These are Soirée's top picks for the five best classes to get your pulse racing this fall.
Clubhaus
For a Pilates session that pumps it up a notch, try Clubhaus’ Pilates Revolution class. Using Pilates reformers (specially designed machinery), TRX bands and yoga techniques, this class focuses on your abs while targeting the entire body with challenging cardio intervals. Prepare to feel your heart pumping while doing mountain climbers on a BOSU ball, then switch to difficult ab workouts on the reformer machine for an interval. Nothing is off limits, with options to step up difficulty based on your preference. Afterward, be sure to treat yourself to a protein shake at the bar. You deserve it. ClubhausFitness.com
Barefoot Studio
Some may think yoga is a laid-back activity, but one hot yoga class at Barefoot Studio will have you thinking differently and sweating all over. Hot Power Yoga is an all-levels class in a heated room with temperatures ranging from 95-99 degrees. If you’re a beginner, don’t sweat it. Barefoot offers everything you need to get started, so just bring yourself and enjoy your first week free. Pro tip: Be sure to drink at least 40 ounces of water two hours before practice, in addition to your daily intake. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did. BarefootStudio.com
Little Rock Athletic Club
The High Intensity Interval & Tactical Training class at Little Rock Athletic Club is a high-octane class with something for everyone. The workout consists of multiple exercises, similar to those used by elite athletes and the military, done in rotations. Participants go at their own pace, receiving encouragement from both the instructor and other participants. Even if you haven’t been to the gym in 10 years, this class has a place for you. We promise at the end of it, you will feel like you challenged yourself, got a great workout and are ready to go back for more. LRAC.com
Bootcamp by Bashay
The experience with Rivermarket Bootcamp is unlike any other fitness class. The bootcamp is held outside, behind the Clinton Library, which provides beautiful river views to distract you from your racing pulse. Wayne Bashay and his assistant, Lynn, encourage you every step of the way and specialize in “Tabata,” a high-intensity interval training (HIIT). The class includes running and reps of everything from weighted squats to burpees, deadlifts, arm workouts and everything in between. With a nice yoga inspired cool-down at the end, this workout class hit all the right notes. Take at least 40 ounces (or more) of water! RivermarketBootCamp.com
Zen Studio Fitness
Zen studio are something of the alternative kids on the fitness block and one of their specialities (along with cycling and cycle yoga) is Barre — the latest fitness craze. Barre is excellent for targeting specific trouble areas that usual exercises don’t reach (Goodbye, bingo wings!). Using a ballet barre for balance, Barre focuses on isometric strength training by holding your body still while you contract a specific set of muscles, combined with high reps of small range-of-motion movements, sometimes incorporating body and hand weights. Movements are usually a fusion of ballet and other disciplines like yoga and Pilates. Stacy, the instructor, talks you through how to execute each move and where you should “feel it.” And we definitely felt it. ZenStudioFitness.com
