“I was just trying to survive, but I can’t wait to go back” is what I was told by a Pound participant. Newly added to the schedule at the East Nashville Community center on Monday nights is Pound. A low impact, high energy class where you pound the hour away using plastic drum sticks, which the instructor called; “Ripstix”. Ripstix are weighted drumsticks to help you sweat your workout away.
While slightly intimidated, I wanted to find out what the excitement was about, so I eagerly drove to East Nashville, paid my $3.00 for the class and entered the empty dance studio. Uncertain what to expect the instructor asked me to get a yoga mat and make myself comfortable. Before the class began the studio had gotten packed. Our instructor stood before us and went over some ground rules; “This is a judgement free zone.” “You do not have to be perfect, just have fun.” “Modify your movement, if you cannot go low, then come here or here” taking a stance showing us reaching for the floor being the most difficult, hip level was medium and standing was the easiest position. The most important instruction she shared with us was as she went over in great detail our posture we needed to maintain during class. This would help us from over extending or hurting our backs.
Then the music began and we were encouraged to get loud with our Ripstix and the most stress relieving part “POUND”!! She eagerly cheered to us.
While slightly intimidated, I wanted to find out what the excitement was about, so I eagerly drove to East Nashville, paid my $3.00 for the class and entered the empty dance studio. Uncertain what to expect the instructor asked me to get a yoga mat and make myself comfortable. Before the class began the studio had gotten packed. Our instructor stood before us and went over some ground rules; “This is a judgement free zone.” “You do not have to be perfect, just have fun.” “Modify your movement, if you cannot go low, then come here or here” taking a stance showing us reaching for the floor being the most difficult, hip level was medium and standing was the easiest position. The most important instruction she shared with us was as she went over in great detail our posture we needed to maintain during class. This would help us from over extending or hurting our backs.
Then the music began and we were encouraged to get loud with our Ripstix and the most stress relieving part “POUND”!! She eagerly cheered to us.
The level of intensity of sweat was not expected, the elevated heart rate was riveting, Allie, our instructor, was great at giving us correction when we needed it, but mostly she was beautifully uplifting and encouraging. I don’t recall a workout where I found myself smiling through most of it. Before we knew it she was calling out to let us know we had two songs left. It felt as though there was no way this could be true. Then she was leading us through our final song and cool down. The class was over before it even started, yet we were standing there enthusiastically exhausted, drenched with sweat and I couldn’t wait for next Monday so I could go back.
If you are looking for a workout that will challenge you, allow you to chose your level of intensity, burn off calories and have a ton of fun in the process, then Pound is for you. If you live in the Nashville area, the East Community Center can be found at 600 Woodland Ave and it is much easier to get to than I was expecting. However, if their class schedule does not suit your schedule, find a Pound class which will and sign up.
You will wake up the next day feeling rejuvenated as your muscles will have some what I like to call “action”. You won’t necessarily be sore, but you will definitely know something awesome had happened.
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