Now that I've hit the 10 class/1 month mark, I feel like it's time to get the word out about ALTR. I moved to the city a few months ago, and I was hoping to find a good workout studio since group classes always push me more than I can push myself at home on those tough days. I'm so glad ALTR opened up nearby.
Each 50 minute class is different every time, but with a general basic format so that you aren't completely disoriented. You start with a dynamic warmup, an activation set to get all the muscles moving (about 6 minutes), then the bulk of the workout - the HIIT circuits that are 8 moves, 40 seconds on, 20 seconds off, each set, a "finisher" that's usually about another 6 minutes, and a cooldown with some "box breathing".
Favorite aspects:
-The moves! I've done BBG on my own at home, and that's a good workout for its own reasons, mostly because it requires relatively little equipment. A lot of workouts at home are like that. The great thing about ALTR to me is that it's the exact opposite. They have all these machines, gizmos and gadgets that I just don't have or wouldn't know how to use at home. Whether it's the TRX bands / jungle gyms, or SkiErgs, or the kettlebells, or resistance bands, the list goes on. The ALTR team pushes you to use these workout toys in all sorts of ways that you would never dream up. And the functional moves work all the muscles, arms, core, legs. Yes, there's planks, pushups, and squats in there too... but those moves are definitely not the bulk of the workout. You're getting so much more than what you have at home.
-The trainers. So far I've taken class with Vinnie, Courtney, Matt, Tyler, Sam, Natalia, Tina and Erika. Each one has their own style they bring to the altr class, but they all have a lot of enthusiasm for the workout and it makes the 50 minutes fly by. It also keeps me from injury. I'd never picked up a kettlebell before this, and swinging one properly does NOT come intuitively to my klutzy self. One of the teachers took the time to help me find better form after class one day, and my lower back really appreciates that right now.
-The moderate impact. Even though there's some impact (and satisfaction!) in individual moves, like burpees, box jumps (which terrified me before ALTR), or jump squats, nothing is so repetitive that again, I don't feel like I'm going to hurt myself. They also don't push you to go for speed over good form, which allows every one of us of any and all fitness levels to get the most out of every workout.
Heads up on the finishers: they are no joke. For the 90's kids, the Mortal Kombat saying, "Finish him!" flashes in my head every time we get to this point. Picture it: you're already wiped from HIIT, but now you have to empty the tank for any last drops of fuel you might have left. Just in case 3 sets of 8 minute circuits weren't enough to make you feel like you got what you came for, this is the set that lets you leave it all in the studio. if your legs are wobbly, they're gonna be jello after this. My husband tagged along for a class after doing Barry's Bootcamp for the past month and he was totally wiped.
Last but not least: The nitro cold brew is a dangerous treat after AM classes. I haven't tried the kombucha but it seems to be a nice decaf option. read more