Jumping into the group exercise world can be overwhelming. If you have never entered this space or are hopping back in, here’s your guide to finding your “fit” here at MINT. 

Figure Out What Movement Your Body Responds To. 

• The MINT schedule has a wide variety of classes with varying intensities. Read the class description online and choose a few to try out! 

Know Each Instructor Is Different.

• While the class title may be the same, each instructor puts their own spin on the session. Take some time to experiment with each of our incredible instructors to see who you work with the best!

Remember Movement Is A Practice. 

• In any MINT class, the goal is never perfection—it’s progress. Like any skill, strength and movement take time to build up. Give yourself the grace to remember movement is a lifelong practice! MINT classes provide the opportunity to both try new skills and build on existing strengths in a safe, empowering space. 

Remember Group Classes Aren’t Competition, They’re Community.

• MINT prides itself on its inclusive environment, especially in our group exercise classes. Our community is here to hype you up throughout your wellness journey! While participating in a class is YOUR self-care time, there is the extra bonus of built-in friends and cheerleaders. 

Sign up for a class this week! 

Never taken a MINT signature Power Playground class but always wanted to? Check out these tips from our Cycling Director and Power Playground instructor Ori Korin before jumping into your first class!

1. HYDRATE! (Don’t follow Ori’s lead, hydrate with water, not iced coffee – iykyk)
2. Get your Life Together: This is the kind of class where you want to wear your good socks, the ones that don’t slip; your best workout headband — no bangs in the face…you know what we mean. Don’t let your gear get in the way of your EXPERIENCE.
3. Arrive To Class Early. If you’re in the gym: get there early and set up your space, taking note of the equipment you’re using and grabbing different varieties you may need. If you’re at home: Zoom on in, load your playlist, set up your space, and make sure you can see AND hear your coach!
4. Ask Questions. Feel free to ask questions, take a lower-or-higher-impact option, or scale the workout however you need – this is not a performance or a contest!
5. Encourage Your Fellow MINT Members. Whether you’re on-screen or in person, cheer on your fellow classmates, and yourself! It’s always more fun — and research tells us we get better results — with positive reinforcement!
6. Post-Class Review. After class, take stock of what felt good, what needed improvement, and what you want to try to work on. Each class is an opportunity to train and learn more about your body. If there was something you liked, tell the coach. If there was something that could’ve been better, let them know, too, or submit a feedback form, and maybe try a different instructor next time. MINT has a lot to offer!

For any of our seasoned members, do you have any tips to add? Let us know!

A little over a year ago, I started working out with a personal trainer virtually through MINT. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I knew I desperately wanted to adjust my fitness routine and I was out of ideas on how to change it on my own.

 I’d been running seriously on and off for more than 10 years, caught in an endless cycle of building up mileage and training for races before getting injured, taking several months off, and starting it all over again. I was tired of being hurt and just wanted to be able to get into a consistent fitness rhythm without having to take prolonged breaks every few years because of some muscle strain or stress fracture. 

That’s when I started personal training via Zoom last spring. Every Monday morning I log on from my home gym to work with my trainer. We chat about how I’m feeling and the goals I’m looking to achieve. Each week she leads me through a new circuit of exercises, specifically designed to help me get stronger and work towards those goals. I continue to communicate with her throughout the week, sending her videos of me doing exercises for feedback and asking follow-up questions. Thanks to her help, I’m getting stronger in ways I never would have on my own. 

Doing personal training virtually means we rarely miss a beat. It doesn’t matter if my trainer or I am away from home – I’ve even done sessions from a public park when nowhere else was available to me! Sometimes my cat makes an appearance! I recently moved out of DC and began doing the training from my new apartment’s fitness center. It offers me access to more equipment and has made my overall experience even better even though I was still getting great workouts with my dumbbell and resistance band collection at home. 

Throughout the time I’ve worked with a MINT trainer, I’ve discovered a newfound love for strength training. I used to feel running was my favorite form of exercise and all other fitness felt like a chore. Now running is an exercise I do among many and I’m able to get the same positive feelings from lifting weights or using TRX bands that I used to only get through logging miles. Having someone who is solely dedicated to paying attention to my form has been huge. No one is born knowing the right way to do a squat or a bicep curl. Having her individualized guidance helps me get more out of the exercise while reducing injury risk. It’s completely revolutionized the way I work out and has built my confidence as well. 

