AntiGravity® Fitness: What to Expect

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to try out an AntiGravity® Fitness class with the Blog Squad at InFlight Fitness here in Calgary. Ange already happened to know the owner and our instructor, Alison, and kindly set the class up for us. In exchange for an honest review and social media shares, we got to try out the class for free.

I'll be honest, I had never heard of AntiGravity® Fitness before and I didn't know too much about it beforehand. I did email Alison a few weeks before our class though, to make sure that I wouldn't show up 6 months pregnant and look like a fool for not being able to participate. Alison assured me that while I wouldn't be able to participate in the inversions (which are contraindicated in pregnancy), I would enjoy just chilling in the hammock (and she was right!).

WHAT IS ANTIGRAVITY® FITNESS?

AntiGravity® Fitness was created over 20 years ago by Christopher Harrison. It's a unique blend of aerial and yoga and it utilizes a Harrison AntiGravity® Hammock, which hangs from the ceiling at two points, creating a swing or soft trapeze.

The workout is low-impact, and it simultaneously works to decompress and strengthen your musculoskeletal system.

WHAT TO WEAR

We were told in advance, that tank tops were not allowed, and that all participants must wear a t-shirt or long sleeve shirt. Lots of the movements require the hammock to be underneath your armpits, and since the hammock is made of silk, for hygiene reasons, no one wants other people's sweat and deodorant all over the fabric. Also, I couldn't imagine having the sling rub on my bare underarms - ouch!

You must wear grip socks. While lots of the movements are done while you are suspended in the hammock, there is still ground work that occurs (like jumping off your swing, downward dog, and even just hopping up to sit in your sling) and you definitely don't want your feet to slip.

All jewelry (including wedding bands/rings) must be removed prior to class. This is to prevent any damage to the fabric of the hammocks.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Everyone at InFlight Fitness must take 4 Fundamentals classes before moving on to the more advanced classes, such as Suspension Fitness, Aerial Yoga, and AIRbarre (and even some of those have prerequisites of other classes). They even have classes for kids!

Alison took our group through a Fundamentals class, which starts off with measuring the hammocks at the correct position (hip crease), and then she went over the basics of how to get into our hammocks properly. Also, as the class progressed, Alison made sure to go over every new position and instruct us on how to get in and out of the hammocks. It takes a bit of trust at first, but you will quickly learn that the hammock is incredibly strong (they are tested to hold up to 1000 pounds!) and the movements and poses are all designed to keep you safely in your hammock.

We started the class with just sitting in the hammocks, getting used to how if felt to be suspended, and moved through saddle pose and modified child's pose.

Then we started to get ready for the first inversion pose, by getting into downward dog with the sling supported against our hip creases. Unfortunately, this was as far as I got to go before getting back up and hanging out in the hammock.

We also got to literally just swing in our hammocks which was a lot of fun! And then practiced dismounting by jumping while in flight. It was like being a kid again!

There were a few more inversions the rest of the girls went through, while I got to relax in my hammock. I did get to participate in vampire pose since the inversion part of it is really quick, and while it is not easy to flip over with a 6-month pregnant belly, I was proud of myself for accomplishing this one! It did make me feel a bit nauseated, which is common for most people's first class, but is supposed to get better the more classes you do.

The last few minutes of class were spent laying completely hidden in the hammocks, as if you were in a cocoon. During this time all I could think about was how amazing it would be for my achy, pregnant body to be able to sleep in a hammock like this one at night! No pressure points! The slight swaying of the hammocks is also very calming and relaxing.

AFTER THE CLASS

Alison told us during the class, that we should expect to walk out of there felling happier, lighter and physically taller. I can without a doubt say that I left that class in a great mood! I might not have gained the benefit of completely lengthening my spine since I had to sit out the inversions, but I still really enjoyed myself. I told her I will 100% be back to do another class once I'm no longer pregnant. I think seeing what I can accomplish not pregnant, in comparison to this time, will be really neat! In the meantime, I've put a Harrison AntiGravity® Fitness Hammock on my Christmas list ;)

If you're in the Calgary area, you can try out AntiGravity® Fitness at InFlight Fitness for one month unlimited for only $79! This includes ALL the classes too! Of course, punch passes can also be purchased. One time drop in is $20, or the larger the punch pass you purchase, the cheaper the classes get. I highly recommend at least trying this class out once. I can honestly say I have never done anything quite like it and it was so much fun.

