I’ve already given you the recap of the FitSocial Conference but since it’s Workout Wednesday, today I’m sharing the details of the fitness classes of FitSocial plus a giveaway!
YogaFit
The first class of FitSocial was from YogaFit, the company that has been bringing yoga to fitness facilities since 1994. I had heard of YogaFit but had no idea that they have over 220,000 instructors on 6 continents and that the YogaFit mission focuses on safety, accessibility and “yoga for everybody”.
I love the idea behind making yoga less intimidating and bringing it to the fitness arena. It is also commendable that community service is part of the mission statement of YogaFit but I wasn’t pleased with their class at FitSocial. The class was much more of a beginner level than I expected for a room full of fitness professionals and enthusiasts. There is value in going back to the basics in fitness (and especially in yoga) but this was not the way I envisioned a fitness conference beginning. I was disappointed that a more challenging class wasn’t offered given the attendee profile.
Recommendation: If a YogaFit class is offered next year, it should be an advanced level class. If a basic class is offered, it should be as a transition class for fitness professionals who may want to expand into the yoga realm.
*Since I do love yoga and YogaFit just opened their flagship studio location in Los Angeles this past June, maybe I’ll have to pay a visit and give them another chance.
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with Chris Freytag
Perhaps there was an easier workout on the morning of Day 1 to prepare us for the high intensity sweat fest provided by Chris Freytag in the evening.
Me with Chris Freytag. I’m not sure I could look any worse.
Chris is a bit of a fitness celebrity – she’s not only a fitness instructor but she’s also a health and wellness expert with over 20 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. Chris has books, DVD’s, QVC products, editorial pieces in national magazines, a weekly television segment and still finds time to teach group fitness classes! Many of the fitness professional attendees were starry eyed to have this woman at FitSocial and I absolutely understand the admiration – she is amazing – smart, sweet, gorgeous, giving and the epitome of fit! Along with Sarah Chambers from ACE, Chris not only gave a great social media presentation but she kicked ass during her workout session!
20 years of experience has only made Chris Freytag a fitness monster that you can’t help but like. This Interval Training class was no joke – Chris even made men in their 20’s cry for mercy during class but nearly every single person (male and female) went up to speak to her afterwards smiling!
I was thrilled to have not only met this professional and personal powerhouse of a woman but I was also lucky enough to have won her exercise DVD! I may have fallen a little in love with Chris Freytag while at FitSocial. I’m now a fan and follower of Chris on all forms of social media – this lady really gets health, wellness, fitness and social media!
Recommendation: Book Chris Freytag (and ACE) now for next year! She is an education AND a fitness dynamo that should be included in every health/wellness/social media conference available!
Core Power Yoga (Bonus Class)
Day 2 of FitSocial was a travel day from Boulder to Denver so Jill@TreeFitness and I decided to try a CorePower Yoga class in Stapleton, CO. CorePower Yoga is a chain of studios that I discovered after moving to LA. CorePower offers warm vinyasa flow yoga classes (my favorite!) without too much spirituality. If you’re looking to sweat, clear your head and find the connection between body, mind and fitness, this is the place to do it!
I’m all about vinyasa flow classes so imagine my surprise when I realized that I was taking a Bikram style yoga class – 26 poses in a specific order set to music in a room heated to 105 degrees. I’ve done Bikram before and absolutely hated it – the same poses, the inability to drink before reaching a certain pose, the same 26 poses in order just made me think very, very bad thoughts during class which is not what I want when I go to yoga – but this CorePower class was different and I actually enjoyed myself! I’m not sure I’ll go again (if I have a choice, I’ll choose flow everytime) but it was good to be pleasantly surprised.
The studio was in a lovely planned urban development with lots of stores and restaurants around. We even got a chance to browse at the Farmer’s Market! Going off the beaten path during a conference is always fun.
Recommendation: Utilize local studios/fitness classes for a unique, Colorado experience. Give FitSocial attendees a true taste of why Colorado is one of the fittest states in the union!
Tabata Cycle
Do you know what Tabata is? I didn’t until FitSocial. Tabata is a high intensity interval training that involves performing a particular exercise(s) at high intensity for 20 seconds followed by 10 seconds of rest repeated 8 times for a total training time of 4 minutes.
This method of training resulted from research published by Dr. Izumi Tabata in 1996 who discovered that short bursts of high-intensity showed improvement in both anaerobic and aerobic capacity in athletes.
This theory of training was translated into a the Tabata Cycling class at the Anschutz Wellness Center. Given my back injury was exacerbated by spinning, maybe I should have tried the Barre or Zumba class being offered but I didn’t.
Class, the bike monitor (which I didn’t use) and getting ready to Tabata Cycle.
I love indoor cycling and these cool bikes sucked me in! I didn’t realize that I needed to put the monitor on until well into the class so forgive me.
