Solidcore

Alicia G made me do it! Take a Solidcore class, that is. Note that this review comes from a place of nearly pathological aversion to classes. It’s with great reluctance when I report that I actually pretty much enjoyed myself in this studio…
… as much as one can enjoy himself when drenched in sweat, shaking and unable to physically hold myself up, and breathing heavily because my muscles are so achingly tired that I think I might faceplant into something (not always a soft padded machine part). However, the way the torture devices (I don’t recall what the actual name of the thing was) are designed, and the way our sparklingly peppy and friendly drill-​mistress had us using the equipment, there’s really no good way to chill out and take a breather for the entire fifty minutes of exhausting activity without injuring yourself. So, you just kind of have to grunt and shudder and keep on going. Brilliant, really.
Also, just to give myself a little bit of credit, I’m not exactly a completely sedentary slob that resembles one of the human beings from Wall-​E. I think friends will attest that I hit up the climbing gym on a regular basis and that I can haul my own bodyweight up a fifty foot wall repeatedly, maybe even one-​handed. So, there’s truth in Solidcore’s advertising that the workout is designed to take you to failure. Read: make you fail. Repeatedly. But at least you have a totally upbeat instructor to cheer you on as you’re busy failing. Repeatedly. She even does it in a way that comes across completely convincingly without judgment. I would utterly fail that certification test.
Fair warning: I also learned that one cannot split a package deal. I attempted to gift my spare class from the two-​pack I purchased (mostly because it’s currently less expensive than a single class) to AG, only to discover this policy. But, when you consider that you’re basically getting the equivalent of a personal training session and free use of mediaeval vehicle of torment… it’s actually completely reasonable.
While I can’t say that I’ll be coming back anytime soon (since there are no Solidcores in NYC), I can say that my ass and abs will be hurting for days. So… I’d say that’s winning post-Single’s Day!

Oh man, if you’re looking for an extremely challenging and motivating workout to spice up your life, look no further. It’s intense, and there’s no way to sugar coat it, but the coaches are so motivational and encouraging, they always play outstanding music, and every workout is completely unique so you never have the same experience. They also offer a crazy good new client offer so be sure to select that when you sign up for your first class! If you feel intimidated I would recommend checking out the [solidcore] 101 class to learn how to use the machine and get to feel a bit more comfortable with it. You have to create an account online and sign up for classes to reserve a machine, but then it’s super easy from there!
But honestly, go here.

[solidcore] is awesome! It is the most effective workout I’ve done since leaving the army a year ago. The coaches are motivating and inspiring and the workout is challenging whether you are a beginner or an experienced client. I love that it works you from head to toe with special emphasis on the core where all movement begins. The 50 minutes fly by and the workouts are always fun because they are ever the same.

[solidcore] has finally come to MD! As someone who lives in Silver Spring and works in Bethesda, it’s exciting to see my favorite workout make it outside the district lines. If you haven’t tried it before, [solidcore] is a 50 min, total body resistance strength training workout that legitimately works your muscles to the breaking point (but in a good way). For your time, I’m pretty sure there is no more efficient workout out there. You don’t waste a second in the studio — there are no breaks, but that keeps the intensity and energy up the whole time. And best of all, the community is really wonderful — everyone is super supportive and encouraging. You’ll shake, you’ll groan, and you’ll be so darn sore, but you’ll keep coming back because there’s just nothing else like it.
The new studio at the Wildwood Shopping center is absolutely gorgeous and so spacious (no fear of sweating on your neighbor here). The coaches are a delight — super approachable and friendly strong women who will push your body to do things you didn’t think it was capable of. And they have really great beginner specials, so there is no reason not to give it a try.

This place is amazing! First, it is in a great location– very convenient. Second, this is the best workout around! It is hard and challenging, but always different. The staff (especially the manager) are so friendly and helpful. The studio is brand new, very clean and welcoming.

This new location is awesome! The studio is so clean, the energy is incredible, and the workout is hard as hell. Thank you for pushing me every class and keeping up a wonderful studio atmosphere.

I like the workout but the handling of the delayed opening was not great. Was supposed to take class on ¹²⁄₂₆. The day before I checked mind body online to confirm my time and the class disappeared. I would have thought they would have told folks that the opening was delayed rather than just cancel the class and let people figure it out.