Gravity Gym in NYC!

OUT OF TOWN GYM REVIEW!

Gravity gym is pretty rad.  This past weekend was a great adventure in mid-town NYC for myself and my online workout buddy Angie.  We wanted a hotel with a kickin' gym and a spa if possible and also a location proximal to Central Park.  We found all these features in the Le Parker Meridien. We met up from the wilds of North Carolina and Michigan for a trifecta of wurking it, exploring and shopping, and eating amazing food.

http://www.parkermeridien.com/gravity/

We both love to go "meathead' in the gym and are pretty competitive.  SO we immediately ditched our baggage, real and emotional, in our room, a mere ten minutes after we hopped out of our taxi and b-lined for a 2:30 class called American Psycho, more on that below!

Gravity gym has a plethora of work 'em out tools.  Cardio equipment in multiples!  And I never saw 100% capacity on the cardio machines, although I wasn't always around at rush hour.  A full free weight area, yea!  And extensive resistance machines if that is your scene.  I prefer body weight exercise and free weights, so the machines are never a must have for me, but the ones at Gravity were in good condition.

Cardio equipment is also high quality, no wobbly treadmills, or sad ellipticals.  Also found here for heart pumping goodness were an arm ergometer, and rowing machines; not your typical gym fare.

This gym also has a pool, and a full group fitness class schedule.

The group fitness rooms are on the smaller side, maybe 10-20 max capacity.  Here is were I think there is potential to grow.  Our instructors often did not demonstrate our exercises, and did not really do anything besides hold a timer.  NO form correction, NO verbal encouragement, NOTHING besides start and stop.

I have had a variety of instructors along the ability and experience spectrum but none as spartan with instruction as my experience here.  I only interacted with two trainers but I was not impressed.

We did a Tabata style class that was 20 seconds on all out, 10 seconds off to recover the whole time! I felt that the exercises were randomly chosen and they were trying to drill us into the ground versus maximize our success.  Ang and I , Meathead 1 and 2 gladly took the abuse! BUT I have had better, more balanced workouts.  Also no real warm-up to this class.  The kicker was when one of the trainers came up to me and stretched me waaaayyyy beyond  my end range of motion.  I was too shocked from the workout to verbalize a no-thank you but not impressed by that!  We were laughing all weekend at how not-too-out-of-shape folks ruined themselves within two hours of landing in NYC!

We also did a spin class were the instructor did not bike along!  Yikes!  Once again, our instructor was just calling out tension levels and time frames but once again no verbal encouragement or push.  I have had so-so spin classes and spin classes that border on a spiritual experience because the instructor engages and pushes you to your limits!  I would have liked a little more meatiness this workout.

From a technical aspect, they need to improve there sound system in the group exercise room.  A huge gym like this should have an integrated professional jam set up!  Half the fun of group exercise is great motivating music, which we definitely had, but you also need to hear them.

The bones of this place are great.  This gym is outfitted with high quality equipment and all the usual suspects for getting fit.

I would like to keep sampling the platter of offerings for the classes!  And see what other things are out there as far as options for instructors.   A great instructor pushes and makes you come out of class successful and pumped, and I just did not get that experience here.

Definitely utilize this awesome gym but maybe ask around at the front desk for who is an engaging instructor who really interacts and is fun.  Gravity totally redefines working out away from home with this multi-level workout space, no sad garage sale T-mill and one ten pound dumbbell tucked away in the bowels of the hotel.

We also had amazing massages at Moonshine spa tucked nicely inside the gym, so the Le Parker Meridien is full of all kinds of goodies.  Also Ten Over Ten, located in the hotel, does great mani's and pedi's and blow outs are available at Dry Bar (also in hotel!), a do-up-the locks station!

Lastly, verbal hug to poor Madeline, our video sampler extraordinaire as the cold monster has stopped her in her workout tracks.  We wish her quick healing and look for her updates once she feels human again!

Madeline versus Jillian, 90 day Body Revolution Week 3 continues...

Phase 1 Workout 4

Sunday, February 24, 2013

I have really similar feelings about this dvd and Phase 1 Workout 3, so this post won’t be particularly long. I was not gasping for air throughout the entire thing (just during the cardio intervals – wow!), but it was still a REALLY challenging workout.

One thing I really like is that Jillian is taking some of the moves from Phase 1 Workouts 1 and 2 and building on them, so you can actually see your strength improve.  I also love all the coreshe incorporates into Workout 4. You are in plank for almost every circuit, which is a killer for your core.

These dvds are definitely more difficult than 1 and 2. My muscles were screaming by the end of Workout 4, which is not the worst thing in the world. Oh, and you don’t need your resistance band for this one (workout 4), so that made me happy (why do I hate that thing so much?).

