[solidcore] Review

Ouch. Ouch ouch ouch ouch. 

I tried my first [solidcore] class the other day (if you can’t tell from the obvious PAIN I’ve exhibited above) and while it was one of the most challenging workout classes I’ve attended in my life, I also didn’t completely hate it. I think. Let’s talk about it.

If you’re not familiar with [solidcore], here’s the vibe. There is a long room lined with mirrors on either wall with about ten scary looking machines in a row next to one another. These are known as “Sweatlana” in the Solidcore community, essentially it’s a large pilates reformer. It looks like a medeval torture devide, and honestly, it might be even more effective. When the lights go down and the music comes on, you slip, slide, stand, and shake on Sweatlana for 50-minutes without a break. 

They recommend on the [solidcore] website that you complete 3-5 “Starter50” classes before jumping into the “Foundation50” classes, however, I am just a girl and I missed the fine print so I thought I just needed to take one Starter50 class. I definitely paid for that later. 

My starter class went as well as it could have, they split it into three blocks with small breaks in between (thank god). The instructor demonstrates the moves and you give it your best shot along with the nine other newbies in the room. I have to say, there was a nice sense of camaraderie in this intro class. Like, we all knew we were suffering, but at least we were suffering together 🥰

While I am glad that proper form was an emphasis in the class, I was not super jazzed about being touched by the instructors. It’s helpful but simultaneously mortifying. The instructors also use your first names during class to motivate you. Stuff like “Grace is killing it” or alternatively “Don’t let it drop, Grace!” Which doesn’t necessarily bother me, except for the fact that there was another girl named Grace in the class and we just so happened to sit right next to each other and I never knew who she was talking about. It also felt like I was being targeted because she said “Grace” double the amount of times. I don’t know. I can see this being a problem for people who don’t like to be perceived. 

The second class I attended was no joke. I had told the instructor ahead of time that it was only my second class so she definitely paid special attention to me. It was all fun and games when the instructor was on the other side of the room and I could take all the breaks I needed. But the minute they are near me I go into my people-pleaser-I-don’t-want-to-dissapoint-the-instructor mode and really start challenging myself. There was one point where the instructor was holding me down into a half squat and the whole time in my head I’m just like I’m so happy you believe in me but you definitely should not because I literally can’t hold this pose for another second or else my leg is going to fall off. 

As I’m writing this I realize it sounds like I really hated the class. And here’s the thing. I definitely hated a lot of things about the class. 

BUT

I loved that they asked about injuries and modifications before the class. I loved the music that they played and the ambient blue lights that lowkey make everyone look super hot even when we’re dying. I loved the super sore achy feeling in my abs I felt for days after because it reminded me of all the hard work I put in. 

Maybe I’m just listing a few things I loved about it because I’m an optimist, or maybe it’s because I already bought a ten pack of classes so I know in my head that I have to go back at least eight more times :) 

The takeaway: I think everyone who is interested should give it a try at least for a few weeks. I know it looks intimidating, I was very intimidated by this class going into it, but it’s important to DO THINGS THAT SCARE YOU. And remember that everyone else is struggling as much as you are <3