How to Help VIDA Fitness Fight Ovarian Cancer This Fall
We are stoked to be bringing the folks from Ovarian Cycle D.C. back to the Yards for another cycle fundraising extravaganza.
This year’s event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 1-5 p.m. (we’ve added an extra hour this year!) and all proceeds will benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance.
Registration is $50 and guarantees you a bike in the hour-long time slot of your choice. The Ovarian cancer survivors ride for free by using the discount code “SURVIVOR” at checkout.
Registration info can be found here.
Each participant will receive a personalized fundraising page upon registration that can be used to raise as much money as possible leading up to the ride. There are some pretty fantastic incentives for reaching certain fundraising levels — check them out at the link above.
Many of our loved ones affected by Ovarian Cancer. So, we are asking everyone who has been affected by this disease to sign up at ovariancycledc.org and then share your “Why I Ride” stories with our community.
Anyone who sends a “Why I Ride” story and a picture of the person who inspires you to join us to Robyn at [email protected] by Friday, October 21 will be entered into a raffle to win one of three fabulous gift cards from our amazing, amazing sponsors: Nando’s PERi-PERi , home of the legendary, Portuguese flame-grilled Peri-Peri; Agua 301 Restaurant, with its modern Mexican cuisine (and fabulous drinks!); or Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza which has been voted “Best Slice in D.C.” by Washington City Paper (and you’ll see why when you have the first bite!)
RSVP to our Facebook event page for up-to-date announcements and info as the ride gets closer. We can’t wait to see you on a bike in November!
The preceding post was written and sponsored by VIDA Fitness.
Join VIDA Fitness at our second annual 5K Run/Walk next month.
This year’s race will take place on Oct. 23 at East Potomac Park, same place as last year. All race profits will benefit Thrive DC, a non-profit organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the D.C. area.
We invite the entire community to join us for this fun, flat race near D.C.’s beautiful waterfront. Whether this is your first 5K or your 100th, we’d love for you to join us for a morning full of fun.
We’re also holding a club-wide sock drive leading up to the race and encouraging people to bring in new pairs of socks and drop them off in our donation bins at the front desk. All of the socks we collect will be donated to Thrive DC on the day of the race.
Run with your friends, family, kids, pets, or solo — just come run with us and help us raise even more money than last year for a great cause!
We’d like to congratulate our very first VIDA Registered Dietitian Cat Taylor on completing her Certification as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) this month!
As many of you know, Cat has been with the VIDA family since 2013 and helped hundreds of our members get closer to their fitness and health goals through her personalized nutrition services. This year she decided to take her career to the next level by receiving her CSSD, the only sports nutrition certification program to be accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
CSSDs are registered dietitians who provide safe, effective, evidence-based nutrition services for health, fitness, and athletic performance. So basically, what Cat has been doing at VIDA for years!
She explains what made her want to pursue this certification on top of her already busy schedule below:
For me, this credential legitimizes the time I’ve spent working with clients at VIDA, the exposure I’ve had to meal planning for different fitness goals, and now the licensed knowledge and ability to address each client’s goals by fully addressing not only their caloric and macronutrient needs but also hydration and micronutrient requirements which may change related to altitude, hot or cold temperatures, special diets (vegan/vegetarianism), chronic illness, disability, age, gender, training status, and sport type.
Overall, the active population has different requirements when it comes to their energy and macronutrient needs, because they utilize energy and nutrients differently than otherwise less active individuals. For instance, nutrient requirements for weight loss in an active person will look different than that of a sedentary individual. Within the active population, requirements will differ based on a variety of circumstances. The diet plan of an endurance athlete with diabetes will differ from that of a non-diabetic’s plan due to their differing abilities in carbohydrate metabolism. The hydration needs of an 8 year old will differ from those of a 35 year old or a 70 year old due to the difference in number of sweat glands and therefore ability to regulate body temperature.
It’s science! Translated into real-life recommendations, which drive results 🙂
Congrats to Cat for all of her hard work! If you haven’t talked nutrition with her yet, now is the perfect time. Shoot her an email at [email protected] to schedule an assessment.
