Fit THIS into Your Schedule: Jeff Galloway Meet-and-Greet Next Thursday!

So, do you know who this is? Not the guy on the left, that's my good old hubby, Dustin. I mean the guy in the middle!

That's Jeff Galloway!

Jeff Galloway, American Olympian runner. Jeff Galloway, writer for Runner's World!  Jeff Galloway, winner of the Honolulu Marathon in 1974 with a time of 2:23. Jeff Galloway, who has run hundreds  of marathons and is now in his 70s! Jeff Galloway, creator of the "Galloway Run Walk Run" method.  

The picture is from when Dustin and I met him at the Big Sur marathon in 2009 #humblebrag....

By the way, you should run the Big Sur marathon. It's absolutely beautiful...and cool medals.

We ran the Big Sur marathon as part of a "Jeff Galloway" get-away, which included a running camp with Jeff. It was great!

Okay, even if you don't want to run the Big Sur marathon and do the Jeff Galloway running camp, you can still meet Jeff Galloway. He's going to be at the Run n Fun store at the Calhoun Village location next Thursday, August 21 (a week from today). 

Run N Fun has always been a favorite running store of my friends who live in the OTHER Twin City (St. Paul) but I really hadn't been there very much because it wasn't very convenient for me. However, now they have opened a third location (they also have a store in Burnsville) super close to me in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis store is also super close to the lakes, so it's perfect if you need to stop by for some new shoes before heading out for a run.

The meet-and-greet with Jeff Galloway starts at 5pm and the talk starts at 5:30. There will also be a post-talk run- count me in! I'm hoping that I can convince some of you to come join me.  If you do come, please say hi!

...If you're reading this blog, you probably know what I look like, but if not...this is me. I'll even wear the same shirt...and I'll be carrying a red rose. Kidding. Maybe.

The address for Run N Fun is 3252 Lake Street, Minneapolis, on the far left side of Calhoun Village. 

After the run, you can stop by my favorite pizza place Punch Pizza! It's right next door....you know you want some! My favorite is the Toto pizza with arugula, proscuitto, goat cheese, and cracked red pepper.

See you next Thursday, August 21st!

FYI, I registered for the City of Lakes Half Marathon on Sunday, September 7. This race is part of the USATF race series that I'm doing with the CBRC.  Let me know if you're doing this one as well!

Fresh New Fit: Sunrise Yoga + Propel Water

Yesterday morning I joined my friend Meggan of The Yoga Garage for a sunrise yoga class at Lake Calhoun. The class was led by Emily of Luminous Yoga. Emily teaches sunset yoga on Lake Calhoun on Tuesdays at 6:30, but this was a special morning class for a video shoot.

A video shoot?

Emily had been contacted by Propel to participate in a promotional photo shoot/video of her class. She posted to facebook looking for volunteers willing to get up early for some free yoga, and I figured, sure why not? Lake Calhoun is less than ½ mile from my house, so I just hopped on my bike with my yoga mat and pedaled on over to Lake Calhoun!

It was so pretty by the lake at that time in the morning.

I also enjoyed watching all the ducks playing around in the flooded areas. I think the ducks are having the BEST SUMMER EVER!

In fact, a family of ducks ventured pretty close to our mats during the class. Maybe they were there to show us how to do duck pose?

Yes, that’s a real pose…

”Yoga Duck Pose or Karandavasna” is an important forearm balance that prepares you for more difficult balances, such as the scorpion or the feathered peacock.

Here’s a picture of duck pose for you:

Anyways, back to the class…At the beginning of the class, we were all given a bottle of Propel to have in the photo shoot. We did have to put away any other water bottles, etc. that we may have brought to the class. I can’t remember the last time I drank Propel. I thought that it would have a bit of an artificial flavor, but it actually tasted pretty decent.

So, why Propel? Apparently Propel has re-entered the market recently, and they are working with a new advertising company. They plan to promote Propel in important fitness markets like Minneapolis! I believe the advertisement will be aired on Fox and NBC in the fall. Keep an eye out for me on your TV!

Here’s what we were told before the class:

Try to wear yoga/athletic clothing without logos/brand names. No need for an emergency blow-out or false lashes, keep it natural (haha!)

