Day 9: FFC Heated Vinyasa Flow

Because of ClassPass today was actually my first yoga class that I took at FFC (my actual gym).  I decided to take Heated Vinyasa Flow since it started at 10:15 which was right after my normal Saturday Computrainer Session.

The first thing I noticed was that there were a TON of yoga mats already set up in the class.  The only other FFC Yoga classes I have taken had like 5 people max.  To my surprise most of these yoga mats were filled with people!

I quickly went ahead and got two blocks and later the teacher told us to get blocks but then quickly realized there weren't enough.  I was glad I had gotten mine because I knew I needed them.

So the way the studio is heated is it's pumped full of steam.  It was REALLY humid in there.

I'm learning that I like warm yoga (and by warm I mean 85ish degrees) but anything approaching 100 degrees is a bit much for me.  I'm not sure how hot the room was but I definitely felt dizzy at times.

The teacher didn't use music which I didn't mind, but I have to say there was something grating about her voice.  She just wasn't very soothing.   I feel bad saying that though and don't really want to hold it against her.  But, I didn't fall in love with the class and not sure I'll make it a permanent part of my Saturday routine.

During Computrainer though I was very excited to ride the Ironman Muncie course!!!  I had heard the course was flat but I didn't quite believe it til I saw how EASY the course was!

Don't be fooled by the course profile on the Computrainer!!  Despite it looking like there would be a steady climb there really wasn't at all, I think most of that is like at .5 incline.  I biked 30 miles in under 2 hours.  

Since I had found out on Wednesday that my threshold was 137, I was told to keep my wattage at around 75%.  So that would be around 103.  Well, I ended up average over 120 for most of it.  Towards the end when I got really hungry I started slowing down but I still ended up with and average of 120.  

I plan to ride for at least 2 hours on Saturdays so I have to really start thinking about my bike nutrition.  I started taking Saltstick Electrolyte Tabs but I really haven't noticed much of a difference.  At right around 90 minutes I could feel my blood sugar dropping and I was REALLY REALLY grumpy. 

I hopped off the bike and looked through my bag and luckily found a granola bar from Trader Joe's.  I took that and also refilled my water and drank a bunch.  I managed to finish out the last 30 minutes.  Lemme say I was glad that I had planned to go to Yoga after.  Although in hindsight I sorta wish I had stuck around to ride the full course.  This was definitely the fastest I'd been on the Computrainer in a while!  

I'm really glad that now I have a goal in terms of the power wattage and I know what to shoot for.  I think riding the Muncie course was a good confidence booster for me.  Can't wait for the next Computrainer class! 

What's your favorite long bike fuel?  

Day 8: Yoga 6, Y60 Classic (L1, Hot)

I was VERY excited when I found out that I'd be able to leave work early!  So I looked on ClassPass and saw that there was a Y60 Classic class at Yoga Six (my fave yoga studio!) for 4:30 pm.!!!

The instructor was the same one that I had for Y60 Restore and she gave me a hug when she saw me.  It's always nice when an instructor remembers you!!!

I really enjoyed the Y60 Classic class A LOT.  The room was hot but not overly hot, I'm guessing it was around 85 degrees?  And the instructor was always really quick to point out moments where we could use blocks (because I always need to be using the blocks!!)

We went through the moves that now seem like second nature to me like chatarunga, tree pose, pyramid, etc. etc.  I like that while I still need work on these moves (especially the balance ones!!) I don't always feel lost in class.  I'm starting to feel like a real yogini!!!

Anyways, this class was a real confidence booster for my practice and I will surely take it again!

Afterwards, I decided to go to Barre Code and take their Burn class.   It's basically the regular barre class but in a really hot room.  I decided if I'm going to take barre I went it in a hot room because then I'll at least sweat and feel like I'm working hard!

I'm not really in love with barre and to be honest, I'm not sure how many or if any more classes I'll actually take.  I know that a lot of people LOVE barre classes, so tell me your story?  When did you start taking barre?  How long did it take to see improvements?  How do you not give up when it's really starting to burn?????

Day 7: Pilates Classic at Pilates Pro Works

This was my second visit to Pilates Pro Works.   The first time I went to their signature class Pilates Pro.  When I walked  in for that particular class I was told by the girl at the Front Desk that it was like Pilates on Steroids.  Needless to say I did NOT like that class.

