A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was applying for the Warrior Challenge – well, I got in! I get a free 1-month pass to Equinox gyms in Manhattan and I have to dedicate myself to taking 3 intenSati classes each week. What’s intenSati, you ask? I’ll explain.
IntenSati is a super high-energy cardio workout that has elements of kickboxing, aerobics, dance, yoga, martial arts, and strength training. It is ridiculously intense. It’s a 60 minute workout and I bet you burn upwards of 500 calories in one session. It’s not just a high-energy workout though: while you work out you yell positive affirmations that will hopefully spill over into other areas of your life.
It was created by Patricia Moreno, a very strong and inspiring NYC fitness guru. She just wrote a book!
Okay, the positive affirmations thing sounded a little weird to me. I walked into the orientation on Sunday and I was kind of apprehensive. Is this religious? Is it weird and cult-y? It was NOT. Not at all. We started the workout and we were yelling things like, “I am ready to be stronger,” “I am ready to go further,” “No more excuses!”, “I am not afraid!”. I have never been one to believe in that “power of positive thinking” stuff, but I think I might be changing my mind. It’s kind of working 🙂
Anyway, I went to the orientation class on Sunday, and it was a little over an hour. Before class started I met up with Missy so I felt much more at ease knowing I had a blogger friend with me. Patricia Moreno was actually leading us! The class starts out with some dynamic stretching (deep squats, etc…) and you learn 2 poses. 1) Ready (essentially mountain pose); and 2) Warrior (essentially a wide squat with arms outstretched).
That part took maybe 5-10 minutes. Then we started doing amazingly crazy cardio stuff and yelling for about 45 minutes. Sweat was pouring down my body (I don’t sweat). Then we did yoga-like strength-dancing for about 10-15 minutes, and we ended with more stretching (5-10 minutes). This class was a little bit longer than usual because it was the orientation class.
Yesterday (Monday) I was going to wake up for the early morning class, but I was exhausted. I decided to do a class after work at the Equinox by my apartment (63rd and Lex). This intenSati class was 60 minutes and it was led by Erika Shannon. She led us through the same dynamic stretching, and then we started the cardio craziness. This cardio only lasted about 30 minutes, then we did about 15-20 minutes of strength, and a few minutes of stretching at the end. It was still an amazing workout even though it was slightly shorter than Sunday’s class. After the craziness Erika made us hold “warrior” for about 2 minutes! After the intensity (intenSati?) of the craziness this was really hard – I was sweating so much, but it felt amazing.
Missy and I were a little bit crazy and we decided to stay for Erika’s Hip Hop class (just 45 minutes). It was 30 minutes of dancing and then 15 minutes of strength. I was pretty tired from intenSati, but managed to keep up my energy for the duration of the class. I definitely prefer intenSati because I look like a dork when I try to do hip hop.
Missy has 2 really good reviews on her blog, too:
Today I went to Equinox again to take 2 more classes: Pilates/Bartenieff Fusion with Laura Ward and then Slow Flow Yoga with Maja Sidebaeck. I was about 10 minutes late to pilates and felt bad, but I thought the class was great. Yoga was really nice as well – it was very flowy and exactly how I would lead a class. Definitely going back.
I also LOVE the Equinox showers. I think I’ll just shower there from now on. They have great shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion… and they have razors, q-tips, deodorant, hair products, mouth wash, and probably a bajillion other things I didn’t see. I have this horrible feeling that I’m going to sign up with Equinox after the challenge is over.
I am now going to go do some work and crash into bed. Later, peeps! Go drink some water!
What’s your favorite killer workout?
I went to Equinox with my friends when I visited them in NY and it was awesome! I loved that they had Kiels products, so sweet. I’m trying to find a job in NYC after I finish grad school (soon!) since all my college friends are there. I’ll have to go try some classes if I’m in town again, they sounds really great.
Woah that’s a ton of working out! It sounds like a lot of fun too, like a mix of all my favorite things. Since getting really into yoga I’m not as skeptical of all the affirmations type things. I used to think that whole aspect of yoga was just funny and for hippies, but now I’m really into it and I feel so much better!
I also imagine you’re fueling all of those classes with yummy food, no?
I will probably be in NY first week of March getting in touch with some job contacts. Maybe I can join you for a class or two!
I love any sort of dancing for a workout. Music just makes everything more enjoyable. It doesn’t feel so much like a chore, as running does to me.
Wow, holy smokes!! I don’t sweat either, but I’m almost sweating just from reading this! Sheesh, girl – you must be in awesome shape to survive that! I once took an hour long kickboxing class for a term and the first class I had to take a break panting in the back of the room. I’ve never felt so close to death in my life! hahaha
Hmmm I like that positive affirmation thing! I’ll admit I thought it sounded a little weird when you first said it, but after you explained the phrases and stuff I like it! Maybe I’ll try shouting out stuff like that as I work out at home! I’m usually thinking “ok this sucks but 20 more seconds.. omg omg ok hold..” all negative stuff just to “get through”.. but perhaps that’s the wrong attitude!? I’ll give it a shot – can’t hurt, plus the only one who can see me be a nut is the dog and he licks his own butt!
Ah yes, trying to be better about my water intake.
Equinox sounds amazing, and not just for the showers. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts when the Challenge ends.
Love your little stick people in the poses. Good idea since I couldn’t find real pics online anywhere! I’ll have to try pilates and yoga next week! Excited for some Zumba this weekend.
My favorite killer workout is Body Combat at Gold’s Gym. One of the instructors is a total psycho named Frank and he used to fight professionally…so he gives over the top options for the moves. The funny thing is his wife is this really cool laid back Hip Hop instructor who teaches there too. Anyway, I am usually a veg for several hours after the class but it’s worth it.
I read missy’s post. It sounds like an AWESOME workout! very positively charged!
I have been to only one fitness class… and it was horrid. I am dying to try spin and as of right now… i love me some elliptical action. the elliptical is like a magic machine! pounds just melt off!
Wow, that’s hard core! And I thought my 50 minute Jillian DVD was hard!
You guys rock!
That class sounds amazing!!!! I wish a gym here offered that! Yes I am trying to do better on my water as well 🙂
that class sounds like so much fun, i wish i could try it! personally, i love Step classes for a lot of cardio, because the choreography makes it so much fun. i also love Zumba classes, which are a lot of fun and always burn a lot of calories!
Boy I wish I had your energy! My legs were tired after climbing up the subway steps today! lol I’ve just been so stressed that I don’t have the energy I used to.
I love a long slow run….it has been a long time since I did that! 🙂
Wow, that is quite a work out. The only work out I do is the one I did with you…running! Hee hee. I still miss those days of running with you!
Btw…ahem, did you receive a little special something-something?
sounds like such an awesome class! wow!! I dont think we have any Equinoxs here, but that sounds like a rockin class! My favorite all time workout though is Spinning. I love the music and the energy of it. I can zone out and just sweat my heart out! Have a great Friday!!
That sounds very fun and interesting. I look forward to reading more about it 🙂
GR8 Info, what are other good sites to confirm this info?