![[solidcore-VA]](https://confessionsofamotherrunner-offload.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/17180654/IMG_4435-300x225.jpg)
I’ve been hearing a lot about [solidcore] the last few months so when I was offered the chance to come in and check out a class, I was all over it. [solidcore] founded by Anne Mahlum, has 3 Washington, DC locations and just recently opened the first Virginia location where I visited. Based on the principles of Pilates then “kicked up” a few notches, the 50 min. [solidcore] class aims to help you “create the strongest version of yourself-inside and out]. The class is performed on “megareformers” pictured here:
![[solidcore] megareformer](https://confessionsofamotherrunner-offload.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/17180653/IMG_4440_2-768x1024.jpg)
The atmosphere is a zen like, modern open space with minimalistic decor. Classes are small (max of 10) and intimate. Walking into the studio, I was immediately greeted by my instructor who was eager to give me the run down and briefing on the class. She explained we would be using “megareformers” to perform slow, small controlled movements. She demonstrated how we would stand on the platform and the carriage would move back and forth.
I’m thinking, “I workout everyday-How hard can this be?”
The Goals of the class:
-To work our muscles to the point of failure √
-To push ourselves more than we would do on own √
-We wouldn’t be expected to make it through the class without a break √
We started the “warm up” with a focus on arms. We performed pull ups on the back of the platform and tricep dips holding onto the straps. Oh my were my arms burning! I do strength training exercises 2-3 times a week and let me tell you this was like nothing I have ever done. And that was the warm up!
We moved onto deep, slow lunges while moving the carriage back and forth. Cue legs shaking. This was humbling to say the least. I do lunges and squats all the time and I was dying! Add in the “little pulses” and oh my those legs were on fire.
I really liked the oblique crunches called “corkscrews” and 2 days later I was still feeling those babies. I worked muscles I didn’t even know I had.
![[solidcore] Ballston, reformer](https://confessionsofamotherrunner-offload.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/17180653/IMG_4441-300x225.jpg)
Pros of [solidcore}:
-Low impact
-Great compliment to running, cycling etc
-Small group classes with lots of instruction & supervision
-Challenging and new
-Different routine each class
Cons of [solidcore]:
-It’s hard so if that’s not what you’re looking for it’s not for you
-Hard to replicate at home
-It is costly. At about $35 for a class it can cost you. They do have monthly packages and buddy deals.
There is also a great little boutique at the front of the store.
If you are an athlete looking for a challenge and a way to mix up your exercise routine, try out [solidcore]. You will be surprised by how tough it is. I was! I certainly had my a** handed to me in that class. But of course, that just makes me want to go back and do it again. Want to join me?
Have you ever tried [solidcore] or any other intense reformer class?
Wow thats cool! Never heard of it, but love the idea! Awesome you got to try it! I love learning about the latest fitness equipment……unless it a shake weight of course hahah
I love checking out new fitness trends too. It was really hard.
I Ve never heard of this but have done Pilates and barre and they’re botj killers. I incorporate a lot of those things into my strength training sessions and have had big improvements.
This is like Pilates kicked up majorly. I hope you get a chance to check it out sometime. It was way harder than I expected.
I LOVE MEGAFORMERS. They are like the one stop shop of toning 😀
Yes! So challenging in a “There is no way this little machine is going to kick my butt” and then it does.
I have never heard of Solidcore but it sounds ridiculously hard and like my kind of fun 😉
That’s exactly how I would describe it! Hope you get to give it a try sometime.
I’ve never heard of this. It seems pretty intense. And, probably exactly what I need! And, I would be the class wimp for sure!
Oh that would be me!! 🙂 No seriously lots of fun and really hard
Those megaformers scare me! I pretty sure I would get my butt kicked in a good way at one of these classes!
Yes that’s exactly what happened! IN a good way 🙂
I love group classes because it pushes me a lot further than I would on my own. That price is pretty steep though!
Agreed it can be pricey. You would do best to buy a package deal or split it with a friend.
Very cool, I have never heard of this type of workout! It sounds awesome and tough!
That’s exactly how I would describe it-awesome and tough!
I’ve heard so many good things about solid core – I really wanna check it out! I wish they were on classpass!
Ah you should suggest it! It was really harder than I thought
How funny, it definitely doesn’t look like it would be that hard but it sounds like a killer workout! I’d never heard of it before either. I’ve done pilates mat classes but never used the reformer.
oh no it doesn’t SOUND hard but it really is.
