Does winter weather have you feeling unmotivated and stagnant? Not seeing enough results from your current workout? It may be time to spice it up and stop doing the same old routine.
The good news is you no longer have to commit to one gym and a schedule of limited class choices and times, that old model of joining one gym and paying a monthly membership has been eclipsed by a new fitness model. While many yoga communities have been offering a pay per visit option for some time, more local fitness studios are now realizing the benefits of offering workouts on a class-by-class basis.
Misty Jaymes, owner of The Fitness Studio, in Coopersburg, shared, “We listened to the feedback from our clients. When we began offering classes we knew that paying for classes rather than a membership gave our clients the flexibility they needed and choices they wanted.”
Paying per class allows you to maximize your dollars as you only pay when you attend. It also provides a greater variety of styles and types of classes which keeps it interesting and, most importantly, challenging for your body, as we know that the body adapts and becomes more efficient if pressed with the same workout over and over again. The result is less calories burned and less change in body composition.
Because studios are only getting paid when you attend, the programming is often of higher quality. The benefit is you can pick and choose the classes that meet your needs from a variety of studios and locations that will bring variety in your training and keep you from getting bored.
Here are six of the latest options available locally to keep your interest level and intensity up:
Body Bar
The Fitness Studio, Coopersburg
Sounds like an interesting night spot for cocktails, but don't be fooled by the name. Using a weighted bar, this class offers a high-intensity workout without the pounding stress on your joints. The bar movements provide challenging core work, strength training and cardiovascular fitness. Elements of Pilates and dance keep this class engaging, interesting and demanding. It is appropriate for all fitness levels.
21 N. Main St., Coopersburg | 610.751.7733 | the-fit-studio.com
Pump & Pedal
Studio Fitness, Bethlehem
Worried you might not be able to pedal for a full hour in a spin class? Or do you enjoy spinning, but know you need to add strength training to your routine? It may be time to try Pump and Pedal at Studio Fitness. This dynamic combination of 30 minutes of heart pumping pedaling followed by 30 minutes of weight training gets both goals accomplished in one compact hour. In addition to Pump and Pedal, the studio offers several other spin and strength combination classes.
683 E. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.419.3500 | studiofitnesslv.com
Hoop Sweat
Sweat Like a Girl, Nazareth
When was the last time you used a hula hoop? You may be surprised at how much work is involved and what a great calorie burn a hula hooping-based workout can provide. Hoop Sweat at Sweat Like a Girl Studio will challenge your core and give you a great cardiovascular workout while encouraging your playful self to come out. Don't come expecting the classic hoops of our childhoods, though. These hoops come in different weights with the heavier ones requiring more effort to swing. Hoops are provided in class and if you have forgotten how or were never particularly good at it, have no fear. The instructors are skilled enough to have you “hooping” it up in no time.
311 Industrial Dr., Nazareth | 610.207.4682 | sweatlikeagirl.com
Antigravity Yoga & Indoor Standup Paddleboard Yoga
Antigravity Lab, Emmaus
When you walk into AntiGravity Lab and see the joy of a class full of students hanging from silk hammocks, floating in various positions, you can't help but want to experience this type of workout first-hand. Anti Gravity Yoga is unique in that the body in motion is supported by a suspended hammock. This can help increase body awareness, hydrate vertebral discs and joints and refresh the endocrine and lymphatic system. Learning something completely new also helps contribute to positive changes in brain plasticity.
Owner Kristine McCreary finds that most students surprise themselves with what they are able to do and accomplish. “After some simple instruction they are able to let go of fear, step out of their comfort zone and experience how amazing it feels.” She adds, “This is not your typical yoga class environment as we laugh, and chatter, in fact I am usually telling jokes as we have fun and let go.” Since it is completely new for most everyone, the Lab has a Fundamentals class to teach the basics in working with the silks.
If you prefer to be better grounded, but are still looking for a challenge, try doing your yoga practice on a stand up paddleboard. This oversized surfboard provides an unstable surface, creating a new dynamic to staying centered in various yoga and physical movements. For those just starting out, blocks can be used to limit the amount of board wobble, helping you stay centered, as you gain balance, mobility and confidence on the board.
687 State Ave. (Lehigh St.), Emmaus | 484.929.4909 | agyogalab.com
Sports Performance
LVHN, Allentown
For those looking to take their game to the next level, LVHN Fitness has its own Sports Performance Studio at One City Center in Allentown. If you are looking to improve your tennis serve, break down your running gait or analyze your golf swing, the facility has various specialized services to maximize efficiency in movement and performance. One of the technologies available is DARTfish, a video motion analysis computer program. With this frame-by-frame assessment program, a LVHN sports performance expert can help pinpoint problematic joint angles, positions and movements to help you correct faulty patterns, optimize performance and help prevent injury. There is also physical and occupational therapy and concussion management onsite.
707 Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.402.2273 | lvhn.org
If the New Year has you looking for fitness options in your area, check yoga studios as well as fitness studios, as both have expanded their offerings and crossed over into multiple disciplines.
Adding variety to your workouts and trying new classes helps provide additional challenges and variety for the body and mind, and pay-per-class options may be an opportunity to add a new dimension to your training, helping you stay lean, mean and motivated through the winter months.
As always, please consult your health care professional before starting any new fitness program.
