Constantly Varied with StudioHop

Rise and shine - good morning, lovelies! Can you feel my excitement? Because I'm super pumped for today's post! I was given the opportunity to collaborate with StudioHop for the last two weeks - if you follow me on Instagram you probably already know this (because it was too good not to share). I had the best time and I've been DYING to tell you all about it ever since day one! Bare with me, it's a long one.

First, let me give you a little background into my fitness routine so you know where I'm coming from.  

In college, I attended a few kickboxing or booty blast classes here and there at my campus rec center. Of course, copious amounts of beer and too many midnight McDoubles eventually caught up to me and I realized it was time for a change, so I signed up for a 5k and started running the 3 mile track around Boomer Lake every evening. I kept telling myself it would get easier and I would get faster and I'd start to like it - but none of those things ever happened. I eventually signed up for a 10k and then a half marathon and I "just kept running" but I hated every single step. At some point during my half marathon training, I started implementing yoga. I LOVED it. It really opened my eyes to the fact that you can actually enjoy working out. But I also learned that what I enjoy may not be what you enjoy.

Fast Forward to January 2014. C and his roommate, Ryan, had been going to crossfit for a few months and I eventually talked myself into giving it a try. I walked in the door and never looked back! Thanks to crossfit, I totally and completely fell in love with fitness in general. I transformed my body through diet and exercise, I pushed myself like I never had before, I competed, I watched myself get stronger, and I loved every second. I was actually GOOD at it, which made it that much more enjoyable.

I think it's so important to find a workout routine that you love, and one that keeps your mind and muscles guessing! Staying constantly varied helps your body never get too used to something, so you're always shocking your muscles and making them stronger. Plus, it keeps your mind engaged and excited! Which leads me to StudioHop.......

StudioHop is a monthly membership to a curated list of the best fitness studios in town. For one monthly fee, you can "hop" around to any of the participating gyms in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and New Orleans! They offer three different bundle packages to easily fit your budget and workout routine. The studios include yoga, pilates, cross-training, cycling and more, plus they offer a wide variety of class times to fit your schedule. You can view the class schedules and sign up for the class of your choosing through your StudioHop account online or through the StudioHop app. It is seriously so convenient! It's basically like having a membership to every gym/studio in town - which is the best concept EVER for a fitness junkie like me!

If you want to give StudioHop a try, use code AMANDAHOP20 for $20 off! You can pause or cancel at any time.

Now, let's "hop" right into my experience at each of the four studios I tested out! I was able to attend classes with a few other OKC Bloggers: Ashley, Lis and Candace. Sweating is more fun with friends, don't you agree?!

Beyond Studios
I was slightly hesitant when I walked into a Beyond500 class and found out it was "endurance day." I am definitely more of a power athlete - super strong/fast for a short period of time - as opposed to an endurance athlete. Read as: I tucker out five minutes in. BUT, I seriously loved it and have been thinking about it and wanting to go back ever since! Beyond Studios is kind of like a pilates / high-interval mash up. They said the "500" in Beyond500 stands for 500 calories burned in 50 minutes! Yes, please. I think this class was very relatable to crossfit (hints why I enjoyed it), and would be a great place for someone wanting a crossfit-style workout without all the "scary" big weights! The hardest part for me was running on the woodway treadmill - but I survived! Believe it or not, I think it actually helped my terrible running form.

Urban Row
I was SO excited to go to Urban Row because rowing is kind of my wheelhouse at crossfit. I'm really tall and have broad shoulders....so, basically the perfect rowing build. But ya'll........my little 500 meter sprints at crossfit are nothing compared to this! I am not cut out for an hour of endurance rowing, ha! I was so sore and so sweaty by the end of class. However, I think this would be a great workout for someone who enjoys doing cardio and endurance regularly. Their rowing machines are actually water powered, which was a neat change. It is definitely a full body workout, no doubt about it.

Tank | Similar Sports Bra | Leggings

Tank | Similar Sports Bra | Leggings | Shoes

Hidden Dragon Yoga
Remember when I said I did yoga in my pre-crossfit days? It was at Hidden Dragon! I didn't realize just how much I missed it until now. I used to be decently good at yoga (and very flexible), but it's been a hot second and I am definitely no longer a certified yogi master. Like, at all! It reminded me how important it is to mix up your routine and how it benefits you in other areas. If I work on my flexibility and balance at yoga, it makes me a better crossfitter. If I work on my strength, it makes me a better yogi. They all go hand in hand for the betterment of your health and overall fitness.

Also, for the record, HDY is adorable. I adore their overall aesthetic + they are major succulent goals.  If you're lucky, you might get to meet the studio dogs! They offer classes for yogis of all levels; most are heated, and some are HOT!

Tank (old Lululemon), similar here | Leggings

 
Moxieride 
Let me just say, Moxieride is not for the faint of heart! This was definitely the toughest workout I did with StudioHop. As I said above, I am not a cardio girl, so spin classes are really super extra hard for me. BUT, it makes me realize how important it is to attack your weaknesses regularly! The more I work on my cardio, the better of an athlete I'll become. I always hate spin with a capital H while I'm in class, but after its over I feel so good about myself and I always want to go back! It is seriously such a great workout and will leave you feeling accomplished.

WHEW that was a lot of words! If you made it to the end, you get five stars. Sorry for rambling, I'm just really passionate about fitness and I love sharing it with you! If you have any questions about StudioHop or any of the classes I attended, ask away. While you're at it, Hop To It and give StudioHop a try (use code AmandaHop20 for $20 off) - you will love it, I promise!

Have an amazing week, friends! And remember, never miss a Monday.

Thank you to StudioHop for gifting me 4 free classes!