I don’t know that I’d want to go to a class that was all core. Did you find it boring after a while? I get a lot of core in yoga and with my trainer. Some of the stuff she makes me do hurts for several days after!
no not boring at all. It’s not all core there were lots of arm and leg exercises. I would consider it full body for sure
I do like classes occasionally but find them very expensive. This was a very interesting review!
Thanks! It was a fun class to add in once in a while to my routine.
Never heard of solidcore. Sounds like a very challenging workout. It also sounds a bit pricey for just one class.
Pricey for sure but on par with most of the other speciality DC classes right now. Challenging indeed.
I’ve never heard of solidcore but it sounds tough! I’m sure the results would be great though!
It was seriously tough. I’d love to go back soon.
Very cool class! It sounds like a great workout, nice you were able to test it out! Yikes it’s expensive though…
It was a cool class and fun to try out. Expensive yes it is.
Look so cool! I’ve been trying out a ton of new classes lately, but nothing like this!
I love checking out new classes too!
Wow, that looks cool. I’d never even heard of solidcore before!
It’s new around here too! Seriously hard core
That looks like a sure fire way for me to bust my tail! LOL. Thank you for the review. 🙂 #wowlinkup
I was surprised by how hard it was! Hope you get to check it out sometime.
Ahhh I haven’t heard of solid core – sounds like a workout to try out though. Bummer I haven’t seen them on ClassPass – maybe soon!
They are not on class pass right now. You would like it it’s a tough one.
I am dying to hit the new Ballston location and try it out, but doubtful I would ever be able to afford a membership 🙁
It is kind of pricey along the lines of soul cycle and some of the other boutique classes. If you want to try it sometime let me know would love to go with you
Sounds like fun! I’ve only taken a handful of Pilates classes and it’s kicked my butt every single time.
It was way harder than I imagined it would be. Got my butt kicked for sure but in a good way
I took that class in Chicago in the summer and loved it! If it wasn’t so far from my home, I would have signed up for a month of classes. My core was on fire the next day. #wowlinkup
I know it’s seriously hard isn’t it? I’d love to try it again.
Wow! Looks intense but would be cool to try out.
It was lots of fun to try out. I love discovering new classes.
this sounds awesome! Hopefully I can find something like this in nc
Hope you do it was a blast!
That warm up sounds bananas!!!! It sounds really tough and challenging which piques my interest always. Even though in my head I am counting down the minutes! Ha! That looks like a KILLER KLASS. Wish they had more of that stuff in and around Baltimore County. #wowlinkup
They must have something cool over there?! I always read about fun stuff in NYC and LA and it takes a few years to make it to us.
That sounds intense!
It was! Lots of fun though
very cool that you got to try a new class but wow! that one look scary! and kind of expensive I would say too! Looks like you loved the challenge!
I do love a challenge and this was certainly a challenge!
I’ve never heard of Solidcore! No surprise since I’m in the middle of nowhere Vermont, we don’t ever have this kind of stuff! I’m intrigued however. I love small classes, it ensures the instructor can really keep an eye on each participant!
Exactly! That is why they keep them small. All the cool classes usually go to NYC first then end up here a few years later.
Very cool. I have never heard of this, but since O rarely visit a gym that is not surprising:) looks super hardcore, love it!!!!
Oh it was! I loved it!
I haven’t heard of Solidcore and I’m intrigued. I love, love, love Pilates reformer. This looks awesome. Thanks for sharing!
It was lots of fun and very challenging! Hope you get to try it sometime. Thanks for stopping by!
There is a barre studio near my house that has an apparatus like that and I was always wondering how it worked exactly. I would LOVE to try this. Even if I had to spend that much to do it once!
It’s completely different from Barre but very challenging. They are opening a bunch around DC hope you get to try it.
I have done a reformer class before but it wasn’t too intense. I think that’s why I never went back. But this looks awesome! Will have to try it when I get back 🙂 #wowlinkup
This was beyond intense I think you would love it!
Sounds painfully hard… but awesome at the same time! I really don’t push myself hard enough with core strengthening exercises so I would LOVE to take a class like that. Thanks for sharing!
I tend not to push myself hard enough either on my own. Hope you get a chance to check it out.
Man, I wish I could join you for a class 🙂 I wonder if they have this in LA?
I’ll have to check it out.
Thanks! xx
I think they do!! LA has all of the cool classes way before we do. Let me know if you find it. It was hard.