or a gym to use on your own time.
Results: Can routinely burn up to 1,000 calories per hour!
The “treadhead” says: “You never know what type of workout you’re going to get when you step into TREAD. That’s why I love it. One day you may be doing short, 3-minute speed intervals on the tread and dangling from TRX bands on the ground; the next day you may be running up and down hills and balancing on the BOSU with free weights. No workout is ever the same, no matter which class you go to!”—Emily Tate
Watch the video below for tips from Nicole Williamson of TREAD BR on how to get your body in shape for the beach.
BodyPump is an entire-body workout using barbells that challenges all major muscle groups. Weight-room exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls are routine during this 60-minute strength training program set to high-energy music. Each track challenges your muscles to exhaustion, promoting muscular endurance and cardio training. Plus, a new BodyPump class is released every three months!
Program cost: Free for members of Spectrum; gym memberships can be as low as $39/month with unlimited classes.
Advantages: Seven Spectrum locations throughout the area offering the class.
What you won’t get: A whole lot of diversity. It’s essentially the same workout for three months at a time.
Results: Noticeable muscle definition and loss of body fat, as well as strength gains.
The trainer says: “Upbeat, popular music sets the tone for this barbell workout that strengthens and tones your entire body in a fun group atmosphere!”—Leslie Mann, teacher at Spectrum Southdowns
Yoglates is a combination of calisthenics, yoga and Pilates to give a complete cardiovascular, strength, stretching and balancing workout. These poses and movements are designed to work the lymphatic as well as the internal organs of the body, in combination with the skeletal and muscular structure of the entire physique. The hour-long classes are performed in a heated room, which not only elevates the heart rate for cardiovascular benefits, but also allows the muscles to become more pliable and less likely to pull or become injured. In one hour, Yoglates is able to provide 60 minutes of resistance training, 60 minutes of cardiovascular training, and 60 minutes of stretching—and it changes every week, so your body is constantly “tricked.”
Program cost: $10/class; 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-month pricing available.
Advantages: No contracts! Pay as you go. Students are all ages and all levels.
What you won’t get: You won’t get the full meditative benefits of a traditional yoga class, or the complete core-intensive Pilates workout, but you will get a little bit of both.
Results: Burns up to 700 calories per hour. You’ll notice stress relief, increase in core strength, and a longer and leaner body.
The student says: “I know realistically, I will not do 75 push-ups or 100 squats alone, but being in the class, in the heat, with all of the energy of others, you do the work and push yourself … then get results, so you can’t complain about that!”—Elizabeth Allgood McKnight
CrossFit is a demanding, high-intensity workout designed to get participants in the best shape of their lives. The workouts consist of constantly varied, functional movements like push-ups, running, deadlifts and squats, flipping tires and throwing sandbags in a high-energy group setting. These and other elements are mixed to formulate the 20-minute “Workout of the Day,” or WOD, and fit into an hour-long class that also includes warm-up and stretching. The goal is “general physical preparedness,” and performance on WODs is often scored/ranked to encourage competition.
Program cost: Starting at $90/month; $15/class drop-in rate.
Advantages: No more wandering around the gym trying to figure out which exercise to do and how many reps. Plus, participants would be the ideal Hunger Games competitors!
Downside: One size fits all approach. Novices may train harder than they should in a group setting.
Results: The functional, everyday movements of CrossFit translate into everyday life. Participants will find it becomes easier to pick up their children, carry their schoolbooks or climb their apartment stairs.
The student says: “I love CrossFit because it’s so much more than going to a gym and doing cardio for an hour. I have a team of people competing against me, but cheering me on at the same time. I’ve never been stronger in my whole life…. I’ve also never been healthier and happier. The workouts prepare you for life, it’s just a bonus that you get into shape doing them.”—Lindsey Brou
Pure Barre is a ballet barre-based total body workout founded by a dancer and choreographer that focuses on the areas women struggle with the most: seat, thighs, arms and abs. Pure Barre is a fun and effective workout that combines strengthening and stretching exercises at the ballet barre with motivating music and an inspiring atmosphere. Each strength portion of the workout is followed by stretching in order to create long, lean muscle without bulk. New moms swear by the workout as the way to quickly, safely and effectively bounce back post-baby. Pure Barre can be done by women of all ages, experience and fitness levels.
Program cost: Single class, $20; one month unlimited, $215; additional pricing available on website.
Advantages: Perfect for fitness enthusiasts who aren’t looking to “bulk up”; the technique is easy on the joints, as it does not involve any bouncing or jumping.
What you won’t get: A gym or equipment to use on your own time.
Results: Long, firm muscles in as little as 10 classes.
The trainer says: “I have tried every workout out there and nothing works likes Pure Barre does. The workout is constantly changing and evolving, so it never gets easy and continues to challenge your muscles and change my body.”—Mary Daniel Templeton
Body Mechanics was founded on the belief that long-term health success can only be achieved through a customized health program. Prior to program design, each client will receive a comprehensive fitness evaluation that includes goal setting, body fat analysis, and health and exercise history to enable the trainer to devise the perfect workout, tailor-made to each client’s needs and goals. Each personal fitness session features resistance training, cardio, and stretch and flexibility components.
Program cost: $55-$65 per one-hour session; $40 for a half-hour. No monthly fees, no contracts.
Advantages: The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to accommodate clients with any need, from elite athletes to people with musculoskeletal dysfunctions. There is also a cardio room, and clients have free and unlimited access to the machines.
Downside: Sessions are by appointment only.
Results: Whatever your goal may be, whether that’s weight loss, sports-specific skills or flexibility, it can be attained through regular personal training sessions tailored to you.
The trainer says: “We find the imbalances and weaknesses of each client and design and pick specific exercises to truly transform a person’s body. When I get the muscles working in the kinetic chain, then the results come quick.”—Kolby Tullier
Basic athletic movements and drills are taken from traditional fitness, military training and sports conditioning programs to form a fat-melting, strength-boosting workout at Bally Total Fitness Boot Camp. The high-intensity strength and cardio training in a group atmosphere keeps participants motivated and disciplined, and is perfect for those who need a structured exercise routine to achieve their goals of strength, agility, speed and balance. The classes have modifications for all fitness levels, with professional instructors leading the way.
Program cost: Free with Bally membership; monthly dues vary from $19-$59.
Advantages: Stay motivated.
Results: Win the battle of the bulge!
What you won’t get: The flexibility of multiple locations and multiple weekly classes.
The trainer says: “I make it hard enough for the person that’s in really good shape, but also easy enough for the person just starting out. By focusing on the parts of the body that people tend to neglect the most, participants will notice postural and performance changes to their bodies.”—Carlos Rachel, fitness director
Another fitness and weight loss trend sweeping the Capital Region is Body by Vi, which combines specially formulated meal replacement kits with 90-day “challenges” that motivate clients to meet fitness and weight loss goals. Get the scoop in our video with local Body by Vi reps Blake and Ashley York.