 But, when I was looking at the Class Pass Schedule for Thursday morning I noticed that they had a Pilates Classic class listed so I had to check out the class description.

Their signature FitFormer really isn't that different from a different reformer from what little knowledge I have of regular reformers.

There were only 3 of us in the early morning class, but the room is HUGE.  Thankfully we all grabbed Fitformers near each other.  I hate it when there is a big room and someone walks in and randomly goes to the OTHER side of the room.  I just divides the instructors attention unnecessarily.

Now this workout was definitely harder than my normal Pilates Reformer Class but I also wasn't in love with it.  

For one thing when we were working our thighs I had to put my head and shoulders between the shoulder pads while still being able to lift my leg which was attached to strap and pulley.  So basically any time I lifted my leg the pulley and strap that was attached behind me was rubbing up against ME.  And the instructor had NO idea how to correct my form so I could fit on the reformer and do this move.  That was really frustrating!  

It also felt like this class was meant to feel a BURN rather than actually doing functional fitness.  Maybe I'm wrong but I like the Pilates Reformer classes that feel more like physical therapy.  I don't normally sweat in pilates and I'm not doing it for the caloric burn but rather to learn how to function from the core.  

So would I go back to Pilates Pro Works?  Maybe.  Since I'm doing this 30 day Pilates/Yoga challenge, if they had the Pilates Classic again and I didn't have any other options for my schedule I'd go. But I'm not specifically going to look for it and I wouldn't be sad if I never take another class there? 

What about you?  Why do you like Pilates?  Do you want to feel a burn?

Day 6: Trio Group Equipment Centered on North

Centered on North is one of my fave Pilates Reformer Class Studios in Chicago!  I've had 3 classes so far and each instructor has been really good!

It's a pretty easy Divvy ride for me too as it's a short walk from the Sedgwick Divvy Station.  I arrived a few minutes before 6:30 just as the earlier class was ending.

It was me and 2 other ladies who were obviously regulars of the studio.  There was an easy casual conversation that was carried throughout the workout.

The class is called Trio Group Equipment so that means there is a max of 3 students in the class.  This seems like a perfect number as it allows everyone to get a little bit of attention.

We didn't do anything too crazy on the reformer and honestly Pilates is starting to feel a bit routine, which I think is good!  I know that my body definitely needs to learn muscle memory in order to make sure my biomechanics are solid.

I think every class I realize how stiff/(weak?) my calf muscles are!  Anyone know any good calf exercises??  When we did the calf stretch/push on the reformer it always feels ouchie!  

I highly recommend Centered on North for anyone that is looking for the classic pilates reformer class!  I'll definitely be using my max 3 classes per month through ClassPass!

Class ended right before 7:30 so I headed to FFC to shower, but when I got there I realized I had some time to do weights.

I've actually never been to the FFC Gold Coast branch before and I always feel discombobulated when walking into a new branch.  But I was able to find most of the equipment I needed.  I started with some ball slams.  I was reading Strength Training for Triathletes and it seems like every swim strength move was ball slams!  I'm not in love with ball slams but I'm making a point to try to do them every time I'm inside a gym.

I also did a lot of single leg exercises.  I really really need to get my ankle working again so I can run and the biggest way to do that is with strength and balance!

When you do Pilates is that your only workout of the day? Or do you pair it with cardio? strength?  yoga?  Let me know!!!

Day 5: Gratitude Yoga Sculpt

This one was TOTALLY my fault for not really reading the class description well….

I had looked at the website for Gratitude Yoga I was excited to see that mats, etc would be provided.  Since this was a last minute decision to sign up for a yoga class after work it meant I wouldn't haven't to pay $1-$2 to rent a mat.  So I reserved the class and headed there after work.

At first I had trouble finding the place because there was a DANCE STUDIO where Gratitude Yoga was supposed to be….Oh turns out the yoga place is actually sharing a space with the Dance Studio. A Dance Studio with VERY LOUD music.

I checked in and filled out the normal waiver and was told I could grab a seat in the lobby.  That was kind of disappointing because I'm realizing now my favorite thing about yoga is the 10-15 minutes before class begins where I get to relax and let my mind go in the room while waiting for the teacher to arrive.