So far, so good. I’m actually looking forward to doing each of these dvds 3 more times!

Guest Blogger Madeline Update on NEW VIDEO from Jilly B's 90 DAY BODY REV!

Madeline sent me this goodness yesterday!

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Phase 1 Workout 3

I graduated to new dvds! I was so excited to try out a new dvd today. 

I am SORE. My arms are killing me, and I did this workout about 3 hours ago. I cannot imagine what they will be feeling like tomorrow. My overall thoughts about this workout: it’s REALLY tough, but you don’t realize how difficult it is until you are about halfway through. 

Positives: She begins to incorporate a little more plyometric (jumping) moves, and she does a lot of upper/lower body at the same time. She also incorporates a lot of yoga into this one – downward dog, plank, and crescent lunge. The cardio intervals were a LOT more difficult, I was panting at the end of each one, but for the most part, I was not gasping for air throughout the workout. It was a serious challenge. I also like that she uses new moves I’ve never done before – it really kept me interested through the whole 37 minutes (a little longer than her promise 30).

Negatives: There are a couple moves that I just did not feel like I was doing properly, particularly the one move where she uses the resistance band (which honestly, I hate). The other negative thing has to do with something she says. At one point, she’s trying to motivate you to push harder, and she says “I don’t want you losing just 1-2 pounds per week – I want to see you losing 5 pounds a week!”

I’m sorry, but I’m 130 pounds. If I’m losing 5 pounds per week, we have a serious problem and I should probably go see a doctor. I think she forgets that some people may use these dvds just to stay in shape or tone up a bit, not lose a ton of weight. I don’t know why, but that comment threw me off for a second.

Overall, this is a arm and quad KILLER. And it only gets harder from here.

I can’t wait!!

WEEK 2 = DONE! Guest Blogger Madeline sums up her first 14 days!

WEEK 2 = DONE!

I have officially completed week 2 of Body Revolution! 10 more weeks to go!!

How I’m feeling: Really good! As I progressed through the strength dvds, I realized I was becoming less sore each time I went through them. Can’t wait to feel the burn when I start Phase 1 Workouts 3 and 4 tomorrow and Sunday.

DVD observations: I’m starting to get a LITTLE sick of the Cardio 1 video (which I have to do throughout the next two weeks as well), but it’s only 26 minutes, and it’s a KILLER workout in only 26 minutes. Plus, with the 2 new strength dvds over the next 2 weeks, I think I will be just fine with the Cardio.

Body observations: Nothing too obvious. I’m sticking to my diet as best I can (though my fiancé brought home GIRL SCOUT cookies the other day! I’ve been resisting the temptation), and I’m feeling my core getting stronger.

Overall: Loving it so far. This is the first time in several months I’ve worked out 6 days per week, and I think it’s because the dvds are only 30 minutes, and the schedule is organized REALLY well. See you tomorrow for my thoughts on Phase 1 Workout 3!

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I am gonna two-cents it again!  I have done all three workouts making up phase one and I would like to throw in some pros as well.

Jillian uses simple moves that are challenging but give you room to grow.  Initially, you can do a lot of these moves with lower poundage weights, but there is endless potential to really push by adding heavy weights or trying the advanced version.

I feel like J-monies gives lots of alignment cues and continually goes over do's and don'ts for form!

INSPIRATION!

Madeline is a guest blogger tracking her experience as she takes on Jillian Michaels 90 day program, Body Revolution.  Enjoy her latest entry below.

Also check out her cooking blog, http://thelawsofthekitchen.blogspot.com, for interesting and creative kitchen adventures!

From Madeline:

This morning I did Phase 1 Workout 1 for the LAST TIME! I am 2 workouts away from being DONE with week 2!!

Phase 1 Workout 1 is TOUGH. I had to really push this morning to get through it, and I wanted to share what did get me through it:

In one of the dvds, Jillian says something to the extent of “if you constantly remind yourself of the ‘why?’ then you can get through any amount of the ‘how?’” Basically, she’s saying if you have an end goal and you constantly remind yourself of it, how you get there will be less of a struggle. With a goal in mind, you can push yourself through these tough workouts because you know where you want it to lead you.

My “why?” is twofold: 1. I want to look great on my wedding day – those pictures last a lifetime – and; 2. I want to reach my ultimate size/weight goal that I have been hovering near for almost 2 years. Those “whys?” are all I need to push just a little harder through these workouts.

Just wanted to share! Hope everyone is having a great week.

GUEST Blogger Madeline has completed Week One: 11 More to Go!

Week One: Done! 11 More to Go!

I have officially finished the first week of Body Revolution. So far, so good! I’m not sick of the videos yet, which is good. I think by the end of next week, I’ll be ready for a change, which will be perfect because I move on to Phase 1 Workouts 3 and 4. 

