Sweaturday Double Header

Lisa heard we were all going to be in town at the same time and she decided to make a workout plan that would ensure we'd never want to be back in town at the same time ever again.

Friday evening she announced the gang was going to Lava Barre in Arlington to do the TRX HIIT program at 0800 Saturday. I'd never heard of the place or where it was but I was game.

It was late, and the classes fill up fast but by some miracle I was able to get in. In an even greater miracle John, having just gotten off a flight from an overseas trip, was also able to get in. Not one to ignore miracles, I figured I'd best show up for this one.

So we gathered at Lava Barre, Lisa, John, me and Dan, a friend of Lisa's. Our Brazilian went rogue but promised to join us afterwards for coffee.

The check-in was simple and everyone commented on how odd it was that John and I were able to get in the night before. I suspect they were also amazed that two men were able to get in, raising the total number of men in the class to three. It's no coincidence that the three men in the class were all guests of Lisa.

The studio is the basement boutique we're seeing a lot of in Arlington. Clean and charming, it may have more than one fitness studio but we didn't take a tour.

Lava Barre provide lockers and bathrooms and showers that are all clean and accessible.

We met Kelsey, our Meg for the day, and Lisa assured us she's the best Meg she's had at the place. It didn't take long to understand why she gets such high marks. During the workout she remembered everyone's names, provided encouragement and individual correction. She also did a great job demonstrating each exercise.

We milled around for a few minutes before the class started. Meg introduced herself and hugged Lisa, as anyone who knows Lisa is likely to do. John had taken the class before but Dan and I were absolute beginners so we all stayed in a group.

The class is divided after a brief warm-up. On one wall there are five or six TRX suspension systems set up. On the other wall there are weights, medicine balls, and other fitness paraphernalia. One group starts on TRX with three exercises, 50 seconds each, while the other does a set of three body weight balance exercises such as jump lunges.

We started on TRX. The exercises were familiar, but with a total 12 distinct exercises over the course of the class, we did see some new ones.

Meg took time to watch and correct us on each exercise as needed. This was handy when she had us do one particular exercise. It was a combination of a glute bridge and reverse mountain climber. You're on your back with your feet suspended in the TRX. Shoulders on the ground as you perform a glute bridge and then alternate a leg drive. I couldn't do it until she fixed my feet. The strap must be high up on the heel and the ball of the foot must be pressed against the handles of the TRX to have the right resistance.

We spent two rounds doing core exercises on the body weight side of the studio. They were a great set of exercises, and because of Meg's focus on slow and proper form I feel like we got a lot out of it.

It was when we were on our backs, doing the ab exercises that I noticed the one thing that seemed out of place. In the middle of the studio, hanging from the industrial looking ceiling was a lovely chandelier. It's not the main source of light, and I didn't think to ask about it, but it is a dance studio so a little class isn't a bad thing. It's good to have something to notice that takes your mind off of how hard you're working.

In a nutshell, do not let the fact that this is in a ballet studio fool you. This is a tough class and the hour does not go by fast .It's a proper HIIT program with some strength and unstable strength work, with the TRX. Classes fill up fast with regulars so, unless you get a miracle, book early. First timers can buy two vouchers for $27 and it's well worth it.

Lisa, being Lisa, had no intention of letting us get away with only one workout. We hopped in John's car and went about a mile up the road to the 9Round in Courthouse.

Up to this point I had only ever gone to my 9Round in Virginia Beach. I was thrilled to find that my card from there was accepted in Arlington without question. No sirens went off, at least.

The others had signed up for their one free class and they were accepted, even though they had already been there and filled out the disclaimers. Dan was new and had to fill out the usual "in the likely event of sudden death " form. The good thing about not having class times at 9Round is no one felt rushed.

We had two Megs this time. Both helpful and knowledgeable. We split the four of us into groups of two to make it easier. When we arrived, before 0930, they weren't that busy but by the time we were all set and waivered it was full. The Friday night in Courthouse crew must have gotten up and decided to sweat out their sins by then. I respect that.

John and I were paired and we started on round 9, the ab round. Enough time had passed since our suspension torture at Lava Barre that I had my second wind. John and I both had little trouble keeping up and doing the workout justice.

Both Megs worked well off each other and ensured we had a great workout in spite of being paired. We managed to work each exercise and I feel like we got a lot out of it. Guy Meg loaned me his gloves, mine being safe and dry in the car. I felt little bad about how sweaty I knew they'd be when i was done.

Around station 6 the Megs pulled each person out, in turn, to work the focus mitts. I haven't seen that done very often at 9Round, mostly due to instructors not knowing the experience level of the students. Calling out numbers may not mean much to some people. I hadn't worked the mitts recently so I was glad he kept it simple. I was even a little proud no one got punched accidentally.

John and I finished on the speed bag and I'm happy to report it doesn't take very long to get good enough to look like you know what you're doing. I'm not great but I'm getting there. A little help and a lot of practice goes a long way. To be fair, the exercise at round 8 was to work the bag while hopping on one foot. Meg asked our experience and John mentioned that he's see the bags on TV a few times so, lucky for both of us, we were excused from the hopping part.

All in all it was a great workout and now that I've been to two of these gyms I can recommend Courthouse if you're local.

We decided we needed more than just coffee after this set of workouts so we found Ambar, a Balkan restaurant that recently opened it's second location in Clarendon. It was a beautiful day so we opted to sit outside. I'm certain the other patrons appreciated it, since we smelled bad enough to offend anyone from the Balkans. We joked about that, loudly, to make sure the people who sat near us understood what they were in for.

We ordered large amounts of great and pulled up a fifth chair for our rouge Brazilian who found us and was equally sweaty from a yoga class. She ordered a small salad after our food came but we let her help herself to a beggar's breakfast, taking a little from each plate. We had plenty.

Lisa and I discovered that I have gained the exact amount of weight that she has lost, and that she eats a lot more than I do. I'm not really on board with this arrangement but I'm not sure how to get out of my contract. With the two workouts and eating 2300 calories Saturday I gained half a pound that Lisa lost. Oh well, no one can say I don't go the extra mile (or pound) to help a friend.

The day was warm so we relaxed and talked about what sort of adventures we should have once the weather settles into a more predictable pattern. There will be more SUPping and hopefully some beach time for us all.

It was great to all be together again and at the mercy of Lisa. She comes up with some great plans and tough workouts. It would be nice to do more often but I wonder if that would make the events less special. Because they are special events.