The class:

The yoga class was a typical vinyasa style class, with only a few “disruptions” with regards to the photo shoot, such as when the drone with the camera flew over the class to get some overhead shots. It was louder than I expected and gave us quite a breeze as it passed overhead.  There was a couple walking their dogs by when the drone was flying around, and the dogs did not like that drone one bit! They were barking like crazy at that weird flying "animal!" We all chuckled at that one.

Other than the drone, the class was uneventful but good. It was easier than I expected to forget about the handful of photographers taping the class. I was surprised that I wasn’t more distracted or self-conscious- maybe it helped that I hadn’t had any coffee and wasn’t totally awake! But I felt quite present and really enjoyed myself (though boy, oh boy, am I inflexible right now! I think I need more yoga in my life…Iknow that I need more yoga in my life!)

The class did run a little over; it was supposed to go from 6:30 to 7:30, and it was nearly 8 am when it ended. A few students had to leave early, but I didn’t have to rush to work as I had a doctor’s appointment at 9 am; I had plenty of time to spare.

We also all received granola/yogurt cups from Seven Sundays- so good!

The Instructor:

Emily is a great yoga instructor, and I really enjoyed her class. I posted last summer (HERE) about all the awesome free yoga options that we have in Minneapolis- we are really fortunate!

Go check out Emily’s class on Tuesday night at Lake Calhoun, and then the next night you can take Meggan’s sunset yoga on Lake of the Isles.  Maybe she’ll even do duck pose for you! Though on Lake of the Isles, I think she’d need to do GOOSE pose (which, unfortunately,  is not a thing…)

Outdoor yoga is on my summer bucket list, and I plan to make it to more classes this summer with the Yoga Garage and/or Luminous Yoga. I hope to see you there!

Sunrise Yoga plus Proper Water was a lovely way to start the morning. 

Namaste!

Fresh New Fit: Static Trapeze Class at Twin Cities Trapeze Center

Ah, I'm so sorry I have been MIA! My computer was on its last leg, so I had to order a new one. The new one was a custom order with loads of memory, so it took a little while for it to arrive. But now I am back in action, and this Macbook is WAAAY faster; I love it!

Anyways, I have been meaning to write a post about the static trapeze class that Dustin and I took last Saturday. Remember last January, when Dustin and I tried our luck with aerial fitness at the Stomping Ground?   (Check out that post HERE)

Even though Dustin wasn’t really onboard with the whole idea beforehand, he ended up really enjoying it (and being pretty good at it too!)

Since he had a good experience last time, he was a little more open to try another circus type class. I purchased two Living Social deals for a “Static Trapeze” class at Twin Cities Trapeze.

  

We signed for the Saturday class, which was an hour long. They only allow for 4 people in each class, so you do have to plan ahead a bit to reserve an open spot.

The studio is in St. Paul in one of the old Hamm’s Brewery buildings. 

When you enter the building, you can see that the flying trapeze is the focus of the space. There was a flying trapeze class going on right when we arrived, and it really looked like fun!

But the trapeze isn't the only thing they do here. In fact, they offer all kinds of classes- Hoola Hoop classes, Flying Trapeze, Yoga, Zumba, “Flirty Fitness”, Barre, and Acro /Gymnastics

The living social deal was only for one Static Trapeze class, which is described on their website as follows:

Lower and steadier than the Flying Trapeze; as the name suggests, the Static Trapeze stays put as the performer executes positions, tricks, and transitions on, over, under and around the bar! Classes begin with a warm-up and focus on skills and choreography before concluding with conditioning. Classes are 60 minutes in length and have a maximum of 4 students per class.

In our class on Saturday, there were three beginner students (Dustin, me, and one other girl) and then another student who had been taking lessons for quite a while. She was quite advanced compared to the rest of us.

The class started with some stretching. The instructor warned us that we would be sore the next day – “from using muscles we normally don’t use!”

After some stretching, the instructor moved right into the moves on the trapeze.

We started with the basic lift onto the trapeze to knee hang. We practiced letting go from the knee hang “with style” of course.

The next move was the bird’s nest, where we hooked our feet and legs on the trapeze ropes and hung upside down. This one felt really good- it really stretched your back out!

