Ramsey Free Week Recap

It's free week at my university's student gym. That means any gym member can take any class they want for free. The only caveat is you have to get a space in the class—meaning there has to be enough space or equipment for you. Some of the classes have lines to get in. So it's always good to get there early to ensure you have spot. These classes are way busier than later on in the semester. Most of the classes are PACKED. They try not to turn people away. They try to squeeze as many people in as possible. So that might mean the late comers have to share equipment. Or for some classes they'll cut the line off. Usually if you're there 10 minutes earlier you'll be fine. It's also a tryout phase—meaning there will be lots of newbies in the class so you don't have to worry about not knowing the workout. Probably half the class won't know the workout so you won't stick out.

Day 1: TRX Yoga
I miss TRX and I liked yoga so I decided to try this class. I got there good and early and got equipment. This class had spots for 23. A few girls came in about 10 minutes late and there wasn't equipment for them.

The first half of the class was yoga. We started out with breathing and mindfulness and moved on to downward dog and other poses. So an average yoga class.

The second half of the class was TRX. It was yoga on TRX so you got a better stretch. We did Y holds and T holds. We did floor work with hamstrings, glute bridges, planks and pikes (so hard! I used to be better at these!). By the end only a few people were left. I was trying to #beastmode through it, but I couldn't do as many pikes as I used to.

Overall, I LOVED the class. It was such an amazing stretch for my shoulders. Because of the TRX you can really stretch deeper than you would when pushing against the floor. (I'm pretty flexible so this was exactly what I needed.)I felt really good leaving the class. Like I'd just had a massage or a chiropractic adjustment. I went in with an achey back and left feeling awesome.

Overseen in this class: International student working out in jean shorts.

Day 2: Yoga
I did Friday yoga and this class was packed. They probably packed 40 people into the tiny studio. I don't think they had to turn anyone away.

This was your average yoga class, not my beloved power yoga.I think the instructor was taking it easy for all the newbies. I like my yoga on caffeine, so I'd really like a more difficult class. The instructor said we'd do headstands and crane later in the semester. So there is hope for it.

We did the usual poses. We did some variations of tree pose—harder versions, arms out, arms swaying etc.  She said to try it with your eyes closed. WHY IS IT SO MUCH HARDER WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED!?! This blew my mind and I must get better at this immediately.

I like the time this class is offered. If I do take it again, I'll count it as an off day.

Overseen in class: Girl in front of me working on in a cotton onesie sleeper that was so short I could see her 80s satin underwear. I didn't even think they made underwear like that anymore.

Day 3: Bodypump

I've always been intimidated by this class. It's always packed to the gills full of girls and giant barbells. 60 minutes of weights!? Sounds awful.
But I do need to add strength training to my regimen and it's free week so I should try classes and see what I like.

I'm not sure if I've picked a barbell since freshman year of college, so I didn't know what to expect.

Equipment for this class: a mat, a platform, a barbell and plates.

I got a barbell (which was surprisingly light. NOT 40 pounds) and a set of small (2.2), medium (5.5) and large (11 pound) plates.

I put the small and medium on each side for the warm-up (deadlifts and upright rows). I survived! I thought I maybe could have added weight.

There were squats and overhead lifts. It was kind of what I was expecting. I didn't die really until the third or so exercise about 10 minutes in when my arms started to shake. I persevered.

The second half of the class was leg day. It was squats. I DIED on the lunges, which was weird because I run and can do lunges. I was just so tired at that point. We did some work lying back on the bench (like a weight bench)

We changed weights throughout the class. I did most of the class with the small and medium or just the medium on the bar. I watched what the one instructor was doing and that was a good weight for me. We also used the plates as free weights—for tricep extensions and then the small plates for some exercise that killed my shoulders (out of the side and back like you're pulling a bow and arrow.) We also did pushups after my arms were tired.

The next day my quads were sore as well as my shoulders. Good sore. I knew I'd be sore.

I'm thinking about adding the class to my routine. I just don't know what fits yet.

I'd wanted to take the 7 p.m. yoga too, but the gym early for a training so it wasn't offered anyway.

Day 4: Power Yoga
I went to the usual room for yoga. But the yoga class was actually upstairs. So at 12 minutes till I went upstairs and was about #20 in line. Then the fire alarm went off for the gym and the entire gym had to evacuate. There were about 2,000 people shuttled out of the building: lots of people working out, waiting to take classes and about 500 people in a lecture (maybe a mandatory club sports meeting). So we all waited outside in the grass. About 20 minutes in—they decided to cancel the classes and I went home and walked my dog.

I ran this morning so it was okay. Maybe I needed the rest? Apparently the fire alarm had been going off all week.

Fire alarm crowd. About 30 minutes in. A ton had left. 

Day 5: More TRX Yoga
Maybe I should have tried a different class, but I wanted to do this class again. This class had a lot of people come in late (after it was full) and there wasn't equipment for them. And I found that extremely distracting. The teacher was having to teach two groups. I'll look forward to smaller classes later in the semester.

On Tuesdays, there are barre classes that I might do later. There's an Insanity class, which I might be too chicken to try. I die just doing 10 minutes of Insanity abs. 60 minutes!? I'm scared. Today I was too tired to do the class. Maybe on a week I've been a slug and really need to torch some calories.

I didn't do the last day of free week. I have a standing Wednesday class that I try my hardest not to miss.

So that's it I'll buy an all access pass soon.

