I love to try out new fitness classes and workouts so I pretty much jumped at the chance to try out the new Elevate Interval Fitness class. Elevate opened in DC a while back but just opened their first Virginia studio this summer. First class is free.
Elevate your workout
With this crazy heat we’ve been having, I thought it a great time to take my workout indoors. Elevate fitness is designed with a similar class structure to Orange Theory Fitness (see review here) with a few minor differences. The 55 minute class consists of cardio (treadmill running & rowing) and strength training (body weight, dumb bells, TRX, etc.)
The Elevate classes no longer use heart rate monitors and rely on perceived effort. I am a fan of this mostly because the 2 times I tried Orange Theory my HR monitor did not work correctly and I did not think the zones were individualized enough. I spent lots of time in class distracted by the monitors.
Half of the class starts in the cardio section and half starts with the strength training. For my cardio block we alternated with sprints and hills on the treadmill and then 300 m intervals on the air rowers. I was not very familiar with the air rower and was happy to receive lots of help during class from my instructor, Des. The other athletes were also quick to give bits of helpful hints along the way.
Check out this quick youtube video for a look inside a class:
Each class has a set workout that is posted and you simply work your way through the intervals on the treadmill and the rower. We alternated sprints on the treadmill with incline for short 45 intervals. I rarely (make that never) do much speed work so I was not sure what I would be capable of. As the incline raised the time interval shortened. I was pretty amazed that I was able to keep up.
The cardio component is well designed to suit a range of fitness levels. We were instructed to work our way through until time was called. The runners next to may or may not be on the same interval depending on the speed of the runner.
The second half of the class was strength training. Each class has a different focus and my class was shoulders and core. We had squat jumps using the TRX, core work with the Ab Dolley, lunges with a twist and push ups to name a few. You perform as many sets as you can in the time period allowed.
The instructors were very upbeat and helpful. The treadmills and all of the equipment are state of the art. You would never get bored in this class!
To say that I was sweating buckets would be an understatement! I usually do my runs and my strength training on different days. I found Elevate really challenging, in a good, switch it up kind of way. Looking forward to going back in a few weeks with my MRTT friends.
Tell me-Have you done a class like this? Do you do your cardio on the same day as your strength training?
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That sounds fun! I’ve never done any class like that, but my sister loves Orange Theory. I go cardio 6 times a week, so yeah… I always do both!
Orange theory is very similar minus the HR monitors. You should try it out too just for fun
Sounds like an intense class.I have never done this nor Orange Theory before. We don’t have any in the VA Beach area right now. Sometimes I do a run after I teach body pump so I don’t think there is anything wrong with Cardio and strength training on same day.
It’s a fun challenging way to mix it up for sure. I bet they will be opening up around you soon enough
I haven’t done a class like this, but I really think I’d love it. We are just getting an Orangetheory here in Asheville. I do wish we’d get one like this.
Great review– I’ll have to send this to my friends in DC!
You should go check out Orange theory just to see. It’s a fun way to mix it up for sure
I’ve never done a class like this! Sounds fun!
It is a fun way to mix up your routine and so some challenging intervals.
This sounds like a lot of fun and definitely something I’d enjoy!
I think you would!
I love that they don’t use heart rate monitors! I think that not having something tracking you and just working out the hardest you can is enough to make it a good workout, so why not add in the competition to do better than someone else!
I agree! I like it better without the hr monitor
This really sounds fun! Ironically, since I’m a group exercise instructor, I don’t go to classes very often. Of course, part of the reason is we don’t have many options like this (though I think an Orange Theory opened nearby recently).
When I used to teach group ex I never had time to go to other classes either!
I love trying out new workout classes as well and this sounds awesome. I will have to checkout the D.C location!
Oh yes you should! Love to know what you think of it
I’ve done OTF once and loved it. Unfortunately I don’t love the price.
