Most Favorite: Amazing, challenging + full body workouts!! Outdoor park environment is beautiful,…read moreinstructor is friendly + helpful, workouts are continuously changed for variety + challenge, instructor tailors workouts to each person. Price is reasonable + given the great workouts + instruction, totally worth every penny.
Least Favorite: Inclement weather can be tougher to work out in.
Bonus Mention: It's dog friendly! :) Adorable pups are allowed to join in.
If you're looking for a seriously challenging workout and would love to get fit while surrounded by trees, grass, fresh air and the gorgeous outdoors (sometimes a river view!), you've found it! Not only do you get a great workout, you get to meet a group of welcoming, encouraging folks and get personal one-on-one help from an experienced, knowledgeable instructor.
Prior to ELMNTL Fitness, I was someone who kept to herself as far as workouts. At the gym, I kept to myself and usually only hit up treadmill machines. I'd go for solo runs or home workouts. I didn't know much about how different workouts affected and helped different muscle groups. I avoided people and didn't challenge myself to try new moves.
Since ELMNTL Fitness, I've discovered so much - about outdoor workouts, about different workouts and how they affect my body, about how a friendly, welcoming group of folks can add to my workout experience, my body and my strengths + weaknesses.
My husband convinced me to go to an ELMNTL session in winter of 2012. How he got me to get up for a 5:30 a.m. session in the cold I don't know, but I attended the first workout and was nervous as could be. I knew I was in a group of people who attended regularly and was incredibly self-conscious - of my body, my fitness level, and being judged for all of the above.
Kevin, the instructor, welcomed me (as did his adorable dog Mason) and was very friendly! I attended my first session and was floored about how kind everyone was - even though many of them are in peak physical condition, they all cheered me on even though I know they could do far better than me. No judgement, no criticism - just acceptance and encouragement.
I have to admit - first workout was brutal, but it was an all-over body pain that, while uncomfortable, made me feel great in what I'd done and that my entire body was getting worked out! My usual go-to was running, and you don't feel the great full body exhaustion you get after an ELMNTL workout.
I've been attending fairly regularly since then, and while there is usually a mix of regular attendees and new folks, everyone is so welcoming and supportive! We all encourage each other no matter where we're at physically.
The workouts themselves are always changing, which I love. I'm easily bored with workouts and usually once boredom sets in, I quit. I need variety as it keeps my interest and Kevin is always changing it up! Sometimes the workouts are cardio-intensive, sometimes a mix of cardio + strength, and one thing I love about ELMNTL is that Kevin will literally demo + explain each move to let us know what we're working out and how to correctly work out.
He also keeps an eye out for bad form - while he's not over my shoulder the entire workout, he is definitely looking out for each person and helps correct my form to prevent injury. I'm very thankful for that as correct form has always been a struggle for me (especially when I worked out by myself at home).
The workouts are fantastic and change to accommodate each season. They're challenging and Kevin works to tailor each session with custom workouts to challenge each person and the group. I've noticed serious improvement in my body and also in my physical capabilities since attending - definitely built some muscle and can do many more pushups and walking planks than when I first started!
And for a dog owner like me, it's great to have an opportunity to bring my pup out with me! He loves it just as much and gets a chance to run around with me. Thanks to Kevin for being so dog-friendly!
Besides the great improvement in my health, body and fitness level, I've also had such an increase in my confidence level. I never believed I could do what I've found I can with ELMNTL workouts - from monkey bar swings to rope climbs to hill sprints, I have such a feeling of accomplishment after every workout, even if I'm not the best at them. I have a newfound confidence and appreciation for myself for both my physical strength and capability as well as my mental attitude - I find I'm more excited and ready for challenges and feel a belief and faith in myself I did not have before.