Burn Total Body Conditioning: Torture Device or Killer Workout?

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SMB has partnered with BURN Total Body Conditioning for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have to admit: when I initially walked in, I was intimidated. Not because Rebecca, the owner of BURN Total Body Conditioning, made me feel anything other than welcome and capable. I flew solo to the class already worried because I haven’t been in a gym for months due to a back injury. I’ve been a little scared to give anything a go, and when I signed up for this I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to keep up. Throw in a complicated-looking machine, and I wondered if I would even make it out with all my limbs in tact. Ha! Just look at this:

THE MEGAFORMER

Upon first glance, I couldn’t tell you what I was supposed to do with it. It had levers and straps and cords and handles and a platform that slid back and forth. *Insert wide-eyed emoji here* But what I will say is that once all was said and done, it wasn’t nearly as scary as it appears. In fact, it was awesome! They have a total of 12 Megaformers in their studio, located in the newly remodeled, fitness-focused Fry’s plaza at Indian School and Miller.

Here are some details about my experience:
  1. The owner and lead instructor, Rebecca, was SO GOOD. I’ve known good coaches and bad coaches in my day as an athlete, and she is hands down one of the best I have encountered. During the class when I thought I was going to die (it was a crazy good workout), she was encouraging and pushed me to hang on using language like, “Stick with me” and “We’re almost there.” Instructing groups of any size through a workout can be a challenge without sounding like a drill sergeant, but she made me feel like we were in it as a team. Not only that, she’s super approachable. Personally, I value approachability in a fitness instructor tremendously – it takes the intimidation factor right off the table. 
  2. Not only is your instructor a great help during the class, but other classmates can help too. So even if you go into this place without a clue like I did, you’ll feel supported and your confidence will grow. Once I got the hang of it, I found that operating the machine was WAY easier than it looks!
  3. The space is beautiful. It’s clean and minimalist (my favorite thing) which makes the instructions easy to understand (there are a lot of movements that direct you to face a certain way). There’s merchandise, an info board, and gorgeous photos of Antelope Canyon adorning the walls opposite the mirror. When the weather is beautiful, they open the garage door to create an indoor/outdoor space.
  4. It’s very mellow: there was some friendly banter, but the members are very focused. It’s a very in-the-zone type of workout. It wasn’t low-energy, however! It just had a calm vibe as people arrived, and once class began and the music started, there was just the right amount of sustained energy.
  5. If you go, make sure you bring water, non-slip socks (required), and a workout towel. And if you forgot something, they have cute sparkle non-slip socks you can purchase there. Most members buy them anyway because, well, sparkle socks.
  6. I was sore for days after my workout at Burn TBC (that’s not a complaint, to be clear. That means the workout was super effective!). I activated muscles I didn’t even know I had, and the best part? My back remained unaffected because the movements are super intense, controlled, and slow.

Speaking of which, here is some info about what exactly the Lagree method is and how it works (pulled from the Burn TBC about page – they answer all your questions here!):

This patented, all encompassing method uses a Megaformer, a state of the art spring-based resistance machine, to channel an abs burning, thigh and buns shaking, total body conditioning workout. During an efficient 45 minute workout, you will glide through mindful slow and controlled, low-impact, muscle-quivering yet high intensity movements. We emphasize core-stabilizing exercises key to maintaining proper form and alignment throughout class. The torso is the body’s center of power, so the more strength and stability developed here, the more likely to prevent injuries. The method offers a perfect blend of cardio, flexibility, core, balance and strength using every muscle in every movement.
 
 
 
My biggest takeaway: Don’t be afraid to try something new and totally out of your comfort zone when it comes to working out. I have always tended to be a purist when it comes to my workouts (running, lifting weights) and never got into much else, so this was way out of the norm for me. However, I was so happy I did it! It was a killer workout (not a torture device, after all!), a great gym culture, it was challenging, and something that I would encourage our readers to check out! Not only do they have the classes, but they also offer personalized training packages as well.
 
The best part? Your first class is free! It won’t take you much more than that to get hooked, so grab a girlfriend, reserve a spot in a class on their site (select “Complimentary First Class”), and get ready to have your butt handed to you. 
 
As in the butt you’ve always wanted. 
 
Gift wrapped. 
 
With a bow.
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Andrea Alley
Andrea Alley has lived in Scottsdale since she was a toddler, so she is about as close to a native as you can get... without actually being one. Both times she moved to different Arizona towns were short-lived since she couldn't wait to get back to the excitement and the beautiful desert in this city. She now lives within a two-mile radius from the home where she grew up in Arcadia and loves that she gets to raise her two daughters in the same neighborhoods where she climbed trees, hiked mountains, and made lifelong friends. Andrea is a Certified Health Coach and blogger at www.andreaalley.com where she serves mamas who have realized it's time to make their health a priority not only for their future, but for their families, too. In addition, she has helped hundreds of small business owners find success using automation in her full time job as a Small Business Success Coach for Infusionsoft. Andrea loves being with her rad other half, Cody, and their two girls, usually hiking, checking out awesome restaurants, or crossfitting it up. She geeks out over all things health-related, local politics, racerback tanks with witty quotes on them, and helping other mamas become their best selves through self-care.