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Uplift Studios

When Bo and I moved to Gramercy two years ago, we never knew that it was going to become the hot spot for workout classes. Now it seems like there is a new studio opening on a daily basis within a few block radius of our apartment. While this doesn’t always bode well for my wallet since I belong to Equinox, I do love trying new boutique fitness classes, especially when the studio is owned by someone whom I’ve worked with before!

Back in June of 2010, right after I started my blog, I discovered Leanne Shear’s through a Daily Candy event she hosted in Central Park. This brunette inspired me as soon as I stepped into her presence; radiating a positive attitude and healthy physique. She exudes the idea that fit is the new skinny, pushing her clients to find a balanced lifestyle while incorporating strength and yoga into their normal cardio routines. Back in 2010 I loved every second of her Fit & Flow class in Central Park which included 45 minutes of sweat producing cardio followed by 30 minutes of yoga stretching on the grass. While the time nor location was convenient for me, this was a class I raved about to everyone who’d listen.

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Then, last year, I was able to work with her through a BeFitNYC partnership, bringing a free bootcamp to readers and locals. Each time I take her class, I question my Equinox membership and whether it’d be better to work with her.

Therefore, when I found out that their new space, Uplift Studios, opened in Flatiron, I couldn’t wait to try out their classes and experience the new studio.   IMG_2653 Located at 24 West 23rd Street, between 5th and 6th Avenue, the bright studio welcomes women as soon as the cross the threshold with bright colors, perfect use of mirrors, plenty of tea, water, and post workout snacks, a full locker room featuring all the products you need to get ready, and even more surprising, a full service bar!

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The bar allows for socializing before and after classes, as well as the perfect place for their popular Raise the Bar classes which bring together an intense 45 minute workout followed by a wine, chocolate, or cocktail tasting class. I love the fact that these women understand that life is a balance and that all good things, including cocktails, come in moderation. Their attitude is contagious whether you’re talking with Leanne and her team of founders or any one of their staff including personal trainers and nutritionists.

Uplift Studio’s co-founders, from left, Helena Wolin, Katie Currie and Leanne Shear seek to infuse the camaraderie of social drinking into their gym classes. (image compliments of Huffington Post)

Melissa and I had the chance to visit the studio for a Cardio and Cocktails special event class so we could see what it was all about. Not only did I love the class, I’m already working with them to put together one as an upcoming reader event but I also love the idea of doing this to kick off a birthday or celebratory weekend!

The class we attended was hosted by Michelle Mason, a bubbly trainer on their staff who knows personally how difficult the weight loss journey can be, especially in NYC. After introducing herself to the group she stressed the importance of form and intensity to everyone since our class was only 30 minutes. She promised, however, that if we pushed ourselves through each circuit we would not only leave sweating but we’d boost our heart rate and get a great cardiovascular and strength workout. 

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While I normally stick to longer classes or workouts, her combination delivered on her promise! The class included a mix of circuits after a short cardio warmup to get our body ready. The strength section included three series, repeated twice. The movements were combinations so it engaged our whole body: squats with an overhead press, lunges with kickbacks, and more. In between, she took us through burpees and squat jumps.

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Last but not least, she took us through a challenging ab sequence before a final stretch and cool down.

Every single lady in the class was sweating within minutes of the start and by the time we finished our last plank we were all collapsing on the floor in defeat, even one of Fitness Magazine’s editors who is in amazing shape!

If you’re interested in giving Uplift Studios a try, check out their special 50% off rate for first time students! In addition, they have 30 minute classes throughout the week which only cost $18 and can be bought in packs for a great savings. In reviewing the Uplift Studio class schedule, I’d love to try the following classes:

  • Fit and Flow Express
  • Uplifting
  • Power Yoga
  • Raise the Bar (clearly)

*I was provided with a complimentary class through Go Recess but the review and opinions are all my own.

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Sometime Motivation Is Only a Cubicle Away

Did everyone have a nice Memorial Day weekend? Bo and I loved having an extra day to spend together enjoying some of our favorite things such as running, cooking and planning a few upcoming trips together. In case you’re catching up, here’s what went down this weekend.

Last night’s dinner ended up being even more amazing than I expected! While we used to get bored with grilled chicken since we made it so often last night it hit the spot. Our menu was inspired by the fresh ingredients we found at the Union Square Farmer’s Market yesterday including peas, Jersey Tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil plants, and zucchini!

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Now that we’ve talked about the weekend, let’s talk about a different topic that is near and dear to my heart, motivation.

