Fit or Fiasco? An Unfiltered Workout Class Review Series

Welcome to the fit or fiasco? Series. A collection of honest and unfiltered workout class reviews, written through personal experience.

I have always been a huge fan of workout classes. I was an OG Classpasser back in the day when they offered fully unlimited memberships. Those were the days! Unlike those self-motivated individuals who excel at home workouts, I have always relied on the presence of others to push me to my full potential. There's something about the collective energy in a room that holds me accountable and drives me to go the extra mile. Over the years, I’ve tried almost every workout class imaginable - Pilates, rowing, boxing, even aerial yoga. It has been an interesting journey filled with some truly memorable experiences. As I embark on a new chapter in a new city, I am thrilled to explore different studios and invite you to join me on this exciting adventure.

Yonder Yoga

A friend recently invited me to attend a Yonder Yoga class with her. I’d noticed Yonder Yoga locations around the city and thought they were just another run-of-the-mill yoga studio. Boy was I wrong. Yonder Yoga is a hot yoga studio which I had no idea about until I walked in for class. I immediately had a flashback to the last time I tried hot yoga nearly a decade ago where I almost fainted multiple times and was ill for two solid days afterward. It’s safe to say I wasn’t in a hurry to try it again, but it was too late to turn back.

I timidly walked into the small heated studio and thought to myself “it’s not that hot in here I can do this”. We signed up for Yonder Flow which is a 60-minute vinyasa-based power yoga class. It took me a second to find a spot but someone kindly moved their mat over so I could squeeze in. I was shocked with how many people they fit into such a tiny room.

The instructor walked in and welcomed us. She explained how the flow of class would go and had us set our intentions for the next 60 minutes. We started with a vinyasa flow, moving slowly at first and quickly speeding up to a pace that I had trouble keeping up with. The instructor did not have her own mat and instead walked around the room the whole time which I didn’t love. I need visuals, especially being a novice yogi. I tried my best to follow along.

Five minutes into the first flow, I was dripping sweat. The room went from “not that hot'' to stifling within a matter of minutes. Yonder Yoga features Infrared Radiant Heating panels in all of its studios. Unlike regular hot-air heating methods, Infrared Radiant Heat heats objects and bodies so that they can then re-radiate heat out in the air. Classes are between 90-93 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 60% humidity… Oooof.

I struggled to keep up with the rhythm but did the best I could. I noticed others moving at their own pace which made me feel comfortable taking a moment in child's pose whenever I needed a break. After completing the first flow, we transitioned into a brief core sequence on our mats. It was a refreshing pause from the continuous movement that I took full advantage of. We then swiftly moved into the next flow whether I was ready or not. This one had a slightly different structure but was equally fast-paced. By this point I was sweating so profusely and my muscles were so fatigued that I was shaking and slipping everywhere. Just when I thought I had reached my limit, the music changed, indicating that it was time for Savasana - the final resting pose at the end of almost every yoga practice. Savasana allows your body and mind to find stillness and relaxation after continuous movement.

After a few moments we sat up, palms pressed together for the namaste gesture, marking the end of our practice. Then, to my delight, the instructor passed out chilled towels infused with lavender and eucalyptus essential oils. I laid that towel flat on my face and didn’t move until I was forced to. I was completely drained… but in a good way? I felt as though I had just gone through a massive detox, releasing all the built up toxins by way of perspiration.

The Low-down

The midtown location I visited had two studios, equipped with yoga blocks and mats if needed. The front desk staff and instructors were all very friendly and willing to help. The locker rooms offered full amenities including lockers, showers, towels, bath products, and hair dryers. I personally would suggest bringing your own mat and towel however you can rent a mat for free and mat and sweat towels for $4 and $2. You can purchase water bottles there or bring your own as each location is equipped with a refill station.

Yonder offers a new member special where you receive a month of unlimited classes for $40. The membership then auto-renews into full rate of $140 after the first month unless canceled. As a member you receive 15% off retail, discounted workshop access, and free access to Yonder Online Classes. Additionally, if you are an unlimited member, you get one complimentary guest pass each month.

Helpful Tips:

Wear pants. I know it’s tempting to wear shorts but your skin gets very slippery so the more coverage the better.
Drink A LOT of water before and after class. It’s not recommended to drink much water during class so it’s important to show up extra hydrated and replenish after.
Rent (or bring) a mat towel. Trust me, your mat will get wet and very slippery.
Don’t eat a large meal right before class. While you don’t want to be starving, eating a big meal will make class very uncomfortable for you. I’d recommend eating a small snack an hour or so before class.

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