Overall, I’m loving it so far. I think if you had never worked out before, these dvds would be VERY difficult. I’m working up a good sweat, and I feel great when they are done. I love having a schedule to follow – it keeps me on track!

I’ve been tracking my diet as well. I post a lot of really tasty things on my blog (thelawsofthekitchen.blogspot.com), but I have the same breakfast every morning (2 scrambled eggs, 1 apple) and usually the same lunch every afternoon (spinach salad with onion, tomato, cucumber, pine nuts, reduced fat feta cheese and red wine vinegar with a little olive oil). Between that, healthy dinner choices, and this workout series, I think I will be looking great on wedding day!

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I am going to jump in here and mention that Madeline and I back to backed the 2nd strength video and the cardio and we had a great workout. I agree that 2-3 of the cardio moves would be a really great challenge for the beginner exerciser and would add that there is no shame in utilizing the pause button or taking a ten second breather if you cannot catch your breath.

These videos just cruise by too, it reminds me somewhat of how I like to train clients. No breaks, lots of variety.

Thanks again to Madeline for test driving JM's bod-DAY revolution!

GOING RIGHT OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE!

The GO Training February contest is for readers to submit stories of being pushed out of das comfort zone.  That may be getting up the courage to go to your first Zumba class, your first 5 K, or pole vaulting in the NCAA finals.

Submit your story to me via email (beth@gotrainingwithbeth.com) and I am looking to hear how that experience changed you! Get it to me by February 28th and you will be in the running for a 20 dollar REI gift card!  The winning story will be posted here on March 3rd.

So...just so you know, that title is intended to be sung to the tune of Kenny Loggins "Danger Zone".  And the following ditty is my tale of discomfort!

I would say training for my first marathon experience put me into a new zone of mental maturity, bumped me out of my comfort zone.  I have done sprint triathlons that have lasted an hour and a half to two and a half hours, but never had I tried running for 4 or 5 hours.  I did the Detroit marathon last October, which is a fantastic way to visit friends and family and get in a little adventure.

Pushing aside exhaustion and discomfort built a stronger noggin for me.  Getting the big ole 20 mile run  in 3 weeks prior to go time made my heart sing!  Just knowing I made it through and felt okay after was such a big win!

The week of the marathon I had a rough week...my legs felt a really flat, and I actually had a melt down  (including crying and mumbling) during a 6 mile run, my last "big guy" before the marathon as I tapered before the race.  I was intimidated that my body was not going to perform on the big day.

I sheepishly boarded the manbird from Greensboro, NC to Detroit, Michigan, as I hadn't felt super strong the week of the race.  While in the air, I reflected on the months of hard work I had invested and focused on all the little wins along the way. The endurance was inside my body, I had done the training, and now it was time to enjoy the race.  I took the advice of so many other marathoners (Sarah, Ang, Laura, Genevieve) to really soak up the fun and to embrace the joy of running.  I toured every corner of the giant Fitness Expo and felt the energy around the packet pick up. I even had the pleasure of an extra security check from border patrol (?).  Apparently, I was specially chosen to be given the close-up-squinky eye by the Canadians as this was an INTERNATIONAL MARATHON.  Exotic Canada! And also had the great pleasure of seeing my buddy Brian at the start line! I also new other friends were in the field of runners (Christelle and Bert)!

The morning of the race I showed up right on time, not too early, not too late, slipped into my starting area with 10-15 minutes to go.  I warmed up, and discarded extra layers of snugglies as the first wave went out.  I had somehow lost my gloves, it was chilly! But picked up some discarded by someone else (Don't mind if I do! Thank you Genevieve for this idea...).  Because of the size of the Detroit marathon, it takes about 10-25 minutes to get to the start line after the initial start gun (unless your an elite runner!) to actually get to the running.

I felt amazing for the first 13 miles! I was sticking right on the heel of another runner with my same pace and it was exhilarating!  Around mile 15 I hugged my mom and my cousin and then had to do a blister prevention, followed by a bathroom break. And then at mile 17, I started to feel pain in the quad region. I had just less than ten miles to go and I was HURTIN' for certain.  Only option was to push through, push PUSH push through.  I started doing the one mile countdown, 17 down and 9.2 to go, and so on.  I soaked up every cheer, smiled at every funny sign, and dug deep.  And the wave of happiness and accomplishment at mile 26.2 was totally worth the last hour and half of discomfort.

This is myself and my buddy Brian finishing together!  He is faster than me, but had an Ankle Mc Crunchin' at mile 8 I think, and ran the whole darn thing still...woah!  It was awesome to cross the line with him!

My marathon experience was great for building up my perception of what I can do, and for strengthening my mental resolve.  I am so grateful to all my friends and family who helped me along the way!