After we had all mastered the bird’s nest, we moved on to moves on top of the trapeze. First we just a basic lean-back, and then the "mermaid."

This mermaid move was a bit more of a challenge for me. I got a little fearful of letting go with one hand and really rolling to my side hip. Eventually I was able to do it, but it took some work.

Now, for the "big" move: standing on the trapeze. The instructor walked us through the different steps to get into the standing position. 

From the stand, we also learned “star” where you pop both feet onto the ropes and then push out in a star position. The first few times we did this move, the trapeze was moved closer to the ground so we’d feel more comfortable. But by the end, she moved the trapeze back up again.

Towards the end of the class, we all had the opportunity to go through our whole “routine” as a bit of performance. She even played some tunes for us as we "performed"- so fun!

Remember how I said she warned us that we would be sore? I didn’t feel so bad right away after the class, but throughout that night and into the next day, I was really sore in my upper body… Dustin was really sore too, even though he is more accustomed to this sort of thing with all of his rock climbing.

The static trapeze was somewhat similar to the lyre class we took in the Aerial Fitness class at the Stomping Grounds.  I would recommend a static trapeze class at the Twin Cities Trapeze Center. The facility was nice, and the instructors were really helpful.

At our class, there was also a more experienced student working through her routine. It was fun to watch all the other stuff she had learned. She said she had only been taking lessons for a few months, but she was really good (being extremely flexible probably helped too!)

I have a greater appreciation for the Cirque du Soleil trapeze artists, as it is definitely NOT easy!

From the FAQ’s on the website:

What do I wear?  Anything comfortable which allows easy movement.  Yoga/sweat pants and a T-shirt are good choices.  They recommend wearing something that covers your knees.  Long hair should be tied back.

Where are you located? They are at 719 Minnehaha Ave E in St. Paul.  Also known as building 45 of the Hamm’s Brewery.  They are the in the far Northwest corner of the old brewery campus.  

Is there an age limit? They have taught students from ages 3 to 73.

I would also suggest that you bring  a camera to take pictures! I had a lot of fun with this fresh new fit.  Give it a try, and let me know what you think!

Fresh New Fit: Warby Parker!

Have you guys heard about Warby Parker? 

Warby Parker is a fresh new fit in the optical and sunglasses business!

Let me tell you a story...I grew up wearing glasses- ugly glasses too. I think my first pair of glasses was in 2nd grade, and they were super thick. Then I had a few pairs with a "safety bar" as we lovingly called it across the top, (see below picture of Dustin with said safety bar...) and then some lovely plastic nose pieces to keep the glasses up on my extremely flat nose (you haven't noticed my flat nose?) Fashionable, my glasses were not, but hey, I was 10, and I didn't care about fashion (plus Warby Parker, didn't exist back then!)

  

Unfortunately (or fortunately) I can't seem to find a picture of my glasses, but I do have one of Dustin's killer style. Fortunately (or unfortunately for him!) he doesn't really read the blog that often, so you get to enjoy pics like this!

Aww, he was still so cute.

However, no more glasses for Dustin. in 2006, he took the plunge and had Lasik surgery, and a year later, I followed suit. Now my vision is 20/20. No more glasses or contacts for me either. 

Yet I was recently perusing the summer collection from Warby Parker, and their summer optical collection is so cute, I honestly wish I still wore glasses, just so I could have a few pairs!

Is it a faux pas to just wear empty frames because you love the way they look? That's how I feel about Warby Parker,!

Warby Parker has so many different options too- there is a design and style that works for everybody. My favorites from the summer collection are probably the Haskell Woodgrain Tortoise (traditional)...

...and then maybe the Upton Sea Smoke Tortoise (for something more fun!)

Fortunately for me, Warby Parker, also makes sunglasses. Yay! There’s something for the post-Lasik gals like me (if I decide its not cool just to wear empty frames).  

After throwing a fit for several of their fashionable shades, I decided to order a pair of the Ormsby English Oak shades for the summer. 

I can't wait to show you how they look when they arrive!

The shades and opticals are not that expensive for how cute they are ($95- totally reasonable!)  I mean, I paid over twice as much for a pair of Tory Burch sunnies last year, and yes, I love them, but they haven't really been that durable (they have broken on me multiple times…) The Warby Parker shades appear to be much more durable, and so funky and fashionable!

