Sweat for a Cause…or Two!

October 14, 2015October 13, 2015

Come sweat for a cause on Saturday, October 24th at Hamptons Gym Corp! Join us for great music, exercise, and snacks as we support The Retreat and Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation.

This event will bring two of the East End’s most valuable resources together with one of the area’s favorite local fitness spots. Both The Retreat and the Southampton Animal Shelter are in the business of providing care and shelter for the whole family. 100% of proceeds will be donated; classes are $25 per class, $40 for 2, $60 for 3. Here’s the class schedule:
9:30am Cyling w/ John Leonard
10:30am BODYPUMP w/ Jacqui Perrine and Liza Gallia
11:30am ZUMBA w/ Master Instructor Oscar Gonzalez

Reservations recommended. Drop-ins welcome but please allow for enough time to register before the event. Call (631)725-0707 to reserve your spot.

One Healthy Breakdown: sweat for the community, sweat for a pet!

Kettlebellin’

September 14, 2015September 14, 2015Leave a comment

I’ve rekindled with an old flame: kettlebells. Aren’t they pretty?!

Made of iron or steel, kettlebells are (literally) full of potential for anyone, from professional athletes to first-time exercisers who are looking to gain strength and burn fat. Kettlebells combine the benefits of heart-pumping cardio endurance with weight-lifting in a dynamic, full-body workout. It’s like fusing a killer spin class or an energized run with intense strength-training session. Instead of choosing cardio or weight-training, kettlebells are a double whammy.

Kettlebell training builds muscle, increases endurance, strengthens balance, burns fat, and, in-turn, boosts metabolism too! Another added bonus is that kettlebells can be incorporated into your existing routine or utilized as the primary workout, in which case, it only takes about 20-30 minutes to reach exhaustion and reap the benefits. There have been many times where I’ve only had 10-15 minutes to spare and I turn to kettlebells for a quick full-body burn. Although they can be used to target certain muscle groups and body parts, pretty much all kettlebell exercises engage and strengthen the core. Due to the handle, the center of gravity of the weight is constantly changing, teaching your body to adapt by turning on a range of muscles.

There is definitely a technique to training with kettlebells and proper form is highly important to prevent injury and maximize effectiveness. I would suggest taking a class or consulting an expert if you’ve never used a kettlebell or aren’t confident you have it down. Fortunately, the Hamptons has some great kettlebell experts. Try a Kettlebell class at Sag Harbor Gym with Sara (pictured above) and/or a class at Truth Training in East Hampton. You’ll get a kick-ass workout and eventually, you’ll learn to love yourself some kettlebells too! Once you’ve got your form down, you may just want to invest in one of these bad boys for yourself.

Sara explains: kettlebells can be used as a full body integrative movement, strength isolation, cardio drill, or all of the above. I’ve kept a kettlebelll in my workout routine for years and with all of the types of exercise equipment out there, kettlebells remain my favorite. The range of resistance, exercises, and challenges using a kettlebell makes it absolutely impossible for one to plateau. Besides the fact that everyone looks badass flinging iron, kettlebells build muscle and increase exertion, which burns more calories throughout the day, long after your workout. Who doesn’t want that?!

One Healthy Breakdown: why choose between weight-lifting and cardio when you can do both with kettlebells?

Join the Tribe!

October 29, 2014October 29, 2014Leave a comment

Tribe Team Training is about commitment. Committing to change and committing to the work it takes to get there. Committing to a goal, a team, and committing to yourself.

Tribe training is the international small-group training method that recently popped up and caught on at Hamptons Gym Corp. The six week program guarantees challenge and change with flexible scheduling and reasonable pricing. As opposed to typical group fitness classes ranging from a few to a few hundred people, Tribe Team Training forms a small group (around 6-10 people) on day one that sticks together all six weeks. It’s like personal training, but with a small group who quickly becomes your fitness family, you cheerleaders, and your friends. Your tribe team will push you farther, commiserate with you, and celebrate your accomplishments.

Tribe trains participants like athletes, not clients, either two or three times a week. Each and every Tribe workout is different, but never, ever is a workout easy. The goal is efficiency, both in and out of the gym. While the workouts are relatively short, (30-50 minutes) they pack a LOT in, not a minute is wasted. Although you may feel weak attempting the workout, you’ll immediately feel stronger in all other walks of life.

Tribe programs include FIT, CORE, LIFE, PUNCH, and KIDS; there’s something for everyone, every age, and every fitness level. Tribe FIT is a high intensity workout combining cardio, strength, and endurance training to drastically advance fitness, speed, strength, and motion. And, believe me, it does! Tribe CORE cultivates core strength, toning, and stability for better overall functionality with less risk of injury and pain. Tribe LIFE is the low impact workout to promote functioning in everyday life. Tribe PUNCH kicks up strength and perseverance with boxing and kickboxing. Lastly, Tribe KIDS fosters fit, healthy, and confident kids in an inclusive team environment (ages 6 and up.)

