SHRED415 @ SOUTH LOOP (W/ BRITTANIE CHIN)

Studio: Shred415

Class: Arms and Abs

Location: South Loop

Sweaty Reviews Fitness Level: Advanced-Beastmode

Address: 1136 S Delano Ct e202, Chicago, IL 60605

Instructor: Brittanie Chin

Reviewer: Erica K

Class Review: There’s no doubt that Shred415 is one of the most challenging workouts you can do in this city. With 6 different studios, top-notch instructors and a huge following, this gym certainly kills it for high intensity interval training (HIIT). During Shred you combine four, 15 minute, interval sessions of running and weights for a high intensity/calorie burning 60-minute workout.

Each class is customized to target certain muscle groups. Today’s class was designed to target Arms and Abs. Intervals were standard (four alternating 15 minute sessions). Each floor session combined various exercises designed to target mostly upper body (shoulders, arms, chest) and abdominal muscles (i.e., reverse crunch on the step holding medium size dumbbell). The instructor also incorporated plyometric exercises such as, jump squats and burpees for added cardio. Floor moves were basic and easy to follow. As stated in previous reviews, the most challenging part of class is the transition between movements, as this is a fast-pace environment.

The treadmill sections in Shred consist of a combination of incline and speed word. The instructor will cue you to make adjustments based on your ending warm-up pace (mine ranges typically between 6.5 and 7.5 mph). Today the treadmill sections consisted of 2 minute speed pushes (increased from your ending warm-up pace) at 2%, 4% and 6% incline. If you’re not a runner don’t be intimidated. The goal of every Shred is to find your baseline and increase from there. You are even welcome to walk if needed.

Instructor Review: Brittanie has a very inspiring, up-beat and motivating energy. Aside from providing a rigorously challenging workout, she went above and beyond with helping us stay motivated throughout class. Brittanie reminded us to keep pushing every step of the way, shouting out comments like, “This is your workout, make it count!” I typically gravitate towards instructors like Brittanie that go the extra-mile.

Extras: Shred415 currently has 6 different studio locations (South Loop, Bucktown, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Northshore and Hinsdale). Classes are offered around the clock, but make sure you to book in advance because they fill up quickly! I personally love the South Loop location, because parking is easy and Lululemon is next door. There are locker rooms, towels and 1-2 showers in each studio. Select classes are offered on ClassPass.

Shred class pricing: $25 (drop-in), $145 (monthly new client), $205 (monthly), $195 (monthly auto pay). Better deals are offered if you’re shredding to get rid of your baby bump or for your wedding day.

Would I recommend: Yes! This is a great class for torching calories and shedding fat.

Website: http://www.shred415.com/south-loop-about.html

The Bar Method @ The Loop

Class/Studio: The Bar Method

Class: Mixed

Location: The Loop

Address: 180 N Wacker Dr. Chicago, IL. 60606

SweatyReviews Level: Beginner-Advanced

Instructor: Jiesi Song

Reviewer: Erica K

Class Review: The Bar Method is chic downtown studio in the Chicago Loop offering a technique of barre classes designed to change muscles and reshape bodies into longer and leaner physiques. During this class, you work every muscle in your body by doing small isometric movements (pulses), holds and stretches to help elongate muscle fibers. The layout of the class is strategically designed to work muscle groups while stretching muscles that you just worked. During the initial part of class, we used 2 and 3 lb. dumbbells to work upper back muscles to help stabilize the core. The biggest calorie burning movements (legs & glutes) were targeted in the middle of class after the body had warmed up. Full lower body work was done on the bar (much like you would imagine a ballet workout to look like). The class concluded with floor and mat work to target deep abdominal muscles. Transition of movements was relatively face paced to optimize calorie burn.

Instructor Review: If you embarrass easily, then you will have to get over it for this class. The Bar Method is very technical and hands on with their assistance. The instructor knew everyone’s name in the class and she was not afraid to use it. The idea behind bar is that it’s all about form, and being off by the slightest inch warrants an immediate adjustment. I was called out and adjusted about 100 times, but I was not alone. There were several ‘newbies’ in our class and the instructor was particularly attentive to all of them.

After class, I spoke to Jiesi. She gave me great feedback about my performance and explained how bar is a progression, and I should not be discouraged (let’s be honest, I don’t care how fit you are, not everyone was born to flex and move like a ballerina). Jiesi explained how bar really helps transform the body, but was also honest about it’s benefits (you will probably not drop 10 lbs from just this class alone). Another instructor taking the class also mentioned how the technique is very good for reducing stress fractures, lengthening your body and improving posture. I must say, I have no reason not to trust these girls, their bodies looked amazing!

Would I recommend? Yes. I would recommend this class to any girl that is really looking to sculpt, lean out and fine tune whatever she’s got going on. I think The Bar Method would be a great add on to any fitness regimen. Although I did not break a great sweat, I definitely felt sore the next day.

Extras: The Bar Method has five studios in the Chicagoland area (Gold Coast, Lakeview, Loop, Wicker Park and Highland Park). The Loop studio is clean and lockers come with free locks. Your first class is $24 and additional drop in classes are $30 each. Select class times are also offered on ClassPass. If you’re new to The Bar Method, they run a new client special (30 days unlimited for $75). Monthly renewals cost is $175.

 

Shred 415 w/ Mark Beier & Sean Higgins

Studio: Shred415

Class: Total Body

Location: Old Town

Address: 230 W Division Street.  Chicago, IL 60610.

