As a person with self-described fitness ADD, I was thrilled to have been given VIP status to attend the Evolution Fitness Conference (EFC) and TheFitExpo this past weekend in Los Angeles.

 

EFC, Evolution Fitness Conference, TheFitExpo, fitness, Jillian Michaels, Beachbody, Piloxing, R.I.P.P.E.D.

Image: efcnow.com

 

If we’re connected on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram you might have seen snippets from my 4 hours and 4 Fitness Workouts with some of the top fitness professionals in the industry but this post details my reviews of INSANITY®Jillian Michaels BODYSHREDPILOXING® and R.I.P.P.E.D. – The One Stop Body Shock®:

INSANITY®

Insanity, Beachbody

  • Class Description:  A translation of the very popular 60 Day at-home Shaun T exercise program featuring maximum intensity exercises with short bursts of rest into a 30 minute and 50 minute programs for gyms and health clubs.  INSANITY® is one of the fitness options offered by Beachbody, creator of P90X®, Brazil Butt Lift®, Slim in 6®, Turbo Jam®, Hip Hop Abs®, and Power 90®.
  • Class Format: Warm-up with a series of “drills” repeated 3 times with a dynamic stretch then blocks of 4 different drills followed by 30 seconds of recovery repeated 3 times; the final repeat adds one “power” move  for one minute and then ends with 8 minutes of abs and cool down; no weights or resistance required.
  • Proposed Benefits:  Interval training of high intensity exercise to engage fast-twitch muscle fibers that are not usually utilized in cardio exercise promoting a more efficient workout to increase metabolism and burn fat during and after class.
  • Instructor: Master Trainer of 2013, Joie Walsh who was personable, motivating and accessible in attitude and looks.  Joie was a great role model – fit but not in the “skinny model” or “overly muscular” manner.   Joie not only demonstrated the exercises (and modifications) but she worked out out with the group.  Joie also walked around class and corrected the form of participants.
Beachbody, Insanity, Joie Walsh, EFCNow

Awesome Master Beachbody Trainer of 2013: Joie Walsh

 

  • The Low Down:  I’ve never done any of the Beachbody videos (I was tempted to buy P90x when I met Tony Horton at FitBlogLA but never did) because they are intimidating.  This 50 minute class was not intimidating and was a well-rounded workout.  INSANITY® had great (and recognizable) music, intervals with enough time to perform a reps with good form before moving to the next move, easy to hear cues and ample rest time.  I worked up a great sweat, was entertained and challenged (even with exercise modifications).  I would definitely go to an Insanity® class again (click link for certification information or to find a class near you).  

 

Jillian Michaels BODYSHRED

Jillian Michaels, Bodyshred, fitness

  • Class Description/Format: A 30 minute workout based on high intensity and endurance based on Jillian’s 3-2-1 Format: 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio, 1 minute of abs; weights or resistance required.
  • Proposed Benefits: SHRED is an acronym of Synergistic, High-Intensity, Resistance, Endurance and Dynamics and is geared to help you “shed fat, define muscle, transform the look of your entire physique, and dramatically enhance your performance” per the website.
  • Instructor: The Jillian Michaels  – along with 3 other instructors (including Natalie Raitano, who kicked my ass in April 2013 at the Chobani-Barry’s Bootcamp event in NYC).
Jillian Michaels, BodySHRED, EFC Now

The Fitness Queen Reigns

  • The Low Down:  Jillian was definitely the main attraction at this event (she and her team taught 2 classes) and there’s no doubt that this woman is a star.  I like Jillian and was excited to experience her in person.  I’ve done a few of the Jillian videos and have been impressed with her timely cues, modification availability and her down to earth attitude of motivation.  Maybe the build up was too big in my mind but the in-person Jillian Michaels BODYSHRED was disappointing.  To me, the class moved through each interval way too quickly (especially if there was a transition to a move without weights), there were no modifications displayed or cued and even though Jillian said that she’d rather have “fewer quality reps than lots of crappy ones”, she encouraged people more than once to go faster if they could (and who wants to incur the wrath of this woman, right?).  For now, I’m going to stick to Jillian Michaels videos instead of attending a Jillian Michaels BODYSHRED class but if you’re interested in certification or to find a class near you, click the hyperlink.

 

PILOXING®

Viveca Jensen, Piloxing

Me with Viveca Jensen, Creator of Piloxing. I’m a dork and blocked the banner.

  • Class Description/Format: A 60 minute cardio fusion of standing pilates, boxing and dance.
  • Proposed Benefits:  A muscle toning and fat burning workout utilizing the “power, speed and agility of boxing” with the “sculpting and flexibility of pilates” enhanced by fun dance moves.  The class is done barefoot and offers a unique element of sand-packed weighted gloves (.5lb each) to add an element of resistance (and fashion flair).
Piloxing, Viveca Jensen, Piloxing Gloves

Piloxing Gloves and Piloxing Nail Polish (no kidding, they sell it too).

