Exhale, FlyBarre, Mile High Run Club

> Disclaimer: I was offered a free 1-month trial of ClassPass in exchange for a review of my experience with the different classes and studios I tried. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are mine and my own.

I've been eyeing ClassPass for some time now, even before I moved to New York. If you don't know what it is yet, here's how ClassPass describes itself:

ClassPass is a monthly membership to the best boutique fitness classes in your city. There are thousands of classes available to ClassPass members, including cycling, pilates, yoga, strength training, dance, martial arts, and more.

For $79 – $99 a month (price varies by city), ClassPass members get unlimited classes to studios in the ClassPass network. While members can take as many classes per month as they’d like, they can visit the same studio up to 3 times per monthly membership cycle.

I tweeted them, not really expecting a reply but what do you know?! They have an amazing team and Jess has been so helpful throughout this whole thing. Watch out for some more in-depth collaborative blog posts coming up! But for now, I figured I'd clue everyone in on the crazy spike in workout posts this week.

CLASSPASS CLASS #1: CHILL YOGA @ EXHALE SPA

ClassPass: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Exhale is somewhere that I've always been curious about but either a) couldn't afford it at the time, b) couldn't muster up the courage to show up to a studio that some of the fittest women in Boston attended, or c) both. 

So I looked for the least intimidating class I could find and decided that was going to be my first class I'd book. And I am so glad I did! For a body that gets put through miles in the cold, shin splints, ankle rolls, and just general back pain and tension, this class does a body good. When it first started out so slow, I wondered if I could handle being almost immobile for 45 minutes but by the time it ended, I wished it could have been longer.

Versus a regular yoga flow class with sun salutations and other poses that most of us are familiar with, almost all of the class is on the mat with a combination of a bolster, a blanket and some yoga blocks. I promise you'll never feel as relaxed and loose as when you leave this class! You can bet I'll be returning to take this specific class. Maybe I'll gather some courage and try one of the famous Core Fusion classes at some point!

CLASSPASS CLASS #2: POWER 45 @ FLYBARRE

ClassPass: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter // FlyBarre: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

I think the best thing about ClassPass is that it gives you the chance to try out a bunch of different classes that you've always wanted to try but have been reluctant to for whatever reason it may be. So... after attending a studio that I've always wanted to, I wanted to take a class that I've always wanted to try.

I might be the only one left that hasn't tried out a barre class and I've always heard that it's difficult so I definitely think I underestimated how difficult it was going to be! Khori kicked my ass! I'm not kidding when I say that all my muscle groups are still sore today. The only thing that I can say wasn't too bad for me was the standing leg work (thanks to the Kravenko dance academy for all those years!)

But if you haven't ever taken a barre class before, go easy on yourself. I mean, push but don't overestimate your abilities. I thought I'd definitely be able to use the 3 pound weights, but by the time we got to the arm work with weights, I was glad I picked up the 1 pound weights as back up.

There's been some tension in the Boston area with barre classes but I'm glad to say I wasn't feeling any of that here! Khori leads a fun class with great music -- she also does a great job at making sure you're comfortable and continues to encourage you throughout the class. She even takes time to speak with you afterwards if you have any questions or just for a quick comment (I told her it was my first barre class ever!) I hate to be a creature of habit but I'll definitely take at least one more class with Khori before my month is up with ClassPass. 

CLASSPASS CLASS #3: DASH 28 @ MILE HIGH RUN CLUB

ClassPass: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter // Mile High Run Club: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

And now, for my final class of this week: The Mile High Run Club with Luke. They are the"first dedicated studio for running." The studio has 30 treadmills as well as "a distraction free flex room for foam rolling, gait assessments, or one-on-one time with our team of elite coaches in order to fulfill our mission to address the specific needs of runners" as well as locker rooms with showers and full amenities.

The whiteboard they have is really awesome as well. You're always told to write down your goal and keep it somewhere you can see it and this is what they did here! Reading what everyone wants to accomplish this year makes you feel motivated to go for your goals too!

I hate running on the dreadmill; it's boring and the mileage staring me right in the face makes me sad. But Mile High Run Club has actually made it enjoyable and motivating. The class I took, "Dash 28," involves "28 minutes of structured intervals followed by 10 minutes of strength plus power training with kettlebells." I'll have to try one of "The Distance" classes one day but I enjoyed the quick 45 minute workout!

I have to admit. My favorite thing so far has been the cleanliness and access to showers, water, etc. that all of these studios have to offer. While I don't shower at gyms typically, I can imagine it's quite comforting and convenient to know you don't have to walk around being sweaty all day if you have errands to run afterwards or need to get back to work.

So week 1 is in the books and I have a little while left. I also start my half marathon training on Monday so all this cross-training will be good for me! Next week, I'll be taking a Kickbox Kettlebell Fusion class at The Kickbox Haus as well as spending a bit of time with one of the owners, Michelle, to get to know their studio a bit better so be on the lookout for that!

What are some of your favorite places in NYC to workout? Have you tried any of these studios before?