Tanisha C.
Yelp
Ugh. I hated it. I had to run a lot, run some more, lift 10lb weights, and jump and stuff. Yea, so a solid workout, but I hated every moment of it.
I bought a Gilt City (or one of them) voucher for 3 classes for $50 (maybe -- I have so many "deals", I can't keep track). Either way, I first saw Barry's Bootcamp on Keeping up with the Kardashians and wanted to try it, but the classes at the Chelsea location seem to always be full. When I saw the Gilt City deal for the new Tribeca location, I jumped at the chance.
I went to my first class today. Sigh. It was horrible. I hate to run -- HATE to run. There was running -- like a half hour of it in two 15-minute stretches. Somehow I knew this, but it was worse than I expected. The instructor, Amber (I think), tried to push the class up to 10mph. Tried, because I was not having any of that. I did not go above 6.5. I kept up with the class until we had a 7.5mph sprint (3 minutes in) and then after that I was like, "hell nah." I am not trying to die on a treadmill and besides, ::ahem:: I'm getting over a cold. There was lots of sprinting and yelling and stuff going on. The energy was great and the people around me were sweating a lot and really out of breath.
Next was the weight training portion of the class. I was sad when we were told to retrieve weights and the smallest I saw was 8 lbs. (I later learned that the 5lb weights are located just around the corner from the weight racks. I will stick to those next time.) Anyhow, so the weight training was the type of stuff that a trainer would require you to do. Stepping up while raising your arms, mountain climbers, pushups, lunges, squats, etc. with weights and variations, combining stuff, you know. This was solid and not nearly as bad as the running.
Ugh, then we started running again. With inclines. I strongly preferred this because we didn't go as fast (not that I was keeping up with the class anyway). Next, we got on the floor and did more weight training and closed with an abs series.
Overall, it was a great workout. Despite my incessant walking, the treadmill told me I burned 250+ calories. You get a workout similar to that that you would get during a personal training session, but in a class environment with great energy and music bumping thru the speakers (I heard at least 3 Beyonce songs and was very happy).
The one drawback, which is kinda major, is that because it's a class, with lots of participants and only one instructor, your form is probably going to suck and no one is going to correct you. Perhaps if you're a regular with the same instructor, they would be in a position to correct you over time. But as I looked thru the class, most everyone was doing each movement differently and I'm sure most of us had it wrong.
The whole space was nice, brand new. Everything is clean and with a industrial look. The changing/locker room is well equipped with lots of locker space and individual stalls, showers, etc.
Although the whole bootcamp thing is not my forte, but I will strongly consider adding Barry's to my fitness rotation -- 3-4 times a month.
Definitely give it a shot.
Note: Amber was there when I checked in and overheard my conversation regarding this being my first time. I suspect this helped me keep a low profile and walk vigorously while others were running (thank goodness).