I am sharing a review of Spenga and whether I would recommend adding it to your exercise routine.
Hello! How are you? I hope you’re having a lovely day so far. I’m heading to a barre class and looking forward to family dinner later tonight.
For today’s post I wanted to talk a little about Spenga! I heard about this years ago and it was always on my mind as a format I wanted to try. Recently, a friend moved back to Tucson – we went to high school together! – And Spenga is his favorite exercise studio. She invited me to accompany her to a class, so she encouraged me to finally try it. I must say she exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait to go back.
What is Spenga (and would I recommend trying it)?
What is Spenga?
Spenga, short for Spin, Strength, Yoga, is an innovative fitness concept that has been rapidly gaining popularity in recent years. It is a group fitness program designed to offer a complete workout in a single session, providing the benefits of cardio, strength training and flexibility work.
The Spenga concept: why was it created?
Spenga was created with the goal of offering a fun, effective and time-efficient exercise routine that maximizes the benefits of different types of exercises without overloading any of them. The concept was developed to serve people who may not have the time or inclination to participate in multiple types of classes or visit multiple facilities to achieve their fitness goals.
What is a Spenga class like?
A typical Spenga class is a 60-minute session that is divided into three equal parts:
Spin:
The workout begins with a high-energy spin cycling session. This part focuses on improving cardiovascular endurance, speeding up metabolism and burning calories. This component included lots of sprints and intense hill climbs; It happened so fast!
Strength:
The twist is followed by a strength training circuit that uses a variety of equipment such as dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises. This segment is designed to build muscle strength, improve bone density, and improve overall functional fitness. Our particular workout had a combination of functional and compound movements, such as renegade rows, push-ups, and bicep curls for pressing.
Yoga:
The class concludes with a yoga-inspired stretching and recovery session that promotes flexibility, relaxation, and stress reduction. This final part ensures a holistic approach to fitness nourishing both body and mind. I loved the breath work and smooth flow.
The advantages of Spenga:
Efficiency: It offers a complete training in just one hour, saving time. Variety: Incorporate different types of exercises, which can avoid boredom in training.
Community: The group atmosphere can provide motivation and support.
Guided workouts: Classes are led by experienced instructors ensuring correct form and intensity.
Comprehensive: Balance cardio, strength and flexibility in a single session.
Supervision: They offer heart rate monitoring, which sets your personal baseline “goal” for the cardiovascular section. You can see your name in a small bubble and how well you are performing compared to your goal. This target will move depending on your performance and how often you go.
The cons of Spenga:
Intensity: It may not be suitable for all fitness levels, especially those who are new to exercise or have specific needs. I didn’t notice many modifications offered, particularly in the strength segment.
Access to equipment: Some locations may not have the same variety or quality of equipment as others.
Cost: Membership or class fees may be higher compared to single-discipline gyms or studios. I feel like our Tucson studio was very competitively priced compared to other boutique studios, especially if you use the unlimited or self-pay options. (I mean, walk-in is about $25 per class, which is pretty standard here.)
Availability: Not all areas may have a Spenga studio, limiting accessibility for some people.
Potential for Overtraining: Just like ANY specialized studio, it’s very easy to get excited and want to go every day. Because of the strength training component and intense cardio section, I think it would be best to do it 3 times a week max on non-consecutive days.
Can you lose weight with Spenga?
You guys know this isn’t my number one goal when trying a new workout, but I’m adding it here for friends who are curious and also for The Man (aka Google). To lose weight with Spenga, you’ll want to make sure you’re incorporating enough rest days into your routine, eating enough protein and produce while maintaining a calorie deficit (this is what will change your body composition), and working on your nervous system. Your body also has to be *ready* to lose weight. Therefore, this often means managing stress and increasing maintenance calories. It is very difficult to lose weight when you are very stressed. I would also emphasize lifestyle habits to support happy hormones, such as sleep, supplements to fill nutrient gaps, toxin removal, blood sugar balance, daily movement, sunlight, protein , smart carbs and healthy fats.
To sum it all up:
Spenga is a well-designed fitness program that aims to cater to those looking for a well-rounded workout without having to commit to multiple classes or facilities. Its balanced approach to cardio, strength, and flexibility makes it an attractive option for busy people looking to maximize their fitness efforts. As always, review your routine and make sure it balances cardio, strength, mobility, and rest throughout the week. Talk to a doctor before making changes to your fitness and respect your body.
I LOVED the class. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed each component and thought the instructor was excellent. I could see how difficult it would be to hire instructors with experience in cycling, personal training AND yoga. I’m curious what the instructor requirements are, because I imagine it would require several certifications.
Whether you’re new to fitness or a seasoned athlete, Spenga can be a great addition to your workout routine. By combining the best elements of cardio, strength and flexibility, it can give you a balanced routine while preventing boredom. Definitely check it out if you have a studio near you.
So tell me friends: have you tried Spenga? What is your favorite gym right now? My top three here in Tucson are Pure Barre, Roots Hot Yoga, and F45.
xo
gina
Further:
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Sculpture Society Review
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