If you have been following my Instagram stories then you would have noticed how much I enjoy taking different classes with Class Pass (full blog post on CP here). Since I get so many DMs about my thoughts on different studios I thought I would share my top Class Pass studios for Dallas Texas with a full review on why I love the studios. Lets jump right in!
BEYOND Studios - Preston Hollow
This class caught my interest on Class Pass because of the treadmills. Since I am a runner I was curious to see how running was incorporated into this workout. The 9:30 a.m class I went to was called "Reform + Run," and you spend half the time on a treadmill with the other half being on a reformer or the bungee attached to the wall. Note: We didn't use the tramps featured in the image for my class.
The class size consisted of me and two other girls, which seemed very small considering it being a 9:30 a.m. class. We started off on the treadmill first, and this treadmill was the most foreign treadmill I've ever been on. When I got on I was looking for the dials to turn up the speed, and little did I know that your own body propels the tread. Beyond uses a Woodway Curve treadmill, and the curved design mixed with body weight allows the machine to move. This treadmill was CRAZY, but a good crazy!!!
Once you spend some time on the treadmill at mixed rates then you come to the floor and do strength training with the bungee, and then its back to the treadmill. We used the bungee to either do jump squats or strength training with the arms. Since I've been taking it easy on my knees lately I modified any jumping. You do this back and forth between cardio and strength training the entire class, and by the 3rd time we hit the tread I was stripping down to a bra. You finish class on the reformers, and my body was sweating uncontrollably at this time.
After class I talked to the teacher about how much I enjoyed the class, and talked about my bum left hamstring. As we talked she informed me on some things I can do for my tight hamstring to loosen it up. I REALLY appreciated this because it shows that the instructors are not only trained to run a class, but are also familiar with the body/injury relationship.
Class: BEYOND Studios - Reform + Run
Class Description: Full body pilates based interval training. Portion of class is done on a treadmill, and other potion done on a pilates reformer.
Good For: Toning and burning calories.
Class Time: 50 minutes
What to Wear: Leggings or crops, sticky socks, running shoes, tank, and a sports bra incase you need to shed the layers ;)
Music: Loved the music. Remixed top hits that are upbeat.
Injury Friendly?: If running is too much impact on your joints you can always opt to walk. Make sure you talk with the instructor prior to class if you have a preexisting injury.
Sweat Rating: I sweat a ton in this class and give it a 7/10 with 10 being drenched head to toe. This class is definitely a good calorie burn!
Pure Barre - Preston Hollow
Ok maybe I'm a little bias for this making my top studio list since I work here, but you know I love me some PB. I currently work at three studios in Dallas: Greenville, Uptown, and Preston Hollow. Preston Hollow is the only location I work at that is on CP. Pure Barre is a full body workout, and uses small movements to a) be low impact on the body, and b) to target and isolate muscles. The technique creates long lean muscle by fatiguing each muscle group to the point where it shakes, and then stretching it out after class (click here and here to see a Pure Barre transformation post I wrote).
The class starts off with a warm up in the center of the room with weight work. After that you then move to the barre for the majority of class to work on thighs, seat, quick cardio sprint, abs, and cool down. Every class has the same format, but is different every time you come to class. For example: You'll never experience the same thigh set even if you come every day.
If you are new to Pure Barre make sure you come at LEAST 10-15 minutes early #prettyplease. As a teacher I want to really stress this because of a few different reasons. It gives you enough time to fill out the waiver, and allows the teacher to talk with you some basics of the technique. If you have never done a barre class before the teacher will go over some basics on what to expect since PB is so different from other workouts (click here for a beginners guide to PB I wrote).
When you sign up for class be mindful that there is 2 types of classes: Classic & Empower. Classic is our core class, and empower is our 45 minute cardio based class. It is recommended that you take 2-3 classic classes before jumping into empower, since empower is done at a faster pace.
Class Description: Low impact full body workout.
Good For: Toning and burning.
Class Time: 50 minutes
What to Wear: Leggings or crops, sticky socks, and a shirt that covers the midriff. NO SHORTS OR BELLY SHIRTS
Music: High energy music that is a mixture of the latest hits.
Injury Friendly?: ABSOLUTELY!!! Pure Barre has soooo many modifications for so many injuries. Make sure you tell the instructor about a preexisting injury or if you are currently pregnant before class.
Sweat Rating: Depends on who you take class from. I'm big into keeping the body warm to prevent injury when stretching, and my class will be warmer than some. Typically I would say I give it a 4/10 on the sweat rating, but it all depends on how hard you work. I typically workout in a long sleeve shirt during the winter so I can sweat more.
