With my recent foot injury, it’s become imperative for this Sometimes Healthy Girl to diversify her workout. While I’d take a 10 miler over a spinning class every time, my stubborn foot has decided this just isn’t an option.
As you know, I’ve been to both a doctor and physical therapist to find the quickest way to heel Mr. Foot, and while both gave me a variety of tips and exercises, they agreed on one very important point: When it comes to plantars fasciitis, flats and sandals are bad and heels and wedges are much better. Go figure – all my life I figured I was damaging myself in high heels, and it turns out, now they can help heal (no pun intended) my ailing foot.
This could get interesting...
Well, give a Sometimes Healthy Girl an inch and she’ll take a mile in 5 inch stilettos…
If the doctors want me to wear heels over flats, perhaps I should trade them for my Nikes as well? Well, that was the idea behind my unique workout last night…
Stiletto Bootcamp, Doctor Approved?
When my good friend Sarah told me she found a deal on a class called “Stiletto Bootcamp,” I wasn’t too excited about the idea. I take my workouts very seriously, and since my time is quite limited these days, this Sometimes Healthy Girl doesn’t have the time to venture across town to Chelsea to experiment with weird workouts. While it sounded like quite a novelty, I didn’t really see how I could get an effective workout in high heels.
But then Sarah pointed out that it would be “great for the blog,” and that was all it took. Smart move, Sarah 😉
Sarah in the elevator on the way up to the class...promising me this WILL be fun!
Our Stiletto Bootcamp workout was held at NDG Wellness, a luxury boutique wellness center with a fitness studio that offers everything from the more traditional yoga and pilates to a “Seduction Workout” and a “Lap Dance Total Body Workout” (oh my). NDG described the “Stiletto Workout” as “a calisthenics-style workout, with dancer-inspired exercises that create lean curves using only your body weight and stilettos as resistance.”
Scandalous! But intriguing...
Sounded easy enough to me…
Lessons Learned in Stilettos
I’ll give a recap of the class below, but figured I’d start out with 4 lessons learned from my first Stiletto Bootcamp Workout:
- I Can’t Shake What My Momma Gave Me: I’ve been told many times (mostly by inappropriate shouters on NYC streets) that I have a nice booty. Apparently, it is one of my best ASSets. I’m still not a fan. Well, 30 minutes in Stiletto Bootcamp showed me that whether or not it is a nice booty, I need to learn how to move it better. Any of the moves that required me to get bootylicious left me at a loss.
Baby got back...but she don't know how to use it...
- I’m Off-Balance: As you can imagine, working out in 4 inch heels requires a certain amount of balance. About 5 minutes into the class, as I stopped myself from falling yet again, I realized I do not possess said balance. Perhaps I should stop focusing so much on balancing my life and start working on balancing my body ;-).
Either you got it...or you don't. I don't!
- Sometimes Workouts Should Be Fun: Most of the time I enjoy my daily workouts, but sometimes I look at them as a chore or a hassle. Plus, my workouts are pretty solitary. I put on the music, zone out and get to work (Sidenote: I’m pretty convinced that’s why most of the eye candy I pretend not to check out at the gym has not yet approached me – I’m just too intimidating…) It was nice to workout with a buddy in a different way and laugh a little along the way.
- Weird Workouts Can Be Good Workouts: When it was all said and done, the workout was actually pretty effective. Cardio-wise, it wasn’t enough to satisfy this Sometimes Healthy Girl, but I could absolutely see how, when done right, the class could very effectively tone the bod, which is the actual purpose of the Stiletto Workout.
Class Recap: From Skepticism to Enthusiasm
Upon arrival at the studio, I was a bit skeptical. The building was pretty unimpressive from the outside to say the least. But then I remembered that scene from Center Stage where she she ventures away from her her snobby dance school on the Upper West Side to attend a trendy dance class in downtown NYC, and it reminded me that good things lie inside of nondescript buildings…
Good things come in weird packages right?
Once upstairs, I was pleasantly surprised with the setup of the studio and the funky, girly decor. As I always say, pink makes everything better (stripper poles make everything more interesting, I guess…)
Seductive lighting...I like it.
The studio was even equipped with it’s very own tiny mascot, an adorable little Yorkie with a clear affinity for high heels.
Hope he doesn't chew shoes...
As if the dog wasn’t enough, I spotted a minibar stocked with Skinny Girl Cocktails. The instructor informed us that NDG has a cocktail hour every Friday. This place was just getting better and better..
Fitness and cocktails? Yes please!
We didn’t have much time before the class started, so I quickly changed into my rockin’ outfit, complete with the only pair of stilettos that I own circa some random wedding in 2010 (I own lots of heels but didn’t know if those were the same thing).
All dressed up...and ready to workout?!
The instructor, Nicole Damaris, a spunky woman with arms that Jillian Michaels might envy, was extremely welcoming and made us all feel at ease right away. With unfamiliar classes like these, I feel like the instructor plays a big part in whether or not I’ll enjoy the class or feel like a complete idiot.
