As you may know, I am on the quest to building a better body post baby. I am discovering the best gyms, exercise hacks, healthy restaurants and recipes, and more to share with those of you that may be in the same boat.
If you go
2043 Tower Drive, Glenview
http://www.spengagymglenviewil.com/
Are you sick and tired of going to the same gym day in and day out, working out on the same cardio and weight machines, and not seeing results? Or, maybe you get bored easily and have multiple memberships to boutique gyms and bounce around because no one place has it all. You go from yoga (with their eucalyptus and lemongrass scented cool towels) to barre classes that ask you to tuck and suck in … enough is enough.
There are just three little words that will change your fitness outlook: Ride. Rep. Revive.
I recently had the opportunity to try out this new fitness experience that lives by the triple R’s. It’s called SPENGA. Say what? What is SPENGA? Well, SPENGA combines three of my favorite fitness elements into one hour burst of activity to provide what they tout as “an unrivaled fitness experience … to create what’s simply known as the best workout ever.”
So why is the name SPENGA? Well, let me break it down for you: SP = Spin, EN = Strength, and GA = Yoga. Each section of the class aimed at a specific purpose (as their motto suggests) and each section is completed in 20 minutes to perfectly balance you out. The studio is set up in three partitions fit perfectly for each of these types of fitness.
SP = Spin
While Lady Gaga blasts through the speakers, I get a quick tutorial on the bike. Now, I’m no newbie to spin, but I admit it’s been a few years. I saddle up and get my legs loose while others join the class. Our instructor dims the lights and gets us focused for the next 20. The spin studio is organized in a half moon formation with three rows of stationary bikes. These bikes are what truly sets SPENGA apart from its competitors. “Find your sweet spot!” Kathleen, the owner and instructor, yells over the music. I’m a little unsure as to what the heck she’s referring to while I’m pedaling like a maniac on a spin bike. The “sweet spot” is a numerical value on a scale of 1 to 5 that is tied to how much effort that biker is putting forth. It’s a dynamic and personalized number, and it’s also a great indicator on your own journey and progress.
EN = Strength
The secondary station is the strength and endurance area. Each person gets their own pod–as they call it–complete with everything from TRX bands and bosu and medicine balls, to free weights. Literally everything you need for the next 20 minutes within an arm’s reach. Again, the strength section is a total of 20 minutes, but every four minutes there is a new routine. Within the 20 minutes you do four different routines made up of 3-4 exercises. It’s also known as high intensity interval training or HIIT. HIIT burns a TON of calories and helps rebuild muscle tone. There’s also a nifty countdown clock located just above the spin station to show you how much time you have left to do another burpee or lay there like a dead fish. We hope you choose the former.
GA = Yoga
Our last and final station is yoga. While you may think it’s easy peasy from here, you’re wrong. After spinning and repping, it’s time to stretch and also continue to strengthen using your own body weight. There’s a lot of preconceived notions about yoga, but it’s not as easy as everyone seems to think it is. My legs felt like jelly, but the deep stretches, chair poses and leg extensions felt good, like really good. It was a great reward in a sense after all the other 40 minutes of pushing myself. Then, before I knew it, we were lying on our backs, doing happy baby or another pose if we wished to close out our time together.
The ambiance
From scheduling my free session to walking in, I was always greeted very warmly. The studio in The Glen looks like it belongs in southern California with its clean, modern and contemporary feel. And for a boutique gym, it smells … wonderful! Who can say that about a gym? As I walked in, I was greeted, checked-in via a host with an iPad and led to the locker area. Overall, it was super clean, fresh and very appealing.
The instruction
Talk about motivational! Kathleen kept our butts moving the whole time. SPENGA promises to deliver a unique cardio, strength and flexibility training in every session that is designed around your unique fitness state and goals. I have to say, I was one of the younger participants on the particular day that I joined, and I felt like each and every person took the direction to fit their own needs, modifying where they needed to or not.
The amenities
SPENGA offers a very luxury experience for their clientele. They have a fully stocked cooler with protein drinks, coconut water and more. There’s also a locker room for you to shower up, and a cute and fun activity center for your little ones to hang out in while you get an awesome workout. You can book your classes, as well as the childcare, online.
The overall
The 60 minutes literally flew by. I may be a convert for this amazing overall body workout. You can typically expect boutique gym prices, but right now The Glen location is offering a “Countdown to Summer” special starting May 1. This means your first 50 Days are only $50 for unlimited sessions. Talk about a steal of a deal!