I haven't even told you about two of the BEST things about Warby Parker

#1: HOME TRY-ON PROGRAM!

They have a home- try on program where you can order 5 different frames for 5 days, 100% free before deciding which pair you want to keep. I know that it's risky to order something like glasses online without trying them on first, but Warby Parker takes that risk away with this awesome program. You can do the home try on program with sunglasses too!

#2: A GOOD DEED.

For every pair of glasses that is purchased, Warby Parker donates a pair to someone in need (kind of like Tom's shoes, right?) I love it.

Warby Parker offers both men and women's frames, and men and women’s sunglasses. 

Definitely go check out their summer collection, and let me know what you think!

http://www.warbyparker.com/eyeglasses

http://www.warbyparker.com/sunglasses

Fresh New Fit: My Skincare Routine

Here at the Right Fits, I primarily write about Fashion, Fitness, and Fitness Fashion, but I think a good skin care regime is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, sharing my skincare regime somewhat fits into The Right Fits...right?

Well, either way, I thought I'd switch things up a bit and share a little about my personal skin care routine. I know I am by no means an expert. I am still learning and changing my routine as I age,  but here is what I have been using lately.

 In the morning, I use a cream cleanser to wake up my face in the shower. I have been using Neutrogena's Deep Clean for years, and I find it to be very refreshing.
True to its name, it offers a deep clean.

After my cream cleanser, I use an Aveeno moisturizer with SPF 30.
It's "ultra calming," or helpful for reducing red spots, as well as helpful for sensitive skin.

In the evening, I remove all my makeup with a Neutrogena cleansing wipe. I love these gentle cleansing wipes. They seriously remove ALL the gunk, so I don't wake up with mascara smears the next day.

After removing all my makeup, I either use a cream cleanser again to wash my face at night, or, as much as possible, I try to use my Clarisonic face cleansing system. I really love this cleaning machine, as it leaves my skin feeling very smooth. It runs on a cycle (I think its 90 seconds?) where it beeps to tell you to switch between your forehead, t-zone, and each cheek. 

The Clarisonic cleansing system is supposed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and help combat wrinkles, while really cleaning out your pores. The whole cleansing routine with the gadget takes less than 2 minutes. Every time I use it, I remind myself that I should use it more often. My skin feels great afterwards! These cleansing machines are a little expensive (over $200), but they are effective. I received mine as a birthday gift from my mother-in-law (thank you!). Definitely a great present idea!

After the Clarisonic cleanser, its time for some more Aveeno red reducing face lotion with SPF 30. Then, before bed, I  put on quick layer of Neirium.

Neirium? Let me explain.

I definitely have a bit of a love for the sun. Well, I don't get a lot of sun in Minnesota seven months out of the year, but when we take a beach trip (like this one to Turks & Caicos) I do like to lounge in the sun. I always wear an SPF of at least 30, but my skin still is starting to show the effects of a long love affair with the sun, with wrinkles and some sun spots.

Enter Neirium. My friend Tara is a supplier of this magic potion, and she is very confident that it works. She has shared many before-and-after pictures supporting the effectiveness of this lotion for her clients. In fact, she sent me these before-and-after pictures of one of her very own sun spots. You can really see how much it has faded after using Neirium.

The picture on the left is the "before", and the picture on the right is the "after." You can see how much the sun spot has faded. It's basically gone!

When I first started using Neirium, I had originally thought about doing before and after pictures myself, but I haven't been as diligent about using it every day. But I will admit, I have noticed a significant reduction in my "sun" spots, and the texture of my skin has improved. Have my wrinkles gone away? Well, no. But based on Tara's experience, and several of her clients' testimonies, I feel like I am doing the right thing to try to prevent them from getting worse.

Here's the science behind the "magic potion" straight from the source:
"The Nerium Oleander plant (NAE-8 antioxidant) extraction process is what makes this so special; it is called NBio-PL²T. That and the minimal amount of ingredients, all are concentrated and not diluted. It is noncomedogenic, paraben-free and gluten-free for those with sensitive & allergy ridden skin."  

