My husband is a very supportive one. He’s supportive, but also very critical. Before your eyes get huge and you raise your eyebrows, let me explain…
He gives me positive criticism and honest feedback on my dancing, blogging, cooking, whatever I do really. He wants me to continue to improve and be the best at whatever I do, so I can’t get mad at him for it.
I used to think he didn’t even read my blog. For a while, he didn’t. Occasionally, I would read posts to him to see what he thought. Ha! That literally just made me laugh out loud. Don’t worry, I haven’t done that in a long while.
These days, I know he clicks over to read a post every now and then. How? Because he points things out that only a reader would know. Like how I like to take pictures of my shoes.
It’s true. I do it a lot, and it’s just one of my “things”. Sometimes it is to show you a shoe, but most times it is to create a picture to go with what I am writing about, like a workout or a run for example.
Well, get ready for a collection! And I can’tttttttt stop… and I won’tttttttt stop. (A little Miley reference, just in case it wasn’t clear.)
Set In My Fitness Pilates Ways
If you frequent the blog, then you already know I have a favorite group fitness class at my gym called Fitness Pilates. As a former barre instructor, it is the closest thing I have found to take regularly (outside of a barre studio) that is already included in my gym membership.
Since my first class last December, I have become absolutely hooked. In an effort to describe it to you, I am going to say it is an hour long fast paced workout that focuses on toning your entire body (with a special emphasis on core), one muscle group at a time using the fundamentals of Pilates, all to upbeat music.
The results and exercises are very similar to barre workouts, just without using the ballet barre. Instead, the majority of the class is spent on a yoga mat and each one incorporates different exercises with an occasional use of the medicine ball, resistance band, body bar, and/or set of dumbbell weights.
I swear, I could eat a few slices of pizza the night before, take Fitness Pilates class the next day, run a few miles on the treadmill, and feel completely back to normal when I leave. It’s that amazing.
(And I say “normal” meaning “like myself.” I certainly eat pizza, but it never comes without the price of feeling super bloated and weighed down after.)
Anyways, I think you get the point. I have found a class I love, and have been taking the same one from the same instructor 2-3 times a week for over six months now. I have for sure been set in my Fitness Pilates ways.
When I showed up right on time for a Noon class Monday, I noticed someone else was teaching. She was about to start, and instead of scrambling to get everything I needed and on my way to find a spot like I normally would, I casually turned around and exited the studio.
The teacher I really like also teaches Monday nights at a different gym location, so I figured I could go to that one instead. Is that snobby?
Before leaving, I went ahead and knocked out my cardio for the day with my 30 Minute Hill Climber Elliptical Workout.
It’s still a good one! By the way, I shared a version of this photo on Monday and a lot of you liked my pants. Here, I am wearing the PWR legging from the ReebokONE collection I reviewed back in May! The all-terrain running shoes weren’t necessary for this trip to the gym, but I grabbed them since they were by the door on the way out.
Regardless of what I am doing, bot pieces are ridiculously comfortable to wear.
Since I wasn’t crazy sweaty, I kept the pants on and changed my sports bra and shirt when I got home. Before I knew it, the day got past me and it was time to head to Life Time for my second attempt to take class.
(Here, I am wearing Reebok CrossFit Nano 2.0 Shoes. I like to throw these on anytime I know I am not going to be running. They too are ridiculously comfortable.)
I walked into class fifteen minutes early this time, to make sure I got a spot and everything settled before start time. To my surprise, yet another sub introduced herself as soon as I set up my station. Dang. By this time I realized my instructor of choice was probably out of town, and decided to hang around for the new class.
Instead of Pilates, this one was called Strictly Strength. The instructor was not certified to teach Pilates, so instead we had an hour of strength exercises using tubing and dumbbell weights. For what it’s worth, I enjoyed taking something new, and we spent the majority of the class doing lunges, pushups, squats, and core exercises.
After class, I went to the lobby cafe for dinner. Scott has been traveling a lot this month (but finally returned home last night!), so I deemed a green smoothie the perfect dinner choice.
