Uplift Your Workout and Your Soul!
I had the most amazing day on Saturday participating in Sweaty Saturday to benefit HealthCorps! You already heard my views on Flywheel-amazing spin classes and fierce competition! Well I thought I would tell you about the rest of my sweaty day! After torching some serious calories at Flywheel, I headed up two blocks to Uplift Studios. This was my first time at Uplift and it did not disappoint!
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When I walked into the studio, I could feel the positive energy! Uplift is a women’s fitness studio focused on creating an empowering environment by providing back-to-basics classes and training sessions with a social aspect. Their idea is to combine fitness and fun!
(These lovely ladies are the management at Uplift-Helena, Katie & Leanne. I didn’t know this at the time of my visit but when I visited their website I learned that Helena was a corporate attorney, Leanne is a published author and Katie has worked in business at major banks. They took their passion for fitness and opened Uplift. I LOVE this story. As an attorney myself working long hours and dealing with stressful situations, I look to fitness and blogging as an outlet to “find my balance”-sorry I had to.
I tried out their Gams and Guns class focused on toning legs and arms. Our instructor, Chelsea led us through 30 minutes of easy-to-follow but super effective moves to tighten and tone. While the class was focused on strength training, my heart rate was definitely elevated and I burned some serious calories.
After class is when the fun really began 😉 Mimosa, Bloody Marys and snacks abound for everyone! There is even a little bar area set up by the reception area! And if you are a naysayer that believes you can’t meet a new friend at a fitness class you’d be wrong. I spoke with several lovely ladies while at Uplift, all who were passionate in staying fit-just like me! I love the idea of networking and building relationships in a healthy environment!
I have to admit, aside from the workout and the fun, I also loved the locker rooms at Uplift. I wouldn’t normally talk about this but the showers and amenities were amazing! Uplift uses Malin + Goetz products which smell and feel amazing! They even remembered face wash and moisturizer. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to a studio and taken a shower and forgot facial moisturizer and had to use body moisturizer instead. Hate that. The ladies at Uplift think of everything!
In addition to the Gams and Guns class I took, Uplift offers a ton of other classes focusing on cardio, cardio + strength, strength/toning, and yoga. I can’t wait to go back and try some of their other classes. I hear good things about Warrior Fight Club and Tighten & Tone. Class prices range from $18 for a half hour class and $32 for hour classes but there are also packages and unlimited options. Uplift also offers personal training sessions for $85. You can save yourself some money and get more social time in by bringing some friends along 2 people is $60 per person or $40 pp for 3 or 4 people.
One thing that struck me at Uplift’s beautiful studio is the training area lit by big beautiful windows looking down onto 23rd street. It was so bright, clean and airy. If you are tired of a dark, dingy gym, you can get a membership at Uplift to use their workout area for only $50 a month for specific time access or $100 per month for unlimited access.
One of the most interesting aspect of Uplift is their commitment to social networking. Uplift offers “Raise the Bar” classes which consist of 45 minutes of strength/cardio followed by cocktails featuring favorite New York restaurants and bars. I have not had a chance to attend one of these events yet but am dying to try one out with some of my girlfriends! In fact, there is an event tomorrow night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for $40 featuring Cara Alwill Leyba who blogs at The Champagne Diet and recently wrote a book “SPARKLE: The Girl’s Guide to Living a Deliciously Dazzling, Wildly Effervescent, Kick-Ass Life!”. If you are around, check it out!
I’ll leave you with Uplift’s Philosophy:
We have been there
We have taken risks
We have lost that first promotion
We have gotten that bonus
We have moved to NYC on our own
We have had our hearts broken
We have been to all our friends’ baby showers
We have done online dating
We have lost
We have found love
We have married
We have lived alone and loved it
We have bought homes
We have moved
We have made sacrifices
We have been rewarded
We have taken that crappy fitness class
We have run those 60 minutes on the treadmill
We have felt the class cliques
We want more and we know we deserve it