Category Archives: FIT + WELL

the sweat shoppe

April 24, 2015

The last time I actually wore a bikini was 1987. I was sunburned, slathered in baby oil and bouncing up and down nauseous on the infamous “beach bus,” which shuttled eager valley girls over Topanga Canyon in the hopes of making contact with a real life surfer. I was 15 then. So getting “bikini-ready” simply meant “putting one on.” In 2015, its a whole other endeavor equipped with exercising, exfoliating, waxing, and a host of other things I have very little experience or patience doing. Here are some of the things I’ve committed myself to doing for two weeks in order to make life slightly more pleasant for those around me, should I ever venture into a bikini again. Dieting is NOT one of them.

Heated Cardio Workout! Cardio sucks balls. Im not going to lie. Pretty much any hard core cardio sucks for me. Add 100 degrees and a dark stinky room filled with 30 plus stationary bikes piled on top of each other and you pretty much described my idea of hell. (Actually scratch that, put a sound track on of El DeBarge and my kids wining and THAT would be hell)

Yet for some reason it’s NOT! Maybe it’s the thoughtful playlist.

Maybe it’s Melissa Lau, the instructor’s, encouraging up beat vibe. Maybe it’s her savant-like ability to remember every single person’s name. Who knows. Whatever the reason, the 55 minutes of torture I endured three times a week at North Hollywood’s Sweat Shoppe during my bikini journey, were some of my favorite moments. No joke. Its hard and intense. But Melissa’s class is a party the entire time. Such a party, my husband and I made her Wednesday night 6:30pm class our official “date night.” Romantic, I know.

Reasonably priced at $20.00 a class with packages and flash sales frequently, Sweat Shoppe’s 55 minute heated workout definitely gives you the most bang for your buck Of course there are days I’d pay triple to just not show up, but its those days that Melissa’s personality and her dedicated following of fellow spinners worked extra hard to see me through. Its definitely a supportive community with large (toned) open arms for new comers and beginners and anyone else who dares to enter. But be prepared, you have to sign up ahead of time. And if you don’t show up, you may just get a text from Melissa. It’s not a super scary text…just scary enough!

Written by Meredith Morton

Meredith is a mom of three perfectly behaved and always impeccably dressed boys who never cuss or fight. She prefers exercise to the side effects of lithium. You can follow her on Instagram @meredithmorton but don’t expect too much.

sweat shoppe

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Barre Belle on La Brea : Setting a new bar in barre classes.

April 23, 2015

My 2 week long adventure of trying out Barre classes around Los Angeles felt very much like teen tour in the 80’s minus all the back of the bus first base hook ups (I was a late bloomer). But, if I were to hook up on this tour, it would be with, Marnie Alton, owner of “Barre Belle.” Gorgeous, smart, and dedicated, Marnie has managed to carve out a unique niche in the terribly over-saturated Barre market. Her Bohemian design and thoughtful details make you feel like you’ve gotten a sought after invite to her private living space. Marnie manages to make every person in her multi level low-impact class feel like they’re experiencing a “private” session with a few of their best friends. Perhaps it’s because she “hasn’t gone corporate” or avoids “Groupons” and quick gimmicks. Maybe it’s because of the materials she uses in the workout space that allow each class to feel fresh and clean.

Whatever the reason, Marnie’s classes are rigorous as fuck, yet thoroughly enjoyable. I felt safe to push myself, knowing that Marnie’s focus and expertise would prevent me from injury. Also, my 16 year old self, was really hoping to impress her. We didn’t make out, but she did tell me she liked my hair and leg warmers, so…thats good enough for my 43 year old self.

Written by Meredith Morton Meredith is a mom of three perfectly behaved and always impeccably dressed boys who never cuss or fight. She prefers exercise to the side effects of lithium. You can follow her on Instagram @meredithmorton but don’t expect too much.

http://www.labarrebelle.com

Schedule

Pricing SPECIAL!!

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Go Vertical at Rise Nation – the BEST NEW WORKOUT IN TOWN

April 16, 2015

RISE-NATION ADDICTED

Fitness plateaus destroyed. Excuses annihilated. Master trainer (to many a celeb) Jason Walsh of Rise Movement has a new venture. It’s up and climbing! Rise Nation. The first group Versa Climber class in town.

I have been climbing 3x a week and reaping the benefits already. This group Versa Climber class is unlike anything you’ve ever done. In and out 30 minutes – and they are the most exciting workout minutes I have experienced in a long time. First of all, fear not – you go at your own pace, you can stop at any time, but you probably won’t. The teachers I love Adam Goldberg who I also am a Flywheel groupie of. I tried Alex’s class who is beyond adorable and a drool-worthy-ass-and bod- to stare at. I took Jason’s class too – WOW, keep you inspired, motivated and the design is so dope and sick, you can just marvel at the coolest ceiling and light show ever.

Great news – the first class is FREE. So all I can say is break your boring workout habits and get your tired tush to Rise-Nation and go vertical!!

RISE NATION

613 N. La Cienega Blvd. West Hollywood 90069

Remember the Versa Climber?

