DOUBLING YOUR PLEASURE?

Most of you know how we instructors feel about taking back-to-back classes.  I created Lithe so that you get a total body, time-efficient workout in 1 hour. Doubling up is not only bad for the body, it negates the effects of your first hour, as you are running on adrenaline during that second hour and maybe giving us 40-50%.

We don't even see most of you nosh on a banana or an apple in-between classes when you double. When you don't eat  something, your body works on depleted glycogen stores (it's called glycogen debt) and ends up eating away at the muscle that you just spent the previous hour developing because it has nothing left for fuel. Then, your body starts to save fat.  It's not a good cycle.  You can feel yourself "hitting a wall." We instructors don't even do two classes in a row, as we know that we're overworking our muscles and therefore can injure our joints, tendons and ligaments. 

Anywho, we are running into a little bit of an issue again as we noticed that a lot of unlimited monthly lithers are signed up for both the High Mini class at 9:45am and the Armistice class at 11:00am on Saturdays in center city. 

While we are thrilled that you want to take both (even though we cringe a bit when people double with no recovery time), we have to limit the signing up for those doubles for the time being.  Both classes have huge wait lists at the moment, and we need to make sure that all clients have an equal opportunity to get into our classes and use their class cards. 

You are more than welcome to take two classes,  but we have to ask that you only sign up for one right now. You can wait around for no shows/cancellations in the 9:45 and the 11am and then jump into the class.

When you get a chance, please go ahead and remove yourself from one of the classes.  If you're still in both by Thursday afternoon, we will have to pick one for you :(  Thanks for understanding. 

Image of Lauren Boggi via Dom.

Comments

[carrie]

Ok, had to throw my 2 cents in on this one. Here is my thought: You are better off working at 100 plus percent for one hour straight through than you are working at 1/2 cpacity or less spread over 2 classes. If you are doing these classes properly (form, breath,trying not to stop, etc) it is almost impossible to work properly at all for the seond class.
Trust me, I have taken classes back to back many a time. The second class is generally a waste because I am so spent from the first one.
If you think you need a little more, walk or run to and from the studio when heading to class!

[Tif]

Also, note that instructors don't do the classes in their entirety and certainly don't breathe and push through them the same as clients do/should, especially when teaching classes back to back. Sometimes when I teach a lot in one day I can really see my muscles bulk up, especially in my legs.

[Jenn B.]

I respect this, but am a little sad, because this means no more Rare form and Sweet Cheeks. I like to have a nice stretch, but it's not what I consider a "workout," so I segue to Sweet Cheeks (and I do run out to get a granola bar before the class)

[Colleen]

2 classes back to back seems a little nuts to me. I just read an article on exercise bulimia. Its a slippery slope. Make sure you work out and eat ice cream cones is my philosophy.

[Lauren Boggi]

Well, I would think that taking Rare Form and then another class is a bit of an exception, for sure. Your body can handle that kind of doubling and it needs the stretch. Rare Form is a workout-just a different kind of workout. You're lengthening your muscles in Rare Form.

We LOVE that people want to Lithe all day : ) BUT, we don't approve of doubling up (doing back to back classes). Honestly, it makes me cringe. You cannot possibly do that second hour at 95-100% if you're giving 100% in the first class (breathing, form, push-ups on toes, not stopping, etc).

People will continue to do it anyway, but we like to let them know how we feel so that when an injury occurs there are no surprises. I always advise that If you're going to take two classes in one day, do one in the am and one in the pm so you can at least give your body some recovery time.

Alas. The real point of my posting was to explain that we are not allowing clients to SIGN UP for two classes back to back on Saturdays-We have long wait-lists and everyone deserves an opportunity to take a class and use their cards. You are more than welcome to stay after the 9:45am or the 8:30am and wait for open spots (due to client no shows/late cancellations) and then jump into the 11 am.

I agree 100% with Colleen...Exercise bulimia/Anorexia Athletica ritual IS very real and we see it happen often. Were always keeping our eye out for it at Lithe and will interfere when necessary.

You can read more about it all over the internet and here: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/17/earlyshow/saturday/main5392441.shtml

[Regina]

I definitely understand the rationale and wisdom behind advising clients not to double up. I fully admit I'm guilty of doubling up, but it's only because this place is so damn addictive! I would work out at Lithe for 6 hours straight if doing so was humanly possible. Then I would eat ice cream.

[Melissa]

As someone who doubled lithed for a while, I see both sides. I think it depends on where you are in quest for fitness. For me, doing doubles were critical in getting my body back in shape, but now being that I've lost 80 pounds I probably wouldn't double lithe unless it was Armistice and Hotlegs. In fact, I think the only double I ever really liked was Armistice and Hotlegs. and, when I was double lithing, I was on sabbatical from work so I didnt have a demanding day of working piled on my workouts. Now that I am working crazy hours, one hour of working out is about all I can handle.
But, Tiff is right. Just add in walking. Walking at 3 mph increases your metabolism, stretches your legs, and for, it always relaxes me and enables me to solves complicated problems.
I am glad that Lithe is about healthy exercise and not working out until you drop.