Why am I a true Tribe advocate? Tribe helped me to reach my goals faster. I first completed Tribe CORE, which strengthened my abs, back, and arms at a whole new level. After CORE, I completed Tribe FIT, and boy was that an accomplishment. Truth of the matter is: the first time I tried Tribe FIT, I was not a fan. I left thinking: why would I ever voluntarily put myself through that ever again?!

And then…my wedding was quickly approaching. I was in need of a change, a challenge, a goal, and a serious ass kicking. I tried Tribe FIT again and became instantly addicted to the workout I can only explain as the one I love to hate. Over and over, we’d show up to Tribe FIT bright and early wondering why we voluntarily got out of bed to torture ourselves? And then, when the workout was over, our endorphins were sky high and and we’d remember exactly why we kept showing up, we were getting fitter with every workout. The change was tangible, visible, physical, and mutual. Just what I needed.

Some of us couldn’t do a chin-up, push-up, or a box jump. Others could. Others had never tried. A few weeks later, we were all capable of these moves, and lots more. By the end of the six weeks, most of us were doubling our results from day one. We were all stronger, fitter, and most of all, we had become a true team, a team who achieved more than we ever thought possible.

So, which Tribe team will YOU join?! Next week (November 3rd-7th) is the time to try Tribe training for free! Not sure you’re ready to join a Tribe? Try one, try all! Click here for the schedule and contact rpenteado@hamptonsgymcorp.com or just call Southampton Gym to sign up for your free trial class.

One Healthy Breakdown: Tribe Team Training packs a serious PUNCH, try it for yourself!

AKT is in Motion in the Hamptons

June 4, 2014June 4, 2014Leave a comment

Want to trick yourself into thinking you’re at a dance party while your heart rate maxes and your muscles work? Then get your booty to AKT and get ready to shake that…and lots more.

AKT in Motion was founded by dancer Anna Kaiser, who brought her passion for dance into a multi-disciplinary, all-in-one routine. All of AKT’s teachers are dancers with a greater appreciation for fitness and cross-training.

AKT is a high-intensity interval workout full of dance cardio combined with strength training, resistance training, flexibility, and more. Between dance intervals, we worked our core with planks, arms with weights, and glutes on the mat. Every two weeks, the class changes entirely. Just when you may have the routine down, you’re introduced to a whole new class, beginning to end, to keep us guessing. There’s nothing routine about this dance-cardio class. The dancing is a fast-moving, high-energy, fun and playful routine that feels more like a dance party than a fitness class, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you’re not going to sweat.

Oh, you’re going to sweat…even if you’re like me and can’t dance for beans. Do your best, keep moving, and have fun, even when everyone goes one way and you go the other (it happens to the best of us!) In the meantime, you’ll get a good workout and clear the mind. There’s nothing else to think about but keeping up with those moves and high-energy music.

Kiley and AKT’s Emily Mara after a sweaty Sunday class in Sag Harbor

If all AKT teachers are as positive and energetic as Emily, you’re guaranteed a good time. That smile did not leave her face the entire hour; her mood was contagious and her moves were out of this world. The energy at AKT will make you want to spend the day on the dance floor. No need for cocktails before this dance party, it’s happening. Check out AKT this summer at Hamptons Gym Corp’s Southampton and Sag Harbor locations.

One Healthy Breakdown: Get your booty shaking with AKT – you’ll leave with a smile and even some new moves!

Beach Body. Who Wants One?

March 24, 2014March 24, 2014Leave a comment

Two words: Beach Body. What comes to mind? I picture tight, tan, happy people, bikinis, surf boards, beach balls, sunshine…and maybe a chilled Corona or two?

Happy group at the beach WRONG! Now picture this: barbells, sweat, burpees, squats, and panting…a whole lot of panting. Connor Miller’s Beach Body class at Southampton Gym is all work, not so much glam, but if you’re looking for that one class to get you into beach body shape from head to toe, Beach Body is your answer. And, with a couple months until Memorial Day, now is the time!

If you want a half-assed workout, Beach Body is not it. If you want to shock your body, challenge your mind, and be sore (and high on endorphins) for days, Beach Body just might be for you. So, what exactly goes on in a typical Beach Body class? The good thing is that it’s always different (Connor keeps us on our toes)…and it’s always the same (as in the panting, soreness, endorphins, and lack of chilled Coronas.)

Class kicks off with the warm-up, which I’ve learned always includes squats. Lots and lots of squats. Weighted, half-way down, half-way up, jump squats, you name it, we squat it. Legs on fire. Everyone wants to quit, but Connor doesn’t allow that.