The preceding post was written and sponsored by VIDA Fitness.
Change Your Body With the Vida Fitness Outdoor Boot Camp
We’re halfway through another DC summer and our outdoor boot camp is hotter than ever! Dozens of our dedicated members have spent the last 12 weeks waking up at the crack of dawn or skipping that post-work happy hour to break a sweat with us instead, and we couldn’t be more proud of them.
Depending on which VIDA you belong to, our outdoor boot camp locations vary from the stairs of the Nationals stadium to the National Mall, and groups of burpees can be spotted all up 16th street, from Logan Circle to Meridian Hill Park.
Marie O’Hara has been a U Street boot camper for over two years, and says the results-driven workouts and the camaraderie developed with her fellow boot campers have been the key factors in keeping her coming back month after month.
“The last 14 months of boot camp have been the perfect cocktail: equal parts personal accountability and a physically challenging workout, plus a splash of motivation and tough love from Alexx who achieves body-changing results in the most efficient way,” says Marie.
Boot camp instructor and Regional Group Fitness Director Alexx Griffin explains that accountability is one thing that sets boot camp apart from your ordinary group fitness class. His boot campers expect to be held to a high standard when it comes to showing up on time and not slacking off during exercises.
“We go from one exercise to the next without rest in between. We focus on speed, power, strength, endurance and proper technique in a competitive environment that helps build a strong bond between the participants, ” says Alexx.
Although the workouts are challenging, they are modifiable for every person regardless of experience, age or fitness level. Most boot camps meet twice or three times a week, with different times and dates available per VIDA location. Even if you’re new to working out, you’ll feel successful and strong in our boot camp program and progress at a level that is right for you.
“As always, the day after boot camp I never know which muscle group will be crying out because Alexx found a different way to push my physical limits. But at 34 years old with a toddler at home, I’ve never felt as strong as I do today!” says Marie.
To start the next round of boot camp starting July 25, speak with a group fitness manager or email [email protected]. We’ll learn more about your fitness goals and experience and place you in the program that’s right for you!
FYI: we have now opened a new EVENING boot camp timeslot at U Street! New VIDA trainer Khetab Claiborne will be leading a post-work camp for those who can’t make it in the mornings Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Email [email protected] to sign up!
The preceding post was written and sponsored by VIDA Fitness.
VIDA Fitness is participating in fundraising efforts in honor of the 49 people who died in the tragic mass shooting in Orlando more than one week ago.
The company is matching contributions made by VIDA members to the Pulse Victims Fund up to $10,000. To participate, VIDA members can donate to the Pulse Victims Fund and forward their receipt to [email protected]
VIDA hosted a special candlelight vigil and moment of silence during its Ten Year Anniversary Celebration last Saturday night on the Penthouse Pool Club rooftop at 10:00 p.m. Likewise, VIDA’s sister business, SweatBox, donated 100% of proceeds of every spot reserved for each class session last Saturday.
The fundraisers and events are part of a company-wide initiative that David von Storch’s Urban Adventures Companies is spearheading in in response to the recent horrific mass shooting in Orlando. These efforts are also meant to inspire other D.C.-area businesses to show support.
Last May, we put on our very first ALS Fundraiser & Silent Auction event at Penthouse Pool Club at the Yards.
Through ticket sales, silent auction items and bar revenue we were able to raise over $25,000 for Augie’s Quest, an ALS research initiative dedicated to finding a cure for the disease. Last year was such a success we can’t wait to do it again bigger and better this year.
If you attended last year’s event, you’ll remember our guest speaker Andrea Peet. Andrea was diagnosed with ALS at age 33 and shared her story with us in a powerful speech that you can watch here. We’re so pleased to be bringing Andrea back for year two, and she has a special message to share with you below:
This year’s event will take place on Saturday, June 4th from 6-10pm at the Penthouse Pool Club at the Yards. Tickets are $30 with sponsorship opportunities available at $2000. *Sponsorships include a cabana rental for up to 10 guests, bottle service, and appetizers served.
We are currently collecting donations for our Silent Auction and would love to have your business involved. Any items, services, hotel stays, trips or package deals make great auction items! If you would like to contribute to the auction, please email [email protected].
