5 Thirty or 6 Thirty

So I took a field trip to the Noho location of Rumble-boxing to try out a class. I had been wanting to try it for a while, and they are opening an outpost on the UES soon. So I wanted to see for myself if it lived up to their social media hype.

My first impression when I got there was that they must have some serious backing. The space was large, immaculate, well staffed, with a well curated wall of gear for sale. All emblazoned with Jab- their logo. But, I am not really there for the gear and I don’t think the class lived up to the hype.

The room where the actual class is given, doesn’t look drastically different than some other places. It is dark and has a one section with the bags for the actual boxing segment, and a section with benches for the strength portion. The big difference is the big overhead screens installed that give a play by play of the moves you will be doing. The room is very dark, and the music very loud, the instructor stands on a podium, creating the feeling of a live dj, but it is still just a playlist running off laptop. Nothing revolutionary there.

The room is very dark, very big, and very loud. Which made the overhead screens even more of a distraction, I felt like I was watching the video for Kanye’s song “All of the lights” on repeat. I am not really sure how effective this can be with only one instructor. There is really no way to be sure the moves are being done correctly or safely. And if they aren’t being done correctly, what the heck am I there for? When class was over the instructor made sure to say that we should  instagram about our workout. I guess I am, probably not in the way he was hoping though.

Bottom line, I could skip Rumble. There are better, more efficient workouts all over the city. Minus the hype.

So as you all know, I like to work out. I have a whole category dedicated to the topic.

Today I received an email that sparked my idea for this post.  A dear friend of mine sent an email saying that a babysitter of hers would be an instructor at Barry’s Bootcamp (a male babysitter, she has boys). My first thought, was Whoa!! Is it legal to have a babysitter that is Barry’s-caliber??? If you have ever taken Barry’s, you know exactly what I mean! Exactly.

So I have taken it upon myself to take a class at Ripped and then a class at Barry’s (with dear friend’s babysitter teaching). No, not on the same day. Just 2 days in a row, which is actually almost just as bad. Anyway here are my findings……..as always, I leave it to you to make your own educated decision.

Day 1- Ripped. One location in NYC- 2^ND Ave @74^th street. And one in Rye, NY. Nice street level studio with Woodway treadmills. Lockers and restrooms with amenities, even individual little bottles of mouthwash, no showers. I guess if your breath smells good, it wont matter that your whole body stinks. Seems well cleaned and sanitized to my eye. Filtered water available, and at your first class, a reusable water bottle is provided at no charge. Class runs 50 minutes. Approx 11 min on floor or treadmill and then quick switch to the other. Mikey was the instructor and he was good, even though maybe he talked too much. I think they all do these days. Anyway, I liked his music, it included some 80’s gems that were definitely motivating. He had a little half pony and he reminded me of Tom Cruise’s character in the movie Magnolia, because he was trying to give a motivational pep talk of sorts.

Day 2- Barry’s Bootcamp. I went to the UES location on 2^nd Ave and 64^th st.  Six locations in NYC, and a lot more all over the country and globally. Typical Barry’s studio, not too different than the Ripped studio. Although definitely larger. Woodway treadmills here also, lockers and restrooms with shower facilities. There is also a smoothie bar here. I believe they used to have Malin and Goetz product, but the other day it was switched to Oribe. Michael P. Was the instructor here and definitely a solid class. Music was a mashup of sorts including some heavy rock. Got the job done.