Hang ten! Cowabunga. Duuude, right now Im totally channeling Kate Bosworth in Blue Crush!!! Frankly, I have never surfed in my life, even though I may have claimed to do so to sound cool. However, this doesn’t mean that the idea of surfing has never tickled my fancy. I have always probably just been a little too freaked out by that Soul Surfer movie!! Anyhow, I love a fun workout and I am always looking to mix up my current exercise game, as they say cross training is key for a great bod because you are surprising your muscles! Haaay.
Real Victoria, get to the point: Tonight I tried out a Surf Set Fitness class, and loved it! I walked by the pop up in Chelsea Market last week and thought it looked cool. Upon further examination and a brief conversation with one of the (very good looking) founders, Mike Hartwick, I was engaged and decided that I would try it. I am so happy I did.
What’s the deal: You are on a surfboard that wiggles (just like the real thing) and there are pulleys which are used for ab work/ paddling out etc, so you mimic the movements of a surfer in the ocean, which is both incredibly relaxing, and also very challenging balance-wise. You might even fall off! Additionally, Surf Set has a bunch of different themed classes ranging from yoga and barre class to an abs class.
Translation for the average person: Take whatever kind of workout class you like to do, and now put it on an unstable platform (kind of like a giant flat surfboard shaped bosu ball), and this is the Ripsurfer X. This will really fire up your core and make planks, ab work, boat pose, pushups, and squats about a zillion times harder. All in the name of getting you a great surfer physique. The studio provides sand weights— so if you are a beach bum like me, you will like the beachy vibe.
What I liked:
1)It is a lot of fun being on the surfboard and finding balance.
2)It is really cool to tell people you are going to a surfing class (trust me, they will be so impressed!)
3)The instructors at the NYC pop up are all top notch, highly rated instructors from other studios, and as I mentioned before the founder is really cute. (Eye candy never hurts!)
4) I loved wearing shorts and feeling one with the ocean (okay, thats a lie), but it was TONS of fun!
I took Surf the Barre with Todd Allen ( who is an instructor at Flybarre) and he was great. At times I felt like I might fall off the board, and balancing was tough, but at other times it felt like i was dancing on a trampoline. We did a lot of hitchhiking (with weights and dancing) table top work, abs and plies (not to say I dont do those on a normal daily basis— but never on a surfboard.) The rocking side to side is very soothing and I definitely worked up a serious sweat and felt my muscles work. The workout moved quickly and I was not bored, and my mind was focused on the work! I’ll probably feel it more tomorrow. Todd was a very encouraging instructor who remembered names, was fun, had good energy, provided a challenging workout and was funny. PREACH!
I would say there are only a few drawbacks: 1) its expensive — $35/ class, but that is the going rate for boutique fitness classes these days, luckily there is some package deal. 2) I didn’t exactly know how big the surfboard was so it was definitely an adjustment to figure out placement of feet, and where I should be on the board as there is a small divot in the back of the board that I quickly discovered. 3) (Warning - this is gross): When my palms started to get sweaty mid plank i could not let go and wipe them off because I would have fallen on my face. This made me hold the plank for longer, but I was slightly annoyed, probably better for my mind body connection though. Last quip 4) it only lasts until May 1st in NYC………. what am I supposed to do after?????? Hellooo???
Verdict: LOVED IT. 5 stars! Highly reccomend!