The idea of this class is fantastic but the execution still needs work. For me, a spin class is all about the music and the instructor and requires a hell of a lot of energy, especially if you want me to give you my all. I can see how this is an efficient workout but I wouldn’t do it again.
Recommendation: Do not offer simultaneous classes at the Anschutz Wellness Center and ask attendees to choose. Classes offered from such an elite center should be the pinnacle of fitness offerings and an education session on the benefits of the class should be made available.
Pound
Pound was our last workout at FitSocial. This unique workout gives you a chance to rock out with a combination of cardio and strength training while drumming along to music. You’d be very surprised to learn how much sweat and muscle soreness you might have just by adding to two little 1/4lb sticks to group class workout!
I should have known the class was going to be fun when I found out the the instructor was from the East Coast and her name was Melissa. I don’t know about you, but even though I have no rhythm at all, I can beat sticks against the floor and in the air really, really well! This class was a great way to end the fitness part of the conference. It might have been one of the only times there was a group shot taken during the entire weekend!
Pound! Hell yeah!
Pound was a blast and it is a class that is accredited by ACE (American Council on Exercise) and (AFAA) Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. To see where you can take a Pound class near you, click here.
Recommendation: Pound was fantastic, great stress relief and would be a great way to end a day or the conference again!
Wait! There’s a GIVEAWAY!!!
All for you!
To celebrate completing 5 workouts in 3 days during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I also have a pink themed giveaway for one lucky reader courtesy of Soybu, Kelly@NoThanksToCake and Alexandra and Kymberly@FunandFit, BaniBands.com and FitApproach which includes:
- One long sleeved pink (in size small) shirt by Soybu
- 1 BaniBands headband
- 1 pair SweatPink shoelaces
I may not like the color pink but I love the reminder for being healthy through #sweatpink and for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month! I encourage all women to do self exams and if you have a family history of breast cancer or are over the age of 40, get an annual mammogram. I’m coming due for my annual in November. Last year, I had a cancer scare that I don’t want to repeat. If you want to read about it, see Part 1 and Part 2.
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment about how your take charge of your health. A winner will be chosen at random on 11/1/13 and contacted via email within 48 hours.
Disclaimer: I was given a discounted blogger rate to the FitSocial Conference and was required to write 2 blogposts about my experience. All opinions are my own. Giveaway prizes were donated.
Love your recap! I so miss going to fitness conferences and as a blogger, I’m going to jump on one in the Spring for sure!! I feel the same about Bikram yoga – I will choose flow every time. I also feel the same about spin. As an instructor, if you don’t bring the energy AND the music, it’s going to fall flat.
I can’t believe you met AND received gifts from Chris Freytag!!! Too cool.
I hope I win this time. You know how I feel about headbands!! ha ha!!
I’m with you. I do not really like Bikram classes. I do however love pound! I tried it for the first time at Self Workout in the Park in May and it was so much fun! The HIIT class looks cool too!
I took a fitness class at my local Y that incorporated Tabata. I found it very challenging! This is the first I’ve heard of Tabata cycling though. The Pound class sounds really cool! I’d like to try a HIIT class one of these days. I really need to mix up my TRX & spin routine.
Aw, still sad that I missed the conference. Looks like a lot of fun. Which one was better, FitSocial or Fitbloggin?
I hope to finally get the chance to meet you at FitBloggin’! Chris Freytag was a doll and pretty dazzling. BTW, I have a little something for you (whether you win the Pink Package or not) so email me your mailing address, Allie!
Pound was fun! Hoping we get a chance to say hi to one another when I’m in town but if not, there will be a next time!
Tabata is an interesting concept and I believe that we’ll be seeing a lot more of it in future fitness offerings. Jennifer, we should definitely take a class together sometime soon!
Hi Lisa! Both conferences were different. FitSocial had more science and information and FitBloggin’ is definitely more fitness and community. I think there’s room for both in the space. Hoping I’ll see you in Savannah since you couldn’t come to Denver!
I don’t want to win the prize, but I am so glad you enjoyed all the workouts. I actually like having choices for the fitness classes, as there were some that were definitely NOT me, so then I would have had nothing to do that hour. Till next year!!!
I try to eat healthy and drink homemade juice at least 3 times a week. As far as working out, I wish I could go back to yoga. It was the best thing I did for myself when I was taking classes.
Romina, yoga is pretty awesome but yes, it’s always hard to find time to take of ourselves.
I heart you Alexandra! I can’t wait to see what next year brings. I’m hoping they figure out what they want to be and make their distinction from the rest of the other fitness/blogging conferences around. The potential is there!
I have pretty much switched my family over to a whole foods, non-gmo diet and I have found this, although crazy hard sometimes, has been a very beneficial way to take control of our health. I also run and we have family workout sessions in the living room! A 19 pound toddler makes for a wonderful deadweight for squats! I enjoyed reading your review!
Wow, Cara! Sounds like you have made healthy eating a new way of life for you and your family. Very impressive! Love the use of your toddler for squats!