To kick off the new year, I wanted to feature a review of my workout at Urban Athletic Club, a team-based, comprehensive, workout combining athletic movements, body-weight, and strength training. Did you know that strength is the limiting factor in all human movements? I am all about strength training. Urban Athlete Strength days can make you stronger, help you master movements, and build muscle. They are also very particular on moving with correct form as poor form is a recipe for injury, erratic performance, and false gains.
Each session ends with an intense conditioning component.
When I arrived for the 7 AM Class, instructor Haliegh Reichert was already warming up the small group who regularly attends her Thursday class. The energy in the fitness room was happy and energetic. Haliegh was there to guide, motivate, encourage, and make sure each and every move was done with proper form and alignment. You’re encouraged to do your best, push yourself, and try as hard as you can – they definitely won’t let you slack – but if you need to slow the pace or ease off, you can certainly modify the workout.
The Class Format includes five steps:
Warmup
Each class begins with an active and dynamic warm-up to that helps prepare your body and mind for the workout. You’ll increase your core body temperature, wake-up your muscles to increase mobility, and lubricate your joints.
First Half
Urban Athlete is divided into two halves. This allow you to focus on one element at time for peak performance.
Halftime
In between each half there is “Halftime”. This part changes from just a simple break, to a challenge, a partner workout, or a skill review.
Second Half
After Halftime, it’s back at to the work (fun) with exercises to complement to first half. In Strength days this might be short, intense conditioning drills. On Conditioning, it might involve longer duration cardio, or metabolic conditioning. Hybrid days allow for lots of creativity, so be prepared for anything!
Cool Down
At the end of class you’ll go through a cool down to restore your body to its proper posture and form.
This was a fun, effective, multi-faceted small group training workout that combines strength training and cardio in one hour.
Urban Athletic Club has several locations: Glover Park, Shaw and Adams Morgan.
For more information, visit www.urbanathletic.club
{Thank-you to Urban Athletic Club and Glover Kimpton Hotel for partnering on this post.}
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