The Most Intense Workout You'll Ever Try Will 'HIIT' Your Fitness Spot at Barry's Bootcamp SOMA

I first went to check out 'The Best Workout in the World®' that A-list celebs, models and even Olympic athletes swear by when ClassPass launched in London over a year ago and haven't gone back since. Loud music, the instructor that runs around shouting, exercise that I wasn't used to and treadmills (oh my, I HATED treadmills then) left me confused and angry that I could barely last an hour of the famous workout. Twelve months and a hundred of fitness classes and gym sessions later I gave it another try by stopping at Barry's Bootcamp SOMA in San Francisco. Super intense, challenging, fun and totally one of a kind fitness experience that is designed to shock your body and get you to spend 1000 calories per class, it's now on the top of my fitness list for these five reasons.

1. You'll 'HIIT' it hard like there's no tomorrow

When the lights go down, the music turns up and your Barry's experience begins.  HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) combines intense, high-energy bursts of activity with short periods of lower-energy activity, followed by a cool-down. Half of the time you will work out on a treadmill and half of the time you will be doing squats, luges, planks and other weight training to wake up your muscles.

HIIT means higher calorie burn in a shorter time, and a faster metabolism that leads to calorie and fat burn that continues for the 24 hours following the workout. With regular HIIT exercise you can expect to increase your athletic endurance, look great and feel awesome.

All Barry's locations are equipped with Woodway treadmills that are considered to be the best in the world. The runs at Barry's are varied, so you'll never be bored and will surprise yourself with the sprints, inclines, dynamic mode runs you can perform.

The resistance training includes the use of hand weights, resistance bands, booty bands, and other equipment to tone and sculpt your body. To get toned, you should go for weights just heavy enough to make your muscles burn for 1-2 minutes of repetitions (ask your instructor to help you choose the weights). For those who want to bulk up, there are heavier weights (that you can't lift for more than 8-12 reps).

2. You will enjoy the challenge

As I used to hate treadmills and kept my runs low-key (think jogging rather than running), I was dreading the treadmill part. As the workouts are split into short intervals and instructors give you a range of running speed and incline, even if you believe you are the laziest person in the world, you will discover that you don't have any excuse but to do your best in these super short intervals and you'll surprise yourself with how much you can handle.

Weights training is equally challenging and manageable - just keep reminding yourself that the intervals are short and you should do your best while the interval lasts. Your body (and mind - expect endorphins overload) will thank you later for your hard work.

Each day at Barry's is dedicated to different parts of your body so you can plan your workouts accordingly depending on what area of your body you want to focus on:

MONDAY - Arms & Abs TUESDAY - Legs & Butt WEDNESDAY - Chest & Back THURSDAY - Hard CORE (abs, baby, abs) FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY - Full Body

All the classes incorporate core exercise as core plays a huge role in our health and fitness.

3. You will feel part of the big happy family  

As Barry's Bootcamp SOMA class is big and the room is dark, no matter what shape you are in and what level of fitness you have, you can focus on your own training in your own pace and intensity.

It doesn't mean however that you are completely lost in the crowd: if you are new to the class you will get a warm welcome as well as instructors will keep an eye on you, cheer you up when you need an extra push and give you pointers on the technique to improve your performance.

4. You can reward yourself with a post-workout protein shake

There are dozens of protein shakes to choose from at the FuelBar (from Green Machine to Banana Peanut Butter shake) - place your order before the class and pick it up once you are done sweating. See what your Barry's Bootcamp trainers order at the Fuel Bar.

Packed with protein and nutrients, they will help you replenish the energy you spent in class and help your body build muscle.

5. You'll get addicted to feeling awesome

Each time you will be leaving the studio feeling super proud of yourself for completing Barry's Bootcamp and you'll be swept away with the endorphins and muscle happiness.

As you would imagine, there is a cost attached to becoming the new you with Barry's Bootcamp. In San Francisco expect to spend $32 per class (with a welcome rate of $27 for the first class) with discounted rates available when you buy more classes. Luckily, Barry's Bootcamp is also on ClassPass so you can make it part of your fitness routine at a lower cost.

Barry's Bootcamp studios offer men and women change rooms with showers, complimentary MALIN+GOETZ products, Digilock® combination lockers, complimentary towel service, and restrooms. If you want to look as good as you feel you can purchase Barry's Bootcamp merchandise at the studios. Select locations feature TRX® ceiling suspension systems to add even more exciting exercise elements into the Barry's Bootcamp formula.

Have you tried Barry's Bootcamp? What was your experience like? Get in touch - I would love to hear from you.

Barry's Bootcamp SOMA

http://www.barrysbootcamp.com/san-francisco/location

236 King St, San Francisco

(415) 546 3996