People often ask me how I find time or energy to workout 5-6 days per week in addition to blogging and a 55-60 hour work week. The easy answer, partially joking, is often that my metabolism requires it of me. But, in all honesty, I love the energy and high that I feel after a strong workout. Until last week, I considered myself a morning workout person. I rarely worked out in the evening and often found enough energy in my morning workout to forego a coffee. It helps wake me up and prepare me for the day. But then, a co-worker named Marcial came along. We’ve known each other a little over a year and during that time have often enjoyed “water cooler conversations” during which point we’d talk about our weekends. But, once Marcial found out that I was also a runner, the discussions turned primarily running focused. After a month of ignoring his Outlook Calendar invites for my office’s 5:30 run club, he finally asked me point blank last week.

“When are you going to join us? You run all the time but never with us?

Little did Marcial know that making someone change their habits is tough. The idea of working out, especially running, after a long day of work when I’m not “ready” to leave my desk yet is challenging and frankly not very exciting. I normally don’t leave until around 7 so the thought of leaving early started to stress me out more than excite me. But, finally, I gave in and ran with three of my co-workers last Wednesday on what was a longer than expected run. Due to my office’s location we ran to the park talking and laughing for six miles. Today I joined them again, this time for four miles in Central Park through the hazy, thick 87 degree summer air.

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I promise there is a point to this long winded story. The point is that sometimes you can find motivation in the places you never expect it. If I’m going to make the New York City Marathon a charm this year (3rd time!), then I’m going to need to push my training in ways I haven’t previously while also being smarter. I already know that Gia wants to challenge me to fill DailyMile with longer mid-week runs. While I find daily inspiration from runners like Christine, it’s this small office group that has finally made me try and stick with evening runs that are farther and faster than I expected. The conversation comes easily since we work together, the miles fly by since I have company, the park’s hills challenge my legs, and the heat is great conditioning.

Next time you find yourself looking for motivation, step back and look to the people closest to you because sometime motivation is just a cubicle away.

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Having A Goal Equals Healthier, Happier Travel

Howdy from Texas!

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It has been a great day thus far even though half the day was spent traveling. In fact, I think I’ve connected more over the past month than I did all last year. New York City’s large airports have spoiled me with direct flights almost everywhere!

But, I can’t complain about today’s trips as I was upgraded on the first leg from Newark to Memphis. It’s always hard to go back to coach after a free upgrade, due to miles, but boy is it nice while I’m there. I was surprised by the level of service on today’s flight. Continuous service, lunch, a hot lemon towel service, and plenty of leg room!  The craziest thing were the real glasses!

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Since my goal this week is to eat as healthy as possible so I’ll have plenty of energy for early morning workouts and long days, I enjoyed the fruit, water, chicken, beans, and tomatoes leaving most of the pasta and feta. I also left the random bread sticks but took the miniature Blondie with me to enjoy as an afternoon snack on my next flight.

I spent the next flight reading a this month’s Shape and Women’s Health magazines, both of which were filled with great workouts. I actually found an abdominal and arm routine which I’m going to try to squeeze in each day I’m here.

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As soon as I arrived at the hotel I headed straight down to log my workout. I find that having a goal while I travel always make the week more successful in terms of healthy eating and workouts. This week I have two goals.

This Saturday is our Diamond Derby party and the dress I bought is actually cut pretty slim. If I want to feel confident and happy on Saturday then I need to:

  • Workout everyday between Sunday and Saturday for 60 minutes, ensuring that I include arms and abs in addition to my hill walking (through Tuesday) and running.
  • Eat very healthy Sunday and Monday/Tuesday breakfast+lunch as I know that we will be having corporate dinners at some of Houston’s best restaurants Monday and Tuesday.

By making goals like this for yourself it can help keep you on track when work travel tempts you spend all your time working or partying with co-workers. It’s important to invest some time in yourself. Next time I travel my goals my revolve around drinking my water and getting plenty of sleep. It all depends on what you need at that time.

These goals motivated me while I was in the hotel gym, which is far nicer than some I’ve seen in mid-price chain hotels before.

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I spent 45 minutes incline walking on the treadmill, ranging from 4-12 incline and 4.0-4.4 speed. After the walk I hit the mat for the two workouts I found in the magazines. Both were far harder than I expected, especially the abs workout. Doing each of these for one minute as a starting point was really hard! To be honest, I only made it 45 seconds on one of them. I finished my time at the gym with a 1.5 minute plank and 15 pushups! Done and Done!

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After a quick shower and early evening snack, thanks to the gym’s fruit bowl, I headed out to dinner with my manager.

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There isn’t much in the area of Houston where we’re staying, right near the airport, so we actually explored and settled on an Outback tonight.  Believe it or not, their salmon was perfectly seasoned and the sweet potato, without the butter but topped with plenty of cinnamon, was delicious!

Here’s to hoping my room has sound proof windows for all those planes taking off just a few hundred feet away!

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