POUND

By: Susan Hickey

Have you heard about the newest group exercise class, Pound? At the branch I attended, the new class was introduced to our community in October, two nights a week.  It is offered at the Preble County, Xenia, Coffman and Trotwood locations. Since I have tried nearly every class offered at Coffman, from yoga to Zumba, I decided to try this one too.

Pound is a 45 minute class that incorporates cardio and strength training, using Pilates and yoga – type moves along with specially designed drumsticks, called Ripstix.  Ripstix are slightly weighted, but barely noticeable at ¼ pound.  Even that slight amount of weight is enough to force core muscle activation.  The principle of Pound is to provide a high-energy, fun workout that encourages fat burning and muscle strengthening in the most efficient manner. 

The class starts with a warmup and moves into a series of standing routines using combinations of squats and lunges.  The high-energy style of music helps build power in the workout. The Ripstix are used in a variety of ways, from overhead to shoulder-level, and are timed precisely with the music.  Pointing the Ripstix in different directions incorporates the core and the obliques.  Changing the speed of movements activates a variety of stabilizing muscles to help maintain balance.  

After a few upright routines, we moved to the mats for a floor sequence that targeted the abdominals.  Here the choreography was clearly Pilates-inspired, but with added upper body resistance from the Ripstix.  While it was challenging to properly coordinate the Ripstix with leg movements, the instructor encouraged us to keep moving and we would eventually get the hang of it.   She was right - we learned the typical pattern of the music.  The sequence would start slowly and progress from singles to doubles and then double time.  

Overall, I thought the class was a unique way to significantly increase heart rate (due to all the Ripstix moves) while staying almost entirely low-impact.  Using the Ripstix to keep the beat was fun and a nice distraction from the intensity of the workout.  The floor routines ensured a total body exercise session.  The class is designed so that certain routines are repeated in subsequent workouts, so one has a chance to “learn” the workout and thus be better prepared at the next class.  Since all of the moves can be modified to meet specific needs, this class would be great for a variety of fitness levels.  This class would also be an excellent addition to a cross-training routine to offer diversity in one’s workout plan. 

If your exercise routine needs a boost, why not give Pound a try?  Check the YMCA app for the most current schedule of class times and location. 

For more information:  https://poundfit.com