{The Blog Squad: Jen//Ange//Me & Baby//Leigh//Alison//Nicole//Leslie}

Have you ever tried an AntiGravity® Fitness class? 

Does this post make you want to now?! :) 

Surf Set Fitness: What to Expect

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to try out a private Surf Set class at Illume Hot Yoga here in Calgary. My friend, and fellow "Blog Squad" member, Alison, organized the class for ten of us. I remember seeing the episode about Surf Set on Shark Tank a few years ago and ever since then, I've always wanted to try it out! I've never surfed or done stand-up paddle boarding, but I'm always up for trying out new things.

In case you aren't familiar with Surf Set, it was founded back in 2011 by professional hockey player, Mike Hartwick, after he spent his summers during off-season, surfing in California. He quickly realized that surfing resulted in his most toned and lean body ever, and he was unable to achieve these same results with any other type of workout. Hating to leave the ocean behind, he designed a way to mimic the workout he got while surfing. Surf Set Fitness was born.

Illume Hot Yoga where we took the class, offers Surf Set classes, as well as hot and warm yoga classes. The owner of the studio is Telara, and she also taught our class. We all arrived at the studio 15 minutes prior to our class to sign forms, give us a tour of the studio, and to go over the basics of our class.

The studio is stunning. The moment you walk in the door, you enter a peaceful oasis. There is a spot to take off your shoes, along with a little sitting area. Down the hall, you find two studios - one for Surf Set and one for Yoga. Further down, there is a change room. All of the wood used in the woodwork and decoration in the studio was commissioned from local artists utilizing reclaimed wood.

The Surf Set class caps out at ten participants, and the boards are arranged in staggering order facing the front of the studio, and not in a circle like I envisioned! I was so nervous that we'd all be staring at each other for the whole class. There also weren't any mirrors which I really liked as it meant you could just focus on you and the board, nothing else. At the front of the room, a compilation of surf related videos was projected on the wall which I really enjoyed and just added to the overall ambiance of the experience. Telara taught on a board from the front corner of the room.

I really wasn't sure what to expect from the class. Our class was a "blend" class, consisting of a warm-up, a lower-body strength set, cardio, an upper-body strength set, more cardio, core and balance work, and then a cool-down. We did exercises such as burpees (way more fun on a surf board, let me tell you!), planks, pushups, lunges, squats, tricep dips, downward dog, swimming & paddling, and balancing on one foot! My heart rate was up from the get-go and I was dripping sweat early on. It was hard, but not in an "in your face way". It was so different, and so fun, that you almost didn't notice you were working out.

The class is only 45 minutes long, and it's great to achieve such an efficient, total-body workout in less than an hour. We all agreed that class just flew by, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who wished it couldn't have gone on a bit longer. That's just how much fun we were having!

The surf boards mimic the movement it would make in the water, and there are bungee cords that determine the level of difficulty your board is set at. All of our boards were set to "easy", but to increase the intensity of the board workout, you can release the bungee cords. Laughing is encouraged in class, which is good because there was a lot of that going on. You can't help but lose your balance at times or even fall off the board completely. It's tough, and even humbling at times, but honestly, it was the most fun I've ever had in a fitness class!

{Thanks to Ange and Chase This Skirt for providing the Blog Squad with these awesome custom tanks! }

There are lots of fitness studios that offer this class now, which I think is great because everyone needs to try this at least once! Illume Hot Yoga even has a fantastic introductory rate to try out Surf Set for one month unlimited for just $40! Unfortunately, I live far, far south from the studio and wouldn't be able to make use of this offer, but I'm on the look out for a studio closer to me to get in a few more surf sessions!

