Fit to Print Volume 25 Issue 1 March 2016 | Page 13

Group Ex

by Kelly Wallace

Outside the Box. Literally.
Power X Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary

or unmotivated. Power X makes “hump”
day the highlight of my week!
-Danielle Mannarino
Happy 5th Birthday, Power X! Wow, I
can't believe five years have gone by
already since that first summer on the
fields where we tried the battle ropes
and were introduced to the VIPRs. I
remember doing the stations thinking
those were some of the most intense
workouts I had ever tried! It was

Power Xers, Inside and Out: Monica Proto, Kira Munoz, and Jen Guerra

E

merging science suggests there are
benefits to exercising outdoors that
can't be easily replicated in a gym.
A study in 2011 found that outdoor
exercise was associated with greater
decreases in tension, confusion, anger
and depression when compared to indoor
activity. For many people, it's just easier
to stick with an outdoor activity. This,
along with the three amazing pieces of
equipment (ViPR, TRX, and Battle
Ropes), has kept people returning to
Power X for five seasons. I developed this
class to challenge its participants with
novel equipment and exercises that are
functional for everyday life. It tests you
both physically and mentally. The class is
structured around short but intense
exercise intervals that are constantly
changing. Another draw to the class is
they are never the same. There are tons
of variations that can be used with the
equipment, making it a challenge every
time because you never know what's
coming! Here is some insight on the
equipment we use and how the
participants feel about the class.
ViPR is the
ultimate
functional,
whole-body
training tool. It
will increase
muscle strength
ViPR
and tone, burns
calories and
reduces body fat. The VIPR combines
strength and movement training,
improves balance and flexibility.

TRX

TRX is three-dimensional
training that allows you
to hit all three planes of
training, sagittal, frontal
and transverse. It also

allows you to build tremendous
strength and power without ever
bulking up, developing long, lean, and
strong muscles everywhere!
Battle Ropes
are an
unbelievable
tool that
provide an
intense
workout for
Battle Ropes
3
improving
muscular
strength, endurance, cardiovascular
conditioning, have substantial fat
burning properties and get your heart
rate up immediately! Rope training is a
low-impact exercise that's an amazing
way to develop mental toughness.
Consistently training on the ropes can
drastically increase your mental and
physical threshold. There is NO
cheating on the ropes. You can see
exactly how hard you are working by
the rhythmic movement of the rope,
which also allows you to “fire” the
weaker side (which most of us have).
All of this, along with its amazing
“crew,” has made Power X a class that
is something to look forward to each
week - and also be a little afraid of!
People have gotten stronger, tougher
and leaner. It is hard to believe it's
been five years. I can't wait to see
what the next five years bring! Here
are what some of the classes’
participants wanted to share about
Power X.
Five years ago I was headed to Power
X thinking, “fun, an outdoor class.” It
was so much more than that. I would
never have thought I would look
forward to class in 30-degree weather.
Kelly always brings new moves and
challenges. I've never once felt bored
Spring 2016 FIT to Print

addictive, and it's never gone away.
Power X is a class that's true to its
name. It's powerful, and it has a way of
making you feel powerful. Congrats on
five awesome years to my Power X
family! I can't wait to get back out there
with all of you this season!
-Amanda Pryor
Power X has shown me that I can
challenge myself. Just when I feel that
I've had enough, I hear Kelly saying, "5
more seconds" - and let's face it, you
can convince yourself that you can do
five more seconds of almost anything and then you do it! The satisfaction that
you get ignites a spark that encourages
you to rise to the occasion again and
again. It's that awesome feeling that
comes with the class that has kept me
there for the past five years!
- Grace McHugh
I remember when Kelly and Shawn first
presented the Power X workout. The
ropes, VIPR, and TRX were new to me,
and each seemed pretty intimidating. As
time, and my workouts progressed,
Power X has become like an esteemed
authority figure. I fear it less and
admire it more. I've gotten stronger in
all areas simply because Kelly structures
the class so well –you don't fatigue in
one area before you move on to the
next. This also contributes to the class
“being over before you know it.” Also,
working outside is wonderful. Power X is
not a class I thought I'd find myself doing
five years later, but here I am. My
balance is better. My abs are stronger. So

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