This past Monday, I had the privilege of checking out the Yoga Loft with some fellow bloggers and friends.
(source)
I really had no idea what to expect. I honestly don’t love yoga (although I give people who regularly do yoga so much credit). I’d love to get into it but every time I try to relax my mind wanders and I get all fidgety. This puts yoga up there with the elliptical and weight lifting on my list of things I just don’t want to have time for.
However, Kelsey assured us that the Core Sculpt class we had signed up for was not yoga.
See the description? It’s absolutely correct, you will definitely sweat and then feel amazing afterwards! After arriving at the studio and signing in, we grabbed a set of hand weights and found a mat. We started with some stretching, warmed up our muscles, and then started sculpting.
The best part about the class was the way our instructor, Tim, led us through the movements. We did each full-body strength move for just the amount of time it took to start to feel uncomfortable and then he’d switch things up. He also broke up the workout with two short cardio sessions where we did jumping jacks, high knees, and chopped our feet. I never felt bored and the 45 minutes flew by.
I left the class feeling incredibly flexible and strong and even today, three days later, I can still feel a few twinges in my non-running muscles that were worked out for the first time in a while. This is the sign of a great workout.
The Yoga Loft is a little on the pricey side ($18/class or you can buy a package of classes at a discounted rate per class) but it’s one of those classes that if you’re someone like me who struggles to strength train on your own, it’s totally worth it. I’m thinking of adding some sculpt into my workout schedule during my next off season, I can definitely see how it could improve my running!
After the class, us bloggers decided to go grab some dinner at Protein Bar. I was in the mood for a salad so I had their superfood vegan salad without tofu and the dressing on the side.
So green and so delicious!
How do you strength train? Are you a fan of yoga?
I am a big fan of yoga, except that I haven’t done it in a year and a half. I really have been missing it lately and I want to start going again!
Jeni recently posted..Vegan Gingerbread House Party
Which kinds have you tried and liked?
I love yoga lately! I prefer flow. I can’t wait to try yoga loft!
Katie @ Livehalffull recently posted..Intuitive Eating the Holiday Season
I hope you like it!
I really liked that class! My abs are still sore today and that is awesome! I liked it because we didn’t do many crunches (booooooring) and it was such an intense, fast-paced workout.
Emily recently posted..Santa Lucia!
Me too! I’m definitely just coming off some of the soreness!
Looks like it was fan class
. I am currently following Peak 2 Base performance that I received when I registered for the half marathon. I am not a fan of strength training but the exercises that they provide for you are simple and easy to follow. I am a big fan of hot yoga. It helps keep my muscles flexible and helps me relax.
Christina recently posted..Chicago: Favorite Edition
I’ve never heard of Peak 2 Base — good luck!
I force myself to do yoga all the time, but I’m totally not a huge fan of it. I really do like hot yoga though, so if it makes me sweat and adds some cardio, I’d probably love it.
Oh and I LOVE the protein bar! I used to go there all the time after class.
Jess @ JessieBear What Will You Wear recently posted..Christmas Part 1
You should try one of these classes then because it sounds like you’d really like it!
I enjoy yoga, though it’s not something I make a huge point of incorporating in my workout. I’m not very good at the whole “sink yourself into the ground, lengthen your spine” thing. All of the New Age-y lingo that often comes along with yoga tends to make me roll my eyes, which kind of defeats the purpose of the whole centering yourself thing haha. I do enjoy strength training, though! Having a plan makes a big difference for me, and I like seeing myself get more toned/noticing that I can lift heavier weights and that sort of thing.
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions recently posted..Thursday Things
I agree with the New Age-y thing. Have you ever been to Victory Banner in Roscoe Village? It’s a great brunch place but it’s very New Age-y and I never quite understood who it was supposed to be catering to. They do have really good food though!
I like yoga classes more for stretching and holding poses than getting a workout. I get my aerobic workouts by running, so I want to stretch at yoga. I also don’t like it hot in the studio!
Pete B recently posted..My First Speed Workout
That makes perfect sense!
i really want to try more yoga classes/different styles. i’ve never gone to an actual studio, just classes at my gym, and i want to try some classes at an actual studio. i feel like they’d be more legit. that salad looks amazing, btw. i can’t even see that much of it and yet all i want is to dive right in…clearly i’m craving veg.
molly @ heart, sole & cereal recently posted..…and then i ate some raw fish
Yoga at a gym is soo different from yoga at a studio and the studio version is 1,000x better!
Based on that first photo I’m guessing you got there much earlier than I did? Haha
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats recently posted..Thursday Thoughts
Hah. It was extremely crowded close to our class time!
I never would have thought I’d like practicing yoga as much as I do. I thought high intensity cardio workouts were the way to go…but put me in a hot yoga class and it’s the same effect. I really feel the difference after going to yoga though, especially in my running! I’m currently nursing a bit of shin splints, so it’s perfect for that!
Megan @ runnningonjava recently posted..Thankful for some peace
I’m so glad you’re enjoying yoga! I’d probably like hot yoga but I’ve only been to one class (that I actually kinda liked) so it’s hard to say!
I do enjoy yoga although I’ve fallen out of my routine a bit… I like more of a power yoga style where the flow through the movements is at a faster pace. Core Power Yoga has some awesome classes. The class you took sounds like a good one!
I so want to go to visit the Protein Bar!
Cate recently posted..A Mysterious Ache
I’ve never been to Core Power Yoga but I’ve heard great things about the classes!
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