SweatyReviews Fitness Level: Intermediate – Beastmode

Instructors: Mark Beier (Director of Training) & Sean Higgins (Old Town Studio Manager)

Reviewer: Lauren B

Class Review: Shred415 is high intensity interval training that is unlike any other workout.  All classes begin with half of the people on the treadmills, and the other half on the floor.  Intervals can range anywhere from 1 minute to 15 minutes depending on the class and instructor, but each class consists of 30 minutes of interval treadmill routines and 30 minutes of strength training utilizing free weights, medicine balls, bosu balls, resistance bands, TRX, etc.  Every class is designed to target all muscle groups and shred your body.

Instructor Review:  Mark Beier will push you to your limits and then push you to go beyond that.  He will motivate you to lift heavier weights than you knew you could and run faster than you thought your legs could move.  You might hate him during class, but you will love him afterwards.  I never thought a guy singing Taylor Swift could make me run so fast!   Also, he’s the founder of Mark Bar, which is an all-natural quinoa bar that comes in four flavors and available at all Shred415 studios.

Sean Higgins loves to run fast and will get you to love to run fast as well.  He motivates you to “push plus” while running on the treadmill when you think you might die.  The energy in his class is tangible and he’ll be sure to remind you that you’re the one who created that energy.  Also, Sean always has the best music!

Extras: There are six studios located in Chicago – Old Town, South Loop, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, North Shore & Hinsdale.  Most of the studios offer themed classes every month or so such as Country Night, It’s Britney B*itch, Beyonce & Jay-Z On The Run and even a live DJ.  Also, Tracy Roemer and Bonnie Micheli, co-founders of Shred415, offer on-the-go workouts online so you can Shred anywhere!

Would I recommend: Yes.  I think everyone should push themselves outside of their comfort zones and experience a Shred415 workout, but be sure to sign up well in advance because classes can book up quickly!

 Website: http://www.shred415.com/

Triple 20 @ Fit Results

Studio: Fit Results

Class: Triple 20

Address: 620 S Dearborn

SweatyReviews Fitness Level: All

Instructor: Luis Centeno

Reviewer: Lindsey

Would I recommend this class? No!

Class Review: I had read nothing but great things about this studio on YELP (seriously go check them out, not one bad word was said) so I was super excited to tryout this class. The studio itself is very tiny and due to the super cheap Groupon that is available the classes are packed. Most of the people must be regulars because when I walked I got NO introduction, class just kinda started. I had no idea where to stand, what the gist of the class was, or what the exercises we were supposed to do were. The equipment was all old and dirty and the matts were so gross I didn’t even want to lay on them. I felt like I Was running around a dirty gym with my head cut off. Did I break a sweat? I guess a little, but I was mostly too busy trying to figure out what I was supposed to be doing.

Instructor Review:  The teacher didn’t have a microphone so you couldn’t hear a word he was saying. He didn’t explain any of the exercises or shout any words of encouragement. All I wanted to do was escape! I will not be returning to Fit Results in the near future.

Don’t trust YELP! Check out SweatyReviews.com for the real reviews!

Sweat, Review, Repeat

Shred415 @ South Loop (w/ Don Burgess)

Studio: Shred415

Class: Butt and Legs

Location: South Loop

Sweaty Reviews Fitness Level: Advanced-Beastmode

Address: 1136 S Delano Ct e202, Chicago, IL 60605

Instructor: Don Burgess

Reviewer: Erica K

Class Review: There’s no doubt that Shred415 is one of the most challenging workouts you can do in this city. With 5 different studios, top-notch instructors and a huge following, this gym certainly kills it for high intensity interval training (HIIT). During Shred you combine four, 15 minute, interval sessions of running and weights for a high intensity/calorie burning 60-minute workout.

Each class is customized to target certain muscle groups. Today’s class was designed to target Butt and Legs. The instructor varied the intervals so we were doing six, 10 minute, sessions of floor routine and treadmill work. Each floor session focused mostly on lower-body work. We combined plyometric exercises (i.e., jump squats) with dumbbells and the bar for a circuit of 10 plus exercises. The most challenging part of this section was the transition between exercises, as this is a fast-pace class.

The treadmill sections were a switch-up from varied incline runs to sprints. The instructor cued you to make speed and incline adjustments. If you’re not a runner don’t be intimidated. The goal of every Shred is to find your baseline and increase from there.

Instructor Review: Don teaches mainly in the South Loop. I have taken his class numerous times, as it works great with my schedule. As an instructor, Don is very precise with his explanations. He does a great job cueing you throughout class, so you always know what you’re supposed to be doing. He will even come adjust you hands on. Although I think Don is a great teacher, I occasionally wish he was a little more enthusiastic or motivating, especially when my treadmill is at 13% and its only been 5 minutes.

Extras: Shred415 currently has 5 different studio locations (South Loop, Bucktown, Old Town, Lincoln Park and Northshore). Classes are offered around the clock, but make sure you to book in advance because they fill up quickly! I personally love the South Loop location, because parking is easy and Lululemon is next door. There are locker rooms, towels and 1-2 showers in each studio. Select classes are offered on ClassPass.

Shred class pricing: $25 (drop-in), $145 (monthly new client), $205 (monthly), $195 (monthly auto pay). Better deals are offered if you’re shredding to get rid of your baby bump or for your wedding day.

Would I recommend: Yes, everyone needs to try Shred, but make sure you vary your workout, especially if you’re trying to build more muscle (strength training benefits only go so far in this class).

Website: http://www.shred415.com/south-loop-about.html