Light appetizers will be provided and there will be a cash bar available throughout the evening, with all proceeds being included in the check we write to Augie’s Quest at the end of the night. The more you drink, the more we donate!
You can expect some live entertainment too, most likely involving an Ice Bucket Challenge.
Cocktail attire is required. Purchase your ticket here and save the date for Saturday, June 4th! See you then!
SweatBox to Open at VIDA Fitness on U Street May 4
Game on! Get ready to sweat at SweatBox – the original boutique fitness concept designed to improve cardiovascular endurance while building lean muscle mass and improving flexibility. Urban Adventures Companies, Inc, the parent company of VIDA Fitness, announced today that SweatBox will officially open for business on Wednesday, May 4. UA Companies conceived the SweatBox training method based on the scientific principles of Heart Rate Training, resulting in a unique workout experience that combines aerobic and anaerobic intervals to achieve optimal performance levels within one 50-minute, high-intensity training period. The grand opening marks the start of a full class schedule offered seven days a week with morning, afternoon and evening sessions and single or monthly rates.
Located at 1612 U Street, NW off the lobby of UA Companies’ flagship Fitness and Lifestyle Complex, the 1,725-square-foot studio space with 23 workout stations, provides each participant with their own “box” – a raised platform that consists of dumbbells, XT Suspension Trainers, and a Matrix IC7 Coach by Color indoor cycle – ensuring individuals have access to everything they need all in one place. SweatBox is designed with a limited class size so each participant receives the personalized instruction needed for a technically superior workout, while maximizing gains and minimizing risk of injury.
With the combination of Matrix IC7 Coach by Color bikes and MYZONE heart rate monitors participants will receive real-time performance feedback via an easy-to-follow color queue that illuminates on the indoor cycle and throughout the entire studio. All workouts are documented and downloaded via Bluetooth technology right to the participant’s smart phone, which offers a social integration component to track progress and connect with friends. Big screen TV’s located outside the studio display minute-by-minute results at the conclusion of every class.
Designed by the concept team at UA Companies, WDG Architects of Washington, DC and Stoneking- von Storch Architects of Charlottesville, VA, SweatBox puts cutting-edge studio fitness equipment and biometric technology into an industry-first box theater setting. The blacked-out studio is lit exclusively via programmable LED theater lighting. This allows the entire studio to change color, intensity and hue based on what the SweatBosses are coaching at each moment during the session.
Upon entry to the softly lit SweatBox studio, participants are greeted with the Matrix IC7 cycles that line raised platforms on each side of the room with XT Suspension Trainers and three sets of dumbbells situated alongside the bikes. As the session begins, the lights go down, the exceptionally clear and powerful On Point sound system turns up and the trademark Sweatbox recording announces the countdown to session blast off. Fifty minutes later participants will leave SweatBox exhilarated, exhausted and fit.
“SweatBox is the next big thing in fitness and will revolutionize the way people workout,” says David von Storch, President of SweatBox. “This cutting-edge program allows individuals to push themselves to the best of their abilities, track their own performance and improve at their own pace. It will leave you breathless and totally addicted.”
Over the next five years UA Companies plan to open multiple SweatBox locations throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area with intentions to serve neighborhoods that large gyms do not currently occupy.
SweatBox is a one-of-a-kind, nonmember fitness-training program with a pay-per-session fee. Each session ranges from $29-$39 or $229 a month for unlimited classes. For more information or to sign up for a class visit www.sweatboxdc.com.
The preceding post was written and sponsored by VIDA Fitness
VIDA Outdoor Boot Camp Returns Next Week
Warmer weather is finally here and the workouts have left the building! VIDA’s outdoor boot camp program starts bright and early next week, and we’re welcoming new members to join the fun! Summer is right around the corner, and we want to help get your body ready to hang by the Penthouse Pool in just a few short weeks.
This 6-week program will keep you on track with your fitness goals as we near bathing suit season & celebrate warmer weather returning to the district. Now is the PERFECT time to commit to a fun but challenging training program that will keep you focused on your goals and build some new friendships along the way.