But then, the intervals start and oh, how badly we want to return to those delightful squats. Not kidding. Can’t forget those abs, shoulders, triceps, biceps, back, obliques, chest, or anything else, can we?!

After the warm-up, the class is comprised of high-intensity tabata intervals (20 seconds on, 10 seconds off) separated by abdominal circuits and strength-training with weights. Plyometric drills are all timed, so the goal is to bang out as many as reps as possible. Each interval is four minutes long. Four long minutes, really. The first round is doable. And then, just when your heart rate hits the roof, you have three more rounds to go. This is where the panting comes in. That 10 second break are just enough to avoid a heart attack, but definitely not enough for recover. Recovery must wait until about five minutes after class is over and sanity is regained.

Why must we do such nonsense? For the Beach Body, remember. Eye on the prize: Memorial Day. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) burns more fat in less time and increases metabolism long after the workout is done. Plyometrics combine both speed and power, meaning that each exercise demands both cardio and strength for a double whammy. Now you understand why this class is always full. It’s EFFECTIVE. Each muscle group is effectively exhausted, including, for sure, the cardiovascular system.

On a good day, I consider myself somewhat in-shape. Never do I feel ‘in-shape’ during this class, but what I feel after Beach Body, is without a doubt, totally worthwhile. A combination of absolute exhaustion, a flood of endorphins, topped off with anticipation for that ‘hurts so good’ pain that is to come. Since Beach Body hits every muscle group, it’s always a guessing game as to which muscles will be most sore in the coming days. Don’t be too intimidated, the class is tough, but it’s doable at any age and fitness level. It’s about starting somewhere, challenging oneself, progressing, and, don’t forget the panting. Regardless of your age, fitness level, or perfect beach body, there will always be panting.

You can catch Connor’s Beach Body class weekly at Southampton Gym.

One Healthy Breakdown: Maybe I’ll see you in Beach Body class. I’m the one gasping for air.

BODYPUMP: The Best Time You Can Have With a Barbell

October 24, 2013October 29, 2013Leave a comment

Are you trying to get stronger? Discover interesting and effective new workouts? Want to change your body? Then it is time to PUMP! BODYPUMP is the LES MILLS barbell workout. A unique program that strengthens the entire body, there is nothing like it!

I have to admit, before I tried BODYPUMP I was terrified of it. I would see glimpses of class through the windows at the gym and would tell my mom “that’s the hard class, we don’t want to try that.” Finally, in late January, she convinced me to do it and I became instantly hooked. Now I attend BODYPUMP three times a week and couldn’t be happier with my results.

When taking a BODYPUMP class, it is best to come early to set up your equipment. You need a bench with 2-3 risers on each side, a bar, and an assortment of weights. It is also advised to have water and a towel nearby – you will work up a sweat! The barbell used in BODYPUMP is adjustable, that way you can use the weight you are comfortable with. Once your setup is complete, you are ready to PUMP!

The class starts with a light bar as you are led through a warm-up that gives a preview of some of the moves you will see later in the class. After that, you spend the next 55 minutes working your large muscle groups to some awesome music with 70-100 reps per track. The instructor guides you through your weight selection for each body part and will give you time in between tracks to adjust your bar. Here is a breakdown of a typical BODYPUMP class:

Track 1: Warm-Up

Track 2: Squats – The heaviest weight of the class, works your legs and glutes with 70-100 squats using different tempos and stances.

Track 3: Chest – Laying down on the bench working the chest with moves like chest presses and flys.

Track 4: Back – A series of moves that includes deadlifts, rows, clean and presses, power presses, and wide rows.

Track 5: Triceps – Shift to smaller muscle groups to work the back of the arms with a variety of exercises to target this muscle group, including tricep kickbacks, dips, extensions, and presses.

Track 6: Biceps – Work your biceps with curls, bottom halfs, and even rows. (For me, this is always the toughest track!)

Track 7: Lunges – Hitting the legs again! Besides lunges, this track can also include more squats and my favorite: plyometric jumps.

Track 8: Shoulders – Target the shoulders with push-ups, upright rows, side raises, mac raises, and overhead presses.

Track 9: Core – Use a series of moves to work the core. From planks to bridges, sit-ups, you name it!

Track 10: Cool Down.

As you’ve probably grasped, BODYPUMP works the entire body! LES MILLS keeps it interesting by releasing new music and moves every couple of months. The exercises do vary, but the format of each class is kept the same. You get used to the structure, but instructors mix it up. If you stick with BODYPUMP, you will see some amazing progress. For me personally, the squat weight I used for my first few classes is now my warm-up weight, for example. Like any LES MILLS class, the tracks are choreographed and easy to follow. The focus is on proper form over anything else, and that is what makes the program both safe and effective.

