The moment I saw the infomercials for “The Shake Weight” I disregarded it as another fad. But it seems to be gaining ground and people are seriously interested in this thing. It was even showcased on The Ellen Show and Jimmy Kimmel! Haha I love Ellen!
People are drawn to quick fixes, and this one promises to deliver. The question is… does it work? I’ve never tried it myself so I can’t tell you from firsthand experience, but has anyone used this and seen results?
Some of its claims:
Get results in just 6 minutes a day.
Increases muscle activity by more than 300% compared to traditional weights.
Utilizes new exercise technology called Dynamic Inertia.
Proven scientific results – show me a weight loss product that doesn’t claim this! Where are the results? I can’t find them anywhere online. Forgive the candidness, but what a load of bull.
Pure Barre
6791 Quail Hill Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92603
(949) 500-5924
(Multiple Locations)
Lift.Tone.Burn – that’s the mantra at Pure Barre, a fitness studio combining pilates and ballet techniques into one unique workout routine. I recently had the opportunity to try a class because a great deal was offered on Groupon. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I wasn’t expecting my thighs to be quivering nonstop within the first 15 minutes of class! I thought I was in pretty good shape with all the marathon running I do, but Pure Barre is a whole different animal. Supposedly the word of this innovative new technique is spreading the nation like wildfire.
Here is what you need to know:
The studio provides you with all the equipment you need – this includes two sets of light weights (you can choose between 2-3-5 lb weights), a band, and a ball.
The workouts emphasize short, tiny movements meant to fatigue the muscles and gets switched up every 10-30 seconds.
You begin with a small warm-up, then go right into workouts designed to tone your arms, thighs, butt, and abs. They used up every minute of the hour, so there were really no opportunities to rest.
No dance experience required. The movements are designed so that anyone can follow along. Even my two left feet can attest to that.
The studio floor is carpeted, but you MUST wear socks. They also sell socks with grips on the bottom, but I found that regular socks were fine too.
Attire is a tank top and capris or tight-fitting shorts or pants.
I was sweating buckets at the end of my hour-long class and my heart rate was definitely up. Pure Barre provides a comprehensive toning and cardio workout that seriously works you!
Best for: those who want a challenging, different type of workout that focuses on toning. The workouts don’t require a lot of bouncing so it’s also great for those who have sensitive joints. Would not recommend for: those who are extremely out of shape.
Soul At Home
17612 17th Street
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 573-7685
I wanted to get to know a friend better, so we bonded over classes at her yoga studio, Soul At Home. Originally, I planned to just take one class with her, but it was more worth it to buy the one-month unlimited pass ($39) than to pay for a single class ($15). I ended up coming with my friend once a week for a month.
Soul at Home has a full schedule filled with a variety of classes. The downside with soo much variety is that if you can’t make it on a certain day/time for a class you will probably have to wait until the following week to take it again. Their most regular class is the beginners/level 1 yoga, which crops up frequently throughout the week.
They have two rooms where they hold their classes – one large and one small. The rooms are clean and well-lit, and I loved that they provided really great quality mats and props for those who don’t have their own. Beyond being just a yoga studio, they also offer massages and facials so this could essentially be your one-stop-shop for your health and beauty needs.
Best for: those who want a truly relaxing, meditative yoga experience. Would not recommend for: those looking for a more intense, sweat-inducing workout.