Boot camp provides an intense but fun workout that improves strength, endurance and cardiovascular performance through body weight movements, partner exercises and conditioning drills. You’ll form bonds with your fellow bootcampers and enjoy seeing the progression in your performance from week one to six.
The next big thing in fitness is all in one box. Urban Adventures Companies Inc. (UAC), the parent company of VIDA Fitness, has unveiled plans for SweatBox — a pioneering studio fitness concept that improves cardiovascular endurance while building lean muscle mass and improving flexibility.
The SweatBox training method is based on the scientific principles of Heart Rate Training, resulting in a unique workout experience that combines aerobic and anaerobic intervals to achieve optimal performance levels within one 50-minute, high-intensity training period. Located at 1612 U St. NW off the lobby of UAC’s flagship Fitness and Lifestyle Complex, the 1,725-square-foot studio space will feature a limited class size so each participant receives the personalized instruction needed for a technically superior workout, while maximizing gains and minimizing risk of injury.
UAC designed SweatBox to provide each participant with their own “box” — a raised platform furnished with dumbbells, TRX straps, and the revolutionary Matrix IC7 Coach by Color indoor cycle — ensuring individuals have access to everything they need all in one place. With a grand opening slated for April, SweatBox is a one-of-a-kind, nonmember fitness-training program with a pay-per-session fee.
VIDA’s New Kettlebell Program at Metropole
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Kettlebell training program at Metropole! This program will meet twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays at 8 a.m.) with VIDA personal trainer Will Thompson.
Kettlebell training is unique in the sense that it activates many different muscle groups simultaneously, which elevates the heart rate for a killer cardiovascular workout. There are over a hundred different exercises that can be performed with kettlebells, so you’ll hit every major muscle group with a mixture of skill-building and circuit training exercises.
In Will’s program, you’ll learn how to use kettlebells safely and effectively through a fun but challenging 50-minute class. Intensity of the sessions are totally modifiable by using different size kettlebells, lower repetitions, etc., which means people of all fitness levels are welcome to attend!
VIDA’s Guide to Group Fitness
With such a huge variety of group fitness classes here at VIDA, we get that that sometimes choosing which one to take can be half the battle. Our classes cover a wide range of different exercise styles — from high intensity movements, strength building, relaxation or heavy cardio. You’ve only got 45 minutes to an hour to spare, so how do you know which one to take?
Here’s a breakdown of our group fitness classes by studio, showing what type of classes to expect in each space and info for picking the class that will best help you reach your goals!
Work Out Smarter with a MyZone Heart Rate Monitor
You know you’re sweating buckets and can feel your heart pumping like crazy, but do you know if you’re functioning in an aerobic or anaerobic zone, or what percentage of your maximum heart rate you’re using? Most likely not, since it’s impossible to guess this information without the use of a device monitoring your heart rate.
Heart rate monitors make a world of a difference for individuals looking to increase their cardiovascular endurance and track how hard they’re actually pushing themselves during workouts. If you like viewing the amount of calories you’ve burned after a cardio session, a heart rate monitor provides a much more accurate number than a standard summary from a treadmill or elliptical. Because it’s actually measuring your effort and exertion, not just generic information punched into a machine, you’ll find that your actual calories burned is usually a very different number than what a piece of equipment will tell you.
Here at VIDA, we spent a lot of time researching the most advanced heart rate monitoring systems on the market to find the most fully functioning device to recommend to our members. The MyZone MZ-3 belt (and corresponding MyZone app) incorporates several unique features unparalleled in the heart rate monitoring world that we know VIDA members will love!
These features include the ability to live-track your effort exertion by the second on your phone, personalized workout summaries emailed to you after every session, and the point-earning feature which adds a competitive element to your workouts.
So how does it work?
A revolution is coming to U Street, or at least that’s what VIDA Fitness says.
A sign posted at the fitness club, located at 1612 U Street NW, advertises new “revolutionary” exercise classes coming in 2016. Additionally, VIDA last week added a fleet of new Coach by Color spin bikes that is says have the potential to “totally change your cycle experience.”
