Fitness Fashion Friday #12: New Workout Clothes from Warrior Elements

Image: Grinning from ear to ear at the site of new activewear! My favorite 😉

Happy Fitness Fashion Friday my friends!  Yay for the upcoming weekend.  I have been teaching a crazy schedule this week (5 spin classes in 2 days!) So I’m VERY ready to relax and unwind this weekend.  Before I head out, I want to share some photos and thoughts from a recent fitness + fashion event.

Last week I was super excited to receive an invitation to special clothing line debut from a local Dallas designer, Gail Warrior.  Gail is a high-profile, Dallas-based entrepreneur and founder of The Warrior Group, a commercial general contractor, and the Heart of a Warrior Charitable Foundation. She’s also a lifelong fitness and healthy cooking enthusiast, so creating the Warrior Elements clothing line was a natural fusion of her professional experience and her personal passions for health, fitness, fashion and motivating others.

The clothing line debut took place at Equinox Preston Hollow and was super swanky. Not only did I get to check out awesome new activewear from a local Dallas designer but I also enjoyed delicious treats and “mocktails” (i.e. healthy non-alcoholic cocktails) throughout the evening.

Enjoying yummy goodies at the Warrior Elements Debut!

As for the Warrior Elements clothing line, I liked the consistent theme of Earth, Wind, Fire, Water.  Each item in the collection is a associated and color-coordinated with one of the elements.  For instance, the blue workout clothes are a part of the Water collection.  Most importantly, I loved the positive vibe I got from Gail and her team.  There’s nothing more important than good energy – right?

Here are a few more photos from the evening.  If you’re looking for new activewear this holiday season be sure to check out Warrior Elements.  Let me know what you think!  Until then, I’ll catch up with you on Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend! xoxo, Brit

Checking out the Warrior Elements Women’s Activewear – lots of fun styles to choose from
Crystal Pollard (left) and Gail Warrior (right) posing for the camera. Crystal is a fellow group fitness instructor with me at 24 HR fitness – we go way back 😉
Models showing off the Warrior Elements Activewear
Ladies getting their shopping on - wonderful night of a food, fashion & fun!
Ladies getting their shopping on – wonderful night of a food, fashion & fun!
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Precision Running at Equinox: Finally a Fun Treadmill Workout

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 2nd 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!

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