I also struggled with the HRM. I couldn’t get into the orange zone no matter how hard I worked so I think it wasn’t individualized to me.
I agree on the $$ it is a lot. I had the same problem with the OTF which is one of the reasons I liked this one so much
This sounds like a really cool class! There are so many great studios out there, I always balk at the price though which keeps me away, even though they look really intense and motivating at the same time.
They can be really $$ sometimes you can find groupons or other specials especially this time of year.
I think I would really like this class – sounds like a great workout!
I think you would too!
I do OTF, and have tried other classes like it.. Barry’s Boot Camp, Sweat Garage, etc… I think the heart rate monitor is good for people who don’t give it their all every time they go to the gym… I give it my all if I’m there anyway (I suspect you do as well), so I don’t need a heart rate monitor to tell me I’m doing so… but you see the people who are clearly not making an effort and not breaking a sweat, and for them, a monitor may be a good idea…
That’s a good point!
Sounds like an awesome class! I like the idea of it incorporating both strength and cardio. It would be tough for me since I have been slacking on strength training, but this is why I need a class like that. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I think lots of women shy away from strength training so yes a class like this is great to force you into it and show you how to do it.
That sounds intense! Nice job!!
I have been wanting to try OrangeTheory because I like the structure of a class, but there’s none around me 🙁 But anyway, this sounds like something I would LOVE!
It is very similar and definitely a great workout. Hope you have a chance to try it at some point
i love trying new group classes as well. that sounds like fun AND a great workout. maybe they will come to tennessee one day!
Who knows? Hope you get to try it out sometime too
Sounds like a great workout! I have never done Orange Theory or any kind of similar workout. I think I would be pretty intimidated especially right now because I am so out of shape! But Im sure its a great way to get in a solid workout with both strength and cardio.
They definitely show you how to adjust to different levels but I did get my butt kicked.
How similar is this class to OT?
It is very similar but they do not use the hr monitors. I liked that bc I was too distracted by them when I did OT and they did not work all the time.
Great review, I signed up for Orange Theory fitness which is opening soon in my town. I really like the idea of this high intensity workout — it packs in so much! I’ll have to keep an eye to see if there’s an Elevate in my area.
I hope you enjoy it! It’s a fun class and yes very challenging in a fun mix it up kind of way.
We have an OTF opening up here soon. I’m eager to check it out. I need to see what all the hubub is about! Your workout sounds great without HR, though. I might like that better.
I hope you have the chance to check it out it’s a lot of fun. Very challenging for sure!
That sounds like an intense class!
Intense indeed!
This sounds like a great class! Never heard of this format before.
It’s kind of all the rage around here the last year or so. Hope you have a chance to check it out sometime
Sounds like fun! I’m going to step out of my comfort zone and try new classes as soon as I’m recovered because I need to switch things up so I stop re injuring myself. Oh and I just found out today a new barre place is opening up by me this fall, so excited!
Yes definitely wait until you are feeling 100%!
Sounds fun! Typically do mostly weight/strength training but always finish up with 30-40 minutes of cardio afterward (or before depending on what day my focus is) I don’t feel like I get a good workout in if I don’t do both!
After doing this class I might agree!
This sounds like a killer workout! I love mixing up cardio and strength so this sounds awesome!
It was a great challenging class. Hope you have the chance to try out something like it
Looking forward to trying this with MRTT! I think the HRMs at OTF make me push harder b/c it is so darn hard for me to get my HR up, I keep upping the incline to try to get to that orange level.
Interesting! I look forward to hearing your thoughts
I joined Elevate a few weeks after it opened and I love it! I was doing OTF and while I liked OTF- Elevate challenged me do much more I feel. I agree on the HRM and focusing so much on that instead of just working out the hardest my body could. I’ve seen a huge difference in my cardio and strength. The coaches encourage you to up your speed or increase your weights which isn’t something OTF does.
Well that is fantastic to hear!! Good for you that’s amazing and thanks for sharing