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Important notice regarding MINT Downtown

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After an amazing 8 years, we will close the doors of our downtown location on Tuesday, August 28th, 2018. But don’t sweat (at least not until you’re taking a MINT Box class), we have two awesome locations, MINT Dupont and MINT Manhattan Laundry. While the building’s owner decided to lease the space to a corporate chain, we’re thankful for all the memories we’ve shared at this location. That being said, we will continue to be your neighborhood gym providing more class, and less drama. Share your best MINT Downtown memories on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using the #MINTGymDC for a chance to be featured in our next MINT Newsletter and to win some MINTy fresh gear.

Be sure to continue your workout at our flagship location, MINT Dupont, and at the home of next-level team training, MINT Manhattan Laundry. MINT Dupont features complete cardio and weight training, four class studios, with a huge selection of Strength, Barre and Dance, Yoga, Intensity, Cycle and much more. MINT Manhattan Laundry features our popular MINTBox, the signature Power Playground, FUZE classes, and open gym hours, and we’re working to add Barre and Yoga!

Both clubs offer fresh open layouts with ample windows for natural light, showers, keyless lockers, and all the MINTy amenities to which you have become accustomed. PLUS, childcare at MINT Dupont. MINT Dupont will also see some key improvements this Fall, including a new stretch area and more!

As you can see, we’re working diligently to make sure our members have the best experience possible at MINT so they can be the best possible versions of themselves.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being a loyal MINT member; we’ll see you at the gym!

Dogs Days of Summer

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Meet Justin Yampolsky, our MINT member of the Month

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How has your experience been with MINT?
I talk A LOT about how much I love MINT. It’s a great gym, with great staff, and I feel happy when I’m here. I’ve had a lot of firsts at MINT like my first workout class and my first 10k run. I like sharing MINT with friends, meeting new people in my classes, and also just being here alone with my thoughts. Compared to other places I’ve lived, DC can sometimes feel very cerebral like we’re all brains walking around detached from our bodies. I like MINT because, like a nice hike or a swim, being here engages all my senses and makes me feel at home in my body.

Fitness goals and how you have started working your way towards them?
I don’t have any specific fitness goals that immediately come to mind. I guess like everyone I want to feel good and look good. When I was a kid, I wanted to play in the NBA, but adulthood is different because I unfortunately have less time for delusions. It’s nice though to still feel connected to my NBA dreams by pretending I’m training for the championship or something. I guess my abstract fitness goal is to remain connected to that youthful feeling of coming home from school with a ton of energy and spending all afternoon running and jumping around the neighborhood with friends. The group fitness classes remind me of that feeling, and I work towards my goal by attending as many classes as I can.

Classes you like?
Plyofit, TRX Bootcamp, Power Playground, and FLEX-Upper Body.

Three Simple Tips for Flying with Back Pain

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If you’re heading out on vacation anytime soon – or making plans to do so – one of the things to consider is the effect that flying can have on your back.

Let me explain:
Cramped legroom, uncomfortable seating and being confined to a small space all contribute to lower back pain during and after a flight.

And when a substantial, 88% of people, experience increased back pain following a flight, I wanted to share 3 simple tips that will help support your back and make traveling much more comfortable when jetting off…

First off, if you’re going on a long flight – schedule your flights carefully.

Flying is the most tricky part of traveling for many people with back pain; being shoehorned into a cramped seat for hours on end can leave you feeling crippled.

Some people like to minimize their time in the air by booking direct flights whenever possible, which also helps reduce the number of time you have to lift your carry-on into the overhead bin too!

So, if you’re on a long flight, and you’re spending 5+ hours in the air, try to find a direct flight to minimize travel time and be sure to get up and move about, or stand at the back of the plane – only when the “seatbelt sign is off.” 😉

This next tip might seem self-explanatory, but when we’re sat on a flight – how often do we get up and move?

Unless you sleep well on planes and plan to nod off for the entire flight, you’ll probably want to request an aisle seat for your journey. This will allow you to easily stand up frequently and move around the cabin without disturbing your seatmates. Plus, sitting too long in the same position causes tightness and pain.

You can do some simple stretches in the back of the plane, and if you’re unable to get up, you can do some stretches in your seat such as neck rolls or raising your hands high above your head for a good stretch.