Thanks again to Illume Hot Yoga for the private class and working our butts off!

Check out the links below to see what the other girls thought of the class!



Have you ever done a Surf Set class?

7 Reasons To Love Group Fitness Classes

I know there are a lot of people out there who love to workout at home or don't have the means or time to get to a gym. I get that, I really do. I struggle too with fitting in my beloved BodyPump classes at GoodLife Fitness. I workout at home when I have to, but I definitely don't enjoy it nearly as much as getting out to the gym.

I rarely never go to the gym to use the cardio machines or weight area. I used to, but my time is limited and right now, I prefer the atmosphere of a group fitness class. And while it can feel great to knock out a workout at home, especially early in the day, I love the feeling of walking out of a fitness class knowing I worked my butt off with no distractions (have you ever tried working out with a  toddler crawling all over you?!). It's "me" time. For that one hour, it's just me and my workout and nothing can interrupt that. No cell phone, no whiny toddler, no husband asking where the ketchup in the fridge is (same spot it always is!).

A gym with a great group fitness class schedule is a must, and I'm lucky my gym has one. I can't ever imagine not being a fan of group classes as there is so much I love about them.

7 REASONS TO LOVE GROUP FITNESS CLASSES

1. THE PUSH 

I push myself harder in a fitness class than I ever do at home. I know no one is paying attention to what I'm doing in a class, but the presence of others is enough to make me work my hardest and not give up. For example, I despise lunges. If they pop up in an at home workout, I immediately start to half-ass them. At the gym, I push myself to complete the lunge track no matter how much I want to walk out and take a "water break".

2. THEY'RE EFFICIENT

My time, (as is anyone's), is precious. I don't have 2 hours a day or at a time to spend at the gym anymore. Those days are long behind me, and to be honest, I have so many hobbies I enjoy partaking in, that I don't want to spend hours at the gym if I don't have to. Group fitness classes allow me to knock out a killer workout in a set amount of time. Other than driving time, I know exactly how long my workout is going to take. Obviously not every fitness class is created equal, but if you find the one's you love, than you learn to know what intensity level to expect.

3. THE UNEXPECTED

I like not knowing what to expect when I show up for a fitness class. Yes, the class is predictable in the sense of style of workout and sometimes the sequence of exercises, but prior to walking into the class, I have no idea which music will be playing or which releases the instructor will be incorporating. I like being surprised so that I don't mentally talk myself out of the exercise.

4. THE CAMARADERIE

Even if I don't know anyone in the class, I love knowing that we are all there to work on ourselves. We've all committed to showing up, setting up for the class, and getting our sweat on. We may be all different shapes and sizes, age and gender, but we have one thing in common: we're there to change our selves. When eye contact is made, smiles are exchanged, and I know I'm not in this fitness journey alone.

5. THE SILENT COMPETITION

This relates to #1. I'm not going to give up if so and so next to me can keep going. I'm not going to walk out of a class half way through because I'm tired or don't particularly like a certain exercise.

6. YOU'RE TOLD WHAT TO DO

Sometimes I can't decide what workout I want to do at home. Do I feel like running?, do I want to do a workout DVD?, or do I want to make up my own workout? Sometimes it's nice to just be told what to do! No thinking, just doing.

7. THE INSTRUCTOR

The instructor of a group fitness class can really make or break the experience, but I have to say, all of the instructors I've encountered at my gym, GoodLife Fitness, have been awesome. They are upbeat, they know their stuff, and they motivate me to work hard for that hour. I appreciate when they engage a class and make the experience, and the time spent to get to the gym and workout, worthwhile.


Do you love group fitness classes?

Do you prefer to workout at a gym or at home?

Favourite group fitness class? Right now, mine are BodyPump and BodyFlow, but RPM (spin) is a good one too!


*Linking up with Kris from Canadian Girl Runs for Fitness Friday!

*Linking up with Jill for Living a Life of Fitness, Health & Happiness!

*This post was written as part of the GoodLife Fitness Blogger Ambassador program, however all opinions expressed are my own.