  • Instructor: The powerhouse, Viveca Jensen, creator of PILOXING® (see above).
Piloxing

Piloxing in action with Viveca Jensen.  I wish I could share the video I took but I can’t upload it.

 

  • The Low Down:  The tagline for PILOXING® is “Sleek, Sexy, Powerful” and it definitely appeals to a female crowd.  The pink and black color themed materials and merchandise adds to the feminine aura of PILOXING®.  I instantly picked up on a cult-like devotion to this workout when I walked into the room of participants – many were instructors or devotees and they were thrilled to be in the room with the magnetic Viveca Jensen.  I can definitely see why Viveca has a following – in my head I dubbed her the “Celine Dion” of fitness.  She’s exceptionally dramatic, passionate and damned good at what she does.  Viveca is everything you want in a fitness instructor – talented, motivating and inspiring (post class she was lovely, friendly and very down-to-earth).  This is a fun, motivating and positive feeling workout with upbeat dance music.  The combinations were basic but since I’m “rhythmically challenged”, I had a little trouble keeping up.  If the moves in Zumba are too much for you and you want to “feel the burn”, PILOXING® may be your bag.  However, there’s a lot of shimmying in PILOXING® and I wasn’t such a fan of feeling all of my “jelly” move.  Overall, PILOXING® was fun, uplifting and I worked up a sweat in a very positive atmosphere.  I’d definitely try another PILOXING® class (but wonder if other instructors would live up to Viveca).  If you want to find out more about certification, classes near you or to try a DVD, click the hyperlink.

 

R.I.P.P.E.D. – The One Stop Body Shock®

  • Class Description/Format: A 50 minute total body, high intensity class that is part of a “Plateau Proof Fitness Formula” utilizing free weights, resistance and body weight through the principles of R.I.P.P.E.D.: Resistance, Interval, Power, Pylometrics, Endurance and Diet & Nutrition.
  • Proposed Benefits: Also in acronym form: Relieves stress and tension; Improves body shape, self-esteem, overall health (physical, social, spiritual and mental); Physically challenging and some friendly competition; Performance in sports (enhances); Enjoyable and Fun and Delivers results (per the R.I.P.P.E.D. handout).
Tina Shorter, Terry Shorter, RIPPED

Tina and Terry Shorter of R.I.P.P.E.D.

  • Instructor(s): Terry and Tina Shorter – they’re married and the story of how they met is woven into the workout via song.
  • The Low Down:  It’s incredibly obvious how much this husband and wife adore each other and fitness.  They are both adorable and fit.  R.I.P.P.E.D. has a cult-like appeal similar to PILOXING® but the vibe attracts testosterone in addition to estrogen (read: males and females).  This was my last class of the day and it may not have gotten the most positive version of me after so many hours of exercise.  I will say that I liked that the activities and focus changed every 6 to 9 minutes (my favorite was the boxing/martial arts section), that nutrition was an essential part of the platform (although the principles of their program were not presented nor did I research them) and that modifications were cued and demonstrated.  However, I found the simple choreography difficult to keep up with (but that could be due to my rhythmically challenged nature was at a worse deficit given the end of day) and the music unbelievably annoying.  These instructors are earnest and sweet but the music was a definite deal breaker for me.  I’d only think about taking this R.I.P.P.E.D. again ONLY if it had different (not program licensed) music.  If you want to find out more about R.I.P.P.E.D., click the hyperlink.

 

So there you have it – a wrap up of about 4 hours worth of workout classes from the Evolution Fitness Conference.  I love that this conference allows fitness enthusiasts (and not just fitness instructors) to learn from and experience these amazing offerings from the fitness world.

I did bounce into TheFitExpo which featured over 400 fitness-oriented company offerings, competitions and exhibits (like the Supreme Protein Healthy Living Pavilion) but it was incredibly crowded.  It was nice to see Alexandra and Kymberly from FunandFit.org and meet Kirsten and Cristina from Pound though!

I really enjoyed this experience and will definitely put the Evolution Fitness Conference on my agenda for next year.  For only $65 for the chance to experience 4 different and amazing workouts and access to an extensive fitness product and event expo, this conference is a bargain and a “don’t miss” for fitness enthusiasts and instructors alike.

Disclaimer: I was given a complimentary VIP Registration to the Evolution Fitness Conference but all opinions are (clearly) my own.

 

Have you heard of or taken any of the classes from EFC?  If so, which is your favorite?  If not, what unique class is your favorite?