Speak Up: What’s the Worst Fitness Class You’ve Ever Taken?

When I first started getting into yoga over a decade ago, I went to every kind of yoga class I could find, to see which type was right for me. I also tried out different instructors , since it was clear that some were more experienced than others. One class I took was an Anusara -inspired class. The instructor was a lean and tall guy in his late 20s. He had extremely long hair that almost reached his hips, and he wore loose cotton pants with no shirt. He seemed very in touch with his friendly and spiritual side, as he made a point to greet every student individually with a hug and a “Namaste.” I’ll admit it was a little weird, but sweet just the same. The room was heated and as we began moving and sweating, I began getting whiffs of the worst BO I’ve ever smelled. It was slightly sour and earthy, and so distracting. I found myself looking all around, trying to figure out who forgot the deodorant that day. I attempted to relax and just breathe, when all of a sudden while doing Wheel pose, the shirtless instructor stood by my hands, and as he leaned forward to lift my shoulders up, I came to realize who the funky odor was emanating from. His armpits were inches from my nostrils, and as his long hair fell into my face, I had to hold my breath in order to avoid the piercing stench. He looked at me and said, “Breathe, don’t forget to breathe.” I was like, “Um I could if maybe you bathed regularly and slathered on some deodorant.” It was really too bad because I loved his style of yoga, but just thinking about inhaling body odor for 90 minutes kept me from ever taking his class again. Tell me, have you had a horrible experience in a fitness class? Was it the type of fitness you hated, the obnoxious people giggling in the back corner of the class, or was it the demanding or insensitive instructor? Tell me about your worst fitness class experience below.

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Speak Up: What’s the Worst Fitness Class You’ve Ever Taken?

Fitness Class as Holiday Party: Cool or Not?

I am definitely game for a holiday party that gets you moving, and from the looks of Crunch Gym ’s Facebook fan page, the gym is too. Crunch definitely has cutting edge classes like antigravity yoga and dodgeball, but I find the suggestion of a fitness class for a holiday party a little confusing. I just can’t imagine having a cookie exchange at the end of a pole dancing class. I also have a hard time wrapping my head around an office holiday party that doubles as a fitness experience. Maybe I need to expand my mind. What about you? Do you think having a holiday party or doing team building at a gym is cool or not? Fitness Class as Holiday Party: Cool or Not? Cool! Not cool.

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Fitness Class as Holiday Party: Cool or Not?

Salty Snack Breakdown

I love my salty, crunchy snacks, and often have cravings for crackers, popcorn, and corn chips. Those bite-sized bits of salty goodness are hard to resist for many, so here’s a breakdown to let you know the nutritional value of your favorite salted treats. Salty snack Calories Saturated fat (g) Sodium (mg) Carbs (mg) Protein (g) 1 cup salted, buttered microwave popcorn 30 1 35 4 .5 20 mini pretzels 110 0 75 25 3 1/8 cup salted peanuts 108 1.6 58 2.8 5 1/8 cup salted cashews 94 1.4 50 4.9 2.7 Don’t see your favorite snack? Then read more. Salty snack Calories Saturated fat (g) Sodium (mg) Carbs (mg) Protein (g) 1/8 cup salted pistachios (without shells) 87 .9 62 4.1 3.3 1/8 cup salted almonds 103 .7 58 3.3 3.8 13 Garden of Eatin’ Yellow Corn Chips 140 .5 70 18 2 10 Garden of Eatin’ White Corn Chips 140 .5 70 19 2 15 Garden of Eatin’ Blue Corn Chips 140 .5 60 18 2 15 Kashi TLC Original 7 Grain crackers 120 0 160 21 3 I like a salty snack, but those Kashi crackers are much higher in sodium than I would have thought. What is your go-to salty snack? I would also consider skipping microwave popcorn for health reasons .

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Salty Snack Breakdown

How Do You Refer to Your Rear?

It seems that women have a love/hate relationship with their butts. Either you want a smaller rear or a more shapely tush, and if you love your booty the way it is, I say shake your money maker. Regardless of your emotional relationship to your derriere, trainers and fitness class teachers use a wide variety of terms for “butt” - it’s such a crass term with a schoolyard feel to it, and only slightly better than the formal “buttocks.” When it comes to talking about your backside, tell me . . . How Do You Refer to Your Rear? Booty Bum Buns Fanny Glutes Rear Seat Tush Other - I will tell you below.

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How Do You Refer to Your Rear?

Multitasking Move: Burning Squats

Strengthening your quads not only prevents injuries to your knees when running, but it also makes you stronger and faster. Not to mention, toned thighs also look great in a bathing suit . Here’s a squat sequence I love to do because it instantly burns my thighs. When you do squats holding weights, it’ll also work your upper body, so this exercise is super challenging. You’re guaranteed to feel sore the next day. For details on how to do this squat sequence, read more. Stand with your feet together. Place a dumbbell in each hand, bend your elbows and rest the weights gently on your shoulders. Do 10 squats here. Then separate your feet hips-width distance apart and straighten your arms overhead. Do another 10 squats. Next, bend your elbows at 90-degree angles and separate your feet even further. Point your toes out slightly and do 10 wide squats . Bring your feet back in so they’re hips-width distance apart. Straighten your arms overhead and do 10 more squats. Step your feet back together, bend your elbows, and rest the weights on your shoulders for the last 10 squats.

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Multitasking Move: Burning Squats