**My skin is pretty sensitive, but I haven't had any negative reactions to this cream.

"NeriumAD Age-Defying Treatment is a true breakthrough in anti-aging skincare that harnesses the patent-pending NAE-8 extract from the Nerium oleander plant. This extract, in conjunction with other synergistic, age-defying ingredients, is responsible for the creation of real results. This powerful formula allows NeriumAD to address multiple concerns at once. Third-party clinical trials conducted by ST&T Research show that NeriumAD Age-Defying Treatment dramatically reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin texture, enlarged pores, and aging skin."

The primary ingredients are Aloe, Nerium Oleander Leaf Extract, and Quinoa!  <-- apparently quinoa isn't just good for you to eat, it's also good for your skin!

You don't need to use very much each night- just a little bit goes a long way. I have been using Neirum now for about 1.5 years, and I have only just started my second bottle.

This is not a sponsored post. I didn't receive any compensation for sharing my experience about Neirium. However, if it sounds like something you'd like to try, it would be awesome if you sent your business to my friend Tara- This is her referral link: HERE

Well that's my current skincare routine. I hope you didn't mind the detour from regular posting about Fitness, Fashion, and Fitness Fashion!

Fresh New Fit: Aerial Fitness Part 2

Two weeks ago, Dustin and I took our first Aerial Fitness class at the Stomping Ground in Minneapolis (read all about our first class HERE). We took it as part of a Groupon that I had purchased, which included two classes. This past Wednesday, we took our second class.

The last time we took the class, we focused primarily on the lyra (the big metal hoop), whereas this time we spent the whole hour working on skills on the "tissu" or long fabric.

Of course, we warmed up first with some stretching, and then we began with the "climb" on the tissu, which was the only skill we had time for at the last class. The simple climb was pretty challenging for me at the last class, but this time around, I wasn't so worn out from the lyra. I was able to climb to the top, and then loosen my grip and slide down the fabric.

After we worked on the climb, we learned how to do a foot lock, where you wrap the tissue around your ankle/foot in a very secure way, so that when you stand up and put your weight on your foot lock, you are pretty comfortable and supported.

Once we mastered the foot lock, the instructor was able to teach us several new moves.

I think this one was called the "arabesque"? Don't quote me on that. You can see how Dustin's foot is secured in a wrap, or "foot lock."

We then went upside-down on the tissu (though we were all very close to the ground) by starting with our knee supporting the tissue, and then letting go and hanging upside down. Below is a picture of me getting into the upside-down position, and then fully in the "upside down."

I don't remember the name of this move. We did the foot lock wrap, then tucked our knee up high to brace against the tissu, let our bodies flip horizontally, and then let go with the upper hand. 

It seemed as though there were a lot of cool moves to learn on the tissu, though I think I found the lyra more physically challenging. I was sore after the class that focused on the lyra, but not as sore after this week's class. However, I was happy to get a a taste of both aspects of aerial fitness.

Most aerial students sign up for an eight-week session, where all the student progress together. However, the Groupon was only good for "Aerial 1" or a very basic drop-in class. The drop-in classes do fill pretty quickly, due to the popularity of the Groupon deal. You can always plan ahead to try a drop-in class, and then decide if its something you'd like, then you can sign up for a longer term commitment, via the eight-week program.

Dustin and I really enjoyed our little dabble into aerial fitness. Even though neither of us is exceptionally graceful or flexible, we were still able to follow along and learn some basic moves. It was a really fun experience. The instructor was really friendly and accommodating, and she helped each person figure out how to do the moves.

 If you're looking for a fresh, new fit to do something outside your comfort zone, check out an aerial fitness class! I guarantee you'll have a good time and learn something new.

Fresh New Fit: "Doga"- Yoga with Your Dog!

If you have been reading the Right Fits for awhile, you know that Matilda (our almost 5 year-old Vizsla dog) often shows her furry face on the blog. 

I have posted several times about the joy of running (and life in general) with my furry friend Matilda Sloan, and I’m sure Dustin would agree that we love our Ms. Matilda very much!

You may also have gathered that I enjoy yoga- Corepower, Modo Yoga, outdoor yoga, Salt Cave Yoga...I enjoy yoga of all different kinds.

