A Google User
August 7, 2018 07:20
had the pleasure of training with both Griffin and Joe a few weeks ago - and I'm grateful to have had two different but equally butt-kicking experiences!
My first thoughts of the studio: modern, clean, and tastefully decorated (especially the outdoor wall of plants in the middle of the studio). Definitely appreciated coming into a calm space where I felt comfortable working out in (especially coming in from the hustle and bustle of 16th Street Mission). Plus I liked working with equipment I usually don't see in HIIT classes or gyms (AirBikes, ropes, sled pushes, etc).
I trained with Griffin first, and I appreciated that he welcomed me in at the front of the studio, especially since I didn't know my way around at first. What I liked the most about my session with Griffin was the way he communicated his innate knowledge about the human body/anatomy in relation to the kind of work we did that day (hips/legs). From beginning (good ol' foam rolling - which to this day I don't know why I don't do more often) to middle (assisted stretches and warm up movements incorporating yoga poses like frog pose) to end (more high intensity stuff) - I felt like I was being guided through a well thought out session that increased in intensity linearly and just made sense (as an aside, I liked the "appearance" of said yoga pose...well, because I have a yoga background!). Plus I liked that he was both personable and efficient facilitating our session. I was surprisingly sore the next few days, since the session itself wasn't as explicitly "high intensity" as some of the more cardio-intensive HIIT classes I'm accustomed to (and am usually huffing & puffing in) - but I was happily sore, since I felt like the work was more isolated and targeted muscles I usually neglect.
I trained with Joe a few days later (yes, while my lower body was still sore..) - and "luckily" my session with Joe was more upper body oriented (though my legs weren't totally on vacation - hello glute bridges with bands and sled pushes..). What I appreciated the most about my session with Joe is the knowledge I'll bring with me in future workouts: heavier weights doesn't always mean stronger/better, and movements in exercise are composite aka not just limited to arms but also work the abs, etc (just to borrow an example). Perhaps common knowledge to others, but I enjoyed experimenting with both light and heavy weights/less and more reps in a variety of (hard) movements (including ones I'd never done before) to work both strength and endurance...everywhere! Joe challenged me to think about how I might be able to see exercise as more than "ok, today I'll only do arms, tomorrow I'll do leg day, etc."
If you're looking for a personable, intelligently designed exercise program with people who know their stuff (and want to be enlightened too)...go to j+k. Plus you'll get to see the cool plant wall if you do.