By Alix Turoff
There’s nothing better than a Saturday morning workout with the girls. And when the workout involves “thigh dancing,” ballet bars and beach balls…well let’s just say we were pretty sure we were about to step into fitness heaven.
As we walked into Physique 57’s bright and welcoming Soho studio on Saturday morning we were told to remove our shoes, put on our carpet gripping socks and prepare for a 57-minute cardiovascular and strength program that uses isometric exercises, stretches and interval sets using your own body weight. They call the process of working the muscles to fatigue and then stretching them for relief, “Interval Overload,” and let us just say that it is pretty darn effective in creating long, lean muscles.
Only have 20 minutes? Try this!
With the music pumping, we started with a warm-up sequence of upper-body exercises using free weights, push-ups and planks to target our biceps, the oft-neglected triceps, shoulders, chests and backs. We then moved to the ballet bar to get started on toning our thighs, glutes and abs. Using the bar, to help balance and properly position the body, and the renowned Physique 57 ball to increase the intensity, we squatted and pulsed until we just about thought our legs would fall off. We finished the class on the floor where we used slow movements to isolate the abdominal muscles, for a killer tummy-toning workout without doing a single sit-up – and that’s our kind of ab workout!
We know what you’re thinking: how could a workout using primarily your own body weight and a ballet bar be as effective as sweating it out for an hour on the treadmill? We were a little skeptical at first too. But, when we woke up Sunday ready for a long soak in a bathtub full of Epsom salt, we were sold.
See how else salt can help you!
Our awesome instructor, Alicia Weihl, who is also the Assistant Director of Training at Physique 57 says it best, “Physique 57 is by far the ultimate all-over body workout! As a ballet dancer I’ve tried so many methods of cross-training, but Physique 57 is one of a kind as it isolates, defines and sculpts every single muscle group- you work the muscles to their potential and then immediately stretch them to build long lean muscle mass. Results are achieved almost immediately, you never plateau or get bored as each class is different, and the upbeat music and quick pace makes the hour fly by!”
Physique 57 has two studios in New York City and one in The Hamptons, both with classes to suit any and all fitness levels. Aside from their traditional class, Physique 57 also offers other variations too, including a mat class, a 40 minute express class, and even one just for men. And, since, not all of us have the luxury of living near a Physique 57 studio, you can also purchase the Complete Physique 57™ Workout Kit for at-home use!
Warning: you may become addicted. We did. In fact, as our muscles recover, we’re already online scheduling our next class!
A protein-rich snack, perfect for after class.
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