If you’re like us, Springtime you happily sprint to your workout with the mojo of a gold medalist. Cut to Fall and you are up to your Lululemon tank top in excuses.
Time to spice up the ol’ (workout) routine and say buh bye to fitness fatigue. All you need to get started? Six sweat-worthy fitness classes to help you lift up dull workouts. Plus freebies and guest passes for Bergen Mama subscribers. Voila!
Heads up. At Cool Hot Yoga’s new AntiGravity® Yoga class you can refine, tone and build strength using your own bodyweight by moving within the AntiGravity Hammocks hung throughout the new studio located just across the street from Cool Hot’s main location. Taught by Acro-pros Tamer Begum and Lorraine Major, this class is perfect for Yogi’s looking to spice up their routine or those who want a good stretch while they tone. And we promise, although the instructors have been called “entertaining”, this aint no circus act. (AntiGravity® Yoga at Cool Hot Yoga, 15 Broadway, Suite 105, Cresskill, $25 per class, $200 for package of 10, 201-349-5834) BERGEN MAMA READER SPECIAL: One Free Class, use code BMFREE when registering online, good through November 8th.
For Pilates devotees who feel they also need cardio, Jumping Frog Studios has your back. Avid runner and Pilates instructor Alex White is training small groups in her 1 ½ hour Pilates/Cardio class designed specifically for multi-taskers. After kicking off with a Pilates session consisting of mat moves, leg and arm springs and the use of a push-through bar, clients then move over to Reformer work. The last 30 minutes are packed with intervals of treadmill sprints and inclines. Small classes give the sense that it’s “semi-private” and Instructor White keeps it moving by constantly changing up the routine. (Pilates/Cardio Class at Jumping Frog Studios, Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00-12:30pm, 145 Piermont Road, Tenafly, 201-266-6989, $35 per session) BERGEN MAMA READER SPECIAL: Try Jumping Frog Studios for FREE! From October 14th through the 20th, 2012. Contact the studio to sign up now.
For maximum impact in minimal time check out Unique Training Group’s Battle Ropes Class. Small classes, challenging workouts and personal attention are what make this personal training gym different. The half-hour Battle ropes class consists of using ropes to target specific muscle groups, then switching over to the ever-popular TRX workout (fitting because co-owner Jason is an ex-marine) mid session. UTG is also one of the only studios where they actually offer a money back guarantee on your class, adding that much more muscle to their workouts. (Battle Ropes Class at Unique Training Group, 41 Bergenline Ave (located on the top floor of Fred Astaire’s Dance), Westwood or 70 Eisenhower Drive, Paramus, 201-783-7694, $240 for a one month trial) BERGEN MAMA READER SPECIAL: $100 Guest Pass for all Bergen Mamas, contact studio to redeem. Offer good through November 30th, 2012.
Russian KettleBell class at Impetus Fitness will work you hard (like Siberia workcamp hard) in a warm, modern environment. Once confined to use by Russian weightlifters, KettleBell’s have now gone mainstream and are being hailed as the perfect answer to the total body workout. Wannabe attendees are required to complete a foundation training course to learn proper form (which helps prevent injury), but once “admitted”, enjoy all the benefits of the ergonomically perfect KettleBell, as well as small class sizes (up to 10) and top notch instruction from fitness expert/owner Jerome Anderson, who not only gives a great workout, but makes all feel welcome in his brand new studio. (Russian KB class at Impetus Fitness, 103 North Suite B Summit Street Tenafly, 201-399-7117, check schedule for times) BERGEN MAMA READER SPECIAL: Mention Bergen Mama for one Free Class, good through November 30th, 2012.
Crossfit is having its moment right now. And leading the charge here in Bergen is owner Steve Macioci of Crossfit Ignite. Workouts consist of a series of very short, super-intense, cardio-strength intervals (think rowing machines, squats, lunges), with short recovery periods in between, all confined to a time period that’s usually between 10 and 45 minutes. Those who enjoy a challenge will like that a staffer records times as you run through the circuit as fast as you can, making it easy to track progress. And the gym, or “box” as it’s called, is stocked with all the props you will need to make a serious workout happen, without added distractions like TVs or mirrors. (Crossfit Ignite, 33 South Maple Ave, Park Ridge, 973-879-1210, $150 for one month unlimited, check schedule for class times) BERGEN MAMA READER SPECIAL: One Free Saturday Class, good through November 30th, 2012. Contact steve@crossfitignite.com to redeem.
For the most fun, intense cardio workout you can find, and if you like to sweat, sign up for a class at a little-known studio called VIVAFIT in Guttenberg. Master Zumba instructor/owner Melissa Carias teaches at NYC’s Alvin Ailey School, but you can snag her sexy, Latin-infused, hip-hop moves on this side of the Hudson, at her Zumba Party or Zumba in the Circuit workouts. Classes left us breathless and bopping, ready for the weekend to hit. (Vivafit, 6900 Park Avenue, Guttenberg, 917-528-2403, $15 per class, check schedule for times) BERGEN MAMA READER SPECIAL: One Free Class, mention Bergen Mama, good through November 10th, 2012. Contact Melissa at flaca94@hotmail.com.
