So how was your rest day last Wednesday? Did you rest like I was trying to do in Florida? Well, I’m back into the swing of things in LA and I thought it would only be fitting to give you the low-down on the LA-based workout I got the chance to experience while I was in NYC – Barry’s Bootcamp.
First, let it be known that I invited myself to this event when I saw that Beth from Once In A Mile tweet about a #ChobaniFitness event at Barry’s Bootcamp that was happening in NYC while I was in town. While I’m ashamed to admit that I publicly asked for invitation to this event via Twitter, Becky at Chobani was not horrified and allowed me to attend. Many thanks!
Love for Chobani from Rob of BandanaTraining.com
Barry’s Bootcamp began as the celebrity workout in CA and now has a number of locations in the US and overseas (like Norway!). I didn’t know much about BB except that it was rumored to be a ridiculously hard workout and (even though it wasn’t on my list of NYC workout options) I really wanted to try it!
I found out that BB classes were one hour long and body part focused (Arms & Legs, Butt & Legs, Chest, Back & Abs, Full Body and HardCORE Abs). Veteran BB instructor Natalie Raitano was going to lead our class and when I saw what this fierce woman (who is over 40!) looked like, I was both thrilled and terrified to find out what she was going to make me endure.
This is not what 40+ normally looks like
Our Butt & Legs class was divided into 2 groups – treadmill and weights; every 15 minutes the groups switched places. I started on the treadmill. Not only were we required to go fast (like 6.0 mph to start) but incline levels went from 3.0% – 9.0% – I had to modify my speed but I did work the inclines as directed (Natalie did advise me NOT to use the inclines due to my injury but I opted to adjust speed instead).
Before the Treadmill and during the Weights section – looks like a dance club but we did NOT dance!
The weights section was tough too. I’m not a lover of squats but I did them. It had been a long time since I saw or used a step bench (I was a huge step class fan back in the day) and it was nice to literally touch base with an old friend. For our second weights section, we used therabands and my quads and outer hips burned like crazy!
I have to give Natalie credit – she helped me achieve a speed on the treadmill that I’ve never, ever seen – an 8.0 mph (equivalent to a 7:30 minute mile)… even if it was for only 30 seconds!
After class, Chobani provided refuel to some very exhausted bootcampers in the form of delicious Peanut Butter and Raspberry Smoothies. They also gave us a parting gift – a portable, reusable tote bag, a water bottle and a coupon for a free mix-in at Chobani Soho (how did they know I just did a review)! It was great to finally meet my Tweep Beth and the lovely ladies from Chobani who provided this unique experience for me and some other NYC fitness enthusiasts like Kim (a fellow RD), Kaitlin, Rob of BandanaTraining.com and Cassandra of GoSweetandSkinny.com.
Chobani Gift bag, Chobani Smoothies and NYC fitness friend, Beth (with me) – the reason I got to experience a very sweaty Barry’s Bootcamp class!
Barry’s Bootcamp is an absolute killer workout but I’d definitely do it again. I look forward to trying out a class in the LA area sometime soon and would definitely go back when I’m in NYC again.
**To make it clear (and even more humiliating to reiterate), I invited myself to this #chobanifitness event. My Barry’s Bootcamp class was complimentary as was the Chobani swag bag (and contents). Despite inviting myself to the event, I was under no obligation to write about my event experience and therefore, all opinions and photos featured are my own.
I want to know – What is the hardest workout you’ve ever done? Did you do it again? If you want to go with me to a Barry’s Bootcamp class (or any other class, let me know and let’s make a date!).
I wish I had invited myself too! lol The class looks killer! I always find group fitness classes to be intense because I force myself to push through so I am not that girl who is stopping all of the time.
Hahah.. You’re so cute =) You may have invited yourself, but YOU worked your butt off in that workout, right?
And sounds like it was a GREAT workout too, right? =)
Glad you had fun… still envious that you got to see the SoHo Chobani shop 😉
That looks awesome!!! I sooooo want to try that. And, I think it’s great that you invited yourself. I’m sure they were more then happy to have you. Thanks for sharing yet another amazing LA workout!
Oh man I wish I had invited myself! I have always wanted to try Barrys. I was going to try them at Pier 25 but the whole fractured elbow thing deterred me. I love love love Chobani in a major way.
Kimberly, you are a better woman than I am because I couldn’t care less what I look like in a group class. If I’m going to hurl because I can’t keep up, I give up. It was killer but great. Highly recommend you try the class if you can. I’ll go with you if you want!
It was pretty fabulous. Jamie, I hope either you make to NYC to go to Chobani Soho or they wise up and open a store on the West coast!
PS – I hope I win your Abba giveaway!!
My big mouth gets me into trouble sometimes but sometimes it gets me into great things too – this was definitely one of the great ones!
B – I hope your elbow isn’t too painful. I’ll make you a deal, you, me and Kimberly Anne will go to Barry’s and then reward ourselves with Chobani SoHo when I can get to town. Sound ok?