This post is part of my 2017 New Year’s Resolution to try every group fitness class offered at my gym, The Equinox in Chestnut Hill. See the full list of reviews here.
PROGRESS: 45 CLASSES DOWN, APPROXIMATELY 1-3 TO GO (IT’S COMPLICATED)
Class: Definitions with Paula Fonseca
Class length: 50 minutes
Description from the Equinox: An intense total body workout designed to define & tone every muscle in every way & improve muscular strength & endurance.
WHAT CLASS WAS LIKE
A strength focused class with just a brief cardio warm-up and some post-class stretching. Great for working all those different muscle groups with weights and then being able to pair it with your favorite cardio exercise afterward. I ran for a mile afterward, something I don’t have much of an urge to do after a class that incorporates high-intensity cardio bursts in between the strength training.
Sample Workout
We did two exercises for one minute x 2 (A, B, A, B) and then moved onto a new set of exercises.
A Few Example Exercises:
- Side dumbbell planks lifting one weight up, into neutral plank, repeat on the other side
- Curtsey lunges with tricep pull and then overhead extension
- Graduated push-ups (add one push up to each repeat) from standing walking hands out to high plank, push-up(s), walk hands back and stand – repeat
- Four bicycles on mat then roll over into side plank and repeat switching sides
- Squats with dumbbell presses
- Deadlifts with dumbbells then tricep curls
- Sitting in V position circling one dumbbell in both hands around the head to one side and then back
- Second position squat with overhead tricep curls
Beginner Friendly?
Strength focus means anyone who prefers low impact classes won’t have to modify cardio rounds of jumping jacks or burpees, which is nice, as is the ability to pick your own weights and tailor the workout to your needs. Some of the bodyweight exercises are harder to modify, but overall this class has a wide range of difficulty options based on which weights you grab from out back for your station.
Paula is also wonderful at modifying and giving tips on form – beginners will find her incredibly approachable, knowledgeable and friendly.
Know before you go
Main studio, wear sneakers, weight gloves & earplugs may make class more comfortable
PS – Getting close to having taken every class EQX Chestnut Hill currently offers! But tomorrow instead of going to Slow Flow Yoga like I originally planned, I’m repeating Precision Running with it’s founder David Siik! Go ahead and google him – he’ll come up because he’s been on the cover of Runner’s World multiple times. I’m pretty excited.