She informed us of the importance of staying on beat, following her lead and focusing on breathing to help maintain our balance. “Okay, I can do this,” I thought…
Then, the music started and we were off! Right away, I was having a good ol’ time. I think good music takes any exercise class up a notch, and I was diggin’ Nicole’s beats! It was a mix of R&B and women power songs – just my Sometimes Healthy speed.
We were workin' it!
The music was off the charts…my performance in the class, however…a little less than stellar.
15 minutes into our workout, after a series of squats, balancing moves and a little bit of booty rolling, I was sweating pretty hard. I took a picture of my perspiring, attractive Sometimes Healthy Self just to prove it to all of you.
Looks like I underestimated this little workout...
And I was definitely having trouble holding the moves as long as we were supposed to hold them. I wore really high, thin heels to “challenge” myself. Smart move, Sometimes Healthy Girl.
Sarah didn’t seem to be faring much better than me…
Better than Sometimes Healthy Girl, but still not quite with the greatest of ease..
But, through it all, we were both laughing, sweating and having a great time. Plus, I felt the burn! During the parts where we were doing more kickboxing-like moves, I definitely felt like I was getting a good workout. Since kickboxing is more in the Sometimes Healthy realm of familiarity, I enjoyed the challenge of doing similar moves in heels.
I could totally feel the burn!
Our 30 minute class flew by, but most of her classes are 45 minutes. Between the great music, challenging poses and exercises and laughter, it was over before I could say “These heels are killin’ me!” The workout was much better than I anticipated, and I could definitely see how a couple of these classes could firm up my Sometimes Healthy body.
Sarah and I, upon successfully completing our first Stiletto Workout!
Since I’m happy with my current gym membership, I wouldn’t sign up for the eight-week program, which consists of two stiletto workout classes a week for 8 weeks, and the e-program book. However, I would absolutely recommend this to fellow New Yorkers looking to tone their body and add a little “flavor” to their boring workout routine.
Additionally, I would imagine, with practice, one could actually reach the point where this class would help you develop better balance, grace and posture. And, I truly believe that kind of thing could do a world of good for a girl’s confidence level. Empowerment isn’t cheesy, people. I mean, falling over every other minute is fun and all, but I’d feel like a bad a** if I could master all of those moves…
Guess I need just a couple more classes!
Out of my Comfort Zone
I owe Sarah a big thank you for forcing me out of my workout comfort zone and reminding me of the importance of both switching it up and also having a little bit of fun!
But, I also ended up loving the fact that the class was across town from my apartment and office. I’m certainly not afraid to venture out of the “comfort zone” of my daily route, but I generally just don’t have the time. So, I took advantage of the cross-town location and walked from Chelsea back to Grand Central, rather than transfering subways or taking a bus. It would have been faster to use those modes of transportation, but I figured I might as well take in the sights and sounds.
What a beautiful night it was…
Oh hello West Side...I've missed you!
I reminded myself of how stunning Bryant Park looks on a gorgeous summer night…
Central Park is cool...but Bryant Park is SO New York!
And the fact that I can see the Knicks play whenever I want… (in season)
Madison Square Garden is just a hop, skip and a subway ride away...
And I also remembered to look up…
Pinch me...I live here!
My friend Anjelica, once told me that she always looks up when she’s walking outside in NYC to remind her of how she lucky she is to be here. That comment stuck with me. Now, every time I walk outside, I remember to look up and thank my lucky stars that I get to be one of the faces in the crowd of New York City.
And with that, I’m off to get in a bit more of a traditional workout at the gym (but I’ll be wishing I was wearing high heels the whole time ;-)).
Question:
What’s the most unique workout you’ve ever tried? Would you recommend it to others?
I love your striped tank! So cute!
lol this is hilarious! I don’t even own a pair of stilettos. Sad, I know. I’m terrible and wear flats alll the time. I love them but they totally are killing my feet.
INTENSE like 🙂
Sounds like a fun workout! I like to switch it up sometimes, even if it is a workout that I initially think will be “easy.”
Hahaha this left me laughing hysterically. I want to try one now!
i was cursing my heals for the blisters they left yesterday, but i guessss i should no longer do that? i dont curse my running shoes after a 10 miler that leaves me achy, so i perhaps the heals should catch a break too? haha. fun post!
ah, so true! Sometimes I forget that I am HERE and it’s so awesome.
That workout looks hilarious! I would for sure break an ankle if I tried that. For your PF, have you thought of a cortisone shot? That and custom orthotics are the only things that worked to get rid of mine a few years ago.
This is so funny! I have a friend who tried something like the “lap dance total body workout” and she said it was the hardest workout ever! Definitely felt the burn.
Haha, awesome! Any classes where you get to have fun, laugh at yourself, and get a little workout in – big fan.
What an inspiring post!
This looks SO fun! I’ve never heard of it and would probably break a leg (literally) doing it but my oh my I need to do more fun workouts like this! The weirdest workout I’ve ever done was a pole-dancing class that a friend persuaded me to take. It was so much harder than running, not gonna lie. I could never do it regularly (or as a career) but it makes exercise interesting for sure!
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i am currently doing these classes and my thighs are taking a beating like no other. Yes u sweat like never before and I love it. Not balancing like a pro yet but I plan to be! Love it and suggest u try it atleast once
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