So when I heard about people combining these two things- dogs and yoga- I was definitely interested. Then, I was contacted earlier this week by the community coordinator of DogVacay.com to share one of their recent posts with you, which is all about "Doga.”

I had heard about doga in the past, as Matilda’s doggie daycare & hotel, Pampered Pooch Playground, has hosted a few doga events. I was tempted to try it then, but I wasn’t sure how Matilda would behave. She is a high-energy, easily distracted kind of dog. I had a feeling she might have trouble “grounding herself on the mat", (i.e. she would have trouble not chasing the other dogs, or even more likely, chasing SHADOWS. She is obsessed with shadows. Don’t you worry- if a shadow was out to get you, Matilda would be ON IT!)

Anyways, as DogVacay.com’s post states, doga is a fun new trend in the world of exercising. Apparently, there are some at-home workout DVD's on the market (Amy Stevens’ Yoga 4 Dogs DVD appears to have good reviews!) So you may want to try it out at home first before enrolling in a doga class (such as the one at Pampered Pooch Playground for those of you in the Minneapolis area). I think that a DVD might be a better option for Matilda and me, since I’m unsure how well she would behave in a class with other people and dogs.

  

Here’s a little history of “doga” from the DogVacay.com blog post:

The doga concept was originated by Suzi Teitelman and her dog Coali. During her at-home yoga sessions, Teitelman noted that Coali seemed to be very intrigued at the practice, prompting Teitelman to work on poses with none other than her four-legged best friend, Coali. The idea escalated from there. Teitelman began conducting doga classes and soon enough, the practice became popular among the poshest of pooches.”

Well. I’m pretty sure that Matilda wants to be considered one of the poshest of pooches!  #lifelongdream

Matilda..so posh...though not a fan of cards against humanity

She always gets very interested whenever Dustin or I am doing any sort of workout at home, hence all her photo bombs with the plank challenge recently! (By the way, did you do your 2 minute plank today? I hope so!)

It sounds like yoga studios have different interpretations of "doga." Some classes just allow the dogs to be there to mill around, yet the dogs are not actively participating in the yoga practice. But other "doga" options actually incorporate your dog into your practice.

The Dogvacay.com post actually provides a few examples of doga poses to try, so I figured I’d give them a shot to see how they went with Matilda. (I apologize for the mess, these pictures were taken in our basement.)

  

Weighted Boat Pose  (i.e. the "weight" of your dog) 

Assisted Handstand

Flip Your Dog

We were having so much fun with the dog poses, that I tried to find a few more online to try. 

Chair Pose: This pose requires your dog to sit on its hind legs while you hold the dog from behind and raise its front paws in the air.

Savasana: Your dog lies on its back while you stroke its belly.

Heart-to-hound Mudra: This pose simply requires you to place one hand on your heart and the other on your dog’s heart. Close your eyes and breathe slowly.

I wouldn't say our first doga session was exactly a success, but I can definitely see the benefits of having your pup join you in your practice. The idea is that if you practice together, you'll gain more than just a few minutes of quality time together. After all, the word yoga means "union" (union of mind and body). Doga is all about bonding and building a union with your pet.

“Union in yoga means discovering a feeling of connection to all living things. In doga, we move toward that union by first feeling that open-hearted connection to our dogs, then opening up to a broader connection.” source

Have you ever tried doga? Would you try it with your pup?

If you're a dog lover, I think you'll enjoy following DogVacay.com's blog, or follow them on Pinterest. 

Curious about they do? Their community coordinator contacted me just to talk to me about doga, and ask if I would be willing to share their post about it and spread the word to any fellow dog lovers out there. But as a company, DogVacay.com is a home-boarding service that provides dog owners with another option for animal care when traveling. I love our doggy daycare and kennel, Pampered Pooch Playground St. Louis Park. However, when we're gone for extended periods of time, I do worry about our little princess getting tired of the nonstop play at Pampered Pooch. I also worry that she is missing out on the cuddling and special attention that she gets at home with us. DogVacay.com finds you a dog sitter in your neighborhood. You can schedule, book, and pay online. You get 24/7 support, daily pictures of your loved one, all at a price that is 50% less than most kennels (usually about $15/day!)  I haven't tried out this service yet, but I'm definitely going to look into it further, as another option for the "dogi" Matilda!