Closing thoughts:
1. Don't be afraid to go to the student gym. Yes, it's super busy. But if you show up early and pay attention you will be fine.(Also classes tend to be more popular during the school day and slightly less packed the closer you get to 8 p.m.)
2. Maybe I should have tried more classes. I still haven't tried Total Body Tone or spinning with the instructor I liked this summer. But I guess I have all semester.
3. Glad I survived free week: early closings, fire alarms and all.

Back to the Barre

I headed back to Pure Barre this weekend. Because FREE CLASSES!

I love free classes. Especially when my gyms are closed and most of my classes are on hiatus for winter break.

I took the Saturday morning class with the owner. I was sure I was going to die. It's been four months since I did Pure Barre.

I walked in. Everyone was chatting excitedly, with a few people looking around nervously. The class started. And the warmup.

1. I forgot about the warmup. It starts out kind of jazzercise march in place and gets difficult quickly. I forgot how bad I was at the twisting part of the warmup.

2. I forgot how brutal the warmup is. 90 second plank hold is hard enough but to do it while tucking. OMG.

3. After the warmup, the class isn't quite as hellish. I settled into the routine of the class and still knew enough of the basics to not feel foolish. Thank you 100 club, for teaching me Pure Barre basics. Actually I was surprised that with the exception of the twist, I fell right back into it. I could still stand on pointe, tuck, and was still bad at the things I used to be bad at ;)

4. I picked up Pure Barre's 3-pounds weights and forgot how light they are. I use 5's at home. They get heavy quickly when you keep your arms up for 3-5 minutes so I was fine with the 3 pounds.

5. Sweat was rolling down my arms in the warm-up. They keep the room a little warmer than normal—which I like. I forgot about the sweat drip. It just shows I work hard!

6. The class got hellish again in barre holds. I just can't keep my leg up that long. I need to stretch it. And then beastly again in abs. The hard part was keep your arms up—and overhead the whole time (at some points, your elbows by your ears and hands on your shoulder blades). Eventually, I had to take my arms down. I know my limits. I was at them.

I finished the class. And was glad to have survived. And not not have sucked. It was a great class and a great workout.

I checked my watch—and the class burned more calories than Above Barre classes, but not as much as the HIIT class they have.

The owner told me I needed to try their Platform class.

A few people have told me that. (The manager at Lululemon ;) And I kind of want to. I kind of think I'd fall on my face or look ridiculous.

She offered me a free class. And I said let's make that happen. I'm going Wednesday and will report back! I'm kind of excited/ hoping I don't die.

And round two, I took a second class on Sunday.

And I'm totally embarrassed and feel like a mooch.

My friend was going to come with me—so I only signed up after she said yes. She bailed a few hours before class (too late for me to cancel) so I showed up and felt like I looked like cheapskate. (I am but don't want to look like one.)

The Sunday class was good. Less crowded than the Saturday class. Apparently a lot of people didn't show on Sunday. But I like it when there's room not to kick people at the barre ;) There were some new girls near me. They did great. I tried to make sure I had extra perfect form so they knew what to do. (So that's what I bring to the free class. Someone for them to watch during barre work.)

The class was taught by one my favorite teachers. This sweet girl who used to be a college cheerleader and is working on her Ph.D. (She is amazing!!) My Apple Watch said this class actually burned more calories. Both classes were difficult—they were challenging, my muscles were shaking and I was working. But it wasn't too challenging that I got frustrated with myself or wanted to leave. It was just the right amount of challenge. I like that.

The owner's ab section was more difficult—and I didn't know quite what to expect for the first class. By the Sunday class, I was more comfortable. But don't worry, there was still awful hip flexor exercises that I am so bad at. (Anything in beetle, I suck at. It hurts so much!!)

I survived two Pure Barre classes in two days. And was totally fine afterward. I feel like this just means I'm a beast.

Part of me misses Pure Barre. I like the structure. I like the instructors. I like the ab section and what it works. I like going up on my tip toes. I like the stretching in the dark at the end. (I really do like this part. Favorite part of class. The cool down.)

If I had unlimited time for workouts and didn't have to worry about money—I'd be there now. But while I'm running, taking a Canopy session, doing gymnastics—my time and funds are limited, I don't know how to make the money work.

Until Wednesday Pure Barre, and then I might have to find the money for my Platform addiction. (I've been warned.)

If you go to Pure Barre
1) Wear tights or leggings. And socks. Don't wear shorts. Also, if you have Lululemon, that's the unofficial wardrobe and you can't go wrong with it.

2) Bring: water bottle. Optional: towel. You will sweat!

3) Get there early to sign the waiver, talk to the teacher and find a spot. Do you want to be in the front or back? By a barre or a mirror?

4) There's usually an instructor taking class to watch if you're lost (they will usually be at the front of the room and the instructor teaching may introduce them during the warmup.). If not, find anyone wearing 100 club socks and watch them. Or ask the instructor before class who you can watch. The instructor will give hands on corrections. I always say THANKS because I want to do the workout right and not hurt myself. Don't be hard on yourself for a correction. It just means the instructor cares that you have the best experience.

5) Think small movements. A lot of bootcamp classes emphasize bigger movements. In Pure Barre, small movements will work your body harder.

5) Know your limits. It's okay to stretch or break form if you need to. It's ok to modify or take breaks. Heck, fake it until you recover if you have to. You'll get stronger every class.

Best for: Former dancers, anyone looking for a low impact workout. There are many grandmas who love these classes and excel at them. Also I told my sister who just had a baby—that this class works exactly those muscles. She should try it for her core.
Note: Not a lot of guys go. So unless it's a "Bring on the Men" class, I wouldn't really force your guy friend to come with you. (But the girls are all cute.)

Happy tucking!