“These new coach by color bikes will totally revamp your cycle experience and make you push yourself harder than ever before,” a VIDA Fitness post reads.
A representative for the company said the forthcoming exercise program was still yet to be announced, but they confirmed the new bikes would play a role in the classes.
Cycle photos via VIDA Fitness
TRX – The Class Where You Get to Defy Gravity
In TRX, you’re using body weight, gravity and two suspension straps to perform literally hundreds of different exercises. The workouts are fast, effective and can target every muscle in your body with just one piece of equipment.
By placing your hands or feet in the straps hanging from the ceiling, the number of different exercises you can perform using your own body weight as resistance is limitless. In addition to whatever muscle group you’re focusing on, your core will be fully engaged during every exercise — two birds with one stone.
The versatility of TRX is what makes it so effective for people of all fitness levels. The difficulty of any TRX exercise is solely based on your body position and angle of leverage, which puts you in complete control of how challenging your workout is. If something feels too hard or too easy, you can adjust your feet just a few inches in either direction to find the right level of resistance for you.
Personal Trainer and TRX instructor Jeffery Cain uses TRX in addition to his weight training to focus on muscle toning. He explains TRX as a challenging, high intensity, dynamic cardiovascular workout that also teaches proper form for beginners.
“TRX is especially good for people who may be timid about weight training. It’s a great way to perfect your form before hitting the free weights or squat rack,” he says.
Both Reformer and TRX classes meet in small groups — Reformer no more than 4 per class, TRX usually maxes out around 6 — which ensures you receive individual attention from the instructor. Each exercise is demonstrated beforehand and the instructor is always close by if something feels off or if you need help getting your positioning right.
If you’ve been peeking into the TRX or reformer studios, now is your chance to see what all the hype is about. Check with a trainer or instructor at your VIDA location to see if you can sit in on a class to get a feel for it. Once you’re sold (and sore), you can purchase a 50 pack of TRX or Reformer training sessions during the month of February and receive one month of free VIDA membership.
As someone who just tried both of these classes for the first time this week, I can say with confidence that your body will thank you for adding them to your routine. Just be ready to feel sore in places you may not have felt before.
The preceding post was written by Elise Chretien and sponsored by VIDA Fitness
Pilates Reformer Machines: Not As Scary As They Look
If you haven’t been on a reformer before, never fear; the machine is not as scary as it looks – I promise. If you’ve done Pilates on a mat, you can expect similar positions and exercises but with added resistance and a fuller range of motion on the reformer.
The reformer uses springs, leverage and body weight to provide resistance while performing movements targeting specific muscle groups. The workouts consist of controlled, flowing movements working your muscles through a fuller range of motion that you wouldn’t be able to reach on a mat alone. The increased resistance provided by the reformer makes your muscles exert more force to overcome it, therefore making them stronger.
Your instructor will guide you through the proper core, abdomen and lower back positioning required to use the reformer correctly. Proper spine alignment is critical to using the reformer and your instructor will make sure your body is positioned as it should be. Benefits of using the reformer include increased muscle fiber endurance, connective tissue strength, improved posture and stronger core muscles.
A stronger core means more power generated to the rest of your muscles and a decreased risk of injury!
In the words of Pilates instructor and Group Fitness Manager Tami DeVitis, reformer classes start working their magic almost immediately.
“Mere words cannot describe the full benefits of taking Pilates Reformer classes. I must say that I started feeling the benefits and positive changes in my body after my second class, possibly even after
my first! No other form of exercise has provided me with such a marked improvement in muscle strength and flexibility in such a short period of time,” says Tami.
Tami taught my first reformer class, and was extremely helpful with demonstrating exercises and explaining how the machine was working as we did them. Her coaching really helped me feel aware of my muscles contracting and working to overcome the resistance.
Since starting her Pilates Reformer workouts, Tami says she feels much more aware of what her body is doing than ever before.
“This increase in awareness remains at all times and prevents injury. In addition, my posture has greatly improved – I know I run faster than before and it has even improved my yoga practice! I love training clients on the reformer as I see the change in their bodies and overall body strength so quickly,” she says.
The preceding post was written and sponsored by VIDA Fitness