Fits Do Fitness Class Reviews: Boxing at TITLE Boxing Club

By Jess in Minneapolis

Earlier this week, it was Aerial Fitness....today was boxing! A friend of mine has become a member at TITLE Boxing Club in Edina. She has a new-found passion for this hard-core workout, and she invited Dustin and me to try it out with her this morning.

This morning was brutally cold, so heading indoors to get a serious sweat sounded like a fabulous idea. 

We arrived 15 minutes early for the 9 am class, and filled out the necessary paperwork. Then a super friendly instructor fitted Dustin and me with the hand wraps. It was a bit of a complex process to wrap the hands, but I felt pretty hard core once they were on! (Is pink still hard-core?)

He gave us each a pair of boxing gloves and told us to head over and pick out a bag. I believe there were about 60 bags in the space. Though this morning's class was busy, there were still enough empty bags for us to find a spot within good site of the instructor.

The studio itself was quite large, very bright and clean, with cubbies for your personal items. I noticed a few showers, as well as some weightlifting equipment and treadmills. There was also a full-on boxing ring in the space for actual sparring!

The class started with a 10-15 minute warmup, which included some stretching and then plenty of cardio. It included some jogging, jumping jacks, side stepping, high knees, skips, and more. I started to sweat during the warmup, and was all pumped up by the end to start the boxing!

The basic structure of the regular boxing class includes eight sets of three minutes of boxing, with one minute "active rest" in between. During the "active rest" we definitely weren't resting- we were doing burpees, pushups, squats, and more! Sometimes we would incorporate some planks too. After each "one minute rest," we were back to the boxing.

There was a timer/clock in the corner that kept track of our "rounds." I thought it was a nice touch!

The instructor wore a headset with a microphone, so I could usually hear her instructions pretty well. There were a few times that I had a little trouble seeing her demonstrating the moves, as she frequently moved around the class to give guidance. However, it wasn't usually too hard to follow along, as the sequences were generally straightforward with a  combination of "jab", "cross", "uppercut", and "hook."

I have only taken one bag boxing class at the Firm, and that was many years ago. I have, however, taken quite a bit of kickboxing over the years.  How many of you had a video of Billy Blanks Tae-bo?  I definitely had a well-loved copy in high school, probably on VHS! Then, later in life at the University of Minnesota, I took quite a few kickboxing classes at the free rec center. I knew the basic moves, but bag boxing is definitely more challenging. There were a few times when I would hit the bag "wrong", and it would really hurt my hand or wrist. Yet when I hit it hard and "right" directly on the bag, I could tell the difference.

Tips for Trying out Bag Boxing: I didn't bring a sweat towel, and was pretty drenched! I definitely recommend bringing one. I also brought a water bottle with a twist top, and I wasn't able to open it without taking off a glove. I recommend bringing a squeeze top water bottle so you can easy take water breaks when you need to without taking the time to take off your glove.

Don't be discouraged if you get a little lost! Sometimes I would lose track of the "sequence" we were doing (probably because I was getting a little tired). I just tried to keep moving, and then would try to see what the other more experienced boxers were doing around me, and catch up.

Most importantly, just have fun! Sure, this is a good workout that builds strength and burns lots of calories, but it also is a great way to take out some pent-up aggression, get a good fix of boxing endorphins, and have a little fun!

My arms are pretty shaky now, and I have a feeling I will be sore tomorrow. I definitely got a solid workout in, and it was fun to try something new. I can see why my friend likes this workout so much.

Your first class is free, and you get to keep the hand wraps (not the gloves though). The website doesn't give a lot of information about pricing, but I believe the best deal is a monthly membership.

TITLE Boxing Club is a national chain, so if you have a certain type of membership, you will be able to take advantage of the studios across the country, which is a great idea if you travel a lot for work.  Currently, in Minnesota, there are locations in Edina, Woodbury, and Arden Hills. The club also offers kickboxing (with the bag), Power Hour workouts, and personal training. Its open to all levels- no previous experience necessary!

Head on over to TITLE Boxing Club, and give it a try!