I intentionally waited two weeks before writing a review on F45, because I wanted to make sure it was honest and comprehensive.
About me:
5'5, can run a mile in about 10 minutes, generally healthy on the inside but relatively sedentary. I work in an office and am sitting down on a chair for probably 10 hours a day. If I work out, it's usually 3x a week but on my own (and I don't know what I'm doing). Used to do pilates reformer and the megaformer, which I LOVE, but can now only really workout in the early mornings to accommodate for my work schedule. I walk 3 miles on the weekends with my pupperoni, but that's mostly for him and it's a slow walk because he stops every five minutes to pick up pine cones.
Class times:
I was drawn to this location in Five Points instead of the Olde Raleigh location because this spot offers a 5:00 AM class, which means I can get home in time to leave for work. I'm not aware of any studio gym class around here that offers 5:00 AM classes, so this is where F45 in Five Points really drew me in.
Class set up:
This is circuit training. By that, I mean there are several "circuits" or "stations" where you will do a workout for a defined period of time (anywhere from 20-60 seconds), before rotating to the next circuit or station during your rest period (somewhere between 5-45 seconds). One circuit could be pull ups (don't worry, they have assisted bands for those, like me, who cant do a pull up; they also give you an alternate, but still challenging, workout for those who would prefer to stay with their feet on the floor!); the next circuit could be mountain climbers. You will never be lost because there are multiple screens on the wall in front of you with a demonstration of the workout. In most classes, nobody is doing the same workout at the same time. I really appreciate that because you will never feel pressured to keep up with anybody.
Additionally, every day is a different class. That doesn't mean one day you're running laps and the next you're just doing push-ups. It's still all circuit training and high intensity interval training, but the stations will change depending on day. Right now, Monday-Wednesday-Friday are more cardio (but still some strength training in there), while Tuesday and Thursday offers more strength and resistance training. It's an awesome set up and I would encourage anyone to try all of the classes. They're each guaranteed to make you sweat.
Trainers:
F45 is an incredibly supportive environment. The trainers are truly there to help you and motivate you. They aren't overbearing or excessively tough. Before every single class, they check in to see if anyone has injuries. They remember your name. They help you put the bands on if you can't do it yourself, or help put your feet in the training straps if you are too exhausted to do it yourself. They have full awareness that each station is only a limited # of seconds, and they seem to intentionally position themselves where they could help somebody get situated ASAP before the station starts. Personally I've found the trainers to be fantastic and funny and social -- and this makes going to the gym a lot less dreadful. Ingrid, John, Javier, Ben, Catherine....all seriously wonderful.
Community:
This place is for all types of people. Bigger people, smaller people, really muscular people, older people, younger people, etc - you get the point. I worried this would be a spot for super muscular guys and that I wouldn't like it, but I couldn't be more wrong. What I love about this place is that it's really for anybody because you can modify any workout to accommodate for whatever your limitation is or for whatever your goals are. I mean, definitely try to do it the way the trainers recommend but if you need or want to modify it, go for it. I brought my boyfriend to join a class (who is now on the free trial). Let me tell you about my boyfriend. He's a very muscular dude and works out most days with heavy weights. He's like 6% body fat its ridiculous (full disclosure: I have way more body fat, lol), and he came here and felt incredibly challenged. His whole t-shirt was wet by the end of the workout. When we did planks, he actually had to modify his plank (while i did not -- hehehehe) because he had reached his limit, which eventually we all do.
Conclusion:
Come here. They give you a free 7-day trial (which, by the way, a lot of studios DON'T!) In the F45 in NYC, the introductory deal is buy one class, get one class free. So...take advantage of this 7 day trial because it's certainly not offered everywhere. F45 can be expensive, as most studio gyms are, so use the trial to push your limits and see if you want to commit to this place. I personally feel fantastic after coming here for two weeks and I'm excited about what this means for my overall fitness. read more
