Back in exercise class

We know the routine. You start with the best of intentions: formulate an exercise plan, maybe buy some new shoes. And for a little while, you stay on track. But then it gets harder and harder to make it to the gym (or pool or Ravenel Bridge bike lane). The excuses become easier and easier to find. Boredom has set in. The area's gyms and studios offer a variety of group exercise classes, and some of them actually sound like fun. So the Moxie staff set out to try a few that were new to us, and report back on the experience. Read on to see if we'll be going back, or keeping our seat on the couch.

Body by Barre

Where: Mount Pleasant Pilates & Wellness, 761-E Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant

Description: A low-impact workout that combines several exercise elements for high-impact results. It brings together the disciplines of Pilates, ballet, orthopedic stretching and sports conditioning, and is a good complement to other classes, says creator Nicole Wallen.

Benefits: Extreme core strength; tighter, more lifted seat; long, lean thighs; toned arms; greater range of motion/endurance; improved posture and body alignment. The class prepares you to perform better in other sports and helps to rehabilitate minor injuries, Wallen says. Classes emphasize stretching and building flexibility.

Who should take this class: Body By Barre is for almost anybody. You need to be at least 14 years old to participate.

Who shouldn't: All movements can be modified for back, neck and knee conditions, says Wallen.

What to wear and bring: Bring a bottle of water and wear comfortable yoga/Pilates pants and workout top of your choice. Classes are done barefoot so you can wear slip-off shoes.

Length of class: 50 minutes.

Cost: $30 per class or $25 each for a series of five classes.

For more information: http://mtpleasantpilates.com or 696-8000.

Tested by: Betsy Miller

Fitness Level: Somewhere above couch potato but way below marathon runner.

Exercise in a typical week: I'm a mom with a full-time job. I exercise by walking or going to a Pilates class once a week. I'd love to do more, but for now, that's all I can manage.

This was a tough class for me, but oh my gosh it was fun. It was a great workout, not easy.

We used a rubber ball, yoga straps, light weights and a mat as accessories to our barre work. We also did some exercises just on the mat, like Pilates abdominal exercises and ballet stretching. And of course there was my favorite, thigh dancing. Look out my pole-dancing friend! This was a workout. For this, we sat on the floor on our knees and lower legs. Then we used our thighs to lift ourselves up a bit for the hip rolling action that came next. It was a blast that my thighs were still whining about the day after. Back at the barre, we spent a lot of time on our toes, lifting and stretching and holding on to a ball with our knees.

The class was medium paced. The class size is small, only 8 or so people. Nicole spends a lot of time moving around working with individuals to be sure you get your form right and don't hurt yourself. I like the extra attention and encouragement you get in this size class. I felt great when class was over and I will be taking it again in the future.

Body Blast

Where: West Ashley Aerobics and Fitness, 466 Savannah Highway (The class also is offered at Mount Pleasant Aerobics and Fitness, 1547 Johnnie Dodds Blvd.).

Description: Intervals of cardio and strength/core training.

Benefits: Burning more calories than lifting weights alone, instruction on proper form, someone to push you to the point of muscle fatigue.

Who should take this class: Anybody who wants to improve cardio health and overall strength and balance.

Who shouldn't: "I would say this is not suitable for an elderly person, depending on their fitness level," instructor Kathryn Warren said. Warren is certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and has been teaching for 20-plus years.

What to wear and/or bring: Wear clothes you can move around in. You'll be using a step as well as performing squats, lunges and other moves. The gym supplies free weights, weight bars, steps and other related equipment. (Sometimes Warren adds a jump rope or resistance band segment.)

Length of class: 55 minutes.

Cost: Included in gym membership.

For more info: www.aerobicsandfitnessonline.com/westashley, 556-6900 (West Ashley), 971-8000 (Mount Pleasant).

Tested by: Melanie Balog

Fitness level: Dedicated runner

(eight years; 17 marathons).

Exercise in a typical week: Run five times per week, 35-mile-a-week average when not marathon training. Strength train three times per week, Spin class one time per week.

Strength training has been a regular part of my fitness routine for years. But after taking Body Blast classes, I was reminded how important proper form, variety and instruction are to an exercise program.

After each class, I was sore the next day. Really sore. And this was after switching to lighter sets of weights to perform enough repetitions of the weight segments.

A lot of the sequences work more than one muscle group at a time, and by the time the class is complete, you've definitely had a true total body workout.

I was worried about the use of the aerobics step in the class, but there wasn't too much choreography or fancy footwork.

The instructor gave variations of different moves for different fitness levels. She also placed an emphasis on form both through her instructions and through example. At one point during a weight bar/balance sequence, she said, "Don't worry if you're not with me on the beat. I'd rather you have good form" than rush to be in sync with the music.

The class seemed to go by really fast, and I emerged refreshed and happy, which is a big part of any fitness routine. Bonus: For a 1-2 punch on Saturday mornings, take the 30-minute Six Pack Attack abs class at 9 a.m.

Pole fitness

Where: Goddess Dance Studio, 1300 Yeamans Hall Road, Hanahan. (Also offered at the studio's two other locations, 1039 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mount Pleasant, and 223A South Cedar St., Summerville.)