While waiting, I noticed this quote about snacking on my order number.
I have always been a big snacker, and try my best to stick to the five small meals a day plan. Although my body has been acting odd with eating lately, I have returned to my normal snacking ways this week after taking a short hiatus.
Dinner for one was an Almond Delight Smoothie that included almond milk, spinach, strawberries, VeganMax protein, and Dynamic Greens.
The spinach and strawberries were my choice of produce add-ins, but overall the taste was good enough to recreate at home. I just love green smoothies!
Third Time’s a Charm?
By the time Tuesday night rolled around, I had my mind set on taking Fitness Pilates the next afternoon. I even called the gym to make sure my favorite teacher was planning on being there, and received confirmation that she would. I invited a few girls from my dance team come with me, and one joined a few minutes before class time!
Set up and ready to go, I was excited for her to finally experience the class I have been raving about for so long. Thennnn, a new face walked up to the stage a put on the microphone. Bummer!
Just like Monday, the class turned into another version of Strictly Strength with an emphasis on core exercises.
I am open to taking new classes at the gym, and you can in fact find me hopping around from time to time. I became frustrated this week because all I wanted to do was take Fitness Pilates. I never realized how set in my ways I was!
Every Monday, Wednesday, and the occasional Thursday night I take my class with my instructor and that’s when I get the most workouts into my week. I love the motivation, I love the style of teaching, I love the exercises, and I love the feeling I get when I leave after every class.
Unable to take any Pilates classes this week, it has forced me out of my comfort zone and into trying new things. Although I liked the Strictly Strength classes, I did not like the instructors as much. The exercises were good, but the class seemed to drag on and seemed a bit slow. To me, the instructor is a make or break for me attending group fitness classes.
Instead, I have been running outside and even created a few new workouts on my own at home this week. Whether I liked it or not, I was forced to get out of my Fitness Pilates ways.
Questions of the Day
• Have you found that group fitness class or type of workout you have to take at least once a week?
• What are the characteristics that separates a good group fitness instructor from a great one?
As a former barre instructor, I got both positive and negative feedback about my classes as well as my co-worker’s classes. It seems as though you can never please everyone (the music is too loud, the music is too soft… there aren’t enough ab exercises, there’s too much core and not enough arms… etc.) but there are a few consistent characteristics my clients raved about. For me, an instructor has to be motivating, able to count and stay on the music (as a dancer, I can’t take when they aren’t on the beat), and able to tell you corrections and modifications for more advanced exercises.
While teaching my classes, I kept these factors in mind and tried my best to improve my teaching style with every class. The hardest thing I had to get over was speaking up! When I first started, I was always told I have to talk louder. By the end, I was practically yelling and blasted the music. It was so much fun!

I’m not big into classes these days, but I used to have a favorite spin class. It was at the perfect time, and the positive, upbeat (but not too loud or annoying) instructor was fabulous! Awww… now I miss that class… haha
I love a good spin class! Thanks for reminding me to revisit them! 😉
The instructor makes ALL the difference- I had a BodyPump class I loved, but when I had a sub it never seemed the same! Also, my husband doesn’t read my blog all the time. It used to kind of upset me until he created one for his business (home building) and it was so boring for me to read! That’s when I realized mine was probably not the most interesting thing for him and cut him some slack! 🙂
It’s funny how we are all interested in reading different things! Love BodyPump 🙂
I have to take my Group Power class every week on Mondays. I would only skip if the gym is closed for a holiday like Christmas haha! Otherwise my whole week just feels off.
Ahh! I used to take Group Power at my gym in Orlando. Loved that class. When I was feeling extra adventurous, I stuck around for Cardio Kickboxing after!
I used to love Zumba but I soon discovered it was because I had an incredible instructor. When I moved, I found a new gym and a new Zumba class but my love for it soon died because to put it blatantly, the instructor sucked!!
I love group fitness classes but the instructor can definitely make it or break it!!
It’s crazy how much the instructor makes a difference! It’s awesome when you find a great one!
