Promise yourself to exercise regularly this year because you actually enjoy it, because it gives you a sense of belonging and community, because you’re surrounded by strong and healthy women, and because it’s loads of fun. There aren’t many places that offer this sort of atmosphere for women but there’s Brass Vixens – a pole and aerial fitness studio, that once you get used to the decor, will entice you to get in your element no matter the background, shape, size or fitness level.
Sounds enticing? The lovely ladies at Brass Vixens are treating 2 of our readers to win a free class pass for you and a friend to any beginner fitness classes!
HOW TO ENTER
1. Follow @BestofTorontoTV on Twitter. If you already do, thank you!
2. Tweet us to enter for a chance to win 2 beginner passes:
Hey @BestofTorontoTV I want to get fit with @BrassVixens! http://bit.ly/1H8blGh #positivebodyimage
3. That’s it, good luck! We’ll contact the winner at the end of the giveaway.
Contest Rules:
Prize is for 2 passes to a beginner or level class at Brass Vixens (excludes advanced classes). Pass is good at either Brass Vixens location. Pass to be used within three months of win date and is non-transferable. Passes must be used simultaneously, at the same class. One entry per twitter account. Contest ends Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at 4pm EST.
Over two days, I tried Level 1 and Level 2 Aerial Fitness class with Melissa and Chona, respectively. From the moment I entered the studio on Queen West, I knew this is the type of place for women to support each other, become friends, and exercise for all the right reasons – because you want and like to. You’ll also be surrounded by women of all backgrounds, shapes and sizes kicking ass – and I don’t know anything more inspirational than that.
Fitness Difficulty: Easy to Medium Hard
– Level 1, Friday at 5:30pm with Melissa: You’ll gain fundamental understanding and training of the aerial aerobics. A lot of stretching, some aerobic poses, test your flexibility in a downward dog while hanging half in the air, as well as some minimal flips and upside down poses. It was the ideal Friday night class where getting your sanity back after a long work week was more important than calories burned. The 5-minute shivasanah in the sling with relaxing music, was heavenly! After an hour, you’ll feel more connected with your body, won’t be exhausted and will be ready to either take on the night with friends or hit the bed.
– Level 2, Saturday at 11am with Chona: word to the wise, don’t take this class without doing Level 1. Although you start with semi-dynamic yoga-like stretching, quickly the class progresses into medium easy to difficultly level poses that range from acrobatics, hand stands (with sling’s support), flips and upside down splits. For someone whose never done gymnastics, it was super awesome and physically challenging. After an hour, my core and upper body were sore, and stayed sore for couple days. Given that I wasn’t too good, what kept me going were the others in the class. Everyone is friendly and easygoing, there’re always giggles and some conversation.
– Body parts under most stress: neck, shoulders, arms and hands. Fitness gloves would be useful to avoid calluses if doing regularly.
Instructors/ Class Size:
– Both Melissa and Chona were engaged with the class. They were detailed in their instructions, were quick to assist if anyone was having difficulties.
– The class sizes were on the smaller size and it was easy to see what the instructors were doing whether you’re right behind them on in the corner of the class.
Photos by Nick Lee
