It's not without a lot of caveats that "grannieyelpie" here is going to guide you through this…read morereview. Because its not all white or black - lot of grey. As you know granne is a Zumba gold fitness intructor with over 10 years of shaking bomboms in Metrowest, MA. Its the Zumba fitness mentality - A BODY IN MOTION STAYS IN MOTION (and you haven't lived until you see an 80+ twerking or rocking perfect squats!). Yea.
Grannie is also a lifetime lifter, overweight (have you read my reviews on how much I EAT?! duh), active, and in the professional great company of some of the most recognized international ergonomists, biomechanists, exercise physiologists, academics and inventors. It's what grannie does when she's not stuffing her face somewhere... But I digress.
I am a HUGE fan of MOST of the F45 philosphy - functional moving has helped my broken body in ways that I say are short of the best mental and physical therapy I have done through my recovery, but the F45 formula exists for the demographic it serves - the need to be "Kardashian or barbie-like 22-42 year olds with money to spend on looking good, "because heaven forbid I dont", with a very approachable system that is less destructive than cross-fit training. THIS F45 thinks its a cross-fit dig.
Now the goodies on Heritage Corner: This facility is clean to a fault! Cleanliness is close to godliness in my book. Very spacious, illuminated, well thought through. The staff... that I experienced during my out of town (and out of body and out of my mind for staying) with trainers that KNOW the F45 model and sell it well. Their locals/regulars are fit and fabulous, music is on point, and dancing allowed. A+ then goes to hell in a handbasket down to a C- (hey at least its not a failing grade. C's get degrees and leaves room for humility... I mean, growth, which I am SURE they will have!).
I'm accountable: I have an attitude - I have been broken so many times I am beyond mindful of how I train for myself (with great coaches that have worked with my ergonomics and kinesiology for 2+ years and still going, yielding improvements in strength, muscle mass, balance and pain management - SHOUT OUT TO F45 HUDSON). F45 IS NOT CROSS FIT. BUT THIS F45 things its a cross fit center...
I may have violated their precious rule of F45 etiquette reaching (SAFELY AND NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS) equipment that I KNEW I could use to MODIFY to my body... but the gorgeous and insanely stuck up manager (queue real housewies) slapped my snout (cute southern-charm style "bless her heart) - maybe deserved, but she was so focused on HER workout, she didn't bother to assess MY needs as a visitor. After that I was afraid to ask. I had left a bar near where I was going to use it (I got permission from Lindsay), but Mr Milennial "D" put it away before I got there (WT..?). SO forget it. "Get in line girl", YESSIR! (I'm old enough to be his mom!).
The stuck-up staff reflects leadership - no surprises there. Sorry "D", but I work with engineers from MIT that are seriously MORE HUMBLE and approachable. Their chip isn't even close to your tone deafness. D is a professional, knows his F45 stuff (ANYONE CAN BE TRAIN ON HOW TO TEACH THE WORKOUT) until he has to deal with someone who doesn't adore on him. During the brief "drive through" interview I told them my comorbidities, only to be started at: 1) on the most challenging 2 minute shoulder drill 2) SHOULDER - IF they had LISTENED, they would have not started me on upper back, shoulder and neck. BAD COACHING! Then as I was gazing PAINFULLY trying to decide to I stay or do I leave, he YELLED OUT like I'm a child (I'm old and not wearing hearing aids yet), where I needed to go. Sorry, but my pain was a warning I didn't heed, and it was drowning out your smugness. MY FAULT that I didn't walk out. I wanted to finish my workout and get my $15 visitor drop in fee worth. BTW, they can give a one day pass. Particularly when my F45 coach/manager had contacted them ahead of time... So ask.
If you are 22-42, no injuries and weight to lose, a local resident and not a brat like me AND you don't mind coaches that are in love with themselves and their adoring fans, DONT shy away because my experience was bitter sweet. Get your buns in and get ready to build muscle, endurance and have (MAYBE) a great time while you are at it. ITS NOT CROSSFIT. It should be SAFE, tailoredly intense and delivers. Or try another one (Raleigh?). F45 WORKS. Slowly and overtime you will get results, the results you set yourself up for, and YOU DONT HAVE TO DRINK THEIR KOOL-AID. You can make it work for you!
Unfortunately, if this had been my first experience, it would have been my last. I'm an oddball and we just didn't have chemistry (doesn't excuse their "tone deafness"...)
Time for me to get off my buns now and go for a walk. I see a poke bowl in my future after the delicious bagel I just scarfed down... more on that here on Yelp! Eating my way through Wake Forest!