Aerial Classroom Trapeze

YMCA Cycling

I had to leave Cycling class early today because Draven pooped and the daycare center called me to go get him to change his diaper.  Class was nearly over anyway so I just called it a day.  I was kind of hasty in taking a picture before heading out.  I meant to have my calorie counter visible but instead I got the watts.

YMCA Strength Training

I'm still trying to sort out what the correct weight factor is for myself.  This class I went easier on the weights and didn't feel as much of a workout.  It's hard to guess because we're supposed to start out lighter and then increase weight as the class goes on.  Plus, it gets significantly harder each set and it's an hour long class.  I want to start out a bit lighter so I have somewhere to go when we have increase the weight factor.  I think next week I'll go a little heavier.

YMCA Cycling

I had signed Draven up for the baby sing and sign language class.  It starts at 10am and Cycling goes from 9:15 to 10:15 so they overlap.  I knew I'd have to leave Cycling early to get Draven to his class but I figured some workout is better than no workout.  I also realized I could just take a picture of my meter to show how far I cycled, how long and how many calories I burned so I'm probably just going to take a picture of that for my Cycling classes. 

Aerial Classroom Lyra

YMCA Core Conditioning

I've only tried this class out once before.  There was a sub teacher from another YMCA and she worked us crazy hard.  My entire body, except my abs oddly enough, was sore the next day.  This time the regular teacher was back.  There were lots of planks, squats and lifting and lowering weights though I don't think she worked us nearly as hard as the sub did the previous week.

  

YMCA Cycling

I keep forgetting my sweat towel and have to end up using my shirt.  By the end of class I'm pretty sweaty but it works.  Usually class has about ten people in it which is a pretty good size.  I still don't feel like class is getting any easier for me.  It's still a struggle to get through the whole hour and I have to be gears lower than what the instructor calls out but hopefully I'll work up to it.

Aerial Classroom Lyra

YMCA Cycling

I've been to the Cycling studio a few times already.  They have a few different teachers and all of them have different teaching styles.  Some are more challenging than others.  I find that for the most part I have to be one or two gears below what they call out.  There's one teacher that I find impossible to reach the RPMs she calls out.  She calling out 90s and 100s.  I figure it's just best to do what I can.  Challenge myself but also pace myself.  She even said to listen to your body and do what's reasonable for you.  I'm just starting to aim for going consistently so we'll see how I do.

Aerial Classroom Lyra

Aerial Classroom Trapeze

The Aerial Classroom

Special thanks to The Aerial Classroom for the life changing experience of aerial fitness.  It helped get me in the best shape of my life pre-pregnancy and helped me get back post-pregnancy.  I'm glad I went back after having my baby and am thankful that I've been able to keep up with it.  I started aerial a year after pole and didn't have the best experience at other studios.  If not for The Aerial Classroom I probably wouldn't have continued.  I don't really do pole so much anymore because I'm focusing on aerial and working on being the best aerialist that I can be.  I was fortunate enough to perform in two student showcases and I'm excited to do more.  I was also able to do a studio photo shoot.  I can't believe how far I've come and can't wait to see how far I'm going to go. 

PinkPoleParty

Special thanks to PinkPoleParty for the fun times and getting me into cycling.  I started going to PinkPoleParty because originally I wanted to take pole classes twice a week and PoleMoves only had a Thursday class.  PinkPoleParty was the studio closest to where I lived and they gave out a free 3 class trial.  I tried it out and really liked the Tuesday night advanced pole instructor.  They had a Thursday night one too but she was more stretch/yoga than pole tricks and combos.  The Tuesday night instructor was great (they eventually moved her to Monday) and I really liked her a lot but she stopped teaching there and I didn't find any other classes I wanted to take.  PinkPoleParty had a really nice studio (the nicest pole studio I'd ever been to).  It was big, they had 17 poles so there was no sharing which I really appreciated.  I tried out a lyra class there but it wasn't anywhere near the same level as The Aerial Classroom and I just don't see a point in taking aerial classes anywhere else.  They did have a spin room that was new.  They were giving out free trial classes so I took it.  It was the first spin class I ever took and I really liked it.  It was way harder than I thought it would be.  They had really great instructors.  I take cycling at the YMCA now but their instructors aren't as good as the ones PinkPoleParty had.  I would have kept going but the class was usually empty except for me and maybe one other person so eventually they just got rid of it altogether.  They also had an Abs and Assets class that was really great.  I loved the instructor and the work out but it was on Wednesday nights which is when I have lyra class at The Aerial Classroom.  I stopped going but they had a really fun open house party night and I did a charity photoshoot there.  I wasn't super impressed with the photos but it was for a good cause and practically free since I got 5 free classes for doing it.  Eventually that studio location closed and I moved so I don't think I'll be going back.

PoleMoves

Special thanks to PoleMoves for starting it all.  Pole was the very first thing I ever did involving fitness and it literally changed my life.  I just tried it out with a Living Social deal and it was much more physical and challenging than I ever imagined.  Every class I got just a little bit stronger and more fit until I reached goals that I never thought possible.  I did amazing things I never realized I was capable of.  I stuck with it for 3 years until the old studio closed at the end of 2014.  The new one opened in Downtown LA right before I had my son so I went back as soon as I felt ready.  Unfortunately it only lasted a couple of months before it closed again (this time for good).  But lucky for me, I was able to do a free promotional photo shoot at the studio right before it closed so I got some amazing shots for my return to pole.

Fit4Mom

Special thanks to Fit4Mom for getting me back in shape post-delivery.  I started taking Fit4Mom Stroller Strides classes when Draven was 3 months old and it really helped me.  It didn't just help with exercise.  It helped set up a routine with Draven.  We'd get up, eat breakfast, go workout in the park, have a little play time with the other babies, then go home for his nap.  It was a great way to start the day off.  I also met a bunch of other moms with children Draven's age that I've made friends with.  Not only that but Fit4Mom had a monthly mom's night out to socialize with the other moms sans baby.  They also did fun crafts and play time games for the kids after class.  There were activities/crafts a few times per month.  It's a great community and I'm actually sad I had to quit but I'm so thankful for the experiences I've had and the people I've met because of it.