June Studio Tour Week 5
The last week of June has come and gone! I count down till the end of the month, but It’s bittersweet for me. On the one hand, making it to every class while juggling family life can be super stressful. But on the other hand, I love the forced opportunity to try so many different classes and meet so many awesome people. I’ve discovered new favorite studios and made new classes part of my regular routine as a result of this June studio tour. Check out where I went the last few days of the month. It was a really good way to close out June!
Day 27 at PRIME INTENSITY TRAINING in Conshohocken.
Who knew this 42 year old mom of three could lift a keg, throw a sledge hammer or turn over a tire … and love every second of it? I certainly didn’t know that I would get such a kick out of these tasks. I love stepping out of my comfort zone, and I did that over and over again at Prime Intensity Training on Monday night.
I went to the so-called beginner class at Prime Intensity Training which happened to be way late for me since I like to work out in the morning- 7:30 pm! But as soon as we got started, I came alive. Maybe it was because one of my first stop was lifting a keg! While this was called a beginner class, it wasn’t really all that beginner. The participants were mostly regulars because this time works for them. I was told that the class included less “in between” group exercises than a regular co-ed class. I couldn’t imagine the next level of this class because it was pretty intense. We moved through 10 circuits, first for a minute each and then for 30 seconds each. In between, we had group exercises, led by Danielle, our instructor for the night, who was so supportive of my first time in the PIT! I burned 438 calories in 60 minutes— way more than I would have burned doing bedtime at my house, my usual evening activity.
Day 28 at BULLDOG YOGA in Malvern.
There is still nothing like a Bulldog Yoga class. A lot of sweat. A lot of hard work. A lot of good music. Always, a lot of fun. You go to Bulldog for a different kind of yoga class. It’s not for everyone but for the people who want an intense workout, fast flow yoga set to great tunes, and are ok without a whole lot of assistance, this is the place for you.
Last June, I went to the Villanova location, so I made Malvern a stop on the tour this year. I had never been to the Malvern studio and it’s just as pretty as Villanova, but there are showers, which are totally necessary for this workout! I burned 428 calories in 60 minutes.
Day 29 at VIBE VAULT FIT in Exton.
I’m so glad I found this place just in time to squeeze a Pound class into the month. I’ve seen this workout on TV, but I never found a place that offered it, until now.
Vibe Vault is a vibe. I mean the instructors get a stage, a spot light and their image plastered on the screens above the front mirror. I was greeted immediately by the studio manager and the instructor. They showed me around and handed me 2 lightly weighted, neon yellow drumsticks. The lights faded, the music came on and instructor, Laura, was center stage. She put on the real show! I felt like I was at a rock concert just watching her. And yes, hitting those sticks together really does feel good… and totally distracts from the intense leg, arm, hip and core workout of the class! 45 minutes absolutely flew by and before I knew it we were cooling down and stretching out… with the drum sticks still in tow. I burned 362 calories in 45 minutes and had an absolute blast doing it.
Day 30 CARDIO PARTY at LIFETIME in King of Prussia.
I closed out this June party with a party— a Cardio Party with the one and only Kristin Boquist at Lifetime King of Prussia. This was the only repeat stop on my studio tour this year. And that’s because Cardio Party is so special to me. Last year, I nervously approached this class. I was just trying not to embarrass myself during those 60 minutes. But midway through, something changed and I realized that no one was watching me and to just to let go.
Kristin and her class changed the trajectory of my fitness goals. After my first Cardio Party, I learned to let my guard down. It feels so much better not to care what you look like, and you actually get a way better workout! Now, I live for the times that I can be in that room with Kristin and her dedicated group of 50+ ladies (and some awesome guys) of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. People come to that room to dance for different reasons. Some to help them get through hard times. Some to celebrate. Some to show off. Others to challenge themselves. Whatever the reason, the people in that room embrace Kristin’s booty popping, hip shaking choreography with a spirit like no other!
If you know, you know. And if you don’t know, I suggest you go find out. I’m addicted! I burned 550 calories in 45 minutes and this class is still one of my very favorite ways to get a calorie burn.
Well, that’s a wrap to the June studio tour. It’s now time for me to really focus on those 26.2 miles that I am planning to run in October.
Be sure to check out my Instagram to see which studios, classes and instructors won the awards that I give out at the end of the month. It’s all for fun! The big one, The Most Talked About Class, goes to HiLo House in Wilmington. The owner, Maura Marks, has offered to do a private Versa Climber class for this community on July 25 from 11:30-12. There are 11 machines in the studio so message me at fitnessfindsonthemainline@gmail.com to grab a spot!
paid partnership with Goodness Bowls
You may have heard that the Jersey Shore’s juice and smoothie spot, Goodness Bowls, just opened in Villanova so the rest of us can get to experience their tasty treats.
I am new to Goodness Bowls because I don’t frequent Avalon. But since the Villanova store opened a few weeks ago, I have found myself there almost every day on my way home from a workout. It’s been a challenge to find time to food shop, meal plan and cook this summer, so I love that I now have a place to go for a quick, delicious meal that is aligned with my health goals. And my kids love it, too.
I love that Goodness Bowls offers so much more than smoothies, juices and bowls. They have a wide variety of hearty meals such as oatmeal, tartines, salads, wraps and warm savory bowls, making Goodness Bowls more like "goodness meals”.
If you haven’t stopped into Goodness Bowls in Villanova yet, what the heck are you waiting for? They are located two stores down from Starbucks in the Villanova Center, right on Lancaster Avenue. Mention “FITNESS FINDS” at checkout to get 10% off your first order.
