Happy Hump Day Gang!  A few weeks ago I met Maggie, the General Manager of Equinox Preston Hollow, at a Girl’s Night Out event hosted by Trunk Club Dallas.  Her energy immediately drew me in and next thing I knew I was making plans to come try out one of Equinox’s hottest new group fitness classes.  I had a such a great experience, I wanted to share all the details…

The Class:  Precision Running is the newest group fitness class at Equinox.   It’s a 45-minute treadmill workout with “precisely designed intervals to hit every muscle in your body.”   I’ve read several positive reviews, but I wanted try to the class for myself.  So I grabbed my friend Nena and headed to Equinox!

The Method: The class is built on the Balanced Interval Training Experience (BITE) method, which strikes a middle ground between High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and aerobic endurance training (e.g. long distance jogging). There are varieties of interval routines so you can expect a different 45-minute treadmill workout each class.

The Space:  Unlike most group fitness classes, Precision Running doesn’t take place inside the group fitness classroom.  We were actually on the treadmills in the open gym floor.

The Crowd:  Approximately 15 women and men between the ages of 30-50.  Nena and I attended a 9:30 AM class, which may explain the more mature crowd.  Everyone was dressed in trendy activewear and seemed happy to be there.

The Experience: First off, I have to admit that I hate running on the treadmill.  Though I was excited about trying a new class, I was secretly dreading being on the treadmill for 45 minutes.  Fortunately, I got a pleasant surprise with Precision Running and here’s why…

• Warm up – As class was bout to start, we hopped onto our treadmills making one long line of class participants.  Our instructor paced back and forth in front of us as we kicked off a slow jog to warm up.  During this time, she coached our running form, breathing and proper foot contact with the treadmill.  The warm up lasted about 3 minutes and then we moved on to the first interval series.
• Interval Series 1 – For 20 minutes, we jogged, ran and sprinted through a variety of 30 second and 1-minute speed intervals on very low incline.  My endorphins flowed and my heart rate elevated!
• Interval Series 2 – We got about 3 minutes of transition/recovery time until we started the next interval series.  It also 20 minutes but had more of a “strength” focus.  We continuously increased the treadmill incline but maintained a moderate, steady pace.  I could feel my quads, calves and hamstrings very much engaged as the incline got steeper and steeper.
• Cool Down – Following the 2^nd series, the instructor led us through short cool down jog/walk and then ended the class.  I was impressed with her ability to keep the class lively by simultaneously motivating, coaching and changing up the intervals.

Loved: The number of calories I blasted – 469 at the 43-minute mark.  Woo Hoo!

Hated: I forgot to bring my own headphones so I didn’t have any music to energize my stride.

Intensity Level: Moderate-High intensity.  Fortunately, if you’re still building your fitness, you can run at a slower pace and not feel like a slacker nor stand out from the class.

Afterwards:  Can we say drenched in sweat? About 3 minutes after the class ended, I cooled down and could feel the after burn.  While my leg muscles were tight, surprisingly I didn’t feel knee pain.  I guess running with proper form pays off!

Our instructor taught a 30-minute Dynamic Strength class directly after Precision Running so Nena and I hit that up for some body sculpting action.  It was the perfect compliment to our treadmill workout.  Nena and I were completely exhausted and ready to inhale a yummy lunch.

Final Verdict:  Simply put, if you looking for cardio conditioning, look no further.  I give Precision Running the official “gritty two thumbs up.”  Dallas crew, be sure to check out a class for yourself – hit up Equinox Preston Hollow and ask for Gabby.  ENJOY!