Uptown Yoga - Uptown
I've never considered myself a yogi, but have had spurts of where I really get into yoga. When I first moved to Dallas one of my goals was to find a yoga studio that I really enjoyed, and that had the potential for me to learn advanced positions. Finding a killer yoga studio was the reason I signed up with CP.
Uptown Yoga was the first yoga studio I tried on Class Pass, and fell in love. You can find me here regularly 1-2 times a week, and is the studio I visit most frequently on Class Pass. There is multiple Uptown Yoga studios in the DFW area, but the Uptown one is my favorite. The only downside of this studio is that parking is on the street in a residential area so make sure you arrive a little early to find a good parking spot.
I took my first UY class at 5:30 p.m. back in December, and during my first class I really appreciated that there was a second instructor in the class going around doing corrections. I LOVED this because it helped me find that extra length or spot in my body that relieved any tension in the muscles. They don't always have a second instructor in the class, and not quite sure which classes do.
This studio is awesome for both those starting yoga or advanced yogis. If you are newer to yoga place your mat next to the instructor podium so you can have an easier time following if you aren't familiar with yoga lingo.
I've taken from multiple instructors, but really love Alexandra Grimm's class.
Class: Uptown Yoga - All Level Flow
Class Description: Multilevel yoga flow.
Good For: Stretching
Class Time: 60 minutes
What to Wear: Leggings or crops, shirt, or sports bra. Yoga mats are available at the studio for free.
Music: Calming music to help you work through your flow.
Injury Friendly?: ABSOLUTELY!!! Yoga is low impact, and you move into what you are comfortable with.
Sweat Rating: The studio is kept at a warmer temperature (round 75-80 I believe) to keep your muscles warm as you go into your flow. I give it a 3/10.
[Solidcore] - Dallas
Yesterday I decided to break up my teaching/blogging work day by trying a new workout in Dallas called [solidcore]. When looking through my CP app I was looking for a new class that I could attend at noon, and this popped up on my "recommended for you." Had the word "core" in it, and naturally it caught my interest since I love doing core work ;)
Before attending class I went on the SC website to see what this class was about. While reading online it said that the class was a high intensity reformer class that works to fatigue the muscles to failure. Sounded intense, and I was excited for a challenge! Give Jessica a challenge, and I am a happy camper. When I walked into SC I was greeted by one of my Pure Barre clients who actually teaches at SC. Next week I'm going to take her class, and I know she's gonna love working me like I do with her ;)
Before class started the teacher gave a brief intro on what different parts of the reformer are called, and talked about what to expect with class. The key with this class is to go slow, and do small movements. Sometimes it was hard for me to make movements ultra slow since I move my body to 8 counts of music, and thus depending on the tempo of the music I moved faster or slower. #rhythymworkoutproblems.
As class was going I was having the best time because the teacher was so funny. Her cues made me break out in a smile, and made class that more fun. Maybe I was the only client having the time of her life since I was the only one giggling with the instructors jokes. I have a tendency to have RBF when I workout, but was cracking a smile all throughout class. Seriously.... the instructor Brittany Harrington is one funny gal.
The class uses the reformer for a full body workout coupled with some killer jams. Whenever we did core or upper body work my muscles didn't struggle too much, but definitely feel it in my chest today. The leg section was short (I'm definitely not complaining about that), and was DYING with hamstring work. Since I have a bum left hamstring my right is equally as weak since I try to baby my right so my body stays symmetrical. Anyways.... hamstring leg work was-a-struggle.
I did get sweaty in that class (not dripping), and was wearing a long sleeve shirt the whole time to keep my body extra warm. When I woke up this morning to teach the 6 a.m. in Greenville I noticed that my inner thighs and chest were sore. With that said I'll definitely be back!
Note that not all class times are available on CP.
Class Description: Full body workout on a pilates reformer.
Good For: Toning and burning
Class Time: 50 minutes
What to Wear: Leggings or crops, shirt, or sports bra. You can either wear sticky socks or go barefoot.
Music: High energy music that is a mixture of the latest hits. Solidcore hook me up with your playlists!
Injury Friendly?: ABSOLUTELY!!! Since movements are slow and controlled you move at your comfort level. Talk with the instructor prior to class about preexisting injuries.
Sweat Rating: I would say that this studio gets a 5/10 on the sweat scale.
If you have done any classes on Class Pass in Dallas that you love please drop your recommendations below. I love trying new workouts, and love when someone recommends an awesome studio!
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