Boxing at Prevail Los Angeles

When I was still in NYC, I started taking boxing classes and really enjoyed it as a workout.  I took classes at Title Boxing Club and The Kickbox Haus.  Around March 2015, I knew I was going to be moving back to LA so I started "researching" boxing gyms.  This mainly involved stalking ClassPass' instagram account and searching for boxing hashtags.  That's how I found Prevail.  I started stalking their instagram account, checked out their website and their Yelp reviews (for whatever these are worth).

Fast forward to end of May, I finally am back in LA and I finally got to take a class at Prevail.  The only setback was I didn't have my wraps or my gloves (my stuff was still in transit from NYC) but lucky me, wraps and gloves are free for your first class.  I ended up buying new wraps and borrowing their gloves.  I then followed the "regulars" into the back room where either 1.) the magic happens or 2.) I die and go to hell.  It must've been my lucky day because while the magic didn't quite happen, I didn't die.

The class itself was a good workout.  My class was divided into 6 "stations" with groups of 3 rotating through.  We started with a short warmup before going through the circuit which I actually enjoyed.  My prior classes were all bag work and conditioning exercises so it was a new experience for me to actually do mitt work and "noodles" - basically one-on-one with preset moves.  Overall, a great workout with fun and varied exercises that worked the entire body.

Why did I not experience the magic??  Let me explain.  As a first-timer at this studio, I was a little apprehensive.  I guess that's just me with my first time doing anything.  Anyway, as a first timer, I thought that they would at least explain how they run the classes or where to put my stuff or where the bathroom is (if there is one).  Basically, give me a brief rundown of the place.  I've never been here before, fuckin' introduce me to the damn place.  Furthermore, the class is about to begin and I hear the instructor ask one of the newbies to please leave the water bottle outside of the room.  This is what I'm talking about.  If the people at the front actually gave us a quick intro to the place, we wouldn't have to look like fools.  Maybe they were having an off-day, maybe they're just standoffish, who knows.

Because of this last bit, I haven't actually been back to the studio.  I did purchase a one-month unlimited package just because I really do enjoy boxing as a workout.  But I am giving this place another chance and not just because I bought the package but also because everyone deserves a second chance.  I've also asked my little brother to come along so I hope he likes it at least.

Do you box?  xoxo

Sweat at One Down Dog

The first class I signed up for when I got back to LA was a yoga class at One Down Dog in Silverlake. I took a class at this studio when I was visiting in December and I remember falling in love with the place.  Not only were the people super friendly, their merchandise inventory is also amazing.

This time around, I signed up for "Sweat".  I'm not a yoga newbie so I wanted a class that was going to challenge me a little bit and I figured a class called "Sweat" would do it.  On their website, the class is described as yoga with a cardio boost.  Misjudging LA traffic, I arrived at the studio about 35 minutes early so I had time to browse their merchandise.  I ended up purchasing a new yoga mat (mine is still in transit) and really had to stop myself from buying anything more.

The class itself was great.  The room was a warm 82 degrees, nice not uncomfortable.  The instructor was great.  She adjust form when she needed, demonstrated a pose when needed and more importantly she had a positive vibe and a killer 90s playlist.  The class is a little faster paced than the average yoga class but I kept up ok.  Did I sweat?  You betcha (not dripping sweat coz even hot yoga can't get me to drip sweat).  Would I go again?  Most definitely.  I haven't tried a lot of yoga spots in town but this is hands down one of my faves.

Namaste One Down Dog.  'Til the next class.

Where do you get your yoga on?  xoxo

It's nice to be home

I recently moved back to Los Angeles after 5 years in New York City.  I've got to say it's been nice.  I haven't really done much except workout and go to job interviews.  Seriously loving funemployment at the moment but I know this can't last much longer.  There are still bills to be paid and money to be made!

Speaking of funemployment, I actually get to have this time to get to know the LA studios that participate in ClassPass.  So far I've been to 5 different studios and they were all ok.  I actually signed up for an unlimited month for one of those studios (more on this later).  If you don't know me (and most of you don't), I'm a stickler about my workout schedule.  Not only does it have to be coordinated with my work and play time (I don't like to workout in the weekends), all the classes that I take have to make sense together for what I am trying to achieve (upper body strength and a toned physique). So far, I am still trying to piece that schedule together by exploring different studios in the city.  I haven't been back that long (less than 3 weeks) and I still have a lot of studios to try.  Hopefully, I'll find ones that I like that work with my schedule.  Until then, I'll be hopping from one place to the next.

How do you figure out your workout schedule?  xoxo