Besides all of the strength training benefits you get from BODYPUMP, another reason to do it is that it is fun! For me, strength training on my own is booooring, but with BODYPUMP, the hour flies by and I get an amazing workout. This class welcomes anyone; the moves are easily modifiable and you choose your own weights for the bar. There are a variety of ages and fitness levels in every class. If you are looking to challenge and change yourself, BODYPUMP is the program for you. Classes are offered at both the Sag Harbor Gym and Southampton Gym. Check the schedule for more details!

One Healthy Breakdown: pump, pump, pump it up with BODYPUMP. One try and you’ll be hooked!

Body Combat: The Real Life Video Game

September 5, 2013September 4, 2013Leave a comment

Body Combat is one of the few exercise classes I’ve been going to for years without it getting old. It’s like a real life video game because participants perform kicks and punches as though in a real fight. Just like most things in life, what you put into Combat, you get out. You can go through the motions or you can kick the motions ass. Luckily, the instructors at Hampton Gym Corp motivate you to be fierce, fast, and powerful, maximizing each and every one of the 55 minutes.

The class is divided into 9 tracks and lots of intervals. You’ll learn combinations and perform them at different levels to vary the heart rate. It’s intense cardio with mixed martial arts; boxing, taekdwondo, tai chi, karate, and muah thai. I’ve mastered self-defense moves I wouldn’t normally know, like uppercut, hook, roundhouse, side kick, and back kick. These practices are tied to the rhythm of upbeat songs, some old and some new. The tracks switch between lower and upper body, hitting most muscle groups more than once. I love the post-combat burn, I always feel it in my upper back and shoulders the next day. It’s just as empowering as the class itself.

Body Combat is one of Hampton Gym Corp’s many Les Mill group fitness class offerings. There’s nothing better than that adrenaline rush you get in a full room of “Combatters.” Sure, you may feel silly when you’re a little behind on the combo your first time, or when asked to yell as you punch or kick, but the group fierceness in the room makes everything ok. And fuels your energy to win the fight. I was hooked from the start. There’s something for everyone and everyone can benefit from Body Combat.

Try Body Combat at Southampton or Sag Harbor Gym, check their schedule here. See you in Combat!

One Healthy Breakdown: Go hard or go home. Win or lose, it’s up to you.

Hampton Gym Corp.’s Launch Weekend!

July 8, 2013August 14, 2013Leave a comment

This weekend brings another weekend of celebration to the Hamptons…it’s Hamptons Gym Corp’s Launch Weekend! That means free classes, bring a friend, awesome team and group teaching, new tracks, and lots more! In case you haven’t tried Hamptons Gym Corp’s awesome group fitness classes, you really should get over there this weekend!

HGC is one of the only fitness destinations with a vast variety of group fitness classes in addition to personal training, and a full weight-lifting and cardio room for your own routines. There’s always something going on at HGC, whether you’re looking for group classes, spin, strength-training, Latin fun, upper body, lower body, yoga and stretching, abs and glutes, and more. With three locations throughout the Hamptons, you can drop into a group fitness class in Sag Harbor, (1 Bay Street) Southampton (395 County Road 39A) or get your own workout in at their East Hampton location (2 Fithian Ln.)

This weekend is your chance to try a class (or two or three!) absolutely free! I’ll warn you, HGC’s group fitness classes are pretty addicting, but that’s ok because an annual or monthly class membership pays for ALL classes! I’m a huge fan of Les Mill’s Body Combat, Body Flow, and Body Pump, and can’t wait to try all they have to offer! HGC’s fitness instructors are skilled professionals with LOTS of energy; they’ll pump you up and give you a great workout every single time. Here’s the schedule for this coming weekend (July 13th & 14th):

SAG HARBOR GYM:
SATURDAY:
8:15am BODY VIVE with Jacqui
9:40am BODY PUMP with Liza, Z and Ute
11:00am: LATIN VIBES with Natalia

SUNDAY:
8:15am ABS AND GLUTES with Ute
9:40am BODY COMBAT with Z, Kelly and Pilar
11:00am BODY FLOW with John, Kelly, Zivile and Yvonne

SOUTHAMPTON SCHEDULE:
SATURDAY:
8:00am CYCLING with Andre
8:15am YOGA with Mary
9:40am BODY COMBAT with Rebeca, Alexia and Tony
11:00am BODY FLOW with Tracie and Geoff
12:15pm Zumba with Fit Point

SUNDAY:
8:00am CYCLING with Liza
8:15am BODY ATTACK with Rebeca and Tahlia
9:40am POWER TONE with Raquel
11:00am BODY PUMP with Rebeca and Alexia

Existing members, be sure to check out the new summer class schedule which changes Monday, July 15th.

One Healthy Breakdown: take advantage of launch weekend at Hampton Gym Corp to try new classes, switch-up your routine, workout with friends, and get in shape for summer!

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: