December 15, 2014

Portland Fit Fix: 9 Reasons to Try 9Round Fitness

One of the most exciting things about moving from San Francisco to Portland has been getting to know another city, meeting new people and, naturally, scoping out a fresh fitness scene. It also means playing athletic guinea pig and pushing myself out of my comfort zone, usually testing the limits of my coordination (or lack thereof?), as well as my stomach’s ability to keep lunch down.

Case in point: 9Round Fitness, a 30-minute circuit training kickboxing/boxing workout in Portland’s Pearl District. As much as I’ve been around the proverbial exercise block, this was my first taste of any kind of punching/kicking program…and on my first visit I’m pretty sure both the double-end and speed bags hit me more than I hit them.

Yet, like Vince Lombardi said, it’s not how much you get knocked down (or in my case, around), it’s about getting back up. So two visits later, I finally started to get the hang of things, and now I’m hooked. Here’s why:

1. With 30-minute circuits, you get an efficient, effective workout in the time that it takes to watch your favorite TV show.

2. There are so many health benefits to boxing for fitness; it’s the ultimate High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workout.

3. The challenge of learning a new skill makes it all the more rewarding, especially when you can finally (wo)manhandle a speed bag.

4. New rounds start every three minutes, so you can swing by at your convenience and don’t have to worry about rigid class times.

5. Kickboxing and boxing are terrific ways to mix up your cross-training, build strength and confuse complimentary muscles into working harder.

6. Workouts are supervised by a trainer, which not only encourages proper technique and form, but also keeps you from slacking off.

7. Rest assured, you’ll hit all your major muscle groups in this total-body workout after nine rounds of different exercises.

8. You won’t get bored, either, because no two workouts are the same; trainers switch things up each day, so expect something new every time.

9. Finally, there’s something to be said for breaking a sweat with friends; whether you’re struggling, cruising or simply laughing through the workout, it’s an incredible way to spend some time together.

Interested in giving this workout a whirl? Visit 9Round.com for more information.

Posted in Exercise, Fitness, Portland, Strength training, Studios
6 Comments

November 24, 2014

Portland fit fix: Rejuvenate, refresh and replenish at YogaPod

Contrary to the 21-day myth, there’s now scientific evidence that it takes about two months — or 66 days, to be exact — to form a new habit. But thanks to YogaPod, a vibrant and transformational yoga studio in Portland, I’d argue it only takes about a week to fall back into a much-neglected, yet healthy, routine.

Bear with me for a moment: Like those green, cruciferous veggies, we all know how good yoga is for us, but I find (in my experience, at least) that it takes some time to develop my palate enough to be able to thoroughly enjoy and appreciate it, especially during training when the goal is to keep your head above water with workouts. Anyone else?

Well, this is precisely why Carolyn (one of my LUNA teammates) and I decided to get back on track with a recent seven-day #YogaBinge at YogaPod.

Not only would a week-long yoga immersion aid in off-season recovery, I figured, but it’d also be a great way to see how one of the newer workout facilities in the city stacked up. YogaPod founders, husband and wife team Gerry and Nicole Wienholt, expanded the Boulder-based brand to Portland this past summer after seeing a need for a luxury yoga studio in Portland’s Pearl District, and true to form it’s got a high-end look with a welcoming feel.

If there’s one word that comes to mind upon entering YogaPod, it’s community. From the friendly management and front-desk staff (shout out to Anthony, a fellow ultra runner!) to the inspirational chalk board in the hallway, and from the relaxed vibe in the space to the teachers who take a genuine interest in their students, it’s clear that this place is rooted in creating an experience full of positivity, clarity and compassion for all who enter.

And as far as the classes go, we took advantage of the convenience of morning, afternoon and evening slots to get a good sampling of what YogaPod has to offer. Throughout the course of the week we toggled back and forth between the two rooms — both clean, light and spacious — for Restorative, PodHot and PodFlow.

Classes are well-balanced (i.e. not all Chaturanga Dandasana-heavy) and the music is right up my alley — a thoughtful blend of traditional instrumentals with some newer songs that gently flow with movements. When Carolyn and I compared notes, we both agreed that our time at YogaPod was the perfect antidote to a hectic week — so much so, in fact, that we both found ourselves feeling like the time passed quickly in each session.

If you’re local and want to jump-start your own yoga journey, YogaPod offers a free week of classes for first-timers. Or if you just want to dip your toe in the yoga waters before jumping in, come check out their free community class on Saturdays at 5 p.m. with Ati, one of my favorite yogis in the city.

She brings such lightness and enjoyment to her practice that you can’t help but want to come back for more. And that habit — for rejuvenating your body, refreshing your mind and replenishing your spirit — is one you won’t want to break!

Interested in learning more? Check out YogaPod’s website at Portland.YogaPodCommunity.com.

Posted in Community, Exercise, Fitness, Portland, Recovery, Relaxation, Studios, Yoga
2 Comments

October 1, 2014

Portland fit fix: How Revocycle is fueling an indoor cycling revo-lution

I have a theory that there are two types of people who work out: those of us who “embrace the suck” and find solace in the burn of each rep or the quiet rhythm of breaths and footfalls during a run…and those of us who try to tune everything out and just push through the pain with the aid of numerous distractions.

Well, as much as I’d love to tell you I’m a member of the former group, I’ve got to admit that I’ve always tended to fall into the latter. That is, until I stopped into Revocycle here in Portland and had an experience that, quite literally, redefined my idea of a good workout.

In an attempt to mix up my cross-training, I decided to check out one of founder Michael Hosking’s early-morning classes a few weeks ago. He started off by helping each student find the proper bike fit, down to precise angles for a safe ride, while reminding us that our goal was to use excellent position and practice beautiful form in an attempt to notice the muscles and the movement and the breath.

Ohhh no, I thought as I started calculating my odds of getting noticed if I ducked out the door. This is going to be the longest 50 minutes of my life.

But after quashing those initial feelings of panic, I committed to opening myself up to the experience. After all, as Hosking explained, by paying attention to our bodies, pedaling exactly on the beat of song, tuning in to our breath and heart rate and engaging in mindfulness, we’d be maximizing the benefits of a cycling workout without putting ourselves at risk for injury.

And just because it’s not a loud, high-intensity workout doesn’t mean it isn’t tough; it just means you feel refreshed and rejuvenated after, rather than drained and exhausted.

“Finding the zone is about minimizing distractions,” he recently told Fitness magazine. “Music can help you do just that. If you focus on the rhythm and sync your pedaling or steps with the beat, you can help quiet racing thoughts. It’s moving meditation.”

And how! For the first time ever, I wasn’t tempted to speak a peek at the clock; time flew by as Hosking expertly intertwined music with instruction, and before we knew it, we were all drenched in sweat, smiling from ear-to-ear and entering our cool-down.

You see, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my approach to working out while in PT these past few weeks. Namely, learning that some of my major muscle groups had gotten lazy and stopped functioning — and that I hadn’t even noticed — has made me realize the importance of awareness with movement.

Clearly, my body’s trying to telling me that disconnection won’t cut it anymore. Removing excess ‘noise’ (both literally and figuratively) in workouts and getting into a more authentic ‘zone’ — in which I’m working hard and totally engaged, yet feeling profoundly peaceful — is not only more relaxing, but also powerfully effective.

And did I mention pretty darn addicting?

Portland-Metro area residents, your first two classes are FREE. Visit Revocycle.com for more information and to register.