Before I get to a few reviews of recent ClassPass experiences, let me first say despite cancelling my membership, I am not knocking the
service entirely. I think it’s a great option if you’re looking for variety and
affordability. However, I feel as though the brand has grown at rapid speed and I
have become frustrated at how difficult it is to get a spot in my favorite
classes, the fact that I cannot take more than 3 classes per month at favorite
studios, and lastly the issue with dramatic increases in their monthly unlimited
memberships.
When I initially signed up for ClassPass in 2015, it cost $89 per month
for an unlimited membership. Less than 6 months later I received an email stating the
price of my membership increased to $120 per month without additional services
($165 per month for new members!). While I was slightly annoyed to receive an email providing no real detail as to why my rate went up, I stuck around because I honestly felt the new price point was still worth it! Since
then, I’ve become frustrated that once I fall in love with a studio, I cannot
take more than THREE classes per month despite having an “unlimited membership.”
I also do not appreciate that most studios don’t open up all of their classes
to ClassPass. Working a full time job and having a life to live makes
scheduling my workouts at convenient times of utmost importance. The
final straw came last week – when
I uncovered that my membership was about to skyrocket from $120 to $175 per
month ($200 for new members) with again, NO NEW additional services. I've since decided to sign up directly with a CrossFit gym and a barre studio (with the hopes of becomming an instructor there later this year).
Like I mentioned, if you’re new to town (or new to the fitness world) and need variety
and affordability, I say give ClassPass a shot. But if you’ve found a studio (or
studios!) you love, call them directly and speak with the owner to figure out
an affordable membership option. And treat yo self to a manicure with the $$
you save!
Now, on to those ClassPass
reviews I promised above…
1)
UFC Gym I
came on a Saturday morning for their boxing class, described on their site as: Boxing Conditioning teaches basic boxing
skills and techniques, designed to increase muscular strength and cardio
endurance -- the perfect class to get shredded! Boxing Conditioning will
include cardio calisthenics, shadow boxing, bag work (150lb. bag) and core
strengthening exercises. You will sweat like crazy, build a rock solid core and
burn hundreds of calories
My ratings:
Instructor: 4 out of 5. Brandon
was definitely knowledgeable as a Boxer by trade, however his quick combos
without any set up left me with awful flashbacks to my one and only experience
at Zumba. Everyone went left, and I went right. Everyone stepped forward, I was
walking backwards.
Ability to break a sweat: 4 out
of 5. I definitely worked up a sweat throwing around all of those jabs, hooks
and crosses. I didn’t, however, love how the smell of sweat permeated
everything from the bags, to the mats, to the gloves I had wrapped around my
hands.
Chances I’ll return: Unlikely
2)
Trim Fitness Studio
It was the day after CrossFit and my body was begging for a day off from
lifting weights, so I headed into this studio for a Lagree method pilates-style
class. If you’ve never heard of Lagree, the class is described on their site as
follows: Lagree Method is a vigorous
fitness program that fuses the principles of Pilates with strength training,
cardio, resistance & counter-resistance for full body conditioning. Each
student enjoys an intense and safe workout while burning between 500-700
calories in a single 45 minute class! The highly motivating, certified
instructors combined with the new M3™ Megaformer machine will give you the
optimal results you’ve been searching for! This core targeted, high-octane,
shirt-drenching workout will strengthen your body, tighten, lengthen & tone
your muscles, burn fat, improve endurance plus jump-start your metabolism!
My ratings:
Instructor: 2 out of 5. Kimberly
was the only staff member when I arrived at the studio and was very friendly.
She explained the megaformer machine to me quickly and before I knew it, shoes
were off and class began. For something like pilates on a reformer, I would’ve
appreciated a bit more hands on (especially being my first time there) or at
least a bit of teacher demonstration. Kimberly shouted out orders so fast, I felt
as though I was at Sotheby’s buying a piece of art. Personally, this style of
teaching is not effective for me.
Ability to break a sweat: 2 out
of 5. I may have sweat a tiny bit here and there, but I spent most of my time
looking around trying to discern what I was supposed to be doing. It felt like
a game of Twister gone wrong. Right foot here, left hand WHERE?!?
Chances I’ll return: Very unlikely
3)
Full Pshycle I checked
out an early morning spin class here with a girlfriend and loved it! I may have
initially been intimated when upon check-in was asked if I wanted a pair of ear
plugs, but the studio was adorable, the staff friendly and equipment brand new!
My ratings:
Instructor: 4.5 out of 5. UGH I
so wish I could give Shelby 5 out of 5, but her constant repetition of the
words “OH YEAH!” sort of drove me nutty. Aside from that, she brought an
awesome level of energy to the class and even when it was hard to understand
her, I loved the class. She even came by to explain the bike to me (the bikes
are a bit different than standard studios). She seems to love what she does,
which is always what you want to see out of an instructor!
Ability to break a sweat: 5 out
of 5. I was basically swimming in my own sweat at the conclusion of our class.
Chances I’ll return: Highly
Likely
4)
Xtend Barre It’s been
so long since I’ve taken a barre class! I loved teaching classes last year, and
was so sad when I chose to walk away from teaching because of how hard it was
balancing a full time career and training for my first fitness competition. It
was simply too much. Since then, I honestly haven’t taken more than a handful of
classes. I’ve recently thought about going back to teaching (for fun) and
stumbled upon this studio in my ClassPass app. After reading great reviews, I decided
to take a class this past weekend with a girlfriend. For those unfamiliar, here
is a description of an Xtend barre class: Xtend
Barre is Pilates and Dance Amplified! Xtend Barre is a 55 min multi-level class
geared to challenge bodies of any age, gender, or fitness background. You'll
get it all in one class! Full body toning, cardio, core and stretches! Sound
too good to be true? It's not! All exercises can be modified for beginners, pre
and postnatal clients or clients with injuries, but that can also be amplified
for advanced clients that are looking for an extreme challenge.
My ratings:
Instructor: 5 out of 5. If I could
give Jordan a higher rating, I would. She was amazing – such positive energy
and with such grace! She smiled the entire class and I felt her attitude was
100% genuine.
Ability to break a sweat: 5 out
of 5. Honestly, I was surprised with how much I sweat during this class. It was
intense!! We used props (mainly a small ball and light hand weights – I used
3lbers) and I was sore the next day (particularly in my side-butt region). I
loved how hard segments of this workout were. Earlier in the week I crushed a
long, intense CrossFit workout – and to come get my butt handed to me in this
barre class was a reminder to always vary my types of workouts to ensure I work
all my muscles in different ways!
Chances I’ll return: Already signed up for membership :)
What about you? Have you heard
of (or tried) ClassPass? What do you think of the model?
Xo,
Jenn