Unfortunately, lately I haven’t been able to take classes due to my wedding that it is coming up in the end of this month (you know, all that running around that comes with it, eh?!). I really miss classes now that I think of it! And I totally agree that an instructor can make it or break it. I guess, it’s all about chemistry (fitness chemistry that it lol!). However, I constantly push myself to do a 3.1-mile run at least twice a week or otherwise I’m not a happy trooper 😀 Speaking of which, I always stick to your 2-minute change-ups treadmill workout, I love how it makes me feel! Thank you Heather for your wonderful posts! xo
Oh, I totally understand that. Wedding Planning took over my life forEVER. Good job on the runs and thank you so much for the sweet comments! Glad you like the treadmill workout! 🙂
I can’t even remember the last time I took a group class…but not because I don’t want to! My neighborhood doesn’t have as many early birds as most cities apparently because none of the classes at my gym start until 7:30 which is when I have to be done working out. I’ve been wanting to try a bar class at the studio in Soho…as well as a few others offered in the city..but much like you are saying, I am set in my ways and it’s hard to get myself to change my schedule up to try something different. One of these weekends or evenings I’m gonna do it!
It’s definitely tricky to find classes you actually like in the time slots you need. I think you would LOVE barre classes! Let me know if you ever get to one 🙂
An instructor can really make or break a class, so I know what you mean. I have to sign up for my classes online beforehand, and they always list the instructor that will be teaching (including subs), so I always make sure to check before I go! I like trying new classes too, but it’s not likely that I’ll go back if I don’t like the structure of the class.
That’s very helpful. My gym provides the teachers and it is supposed to include subs, but it obviously doesn’t always work out that way. 😉
I think it’s great that your husband wants you to keep improving and gives you constructive criticism! Sometimes I’m hesitant to ask those close to me what they think of my work because I’m afraid they won’t give me an honest opinion. But I feel like those closest to us should be the ones pointing out problems (in a loving way) so that we can continue to improve.
Yeah, I’ve learned to love it. Slowly… 😉
You do have a bunch of awesome sneaks in those pics!!! The one class I’ve taken and really enjoyed was an intense pilates class and I really felt the burn! But I’ve done spinning classesas well and really liked them.
Thanks! hehe. Or… thanks, Reebok. 😉 LOVE most forms of Pilates, especially when the class is fast paced.
I have walked out of yoga classes due to a change in the instructor schedule. I go to specific yoga classes at specific times and although it is rare for there to be a change, it has happened and I have walked out.
Ha, glad I’m not the only one then! 😉
I like the sneaker pics:) I totally get what you mean about loving a certain instructor, their classes, and kind of sticking to that strict schedule. I think it’s just because most people like sticking to a schedule in general. But, major bummer she didn’t show even when the gym said she would. I hate it when stuff like that happens.
I also think it’s awesome your husband gives you constructive criticism that can teach you lessons along the way! Usually when I’m first criticized I get upset, but then realize my friend or family member were only trying to help me in the end.
Haha, funny you say that. I initially do get upset with him, and defensive. Then, I take a breath and realize he’s just trying to help… and I appreciate him being honest. I agree, too, I think most of it is I like sticking to a schedule!
I always take BodyPump, CX, and BodyStep at least once a week! (Not all in the same visit!)
I totally understand your frustration. I like taking certain classes often with certain instructors. I get annoyed when the class is scheduled and I am not notified of a change. You put time in your busy schedule to make yourself available for class and you expect to get what’s advertised. But, you are right about getting outside your comfort zone. I don’t belong to a gym so I guess I’m a little bit more annoyed about a change without notification since I usually pay per class. At the gym your membership covers all the classes so when I’ve had those experiences I kind of chalk it up to taking the good with the bad. Anyways, long rant! Haha. Love your post!
Heather,
Great post!
I love reading your blog, it gives me so much motivation and new perspective too 🙂
Keep up the great work
-Justine
In Pilates, you are not looking to build muscles for show. You are building toned muscles that work perfectly within the context of your body as a whole, and your individual functional fitness needs as you move through life.