Back in the day, the only exercise I got was at a weekly step aerobics class. It was the late 90s, so I didn’t wear leg warmers, but I might have worn a one-piece, short-sleeves + shorts unitard. (Thankfully, there are no pictures!) After I took up running, my Saturday long runs replaced that 8:00 am aerobics class, and I got used to working out on my own. I gradually built up a relatively well-equipped home gym, and enjoyed the convenience of rolling out of bed and heading out the door for a run or down to the basement for a strength workout. 
I still do most of my workouts on my own, but now there are three different studio workouts on my schedule! How did I become such a fitness class junkie?
Favorite Fitness Classes
The first studio that earned a permanent slot on my weekly workout calendar is Revolve, which got me hooked on indoor cycling from my very first workout.
I’ve shared why I love indoor cycling at Revovle so much, and those reasons are still true. The instructors are motiviating, the music is energizing, and the workouts are challenging. My weekly classes have improved my strength and endurance for cycling, and are a fun cross-training alternative to running.
The most recent addition to my weekly workout calendar is Orange Theory Fitness, which I have been doing once a week since May.
I’m still on the fence over whether it’s really worth getting up at 4:15 am to make it to this class, but I enjoy it once I get there and love having done it when I walk out of the studio at 6:00 am. Plus, even though I only spend a total of 15 minutes per class on the treadmill, those intervals have really impacted my running. My pace is getting faster, and I am finding it so much easier to power up hills.
The other studio I’m hooked on is Core Power Yoga. I never thought I’d enjoy hot yoga, but I’m so grateful that Cynthia and Mar introduced me to CPY.
My favorite class is CPY2, which is challenging and relaxing at the same time. I’m always amazed at how much I sweat–even my feet get sweaty!–and how much better I feel from head to toe. While I used to get anxious during shavasana, now I’m usually able to relax–at least until sweat drips into my ear. I don’t make it to CPY every week, but I try!
[Tweet “Favorite #Fitness Classes #motivation #weeklywrap”]
I haven’t loved every studio class I tried. I didn’t care much for Soul Cycle or Pure Barre, and SolidCore was too intense and too expensive. While my workout calendar is pretty full, I’m always willing to try something new.
Weekly Wrap
Speaking of my workout calendar,
here’s my recap for the Weekly Wrap Link Up
hosted by Holly and Tricia:
Monday: Orange Theory Fitness.
Short treadmill intervals meant almost no splat points,
but it was a great workout.
For the rowing/treadmill blocks (the first and last blocks I did) we did a ladder relay, running 0.3 mi/0.25 mi/0.2 mi/0.15 mi/0.1 mi on the treadmill, and then rowing while our partner ran. It was really fun!
Tuesday: 5.25 mile run
The temperature was cooler, but the humidity was in full force!
Playing with the Over app on my iPhone.
I love the ability to layer photos!
Wednesday: 45 minute Real Ride at Revolve
Thursday: 60 min CPY2
I woke up feeling like the rusty Tin Man, with a painful tightness in my left hip, so I decided to go to CPY before work–a first! While I was there, I realized that I probably needed to spend some time with a foam roller, but I decided to do the next best thing something even better and booked a deep tissue massage after work. The therapist also did some myofascial release that really helped.
Friday: 45 min strength routine at home
Saturday: 9.0 mile long run
Finally both the temperature and humidity were pleasant!
Sunday: 20 mi bike ride
We beat the storms but felt the cold front coming in at one windy section along the C&O Canal. It was so refreshing to have a cool breeze!
Do you have a favorite fitness studio workout?
What’s the next big studio fitness thing I should try?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
I did wear leg warmers. Ugh, thank goodness nobody took pictures back then! I think I would really enjoy a spin class. I did try a few minutes of a class once. I had to get off the reserved bike when the participant finally showed up. But, the Y classes sadly don’t fit into my schedule. I’m too cheap to pay for another class. LOL. Great ride today! I like your yellow bike helmet, by the way. Thanks for linking, Coco.
My husband decided orange would increase my visibility – I guess he’s as afraid of me getting hit by a car as I am.
You have a a great variety of workouts! I don’t do many classes….I guess I’m too cheap to pay for them LOL I routinely go to a yoga class, but (sadly) it’s not offered in the summer and I really slacked off from going last spring….so…I need to get back in the routine of doing that when it resumes.
Sounds like I should do a post on saving money on fitness classes – basically I buy the biggest package to keep them at $15 or less. Still a lot if I do each class each week, but …
I love my yoga classes. My yoga is at a regular studio. There’s OMing and chanting, and then the class.
I think I’d like cycling too. Hoping that comes to my town soon.
I’m not sure I could deal with the OMing or the chanting. I have a hard enough time with ~namaste~ 🙂
Looks like you had a great week! I’m struggling with work/life/fitness balance right now but would LOVE to get back to spinning class once a week & bodypump – those are my two favourite classes
I’d love body pump too! Maybe your schedule will settle down now that summer is winding down.
I too was a step class regular. I wore a cotton tee shirt down to my knees and capris. I cringe thinking about it.
Oh, yes, those over-sized cotton Ts!!
I’ve gone to a few bootcamp classes and some group fitness / spin and body pump classes that my sister taught. I can honestly say that I don’t really enjoy them because I have a hard time keeping up with the instructor and others.
I have a hard time with the dance-based classes, like Zumba. OTF is good because you do everything at your own pace. And in spinning, no one else knows how fast/hard you are going. 🙂
I am looking forward to getting back to my indoor cycle classes in Sept. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on OTF. Have a great week!
Wow, you must live in a bigger city than me…we do not have any of those studio classes. I do teach a Spin class at my gym and I love it…you are right, Spin is a great cross training workout and definitely enhances both road cycling as well as running. I would love to try an Orange Theory class as I hate doing intervals on my own but would love a class to push me in that direction.
The D.C. area isn’t on the cutting edge of fitness trends as much as LA or NYC, but we get a good variety! I think some gyms have classes that are just treadmill intervals – I’d like that too!
I really have been enjoying Body Pump at the gym. And it’s nice that it’s included with the gym membership and not an extra cost 🙂 I’ve heard great things about Core Power Yoga and want to give it a try at some point. I haven’t had a lot of variety in my workouts this year so need to try some new things.
When you first go to Core Power you get a week of free workouts, so pick a week when you have a few days free!
We have a lot of studios in Philly but I’ve only been to a few. I’d love to try Orange Theory for an occasional workout. Mar just told me about Core Power Yoga…sounds like a winner!
Hah! Mar is spreading the word!
I am!!
This past year and even more the past month I have really really enjoyed my classes. They are more strength/cardio mix and I love the instructor and have made friends in the class as well. I sure hope to continue them. I remember when I never did any cross training when I first started running. I’m so glad I’m not there anymore!
Variety keeps things interesting and the cross-training will help you run stronger and keep injuries at bay!
I’m about to try OrangeTheory. I just saw they have x classes/month memberships in addition to unlimited–which is important to me since I travel so freakishly much for work.
I do 4 classes/month. I have an introductory rate from when the studio first opened so it’s about $15 / class (about my price point).
I am honestly not much of a class girl. But if I did have to do something, it would be PILATES!!
looks like a great week. i’ve my own fitness studio, too. i’m a big fan of GYM.
That looks like a great week. I like meditation, your friend says that I should do Gym to make your leg strong.