Yoga, Chai and Live Cello

What used to be a laundry mat owned by a family many years ago, is now one of San Francisco modern day creative escapes. The Laundry, is a local hub for creativity, community and connection and has been only open for about a year or so. It's a pop-up coffee shop, an art gallery and a venue, all in one. 

I had the opportunity to discover this sanctuary as a Hype Influencer at one of their several monthly experiences, a yoga class with live cello. Before getting settled, Abbie and I walked downstairs to a dimly lit, yet colorful and calm room. We laid out our mats, and sipped on some chai tea before the rest of class settled in.

Between our instructor Maayan's soothing voice, and Josh McClain's cell vibrations, the environment nurtured a calming sound bath to bring focus to our practice. Something about the vibrations and accoustics of the cello really elevated the whole experience. After a long day in the office as an Executive Assistant, there's nothing I enjoy more than a calming class to slow my pace before bedtime. 

Thank you Hype for hosting a wonderful experience!

If it wasn't for this app, I wouldn't have been able to discover such unique activities in this crazy city. Using Hype has given me the insider scoop to places I've never known about, and new stories that bring happiness and health to my life.

EVENT HOST: Hype
VENUE: The Laundry 
YOGA INSTRUCTOR: Maayan 
CELLIST: Josh McClain

Working out at Studiomix

The entry way to the stairs to Studiomix

Why I Made the Switch

My colleagues introduced me to sweatworking. It's basically like networking, but rather than getting to know your coworkers over drinks or happy hour, you pick up group fitness together! 

After they got me to attend my first class, I knew this gym felt like home. For me, it was conveniently on my route home from work, the facility was sparkly clean, and the quality of the classes and instructors were beyond my expectations. It's also great to note they have classes starting almost every half hour, so every day you have options to pick from. Since I've joined, I've been generous with trying different classes from yoga and pilates to weight training and TRX before pinpointing my routine. Let's put it this way, I have yet to take a bad class. 

In addition to quality and quantity of classes, I rationalized how much it would cost per class. I took their membership of $150 a month, and divided that into how many classes I'd attend weekly...3-5 or so. That's $7.50-12.50 per class, which is considerably modest for San Francisco fitness classes! Yes, I did have to really consider the financial aspect, going from paying $35 a month at my previous gym. Sure, at first glance, the price took me off-guard, but after the first class, it's no hard decision. I know the best investment, is the one you make for yourself and your health. I walk in, focus on my workout, and leave. That's it! No sign of disrespectful gym members, or maxed out capacity cardio machines. They made it so simple for me. 

Why It Works

Studies show that adding variety to your workout routine will help you break through fitness plateaus, prevent overuse injuries, build new muscles and make exercise fun if it starts to get repetitive (source). For me, my strength is in weights, but I dread cardio more than anything else.  By taking classes that switch it up, I can easily incorporate both, and it doesn't feel like a chore. Still, I can always assure I'm still getting an ass-kicking. If I'm really not feeling like hitting my plyometrics when my post-work energy is low, I'll take a yoga class instead and vice versa. If you know me well, you know I love having options!

Yes, there are plenty of gyms in the city, and I've been a member to handful of them. I find that some are either specialty class-based gyms that serve one genre of classes, or they are chain-brand names and their main niche is not group fitness, but more up-keeping the facility itself. As much as I love a gym with a solid weight room and loads of open free-range equipment, I was looking for something a little different...one that had options that would motivate me to up my cardio training. Even if your goal is the exact opposite, Studiomix has classes that will serve your wants and needs!

The Studiomix Nutrition Manifesto

 

My Favorite Classes

Below are a few of my favorite weekly classes. I pulled the descriptions from their calendar to be more specific about what the class offers! If you want to see the full schedule, click it here: See the schedule here: class schedule.  

1. X-Train or Cycle Express with Andre or Vanessa
2. HIIT with Andre or Vanessa
3. Build with any of the instructors
4. Strength + Conditioning with any of the instructors
5. Power Yoga with Howard

One of my favorite studios: The Strength Studio! Tons of equipment including kettlebells, and 6 platforms. YES. (pc: Studiomix)

The evening street view from outside of the gym. Studiomix is located on Van Ness Ave inside the same building as the AMC Movie Theater. The gym is on the third floor.

Hope to see you there!