Description: An eight-week series of pole fitness focusing on spins, lifts and twirls.

Benefits: It's a total body workout, building muscle and burning away fat, says owner Elizabeth Pike. The average woman burns about 450 calories per class "while smiling."

Who should take this class: Beginner pole enthusiasts, women seeking a challenging and fun workout.

Who shouldn't: It's great for every woman, all shapes, all sizes, all makes, all models, Pike says.

What to wear and/or bring: Basic athletic attire and shoes that won't fly off: sneakers, ballet slippers or heels.

Length of class: 50 minutes.

Cost: $185 pays for two classes a week for eight weeks. Also available: one class a week for four weeks ($75), or three classes a week for eight weeks ($235).

For more info: www.goddessdancestudio.com, 225-DANCE (225-3262, Hanahan), 216-POLE (216-7653, Mount Pleasant), 261-POLE (261-7653, Summerville)

Tested by: Kristen Hankla

Fitness level: Training for my first marathon.

Exercise in a typical week: Five times. Three days I run, one day I go to an aerobics class called Body Jam and one day I power walk with the dogs.

Let's be clear here. I'm not the pole dancing type. I'm also not the type that likes my coworkers to hear me set up pole dancing class over the phone. But it needed to be done.

"And don't wear lotion," studio owner Elizabeth Pike cautioned on the other end. "It's a huge safety risk."

The whole thing, including packing high heels into my gym bag, seemed a bit silly as workouts go.

The class started out more normally than I expected. The other students, cheerful women of various shapes dressed in gym shorts and T-shirts, and I stretched and did yoga poses barefoot on foam mats.

But then instructor Pamela Burgess announced it was "sexy shoe time." The overhead lights went off, and the rainbow-colored spinning lights came on.

"Let's see your sexy strut," Burgess said, and we walked around our poles to music you'd hear at a club. All the other women, with the help of their red, hot pink or silver shoes, were now inches taller than me. My two-inchers, and beginner's awkwardness, definitely lowered the sexy level of the room.

But as we spun around our poles in the dark, me doing "basic fairies" and them doing more complicated moves, it really didn't matter. We were a bunch of non-pole-dancing types pole dancing. And the women were supportive of each other. They lavished praise on me for inch-worming my way up the pole to the ceiling on my first try.

I noticed that my heart rate was up less than 20 minutes into the class. The best part is I can't really explain why. And I think that's the point. You don't feel like you're working out. (Later, I knew I had. My muscles were sore for several days.)

I left the class happy. Lighter. Wanting more. If I weren't already paying for a gym membership, I would be back at pole dancing class next week, in much higher heels.

Zumba

Where: Gold's Gym, 35 Folly Road. (The class is also offered at the James Island location, 1291 Folly Road.)

Description: It's a dance-fitness class based on Latin and international rhythms and taught by Spanish teacher Maria Graham.

Benefits: The class provides a good cardio workout, especially targeting the legs, hips and midsection. It also provides great stress relief.

Who should take this class: Almost anyone should be able to handle the class.

Who shouldn't: Anyone who has a serious back or leg injury or can't handle basic cardio exercises may want to skip this one.

What to wear and bring: Wear comfortable clothes, shoes with good support and bring bottled water.

Length of class: 45 minutes to 1 hour

Cost: Included in gym membership; it's $10 a day for a nonmember or $5 a day with a member.

For more information: www.goldsgym.com, 329-4653 (West Ashley), 853-4653 (James Island).

Tested by: Shirley Greene

Fitness level: I am a close cousin of the couch potato.

Exercise in a typical week: I did not do much of anything during the holidays. Otherwise, I walk or get on the treadmill once or twice a week.

If salsa dancing ever piqued your curiosity and you are looking for a refreshing way to get fit, try Zumba.

It's a Latin-inspired dance-fitness movement that started in South America in the mid-1990s, and is strutting its way across the United States, according to the Zumba web site.

Actually, I had never heard of the class until I took it. The idea of trying something different, though, appealed to me.

The class consists of a variety of dance steps - samba, flamenco, Brazilian, reggae - all to a Latin beat. The nearly non-stop music is enjoyable, upbeat and energizing, but you know you are working hard.

The foot action is engaging and may take some getting used to, but the repetition helps. At one point, with arms raised high, we pivot on one foot while using the other to move our bodies in a circular motion, all while vigorously swiveling our hips. Challenging but fun.

In still another move, I can only say, think Beyonce's booty dance.

Truthfully, I was a little worried about keeping up with the rapid pace. I modified a few moves, swiveled a little less, marched in place when I had to, and made it through the class just fine.

Working at your own pace is key. The nearly 25 women in the class ranged in ages from 20 to about 70. Your age and fitness level will dictate how vigorously you move.

A day after taking the class, I was fine, no pain. Two days later, however, I did have some soreness in my legs. Investing in a more supportive pair of shoes probably would help.

The class was fun, sort of like going out dancing. I plan to go again. Who knows, maybe I'll get good enough to check out a local salsa place soon.