Did I mention that this studio was LOUD???  So, I waited in the lobby til about 2 minutes before the class was to begin and the instructor/owner showed us where the studio was except we still had to wait for the kid dance class to finish.

Once we were inside the first thing I noticed was how COLD the studio was!  Most yoga classes I've noticed even if they aren't advertised as being HOT still are pretty warm.  This studio was freezing and I was trying to figure out if I should wear my bulky hoodie or not (I didn't).

The studio did provide mats, towels, weights, etc.  I grabbed 2 lb weights as I've learned that those suckers can really feel HEAVY.

Anyways, the class was a mix of yoga, weights, and CARDIO!  The last thing I really want to do in a yoga class is burpees!  Now I'm still new to yoga, so I don't really get why Yoga Sculpt seems to be so trendy.  I just find it to be jarring to be in the middle of the different moves and then switch to burpees.

This class was hard (reminded me more of a barre class) and just wasn't what I really wanted.  Oh, and at first I thought the loud music blaring in class was from the dance studio but about 10 minutes into the class I realized it was OUR music.  I think I'd rather have NO music then loud rock music for yoga….

Despite the fact that I signed up for a class that really wasn't for me, I can't say I'd definitely sign up for class at Gratitude Yoga again.  I just didn't like the environment of the studio and I didn't find it calming at all.  I'm also not sure what I'd choose in a Yoga Sculpt vs. Barre Class option.  I'm not really a huge fan of either, but I get the feeling that Barre is more effect? (I could totally be wrong though!)

Let me know, am I crazy to compare Yoga Sculpt to Barre Classes?  Have you ever gone to some sort of Yoga Fusion class that you enjoyed?

Day 4: Sana Vita Studio Pilates Equipment

After checking out the website for Sana Vita Studio I decided to try their Monday night Pilates Equipment Class.  It's over in River West so a singular bus ride from work and a singular bus ride home.  Easy Peasy!

I got to the studio about 20 minutes early and on the way I realized I hadn't even changed clothes from work!  I figured it'd be easy enough to change at the studio.  They did have a single bathroom which I used to change.

After I filled out the usual waiver paperwork I sat down at a bench by the door.  As I looked around I really noticed how cluttered this studio was.  I mean it's a small space for sure, but we don't necessarily need a large space for pilates….except there were 4 students in the class and only 3 reformers?!

So a couple got to use the reformers and then me and a veteran student were stuck with the contraption where you lie on your back and push straight up into the air.

This isn't the exact machine but the closest I could find on google.

So my head would be underneath that bar closest to the wall and then we pushed the bar straight up.   I didn't really like this AT ALL.  

The instructor then instructed all four of us but obviously since we were on two different contraptions we had two different sets of instructions.  It got a bit frantic.  

After the leg stuff, we switched to core work.  At some point during this core work I think I strained the left side of my back.  I'm not sure which move or how but I know that especially with core work I need A LOT of corrections and we were just told do The Hundred.  I was DYING during this and I've never been asked to do this one before!  

Next we took our Pilates chairs into this random empty room.  It was here that I attempted to do the chair "pull-up" and I think I almost died.  I had NO trust in myself and just kept jumping instead of pulling!  

I was thankful when the class ended after that move!  But the class also ended so abruptly!  We didn't even do a cool down or a stretch or anything?   And then the instructor was like "you'll sign up for class next Monday too right???"  

Only if there are no other Pilates classes that will fit into my schedule unfortunately.  

Day 3: Yoga Six Restore

And I'm baaaaaack at Yoga Six again!!  I had a kickball game at 4:30 and I was excited to see that Yoga Six offered a class called Restore at 6!  Since kickball is just a few blocks away it was PERFECT!

This was exactly less of a physical challenge than the Stretch Yoga class from the day before but the instructor warned that it'd probably be more of a MENTAL challenge.

This class definitely helped me turn off my brain mentally because I seriously think I fell asleep about 45 minutes after I got home (and I got home before 8 p.m.!)

The class had great soothing music and the lights were dimmed, it just really gave us a relaxing setting and felt like a great way to unwind from the weekend.

I highly recommend the class and I'm hoping to be able to take it again!