This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Kelly Xiong. Find her on Instagram at @k.3lly. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
If you’ve been on social media the last year or so, you may have seen or heard about Pilates. They have become an extremely popular way to exercise recently. It seemed like everyone was hopping on the craze. At first, I didn’t get it. When I thought of Pilates, I thought about me in high school doing Blogilates workouts in my room. That was what I knew Pilates to be. Don’t get me wrong though, it was definitely a workout. Cassey Ho gave amazing abs and core strength.
Since beginning college though, I have stuck exclusively to heavy weightlifting. That was my main form of exercise for the past four years. However, since graduating recently and losing access to my university gym, I had to decide what I was going to do for my workouts now.
I thought this was the perfect time to try out ClassPass. It is an app that lets you try out different workout studios for a cheaper price than if you were to get a membership directly from the studio. [Solidcore] was the only studio I wanted to try out. I knew two girls who worked and trained there and they both have expressed how much they loved it. I thought, “Why not give it a try?” From what I’ve heard about [Solidcore], many described it as “Pilates on steroids” and that intrigued me. I love an intense workout so I was excited to see what it was actually like — and if it lived up to the hype I’ve been seeing from frequent goers.
I used my ClassPass free trial and went to my first ever [Solidcore] class. I signed up for the Focus50: core + lower + upper body class. I didn’t know it at the time, but Focus50 classes were for intermediate to advanced goers. It humbled me so hard. As someone who’s used to pushing myself and my body to new limits, this had me shaking. I felt muscles that I didn’t even know could be this sore. My glutes, hamstrings, traps and abs were so sore the next day but I loved it. It was a new experience and a fairly positive one too. I immediately signed up for another class.
My second class was at another studio a little farther away from me because the free trial won’t let you book multiple classes at the same studio. I signed up for the Focus50: core + obliques + upper body class. This one hurt, in a good way though. I had never trained my obliques like this before and at that intensity. I understand why they say the Focus50 classes were for more experienced goers. I was able to keep up because I had years of lifting experience so this wasn’t completely new to me. However, that doesn’t mean I didn’t struggle, because I definitely did.
After my second class with [Solidcore], I signed up for an actual membership with ClassPass. Currently, I am on the 21 credits per month plan for $45 a month. This is also paired with my gym membership to LA Fitness so I’ll go to this gym three to four times a week and [Solidcore] once a week.
For newer users, those who maybe aren’t as experienced in the fitness world and are just starting, I would highly recommend beginning with their Starter50 intro class. It is much slower in pace and less intense. No matter which class you decide to start with first though, the instructors there are so nice and will help you at every step. The instructors I had for my first two classes were so positive and encouraging. They also helped me a lot with certain terminologies used in the class and switching between different colored springs.
So, is Solidcore a good workout? I would say so. I love incorporating it into my gym split. I have also already begun to see my abs getting more defined. These things are of course coupled with working out frequently as is and a good diet. Though [Solidcore] isn’t the fairy godmother that will instantly transform your body, you do start seeing results fairly quickly, especially if you’re consistent.
Have you guys tried it and is Solidcore a good workout? Let us know in the comments below:
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