Hour Blast Review

Happy Monday! I know, I know, there is nothing happy about a Monday. Maybe if we act like there is some great thing about a Monday, it won’t be so miserable? Hey, we can dream!!

So today, it’s time to learn all about Hour Blast. But first, some recent eats:

McDonald’s strawberry banana smoothie, Turkey on when from Subway, Quesadillas at the shower, cereal, more cereal, oats with protein, blueberries and ab, baked potato with chicken burger on top and turkey wrap on brown rice tortilla with strawberries. Yum.

Have you been sticking to the challenge? I have! Well, except for the shower Saturday, which I treated as my “cheat” for the week. There is a huge difference, for me at least, since I’ve started eating right. What about you? Have you noticed any change?

Now, as promised last week, this post is dedicated to Hour Blast. Hour Blast is a local boutique gym in the Uptown New Orleans area, that I frequent.

The name of the gym describes the workout perfectly. In the hour you are there, you blast. The class is 10-12 people. Half start on the treadmills and the other half is on the floor. Instructors call out what to do on the treadmills, while showing the floor what to do. After x amount of time has lapsed you switch to either the floor or the treadmill. The rounds for the classes are different every time. Sometimes they have 6 minutes or 8 minutes rounds. They have also had 1 minute and 10 minutes (two 10 and one 4 minute) rounds.

On the treadmill you can either do plain ole’ running, skipping, hills, sprints, sprints up hills … you never know. You are also given three levels: easy, intermediate and advanced. You are in complete control.

On the floor, sometimes they set up stations while other times they do group exercises. Exercises include those using TRX, resistance bands, bar weights, hand weight and sometimes your own body weight.

What to bring? A water bottle!!!! You WILL need to re-hydrate throughout the workout. No need to bring a towel, they provide that for you.

What to wear? Anything that you would wear to run outside. It gets HOT. I usually sport running shorts or capris, sports bra and a tank. In regards to shoes, I suggest either running or cross training shoes.

Pros:

-Killer workout (at least 400 calories burned each class, if not more. I’ve worn my heart rate monitor).

-Classes are always different and you never know what you will do until it is called out to you.

-Interval training (which is a great way to torch fat).

-Strength training (another great way to torch fat).

-They blast music the whole workout. I’m not sure about you, but loud music gets me going.

-Classes are offered at different times throughout the day.

-It super easy to sign up and reserve your spot in class. Also, you can tell them in person, email them or facebook them and Hour Blast will add you to the class.

-There are different instructors, so you can try them all, and either keep rotating or stick to your favorite.

-You can choose your level (easy, intermediate or advanced) and you can change as you need to. For instance, with sprinting hills I have to adjust between easy and intermediate. There is just something about going uphill for me!

-Hour Blast also offers personal training (one hour session).

Cons:

-It’s pricey. I’m not going to lie to you. Personally, I try to get a package and use it over the course of 2-3 months, while going to my regular gym on the days I’m not at Hour Blast.

-Pay attention to the cancellation policy. If you are not able to make it to a certain class, you have to notify them by a certain time otherwise you will be charged even though you don’t attend class.

-You have to sign up for class before you go. Most classes, at least the ones I choose to attend, fill up about two days before.

Worth it? In my opinion … YES! I love love love the class, the intensity, the instructors and how I feel when leave. As I said before, killer workout.

There you have it! Want more information? Check them out at HourBlast or on Facebook. They also have little bios on the instructors if you would like to read more on that as well.

Interested, but not sure about committing? You are given an option sign up for your first class at a rate of $10. Just create an account, pay the $10 and sign-up for the class. Super easy! You will be able to tell from the first class if it is right for you, trust me.

Click here for the rates and schedule.  And more importantly, they are running a special on packages from 08/31/11 – 9/14/11!! 10 Classes on $175 and 20 Classes on $325. If you end up taking advantage of their package special or any package at all, please tell them I (Liz Ford) referred you!

Have you tried Hour Blast yet? What do you think? Love it or what?

**note: these opinions are strictly my own. I was in no way compensated for this review. I really do love these classes and wanted to share my love with others**

Tags: Hour Blast, Recent Eats