Next, are you taking a carry-on? If so, do your best to pack light.

Every extra item you squeeze into your carry-on is one more thing you’ll have to hoist up into the overhead bin or drag through the airport.

Make it easier on yourself by packing less and checking-in any bags you know you won’t be able to lift easily over your head.

This same advice applies for when you reach your destination too – when you’re out exploring, take a small backpack that distributes weight evenly rather than using a shoulder bag that places unnecessary pressure on one side of your body.

If you must carry a single shoulder bag, switch it regularly from one side to the other throughout the
day to make it easier on your body.

If you want more tips to ease back pain, ask for my FREE BACK PAIN REPORT that shows you ways to ease back pain naturally – it has some helpful exercises inside too which you can use on your vacation. Just email me at trupti@mmsspt.com and your digital copy will be on its way to you, right away.

Meet Elliot Frost, our MINT member of the month

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How has your experience been with MINT?
My experience with MINT has been an incredible one. I’ve absolutely loved the community feel. I met a ton of my friends here, and I feel a part of the MINT family.

Fitness goals and how you have started working your way towards them?
My fitness goals are to be the best olympic-style weightlifter I can be. My 5 year goal is to become national champion, with a bunch of minor goals to get there (yearly goals, monthly, and weekly goals). To get there I’m focusing on consistency, technique, and mentality. All of which MINT can and has helped with (always having a clean and well managed gym for consistency, personal trainers for technique, and a community of like minded fitness individuals for mentality).

How is your personal training experience (if working with a trainer)?
I haven’t done any 1-on-1 personal training, but the personal trainers are always available for technique advice and a helping hand.

Classes you like?
I do mostly olympic style lifting, but on my cardio days my FAVORITE is cycling with Marianne downtown on Mondays or Saturdays, and ANY of Roger’s classes.

Why you want boxing in your routine

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By Debra Samuel, MINT General Manager

Boxing is one of the oldest sports in the world. For the uninitiated, however, staring down rows of hanging bags, donning wraps and gloves, learning new punches, and envisioning fists of fury may feel a little intimidating; for others, it may simply be an exciting challenge. But no matter what, you should ditch any hesitation and get yourself to a MINTBox class ASAP, because boxing is a completely accessible workout that boasts an impressive list of calorie torching, whole-body-sculpting benefits that you won’t want to miss.

1.Improve Cardiovascular Health and Torch Calories

For even the newest boxer, there is an immediate cardiovascular benefit. In boxing, you move nearly non-stop during each round, whether it is throwing (or dodging) punch combinations, working on footwork, or doing complementary cardio like jumping rope, jumping jacks, and burpees. You do get short recovery periods between intervals, but the effort phases are intense. Not only does that help train your heart to work more efficiently, lower your resting heart rate, reduce the risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer, and generally help you feel your best, but it also burns mega calories.

2.Head-to-Toe Sculpting

Think boxing is solely an upper-body workout? Think again. Boxing recruits a wide range of muscles, as the power behind the punches lies in a boxer’s hips and legs, and effective technique also requires (and builds) a strong back and core. In most boxing classes, your coach will not only help you refine your punching form, leading to faster and better results, but also will push you through complementary strength training exercises to accelerate those gains. In addition, because boxing is a weight-bearing sport that forces you to work against gravity, it may also help you prevent bone loss.

3.Improve Balance, Coordination, and Agility

In boxing, you move your body in so many different ways and directions. You punch, duck, slip, squat, pivot, and more – and often very quickly. These quick shifts, along with your coach’s fresh combinations and dynamic programming, will help you improve your balance, coordination, and agility, keeping you light on your toes and quick on your feet.

4.Relieve Stress

Ever just feel to need to hit something to let out a little stress or tension? Enough said. Not only do you get a tangible stress release from making contact with the heavy bag or focus mitts, but you also see the endorphin-driven mental health benefits that come with all intense exercise.

Boxing fitness classes will keep you in fighting form, so to speak. But they will also help you to avoid the dreaded fitness plateau by ensuring that your routine is dynamic and fresh, and that you remain challenged even as your body adapts. So step into the ring and add boxing into your training routine today. You won’t regret it. Try MINTBox at MINT Manhattan Laundry as part of a 5 day free trial.