Hard Core Class
Are you ready to work your core like never before? Here is all you need to know about Midtown’s newest class to help you get the “hard core” results you want.
Intro to Group Core – Group Core is 30 minutes of intense core training, athlete -style. The moves are designed to work all of the muscles between your shoulders and hips to help improve performance, prevent back pain, and give you the abs you’ve always wanted. Instructor Vicky gave a strong indication of the effort required when she said (while smiling), "it’s not going to be easy." Equipment Used – Participants use their body weight, weight plates, platforms with adjustable risers, and towels to create resistance. Class Sequence – The class includes the following tracks:
- CorePREP, a dynamic warm-up to prepare your muscles for the workout.
- CoreMAX, a circuit training approach that combines whole-body functional movements to train the maximum number of core muscles. You might experience a heart rate increase too!
- CoreINTEGRATION, a circuit training approach that includes total body exercises with a special emphasis on the back and glutes (this reviewer’s favorite track).
- CoreSTABILITY, trains the muscles that promote spinal stability using hovers (planks), with options available to increase the challenge. Control is the name of the game in this track.
- CoreMOBILITY, brings it home with more traditional abdominal training, including a one-minute “peak” that will “knock your socks off!”, says Vicky.
Keys to Success– Group Core is more than “just abs,” and even participants who exercise regularly have experienced muscles working that they didn’t know were there. The class requires a bit of an adjustment period to get used to the fast pace and variety of movements, so it’s important to allow yourself time to learn how to effectively move through your space in new ways. Support muscles, such as the shoulders and hips, may also become fatigued or sore, but this will improve as muscles get stronger over time. Stick with the class one to three times per week, and you will be well on your way to building the core you want. Instructor/Participant Reviews– The class has received rave reviews, both as a stand-alone core workout, and as a combination workout with Group Power or other cardio classes and programs. Participants say it is challenging, effective, and fun. As Instructor Frank put it, “You can tell you are making change because you feel it the next day...just take your time learning the moves and enjoy the experience. You get a bonus abdominal workout if you are willing to laugh!”
Have you tried Group Core yet? What do you think?