first time sweats: Uplift Studios [Strength Class]

Happy Friday all!

Earlier this month I signed up for classtivity’s passport membership. This allows me to take 10 classes at new-to-me fitness studios in Manhattan for only $49. Considering the cost of most fitness classes in Manhattan is around $32, that deal is pretty freaken awesome. Not only do I get cheap classes but I also get to check out studios I wouldn’t have otherwise due to the price tag.

While I’ve done class reviews in the past, I’m going to make it a more regular thing now and bring you “first time sweats” which will focus on various studios in Manhattan and my first time experience there.

and for those of you non-manhattan-ites I’ll still blog about other fun stuff, promise 🙂

First up, a studio I’ve been dying to check out

Uplift Studios
Uplifting Strength with Michelle Mason

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24 W 23rd Street (btwn 5th and 6th ave), 2nd Floor
New York

The studio: From the second I walked into this studio I was enamored with how purty it was. Everything was spotless and there was a full wall of windows providing natural light.

I love a studio that sticks to it’s color scheme and creates a very specific vibe and Uplift definitely succeeds. This ladies-only gym is all about it’s green theme and modern design

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The bathrooms are clean and provide all the necessities- face wash, lockers with locks, towels, and even curling irons.

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In addition to the beautiful facilities, Uplift also offers cute additional perks– there was a nespresso machine, some almonds to munch on and free wifi.

There is something incredibly welcoming about this studio that makes working out less intimidating. It’s the kind of place I imagine working out with a girlfriend and then lounging around drinking espresso afterwards while reading the plethora of magazines they have on display.

The staff: I can’t say a bad thing about the staff both Michelle who taught the class and the lovely ladies behind the front desk. This studio definitely prides itself in costumer service and making sure everyone has a great experience.

The class: Uplift has recently revamped it’s schedule and now offers two classes: Uplifting Strength and Uplifting Cardio. I opted to try Uplifting Strength because nowadays I’ve been a bit cardio centric with all the spin classes… and also because I secretly hate cardio unless it’s in the form of zumba or spin.

Uplifting Strength focuses on burning out each muscle group. The class reminded me of my beloved Body Pump in the sense that you hit every muscle group, fatigued it and then you were donezo with that muscle. This means you can really push it in each section.

In between each muscle group is a tabata style cardio section — 20 seconds on, 10 seconds of active recovery for a total of 8 times aka 4 minutes.  Each cardio segment (there was 3 in all) would pair 2 high intensity cardio exercises (like a burpee, ugh, and mountain climbers) with active recovery (jogging in place). I love tabata workouts because you can really go all out during those 20 seconds knowing you will have a “rest” period afterwards.

It didn’t take long for me to work up a sweat in this class. We were constantly moving from one exercise to another. Michelle was an awesome instructor who provided feedback on both our form and how awesome we looked. I really loved her style and it’s something I hope I capture when I’m leading a class.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the class and would definitely like to take it again, I will admit that for a hefty price tag it’s not necessarily the most unique class… I’ve taken relatively similar classes at Crunch.

Overall: Uplift Studios is the kind of place that makes you want to work out… granted working out is arguably one of my favorite things to do in life (also on that list: eating peanut butter and seeing American Idiot). It’s the kind of place you look forward to visiting, working up a sweat with the super kind instructors and then afterwards enjoy some espresso while reading a magazine and browsing the interwebs.

I am easily won over by pretty, shiny things and therefore I love the ambiance at Uplift Studios even if the class wasn’t the most unique thing out there.