Since moving to New York City over three years ago, I’ve made my rounds to the different bar method studios in the city. Each time a new one opens I feel the need to give it a try, especially as more and more open near Gramercy.
While I may try numerous different places, every single time my heart eventually leads me back to Physique 57, the very first bar class I tried back in April of 2009, when Bo was living down in the Financial District. I used to walk the mile to the Spring Street location and enjoy evening classes during my May unlimited package. During that month I took more than 15 classes and loved each and every one for the same reason: the level of instruction and attention to detail. All pictures courtesy of Well+Good. 
Friday evening Well+Good NYC and Physique 57 hosted a group of bloggers for a class with the co-founder, Tanya Becker. This was such a treat as we had the opportunity to enjoy an intense workout while laughing and getting to know each other since many people were visiting the city for BlogHer. I loved sharing the class with them, especially those who questioned the light weights in the very beginning. This is definitely a high repetition class incorporating resistance training and deep stretching while working the entire body with small movements.
Even though it had been a year since I walked through the doors of Physique, as soon as I saw the familiar bar, blue carpet, and playground balls I knew it would be a wonderful workout. While this was one of the most intense classes I’ve taken, I never once worried about injury or not “feeling a movement” as both Tanya and her assistant were circulating the class constantly, adjusting form and providing very detailed instructions.
I dare you to try one of their classes and leave without working each of your muscle groups or feeling your legs quiver. Due to the class diversity and instructors’ watchful eye this just isn’t possible. There are times when I wish I lived or worked closer to one of their New York City locations as I truly love every class I take and feel that after only one class I can feel myself standing taller and engaging my core muscles. I do not question whether I would see results equal to my personal training sessions. But, much to my wallets elation and my marathon training legs, taking regular classes just isn’t possible right now.
But, if you’re ever looking for someone to accompany you to a Physique 57 workout, just shoot me an email and I’ll be there! If you don’t think taking a class in NYC is in the cards, I can’t recommend their DVD’s enough! My favorite DVD is the Physique Arm & Ab Booster since it is only 30 minutes in length but includes 14 minutes of arm workouts that engage each and every muscle and leave my arms screaming by the end. You can read my full review here.
If you want to read more about Physique 57, check out the other review from Meghann, Caitlin, Gina, and Theodora!
Instead of blogging during the flight, the lack of sleep from last night caught up with me. I slept for the entire flight, only waking up when the captain announced our landing. 
This DVD is perfect for people like me who work their legs during the week but tend to forget their soft centers or weak arms. It challenges the arms and abs without exhausting the legs even more. I also loved that the DVD featured exercises I’ve never done during my 9 different 