The VersaClimber is unique in that it allows you to simply hold the hand rails and use as a traditional club stepper or a total body climber the choice is up to you. All Major Muscle Groups engaged at Once The VersaClimber incorporates all the major muscle groups — arms, chest, shoulders, back, butt, hips and legs. While treadmills, steppers, bikes and ellipticals work the lower body, the VersaClimber provides a more complete upper and lower body exercise all in one. You can work your whole body at once, change hand positions and use it as a stepper or concentrate on a specific muscle group. The versatility is endless so you never get bored with your workouts. And while you’re enjoying your exhilarating workout, you’re burning more calories than ever before. All this in about half the time of ellipticals and treadmills!

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The coolest hot yoga class for your inner un-yogi. Cornelius Jones Jr. at Core Power Yoga

April 14, 2015

I found the holy grail of yoga classes for the yoga lover with an aversion to “ohms” and the attention span of a gnat.

Cornelius Jones Jr at Yoga Sculpt at Corepower Yoga in Sherman Oaks

Cornelius Jones Jr., the handsome African American man every Jewish woman secretly wishes was her gay son, teaches Yoga Sculpt at Corepower Yoga in Sherman Oaks. It’s one hour in a blazing hot room doing a challenging flow class with weights and kick ass hip hop music. The first few times I felt like I was gasping for air on a lifeless planet, but once I acclimated to the heat, lack of oxygen and all around brutal workout, I had fun..ish. Cornelius makes it impossible not to. He starts every class off with a laid back smile and a perfectly unfunny joke. Then he welcomes all new comers with a warm smile (again) only now, with a curl of foreboding “good luck.”

Cornelius is 100% charisma and 0% pretension. He has a way of rapping as he calls out the poses. He makes you feel like you have rhythm and strength and someone rooting for you. This yoga class is perfect for people who are comfortable with challenging workouts but may not be armed with intricate yoga poses. It feels more like a boot camp than a yoga class. So, if you’re looking to practice arm balances, this isn’t the place for you. If you’re looking to get a crazy cardiovascular and strength training workout while stretching your body and clearing your mind with an awesome teacher in one hour, Corepower Yoga Sculpt (schedule) is the perfect class for you. And me.

Bring a towel. Drink water. And please, don’t be a douche bag and wear perfume or make up.

Meredith Morton is our latest Groomed LA contributor. Sure, go try and be her best friend, but get in line, I’m first.

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GET SPRING BREAK READY AT FLYWHEEL WEST HOLLYWOOD WITH LACEY STONE

March 13, 2015

Lacey Stone is a bad ass. This celebrity trainer and Flywheel LA Instructor (West Hollywood and Larchmont) has rocked my world. After taking her spin class – I done saw the light!! Yup, totally hit nirvana, losing myself to her energy and beats (amazing music). Here, she shares a few tips with us on how to get spring break ready.

Spring Break Ready – what does that even mean?!! This doesn’t have to mean starving and all the bullshit to look a certain way in a bikini. It means getting strong and confident to strut your bad ass self without stressing over if something fits, doesn’t fit, looks ok, etc. In other words – Spring Break ready is a metaphor for cleaning up your shit (inside and outside) so you can explode into Spring like the beauty that you are. I think of toning up as a way to feel strong and confident not just physically – in fact – even more so mentally. When I’m lean and strong you bet your ass I’m taking names in all areas of my life. So, is the route there shaping your bod and eating clean? You betcha!

Lacey has some fricken fun ways to get there. Let’s hear what she has to say!

How long in advance should someone start working out before spring break to tone just enough to feel comfortable if they’re going somewhere tropical?

I would say you should give yourself 2-3weeks before spring break for best results.

How often should they cycle to get bikini body ready?

I think cycling at fly is the BEST. I would try to come in 5 days/week

What do you recommend eating before and after a Flywheel class to get spring break ready?

Pre-class, I’d recommend something lighter and carb focused. I love having two moms granola bars:http://www.twomomsintheraw.com/collections/granola

Post sweat fest, I would recommend a protein shake – Protein is good for muscle repair, is satisfying and healthy:http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2011/04/10-vegan-shake-recipes.html

Check out Lacey’s rad March playlist below to make your next cycle experience a magical one:

Flywheel West Hollywood is located at 8599 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

www.flywheelsports.com

LACEY STONE IS A BAD ASS

Lacey Stone is one of the most sought after fitness professionals in America. She’s a former Division I basketball player and state-ranked tennis player. Professionally, Lacey divides her time between personal training, teaching group classes/bootcamps, and is currently at work on her first book.

Lacey’s a Nike Master Trainer and her fitness programs have been featured on The Today Show, Dr. Oz, MTV, Bravo, and Good Morning America. Her signature workout moves and nutritional advice have been highlighted in magazines and newspapers including Vogue, Glamour, Shape, The New York Times, Lucky, and The Wall Street Journal.

Lacey’s motto is “Passion. Persistence. Patience = EXCELLENCE!” and her mission is to inspire people to achieve higher levels of success, inside and outside of the gym. She truly believes that anything is possible if you have the courage to pursue it. And her rides embody that spirit in every stroke.

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