• Natalie, MINT Member, Personal Training Client & Ambassador

Believe it or not, dance fitness is one of the most effective workouts. What looks like a dance party is really high-intensity cardiovascular intervals that incorporate full-body strength and flexibility elements. Lucky for you, MINT offers a variety of dance fitness options! Before you enter the party, let’s get the record straight with tips from Maddie Roger: 

Myth 1: You must have dance experience to participate.

• Absolutely not! Dance fitness uses a follow-the-leader format so all skill levels can be included. 

Myth 2: Dance fitness isn’t a full-body strength workout. 

• Dance fitness classes are designed to incorporate bodyweight strength skills—they just may be masked within a fun routine. Not only will you be working upper body, lower body, and core, but there are also flexibility and balance movements thrown into the mix! 

Myth 3: Dance fitness is not an intense cardiovascular option. 

• Dancing works your cardiovascular system just like a high-intensity interval workout would. The variety of intensity safely brings your heart rate up and back down throughout the session by design. Bonus: the many modifications offered allows for an adjustable format that will give your body its most efficient workout.

Myth 4: Dance fitness is designed for women.

• Dance fitness is designed for everyone! Girls, guys, nonbinary friends: dance fitness is an inclusive space that will keep you sweating and smiling the whole time. 

Come check out our newest dance fitness class, MINT Dance Hip Hop! Sign up here, we can’t wait to see you at the party!

Looking for a full-body workout that will help with injury prevention, core stability and mobility? Look no further than Pilates. You’ve probably heard of Pilates, and there’s never been a better time to give it a try for yourself. At first glance, it may seem intimidating, so we’re giving you the basics on pilates at MINT. 

Timea Presley, Pilates Teacher Trainer and Master Instructor with more than 20 years of experience in various forms of pilates, has an impressive resume in Pilates, yoga and dance. She has more than 30,000 hours of experience teaching and has managed pilates programs and studios across Europe and the U.S.

Since Timea is an expert in all things Pilates, we asked her to break down the main benefits, misconceptions and types of pilates you can try at MINT. 

There’s a long list of the benefits of a regular Pilates practice. Pilates can help improve posture and increase core strength and overall stability. All exercises are created to prevent injury, so a pilates class is perfect cross-training. Pilates can also enhance your functional fitness and promote balance and flexibility, as well as heightened body awareness. Because of these benefits, Pilates can be an excellent addition to your routine and help you achieve your fitness goals. 

For those who haven’t taken a Pilates class, Timea busted a few myths:

1. Pilates works the core only. Wrong! Pilates is a whole-body exercise and you’ll get a great workout for your entire body every time. 
2. Pilates is hard. Nope! Pilates is a great way to work on your mind and body and is great for beginners. You may even find a new passion. If you’re interested in elevating your pilates practice, Timea recommends a private session to get you started on your journey and begin to build strength. 
3. Pilates is fast-paced and with loud music. Definitely not! The inventor of pilates, Joseph Pilates, described the practice as “corrective exercise.” It requires focus and concentration to perform the Pilates moves, so classes are often in a quiet setting. Pilates is an excellent way to work out while enjoying some peace and quiet in your day. 

Now that we’ve busted a few myths, are you ready to take your first pilates class? MINT offers two different formats — Apparatus, or equipment based private sessions that include the Reformer, Tower, Stability Chair, Ladder Barrel, and many props and mat-based group Pilates classes. On the group side, Mat Pilates and Power Pilates is appropriate for all fitness levels and done in a group setting, oftentimes with props, that will give you an invigorating, full-body workout that’ll leave you feeling strong and relaxed. If you’re new to pilates, a private session is a great place to start. 

Timea teaches Mat Pilates and MINTBarre throughout the week at MINT Dupont. If you’re interested in Private Apparatus Pilates sessions please contact Timea directly: timeamintdc@gmail.com.