Social Workout

Overheard

Well, That's One Way To Do It

Setting: Running class, girl in front of me discussing her weekend run with her boyfriend.

Girl: Then he just stopped running. He said, "This isn't working" and ran away. He broke up with me then ran away!

(Sounds of shock and dismay come from running coach)

Girl: Should I call him?

Motivations

Gandhi Would Never Count Calories in the Spin Class Line

Last night, as I left my running class, I was part of a conversation that hurt my soul:

Running Class Girl: That was hard.
Me: Yeah, but think about how far we've come. It's really sort of amazing.
RCG: I do it to eat more.
Me: Well, that's a definite benefit.
RCG: I totally downed a bag of M&Ms before I got here. I was going to bail tonight, but then I had to come.
Me: Cool.

Then we proceeded to talk dieting....

Workout

Up Dog Yoga and Cycling

Up Dog Yoga and Cycling is West Hollywood's premier indoor cycling and yoga studio. Located at 8599 Santa Monica Blvd. 2 blocks west of La Cienega in the Ramada Inn Complex. Try any cycling or yoga class and be blown away by La's finest instructors and beautiful space.

Buns of Steal

The Always Awkward Co-Worker Workout

Today's free workout: The outdoor ropes/confidence course at George Mason University, paid for by my law firm. A partner recently told me, "We try to do a good mix of alcohol and non-alcohol-related events." This was one of the latter, and I must say, I now understand why we are typically plied with alcohol at most firm social events. Because some social events (like sweaty mid-summer workouts) are best kept outside the workplace. And because when your co-workers and superiors — the people who redline your memos, who see you suited up in meetings — see you in sweaty shorts hiked up awkwardly by a harness, dangling helplessly atop a ropes course, it's... just... awkward.

Here's the premise:

Buns of Steal

Working Girl Finds Suburban Gyms Weird

[Wherein our intrepid gym hopper leaves New York for summer job in Washington D.C., and so begins a new phase of her year long mission to work out entirely on free gym passes....  -The Eds.]

6:10 A.M. So this is what it's like.

Pulling up, groggy and unshowered, to a sprawling parking lot. Cursing myself for running the speed camera on the way. There goes $50 on a speeding ticket. Cursing myself for having to get up at 5:45 A.M. because apparently, with the commute, with the hours, with the post-work engagements...this ungodly hour is the only one when I can squeeze in some sweat. 

Buns of Steal

Overheard: What the Reebok Kids Talk About While Lounging on Their Fancy Roof Deck

Today's free workout: Still on that Reebok week pass. Remember how I said this week of gym hopping may revolve more around social observation than around actual sweat? Well, I was right. It would be difficult to find a more filthy rich, utterly ridiculous, and thoroughly awesome cast of characters than the folks at the Reebok Sports Club. And, like any play, the Reebok Chronicles have a stage: The amazing, humungous roof deck that jets out from Reebok's sixth floor and gives you the most money view of midtown I've seen in a while.

New York

Buns of Steal

Humbled but Beaming at Crunch

Once upon a time, long, long ago, I was a gymnast. I wasn't great, but I was good (a "Level 8" out of 10). Still, I dreaded the balance beam. Two-and-half inches for flipping and pirouetting is viable only for uber-tiny, uber-fit, uber-muscular munchkins. The typical Level 8 beam routine looks something like this. I haven't missed it for a second, and yet last week, for the first time in 15 years, I stepped on to a beam of sorts. 

Turns out Crunch has a class called Beaming™, which features soft, friendly, doublewide beams which sit safely on the ground. The class is meant to improve your balance and alignment, and to work your core. (Naturally, they claim it will also "change your life.")

Workout

Back in the Saddle

After a month off for various reasons, I got the go-ahead for getting back in the gym.  I hopped on the treadmill for a good warm-up, worked out my arms, shoulders and back with free weights and machines, and then hit the elliptical for a short interval workout. 

Poet Laureate

Spring Clean Your Gym Routine

Ah, yes. Sunshine. Sandals. Necklines. Margaritas tucked away in water bottles and Olde English 40s bagged in brown paper at the park. Spring is here, so it’s time to shake off your wintry carb-loading ways and banish your sweater wardrobe to the closet! And, it’s also time to spring clean your gym act. While you can find some lovely spring training suggestions, I’m also providing a short list of fitness feats and facts I think you should employ this sweet, sunny season:

Workout

Working off Sexual Frustation while spinning

I hate spinning.